Yesterday, we saw a “sneak peak” or more like a premature release of the highly-awaited Firmware update 1.8 from BlackMagic Design. The twitter-sphere exploded with rumours and speculations that it might have been a beta version.
We posted about the leaked release yesterday, so check it out the post we did here, if you’ve missed it.
The reasons why yesterday’s leak happened are irrelevant now, as we have an official release in our hands, straight from the horses mouth as they say.
Today, BMD quickly dismissed yesterday’s leak as an “unofficial” update, and confirmed the official release of Camera Utility 1.8 today by releasing the details below.
This directly from BMD:
“You may have seen something going around about a new firmware update for Blackmagic Design cameras. I just wanted to make you aware that this is not a software release we have approved. We don’t support it and it should not be installed on cameras. We will definitely let you know officially when the new firmware will be available to download.
Thanks”
BMD’s own CEO – Grant Petty tells us all about the new firmware 1.8 in the video below.
[via www.marcotec-shop.com]
All you need to know about the new Blackmagic Camera Utility 1.8
Blackmagic Production Camera 4K (BMPC)
- Updated user interface
- Losslessly compressed RAW DNG recording support
- Addresses an issue where pixel artefacts are seen in edges with strong highlights while shooting in 1080 mode
- Adds autofocus support for compatible EF lenses
Blackmagic Cinema Camera (BMCC)
- Updated user interface
- Adds autofocus support for compatible EF lenses
- Improved debayering when shooting to ProRes or DNxHD
- Improved focus peaking display
- Improved ISO handling when shooting at ISO 1600
- Improved general audio performance
- Iris setting is retained when switching between camera recording and clip playback
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC)
- Updated user interface
- Improved performance when recording using internal microphones
- Improved instances where a grid-like pattern may occur in some flare highlights
- General improvements in autofocus with active MFT lenses
- Adds supports for stabilization in MFT lenses without physical O.I.S switches
- Improved support for Sigma MFT lenses
- Improved support for Lumix 12-42mm PZ lens
- Improved support for Olympus 60mm f/2.8 MFT lens
- Iris setting is retained when switching between camera recording and clip playback
Blackmagic Studio Camera
- Improved phantom power compatibility
- Addresses an issue with interlace video being output as progressive video
Minimum system requirements for Mac OS X
- Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks or later
- Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or later
- A suitable USB 2.0 port
- Thunderbolt port for UltraScope and Media Express when using Blackmagic Cinema Camera or Blackmagic Production Camera 4K
Minimum system requirements for Windows
- Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit
- A suitable USB 2.0 port
- A suitable Thunderbolt port when using Blackmagic Cinema Camera or Blackmagic Production Camera 4K
Here’s how to Install the Blackmagic Camera Utility:
Before installing the update, BMD recommend you run “Uninstall Camera Utility” first.
The Blackmagic Cinema Camera Installer package installs:
Blackmagic Camera Utility
Blackmagic Media Express
Blackmagic UltraScope
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
After loading the software on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF or MFT, you may notice a slight flickering on the built-in LCD screen. This is normal and expected behaviour. The flickering will go away after a few minutes of operation.
So, in summary – no audio meters, and updates look the same as the unofficial release in terms of what’s updated. However, Grant Petty did mention that they are rolling out a “big software update in steps, over the next few months” so let’s hope that audio meters and other big improvements come our way soon.
NOTE: Please download the OFFICIAL release from BMD via the link below, as who knows what yesterday’s release was – so far we haven’t heard of any bricked cameras, but if you brick yours, don’t blame us. Always get official releases.
[via BMD Support]
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