New ProRes for Blackmagic Cameras

Blackmagic Design has just released software version 1.8.2 for its Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Pocket Cinema Camera and Production Camera 4K.

This update brings three new ProRes to the possible recording formats, joining the existing ProRes 422 HQ and CinemaDNG RAW. The new codecs available are ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT and ProRes 422 Proxy.

All of them have a much lower data rate, so they mean the creation of smaller files and therefore much longer recording times. In this way, Blackmagic intends that its users can choose cheaper SSD or SD cards and lengthen recordings while maintaining 10-bit 4:2:2. If for example we choose ProRes 422 Proxy (although it is used for offline editing and not as an output format), we will be able to record 230 minutes of 1080p on a 64 GB SD card.

ProRes family codecs can be edited directly in systems such as Final Cut Pro X, or post-produced in DaVinci Resolve without the need to go through transcoding processes.

The 1.8.2 update is available for free from the Blackmagic Design website. Simply download and install it from Mac or Windows using a USB cable to the camera. Once the installation is complete, the new options available in the menus will appear.

In these Blackmagic forums you can find opinions from other users and examples of their first tests.