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Blackmagic Video Assist 4K
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    • 7" 1920 x 1200 screen
    • 2 mini-XLR audio inputs with phantom power
    • 2 SD cards
    • 2160p30 support
    • 10-bit 4:2:2 HD ProRes or DNxHD recording.
    • Dual UHS-II SDHC card recorders
    • -128dBV noise floor for high quality audio recording.
    • LANC connection for remote control.
    • Auto start/stop recording using HDMI or SDI triggers.
    • Includes slots for 2 hot pluggable batteries as well as 12V DC power input.
    • Full compatibility with editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid and Premier Pro.
    • All in one design, mount to cameras, hold in your hand or set up on a table with the included kickstand.
    • Includes 6G-SDI input allowing it to be used as an Ultra HD monitor.
    • Available at https://www.adorama.com/bmvideoas4.html

    https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/blackmagicvideoassist

    PR

    Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Video Assist 4K, a portable all in one professional monitor and video recorder that can be used to add professional recording and monitoring to any SDI or HDMI camera. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features a bright, high resolution 7 inch monitor for checking focus and framing, two high speed recorders for non-stop HD and Ultra HD recording, two extremely high quality XLR microphone inputs for professional audio recording, a built in speaker and more.

    The Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is perfect for customers that need better monitoring and higher quality recording. Older cameras often feature custom and hard to use file or tape formats, while lower cost consumer cameras often have poor quality file formats and small screens, limiting their professional use. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K solves this problem because it works with every type of camera from DSLRs to older tape based camcorders, and even the latest digital film cameras.

    Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features two built in high speed UHS-II recorders that work with the latest high performance SD cards, making them fast enough to record Ultra HD video up to 2160p30 on widely available, inexpensive SD cards. Files are saved as broadcast quality 10-bit 4:2:2 video in either ProRes or DNxHD formats, making them compatible with all popular editing software, like DaVinci Resolve, so you can start editing immediately without having to transcode or convert files. Recording can be triggered to start and stop using LANC or over HDMI or SDI from the camera. With two built in recorders, customers get non-stop recording because when one card is full it automatically continues onto the next. The new high speed SD cards are compatible with existing SD card readers so they can be mounted directly on a computer for cloning and backup using the included DaVinci Resolve software.

    Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is also an extremely high quality audio recorder that features two mini XLR inputs with 48V of phantom power so customers can attach external microphones. This totally eliminates the problems with auto gain controls on DLSR cameras and, with an amazing low electrical noise floor of -128dBV, the recordings are incredibly high quality and sound dramatically better than camera audio. Sound is recorded into the same file as the video, so customers don’t have to worry about AV sync between separate audio and video files!

    Durable and lightweight, the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features a bright, 7 inch high resolution 1920 x 1200 monitor and touchscreen with a wide 135º viewing angle. The extra resolution of the screen lets customers view 16:9 sources and see critical status information without covering the image. The display is also a touchscreen that lets customers use simple tap and swipe gestures to display camera information, change settings and evaluate audio and video levels. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features an elegant heads up display overlay that lets customers keep their eyes on the shot while viewing the current input frame rate, histogram, audio meters, timecode and more.

    For power, Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features two standard LP-E6 battery slots that allow hot swapping of batteries while in use, and it can be powered using the 12V DC input. The batteries are discharged serially, so only 1 is used at a time. When there’s power, the batteries are charged in parallel, which saves time when recharging.

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  • 35 Replies sorted by
  • Our interview at NAB NY exactly about latest firmware

  • Blackmagic Video Assist 2.5 update adds

    • Vectorscope,
    • Waveform monitor
    • RGB parade
    • Histogram
    • Add Anamorphic Desqueeze to the Video Assist 4K
    • Add Blue (only to the Video Assist 4K)
    • General performance and stability updates to both models
  • As of Nov.2016's update, it seems both models now support 3D LUTs: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicvideoassist

  • They did have a portable recorder that had SSD drive slot. However I think devices that use SSD's are also very temperamental with media selection as so many different SSD configurations exist with different speeds.

    Issues with many cameras was they used very old hardware and saved on RAM buffers.

  • It's a pity that Blackmagic went down the SD card path. They did have a portable recorder that had SSD drive slot. However I think devices that use SSD's are also very temperamental with media selection as so many different SSD configurations exist with different speeds.

  • I think another issue is media. As good reliable fast SD cards are more expensive and harder to deal compared to SSDs.

  • @Lohmatji It doesn't do 4K60p or higher framerates, doesn't accept Sony Raw signal

  • I wonder why it's not popular. For the price and features it way outperforms solutions from Odyssey and Atomos, right?

  • Fremont, California - June 27, 2017 - Blackmagic Design today announced a new summer special promotion for Blackmagic Video Assist and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K. During this promotion, customers can save US$100 on the purchase of a Blackmagic Video Assist, and US $300 on the purchase of a Blackmagic Video Assist 4K. That means Blackmagic Video Assist can now be purchased for only US $395 and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K can be purchased for US$595 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide while stocks last.

    The Video Assist summer special makes it easier than ever for customers to add professional monitoring and broadcast quality recording to any SDI or HDMI camera. With the new summer special pricing for limited stock, customers will be able to buy a Video Assist for each of their cameras.

    The Blackmagic Video Assist family of products gives customers better monitoring and higher quality recording than is available on many cameras. Older cameras often feature custom and hard to use file or tape formats, while lower cost consumer cameras often have poor quality file formats and small screens, limiting their professional use. Blackmagic Video Assist solves this problem because it works with every type of camera from DSLRs to older tape based camcorders, and even the latest digital film cameras. Customers get a large professional on set monitor, along with 10-bit broadcast quality ProRes and DNxHR recording.

    In addition to professional monitoring and recording, the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K model will also support powerful built in scopes such as a waveform monitor, RGB parade, vectorscope and histogram in the upcoming Video Assist 2.5 Update, along with extremely high fidelity audio recording and microphone inputs.

    “Video Assist is an incredibly versatile tool and has become an indispensable part of everyone’s production kit,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “It’s the perfect portable field monitor and recorder, and now customers can get them at an even lower price so they can add them to all of their cameras while stocks last!”

    Blackmagic Video Assist 4K Key Features

    • 7 inch LCD touch screen with 1920 x 1200 high resolution monitor.
    • Professional 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNxHD recording up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p30
    • Dual high speed UHS-II SDHC card recorders use readily available, inexpensive SD card media.
    • Dual recorders allow non-stop recording and provide a backup if one fails.
    • 2 mini XLR connectors with 48V phantom power for connecting microphones.
    • -128dBV electrical noise floor for high quality audio recording.
    • LANC connection for remote control.
    • Auto start/stop recording using HDMI or SDI triggers.
    • Includes slots for 2 hot pluggable batteries as well as 12V DC power input.
    • Full compatibility with editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid and Premier Pro.
    • All in one design, mount to cameras, hold in your hand or set up on a table with the included kickstand.
    • Includes 6G-SDI input allowing it to be used as an Ultra HD monitor.

    Blackmagic Video Assist Key Features

    • 5 inch LCD touch screen with1080p high resolution monitor.
    • Professional 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes and DNxHD recording in HD.
    • Includes slots for 2 hot pluggable batteries as well as 12V DC power input.
    • Full compatibility with editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid and Premiere Pro.
    • All in one design, mount to cameras, hold in your hand or set up on a table with the included kickstand.
    • Includes 6G-SDI input with downconverter allowing it to be used as an Ultra HD monitor.

    Availability and Price

    Blackmagic Video Assist is available for US$395 and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is available for US$595 during the Summer Special promotion, with limited stock now available from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

  • Blackmagic Design today announced the immediate availability of Blackmagic Video Assist 2.4 update which adds support for multi-lingual support for 10 separate languages. This means customers can now use Video Assist in their native language. This update is available now as a free update for all Blackmagic Video Assist and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K customers.

    Also demonstrated at the NAB 2017 show are powerful new professional scopes operating on the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K model, including waveform, RGB parade, vectorscope and histogram that can be viewed full screen for accurately evaluating video signals passing through Blackmagic Video Assist 4K. These scopes are shown as a development preview and will also be available in June as a software update free of charge for all Blackmagic Video Assist 4K customers.

    Customers can see a beta demonstration of the new language support and preview the new professional scopes on Blackmagic Video Assist 4K at the Blackmagic Design NAB 2017 booth at #SL216.

    The new scopes make the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K model perfect for live production monitoring, as portable test scope for broadcasters, and even for balancing color when color grading using the RGB parade scope.

    The new localized Video Assist adds interface support for Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. This broad language support now makes it easier for more customers to use Video Assist anywhere in the world.

    “Video Assist has become an indispensable part of everyone’s production kit,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “It’s the perfect portable field monitor and recorder. The addition of full blown professional scopes makes it even more exciting and useful for customers. Plus, the new multi-lingual interface will make it easier for non-English speaking customers to use it!”

    Availability and Price

    Blackmagic Video Assist 2.4 update is available now from the Blackmagic Design website free of charge for all current Blackmagic Video Assist and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K customers. Blackmagic Video Assist 2.5, which will support scopes on the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K model will be available in June.

  • It does not record 4k. Uhd 2160p only per specs.

  • Another review

  • I am also very interested in this product. I like the usage of SD cards, (dual) and dual batteries.

    Now all we need is LUT support and they can take my money.

  • Do you mean like the HDR panasonic camcorders? I still dont understand why you need a special output for this. Do you have some reference?

  • HDR footage? What do you mean by this, and why does it require a special recorder?

    I mean that we are in early non standardized age.

    Consumer/hybrid cameras will be using 4kp60 with HEVC, may be with intraframe option also. HDMI output will use latest additions, same as players will use with HDR output to TVs.

  • @Vitaliy_Kiselev HDR footage? What do you mean by this, and why does it require a special recorder?

  • does it have focus peaking?

  • I just got back from NAB and had a chance to speak with Nicolas, who is the product manager for the Video Assist series. Super nice and answered some of my questions:

    From what he told me, which would all be "speculation"

    • I asked him about LUTS and he said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could load them in the flash memory, and have up to 6 to choose from."
    • More tools such as false color, vector scope, are a possibility.
      -they are listening to our concerns with this and the 5" version -different peaking color other than green. He understands that shooting outside against a green landscape doesn't help too much -they are aware of the "green tint" and hope to add tools to adjust color on the monitor to address that
    • look for something this summer with a firmware upgrade
    • he said just like the 5" Video Assist, from what it's initial release, it will look like a different monitor late this summer with firmware upgrade.

    All "speculative" from his mouth.

  • If this had LUT support and custom anamorphic unstretch I would be all over it.