Great news! Blackmagic Design today announced a major new software update for the original Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K camera. New features include localization, 3D LUTs options, customizable frame guides, and more improved functionality. Read about the importance of this update below.
URSA Mini Pro 4.6K
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K constitutes one of those cinema cameras that helped to initiate the revolution regarding affordable cinematic image capture. The URSA Mini Pro was released on March 2, 2017. The initial price was $6,000. Compared to the URSA Mini, it owned an internal neutral density wheel, shoulder-accessible controls, and a secondary 4″ touchscreen, and shipped only in a 4.6K specification. Its most unique feature is a user-interchangeable lens mount. Reviewers praised the imagery that came from this camera by comparing it to the ARRI ALEXA (“the ALEXA Look”).
Netflix approved
The URSA Mini Pro 4.6K was one of the first cameras to be Netflix approved (check the slide below) by utilizing the CinemaDNG codec. At a later stage, when the BRAW was announced and implemented into the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K (and G2), Netflix has updated the image capture requirements regarding the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and defined the approved recording format to BRAW. Although the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K has been discontinued for quite some time, bargains can be found on the net. For instance, B&H has a stock of used URSA Mini Pro 4.6Ks for around $3,500 which is a very good deal. This camera is a great value when considering price and performance, and most importantly, it produces stunning images.
Camera 6.9.3 Update
Blackmagic Design today announced a major new software update for the original Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K camera that adds localization for 11 languages, the ability to embed custom 3D LUTs in Blackmagic RAW clips, new customizable frame guides as well as improved behavior for function buttons. The update also adds improved compatibility for embedded audio on SDI outputs, better jam sync timecode functionality, and more. “This update adds a lot of new features to the original URSA Mini Pro 4.6K model, bringing it up to the latest software as the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 and URSA Broadcast,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “It’s very exciting because now all URSA Mini Pro customers can upgrade to the latest software at no charge, giving them access to a range of powerful new capabilities to shoot with.”
It’s very exciting because now all URSA Mini Pro customers can upgrade to the latest software at no charge, giving them access to a range of powerful new capabilities to shoot with.
Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO
The Blackmagic Camera 6.9.3 feature list
- Support for 11 popular languages.
- Adds common off-speed frame rate options above the slider.
- Ability to embed custom LUTs in Blackmagic RAW clips.
- Ability to disable or remap function and HFR buttons.
- Remapping of VTR and Ret buttons on B4 lenses.
- Improved compatibility for embedded audio on SDI outputs.
- Sidetone level adjustment.
- Improved ballistics and scaling of audio meters.
- Choice of -18 or -20dB reference levels for audio meters.
- Quick media switching from the heads up display.
- Support for HDR metadata in SDI output.
- ‘LUT’ icon to status text overlays.
- ‘PRE’ icon to status text overlays for preset timecode.
- 2:1, 1:1, and 4:5 monitoring frame guides.
- Customizable frame guides.
- Ability to lock timecode to SDI Input.
- Better jam sync timecode functionality.
- Improved stability when using external or program references.
- Improved accuracy of status text on SDI outputs.
- Improved ND filter status text.
- Improved auto exposure speed and performance.
- Improved media formatting user interface.
The 6.9.3 Update is available now as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website.
Update (3/6/20)
Version 6.9.3 was temporarily removed because of a bug. Blackmagic reports: “We have been told of a bug in our recent Camera 6.9.3 update that can cause a problem with noise in highlights. We are working on a fix and have temporarily removed the link. Please revert to Camera 6.9.2 update if you see any problems, we will have an improved update soon”.
Update (6/6/20)
Blackmagic announced on a new Camera 6.9.4 Update. This update is for Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and fixes a bug that causes an issue in highlights. Download it on Blackmagic’s website.
Updated Installation and Operation Manual
Blackmagic Design also has updated the installation and operation guide for the URSA Mini and URSA Mini Pro which can be downloaded from here.
Final thoughts
It’s always great seeing a discontinued camera gets upgraded with a decent feature set. As mentioned, the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K is an outstanding cinema camera that can be used in a wide variety of productions from independent to high-end and Netflix. Now, with the new (and free) update, the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K is even more powerful.
Are you a URSA shooter? What do you think about this new update? Let’s know in the comments section down below!
