Blackmagic Design, a company which specialises in creating high quality video production products, has announced availability of the Camera 1.9 software update, which can be downloaded at no cost to Blackmagic Production Camera 4K customers from the company’s website. The software caters to users by including a new heads up display on screen metering feature, which provides them with useful histogram, peak audio meter and remaining recording time information.
Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design says, “We are extremely excited that we have been able to provide yet another release for our camera customers. Having this new heads up display with on screen scopes will enable film makers to shoot the most amazing images with confidence that they will get incredible results in post-production!”
The histogram scope
This feature displays the distribution of luminance in images and indicates as to whether highlights or shadows are being clipped, which results in users being able to quickly and easily set exposure in a shot. It largely benefits DOP’s, who are able to shoot with more confidence knowing that it will be much easier to colour grade shots in post-production. Similarly, because highlights and shadows can be adjusted interactively with the lens setting, ensuring images are not clipped and maximum detail in tonal ranges is preserved, colourists are able to use the full contrast range of the camera to execute impressive grading effects in post-production.
Audio metering with peak hold
When using the built in microphone as well as externally connected audio sources this feature allows users to set audio levels for Channels one and two. It also speeds up the viewing of audio levels and adjusts camera audio gain so that audio is not clipped or distorted.
Recording time remaining indicator
The new heads up display also includes a feature which shows the remaining space available on a recording disk. It displays red when the disk is getting full and in order to ensure accurate time remaining values, if either the frame rate or codec are changed, this feature is programmed to automatically re-calibrate.
Download this update using a Mac or Windows computer by installing it via a simple USB cable connection to the camera. Once completed, customers can view the new on screen menus by swiping their finger up from the bottom of the capacitive touch screen.
Visit the Blackmagic Design website for more information.