Blackmagic Design has released an firmware update via the Camera utility for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

The Camera Utility 1.9.7 allows you to update your Blackmagic Camera to the latest software release for new features, bug fixes and other enhancements.

The new disk formatting feature allows customers to format SSDs and SD cards in-camera so they don’t need to use a computer to prepare disks for recording. This new disk formatting feature is unique because unlike computers that format disks for general storage use, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Pocket Cinema Camera can format disks optimised for high-performance video use.

Blackmagic Design announces new disk formatting update for Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

Fremont, CA – October 8, 2014 – Blackmagic Design today announced the immediate availability of Camera 1.9.7 software which includes dashboard on screen menus and high performance disk formatting for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

Blackmagic Camera 1.9.7 update is available now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design website.

The new disk formatting feature allows customers to format SSD’s and SD Cards in camera so they don’t need to use a computer to prepare disks for recording. This new disk formatting feature is unique because unlike computers that format disks for general storage use, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Pocket Cinema Camera can format disks optimized for high performance video use. When formatting the camera confirms the brand of disk and other disks parameters and then formats for highest speed video data recording and playback for that specific type of disk.

This also means that as new disks are released in the future, new software can be released to take advantage of unique features of disks for maximum performance when recording high data rate RAW 4K images.

Customers also get the opportunity to choose between two disk formats, ExFAT and HFS+. The ExFAT is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X so is a good choice when customers are working on Windows or working between Windows and Mac OS X platforms as both platforms natively will read the disk. When customers are working on Mac OS X exclusively, the HFS+ format is the native Mac OS format and this allows higher performance for Mac users as well as better error protection because HFS+ supports journaling.

Allowing easy selection of the format to erase the disk, the new Blackmagic Camera Update 1.9.7 also includes the new dashboard menu that allows actions on camera functions to be selected quickly. Customers can choose to format disks, enable focus peaking, go to the settings page and other camera operations on nice big easy to use buttons.

“Following on from the popular release of in camera disk formatting on the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K last month, we are very happy to now release this feature for all models of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Pocket Cinema Camera,,” said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. “Having this new formatting feature in the camera means customers get increased convenience as well as getting the most out of the SSD’s and SD cards so they can record higher data rate but extremely high quality RAW formats easier then ever before!”

Blackmagic Cinema Camera Key Features

Large, high resolution 2.5K sized sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range

New PL model is compatible with extremely high quality PL cinema lenses.Wide 12 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.

Compatible with extremely high quality PL,EF and MFT mount lenses.

Built in SSD recorder allows long duration recording onto solid state disks.

Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software, such as ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422 Proxy, DNxHD and uncompressed RAW. No custom file formats.

Features all standard connections, including jack mic/line audio in, 3G-SDI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini

jack, Thunderbolt, LANC remote control and standard DC 12-30V power connection.

Built in touch screen LCD for camera settings and metadata entry compatible with popular video editing software including Final Cut Pro X.

Supports Ultra HD and 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.

Includes UltraScope software for live scopes via the built in Thunderbolt connection.

Includes DaVinci Resolve color grading software.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Key Features

High resolution 1080HD Super 16mm sized sensor with superior handling of image detail.

Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.

Compatible with extremely high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts via common third party adapters such as PL mount and Super 16 cine lenses.

Built in SD card recorder allows long duration recording with easy to use media.

Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422 Proxy and lossless

CinemaDNG 12-bit RAW. No custom file formats.

Standard connections including mini jack mic/line audio in, micro HDMI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini jack, LANC remote control and standard DC 12-30V power connection.

Built in LCD for camera settings via easy to use menus..

Supports 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.

Compatible with DaVinci Resolve Lite color grading software.

Availability and Price

Camera 1.9.7 is available now for download from the Blackmagic Design web site free of charge for all Blackmagic Cinema Camera and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera customers.