Budget-Friendly Broadcast Camera. Just like its predecessor, the Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 Camera (B4) is more than capable of functioning as a broadcast camera with ENG camera controls and a low-light sensor, but why stop there? Tack on an advanced YRGB color corrector, full remote camera control, support for a wide range of lenses, high dynamic range at 13 stops, and support for Blackmagic RAW recording, and you’ve got a studio and field powerhouse, capable of performing in almost any situation.

Low-Light Performance. The URSA Broadcast G2 features incredible low-light performance, so you can shoot using ambient light or even under moonlight. In advanced cameras, ISO is a measurement of the image sensor’s sensitivity to light. The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features gain from -12dB (100 ISO) up to +36dB (25,600 ISO), so it’s optimized to reduce grain and noise in images while maintaining the full dynamic range of the sensor. The primary native ISO is 400, which is ideal for use under studio lighting. Then the secondary high base ISO of 3200 is perfect when shooting in dimly lit environments. The gain can be set via a camera switch, the LCD menu, or remotely using the SDI remote camera control protocol.

Compatible with B4 Broadcast Lenses. The URSA Broadcast G2 features a B4 broadcast lens mount that includes optics specifically designed to match the camera’s sensor. The B4 lens mount lets you use modern UHD lenses or lower-cost HD lenses. Older HD lenses often feature resolutions well beyond HD, so you get great quality at a low cost. B4 lenses are fantastic because they are par-focal, so the image stays in focus as you zoom in and out, so you don’t need to constantly chase focus as you shoot. That lets you work much faster. You also get full electronic lens control to adjust focus, iris, and zoom using the camera’s controls or remotely. Please note, the Broadcast G2 comes with a B4 lens mount that does not provide full sensor coverage, so you’ll be limited to 4K UHD resolutions or lower.

Built-In Optical ND Filters. URSA Broadcast G2 features high-quality neutral density (ND) filters that let you quickly reduce the amount of light entering the camera. The 1/4, 1/16th and 1/64th stop filters have been specifically designed to match the image sensor and color science of URSA Broadcast G2, providing you with additional latitude and better colorimetry. This lets you use different combinations of aperture and shutter angles in a wider range of situations. The IR filters have been designed to evenly filter both optical and IR wavelengths, eliminating IR contamination. Plus, the filter status on the LCD can be displayed as a fraction, number, or stop reduction.

Common Media and File Formats. URSA Broadcast is designed to work with standard file formats used by all broadcast systems and editing software. You can record in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422 into QuickTime files. The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 model can even record into H.265 for incredibly small files at 60:1 to 285:1 compression ratios, in 10-bit broadcast quality. Plus. you can record to Blackmagic RAW files, a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from the camera. That means you get the perfect range of file formats designed for all types of workflows.

Dual Media Slots for Nonstop Recording. With dual CFast 2.0 recorders and dual SD/UHS-II card recorders, you can choose the media that’s best for you. Both types of media are standard, inexpensive, and readily available at computer and camera stores. Plus, with dual media slots, URSA Broadcast gives you nonstop recording. When a card is full, recording automatically continues onto the next card, so you can swap a full card while recording continues. You get enough speed to record high-quality ProRes and H.265 video file formats, even when working in Ultra HD at high frame rates. That means URSA Broadcast G2 is easy to integrate into your existing broadcast systems. You can even record 12-bit Blackmagic RAW cinema files.

USB Type-C for Recording Direct to External Media Disks. The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features a high-speed USB Type-C expansion port on the rear of the camera that allows you to record to external disks or connect to a wide range of accessories. If you plug in a large and low-cost external USB flash disk, you can record ProRes, H.265, or even high-quality 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files for later editing and color correction. That means you can just move the disk to a computer to work, and you don’t need to waste time with file copying. Plus, the USB port will power the disk that’s plugged in.

Strong and Lightweight Magnesium Design. URSA Broadcast G2 features a super-strong, lightweight magnesium alloy body that’s perfectly balanced and designed to be comfortable to use all day. It features familiar, externally mounted switches and controls that give you direct access to the most important camera settings. The controls are laid out logically, making them easy to locate by feel, so you can adjust settings without having to look at the buttons. You also get a foldout touchscreen for monitoring, viewing camera status, and changing settings using on-screen menus. URSA Broadcast G2 also includes standard 12G-SDI connections, XLR audio inputs, USB Type-C, and an industry-standard 4-pin XLR broadcast 12 VDC connection.

Built-In LCD with Touch Controls. With a built-in LCD that folds out, you can both monitor and control the camera. While URSA Broadcast G2 features lots of physical buttons and knobs, using the LCD, you also get on-screen status and touchscreen controls. The built-in touchscreen also includes a heads-up display with the most important shooting information, as well as menus for all camera settings, LUTs, and custom presets. Behind the LCD, there are extra buttons, as well as knobs for audio levels. There are even programmable function buttons that can have functions assigned to them, such as zebra, false color, focus peaking, LUTs, and more. Plus, you can change the function assigned to each button in the on-screen menus.

External Status Display. The status display is a high-visibility LCD screen designed to be easily seen, even in bright light. The status display shows record, locked, and reference timecode, along with the current shooting frame rate, shutter angle, aperture, white balance, gain, and iris. It also features a battery indicator, card recording status, and audio meters for monitoring levels. The screen’s backlight can be turned on when you are shooting in dimly lit locations and off when you are shooting outdoors and in bright light to increase contrast, making it easy to read under any condition.

Program Video Monitoring. If you’re doing live production, sometimes you need to monitor program video back from the switcher. Simply press the camera’s PGM button and the viewfinder will switch from the camera display to the program return feed from the switcher. A built-in speaker also lets you monitor the switcher audio as well. Program return is a fantastic feature, as sometimes on large live shows, camera operators can be left waiting a long time for their camera to be used, so program return lets them watch the show while they wait. This means that even if the camera operator is a large distance away from the switcher, they can still keep up with what is happening and remain alert.

Load Custom 3D LUTs to Recreate Film Looks. Digital film cameras shoot logarithmic color space to preserve the dynamic range, which is great for later post-production. However, when these files are viewed on a monitor, they can look flat and washed out. 3D LUTs solve this problem as they allow you to apply a “look” to the monitor so you get an idea of how the finished images will look when editing. LUTs can be applied temporarily for monitoring only, or they can be recorded into the Blackmagic RAW files for use in post-production. The URSA Broadcast G2 works with industry-standard 17- and 33-point 3D LUT files or you can work with the built-in LUTs such as Extended Video, Film to Video, Film to Rec.2020, and more.

Standard Television Industry Connections. Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features the latest technology and connections, such as 12G-SDI. This includes 12G-SDI connections for both video output and return program feed input. The 12G-SDI connections are multirate and switch between all HD and UHD formats up to 2160p60. Other connections include a headphone connection, USB Type-C, balanced XLR audio with phantom power, and timecode/reference input. There’s also a front-mounted 12-pin Hirose connector for broadcast lens control, which can also power the lens. Plus, for connecting a viewfinder or on-set monitor, there’s even an HD-SDI monitoring output and a broadcast style 4-pin XLR 12 VDC power output.

Supports All Broadcast Frame Rates. Whether you’re shooting a sporting event or a breaking news story, Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 can shoot super-smooth, crystal clear slow-motion video. To shoot slow-motion video, URSA Broadcast supports the higher broadcast frame rates of 60 frames per second, but it can also record this high frame rate into a lower frame rate file for smooth slow-motion shooting. You can set up your preferred high-speed frame rate using the camera’s on-screen menus, then switch between standard sync speed and off-speed frame rates using the HFR button on the side of the camera. That means you can have a higher frame rate setup and ready to go, so it’s instantly available when the action gets exciting.

Professional Audio Connections and Built-In Microphones. URSA Broadcast G2 has a high-quality microphone and professional audio recorder built in so you don’t have to carry any extra sound equipment. That means you can use the built-in stereo microphone or you can connect external microphones. The XLR connections have 48V phantom power so you can plug in everything from shotgun to wireless clip-on mics. You can also select to link audio inputs on the camera so you can plug in lapel microphones that often only have a single mono connection if you want to record the mic onto both channels of the recorded file. URSA Broadcast G2 also features knobs for adjusting levels and onscreen meters so you can trim audio levels even when shoulder mounted.

Studio Camera Control via SDI. All Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers can control cameras via a protocol embedded into the URSA Broadcast G2’s SDI video connections. Setup is easy because all ATEM switchers broadcast control commands from the switcher’s SDI program output to the camera via the SDI program input. The switcher can perform color correction, tally, and lens control, and these are sent to all cameras. All you need to do is select the correct camera number, and it all works. This means someone can manage the image color and gain, so the camera operator is not distracted trying to adjust their camera, and they are then free to focus on framing the shots.

Work in Both HD or Ultra HD. The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is not just a great UHD 4K camera, but it’s also an amazing HD camera. The high-resolution sensor and generation 5 color science create amazing images with a high dynamic range and wide color fidelity. But when you need to do HD work, the camera will scale the image sensor down to 1080 HD video standards. This helps you get stories on air fast, in HD or Ultra HD video standards, anywhere in the world. Plus, when working in HD, the high-resolution sensor allows sub-pixel image processing for superior anti-aliasing and sharp images. Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is a future-proof camera that’s perfect for both HD and UHD production.

Latest Generation 5 Color Science. Featuring the same generation 5 color science as the high-end URSA Mini Pro 12K, the new URSA Broadcast G2 delivers an even greater advancement in image quality with stunning, accurate skin tones, and faithful color in every shot. You get a new dynamic 12-bit gamma curve designed to capture more color data in the highlights and shadows for better-looking images. The color science also handles some of the complex Blackmagic RAW image processing, so color and dynamic range data from the sensor is preserved via metadata, which you can then use in post-production. That means you get images that have a natural, film-like response to color adjustments in post with DaVinci Resolve Studio.

Blackmagic RAW Quality. Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from your camera. Common video files have a lot of video processing, so you can lose some of the original sensor detail. Blackmagic RAW eliminates this problem, so you get stunning images with incredible detail and rich color throughout the whole post-production pipeline. Blackmagic RAW also saves camera settings as metadata, so you can change ISO, white balance, and exposure later in DaVinci Resolve. Plus, the files are small and fast, so editing responsiveness is incredible. Only Blackmagic RAW gives you the highest quality, smallest files, and fastest performance.

Powered by Blackmagic OS. With the advanced Blackmagic OS, you get an intuitive and user-friendly camera operating system based on the latest technology. Blackmagic OS is a truly modern operating system, where all camera features run independently for smoother control, plus URSA Broadcast G2 powers on virtually instantly. It features the same controls and menus as other Blackmagic Design cameras, so you can move between cameras on set easily. The interface uses simple tap and swipe gestures to adjust settings, add metadata, and view recording status. You also get full control over advanced camera features such as on-screen focus and exposure tools, 3D LUTs, HDR, metadata entry, timecode, Blackmagic RAW settings, and more.

Built-In Timecode Generator. All models of Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 have a built-in time-of-day timecode generator, so you can sync all the cameras and then do multicamera editing later because all the recordings will have the same timecode. Simply plug in an external timecode generator to the BNC timecode input, and the camera will automatically detect timecode and lock the internal generator. Now each camera can start and stop recording, and the shots from all cameras will have matched timecode. Imagine shooting a music festival with multiple cameras. Then the DaVinci Resolve sync bin can be used to automatically sync the recordings and display them in a multiview for easy editing.

Q & A