Atomos launches the Samurai Blade recorder

Field recorder and monitor developer Atomos has begun shipping the new Samurai Blade.

This model was introduced last April and its star feature is the SuperAtom IPS touch screen. It has a resolution of 1280×720, 325ppi, a viewing angle of 179 degrees, 400 nit brightness and a multi-frequency function that allows switching between 48, 50 or 60Hz depending on the video input and giving a very smooth playback and monitoring.

A function has also been integrated to calibrate the display on-the-fly and view correctly in any recording environment, following the SMPTE Rec 709 color space and D65 white point.

In the same way as its previous Ninja-2 and Samurai companions, the Samurai Blade supports 10-bit image recording directly from the camera sensor to SSD or HDD disks. Thanks to the use of ProRes and DNxHD codecs, it facilitates workflows with Avid and Final Cut Pro editing systems.

It uses AtomOS 5 and offers several waveform tools, such as vectorscope, RGB and Luma Parade, as well as assist tools, including zebra, false color, three levels of focus peaking and blu-only. Waveforms can be positioned in full screen or occupying only a selected part of the screen.

Its connectors are standard BNC.

Atomos has also released new Connect-AC converters and the Ronin portable recorder/monitor, a ½ RU solution based on the Samurai design. Its recording is also 10-bit, 4:2:2, and while it can be battery or mains powered, it also has built-in AC power. It uses standard HD/SD-SDI BNC connectors and has XLR inputs and outputs.