Blackmagic URSA Broadcast

The world’s most affordable and flexible professional broadcast camera for HD and Ultra HD!

Introducing URSA Broadcast, the world’s most affordable and most flexible professional broadcast camera. URSA Broadcast is two cameras in one, an incredible field camera for ENG and programming work, as well as a professional studio camera! URSA Broadcast is perfect for traditional broadcasters because it uses the lenses and batteries you already own, and it also eliminates weird media cards and file formats found on traditional cameras. It records onto regular SD cards and uses the same common file formats found on broadcast media management systems and most NLE software. Plus URSA Broadcast is perfect for web broadcasters because it works with both older after market HD lenses and inexpensive photo lenses. No other broadcast camera is more flexible and more affordable!

Two Cameras in One

Switch instantly between live work or field shooting!

URSA Broadcast is two cameras in one! The compact design, familiar controls and broadcast camera features are ideal for ENG style shooting and vital for working quickly when you’re trying to capture breaking news. Whether you’re in the studio or out in the field, URSA Broadcast will give you incredible image quality, accurate skin tones and vibrant colors that are far superior to cameras costing ten times more. The key is URSA Broadcast's new extended video mode that produces pictures you don’t need to color grade so you can shoot, edit and get stories on air faster than ever before. URSA Broadcast is also the first camera that finally lets AV and web broadcasters afford a true professional broadcast solution that’s dramatically better than DSLRs!

Standard Media and File Formats

Work faster by eliminating expensive media and video transcodes!

URSA Broadcast is the first professional broadcast camera designed to work with standard media cards and file formats that are compatible with virtually all broadcast systems and editing software. URSA Broadcast records onto inexpensive standard SD cards, UHS-II cards and CFast cards, and records 1080i or 2160p video into standard .mov files, with .mxf to be added in future updates. URSA Broadcast records using DNx145, DNx220X or ProRes so the files will work with your existing broadcast systems and workflows. You also get a B4 lens mount that works with your existing lenses, or you can swap it for optional EF, F and PL lens mounts so you can use standard photographic lenses. If you’re building a complete broadcast camera chain, the optional URSA Viewfinder, URSA Studio Viewfinder and SMPTE fiber converters feature familiar controls and design, so they operate exactly as experienced camera operators expect. URSA Broadcast helps you get the most value out of your investment in cameras, lenses and accessories, which means you’ll save time and money, so the camera virtually pays for itself!

Broadcast B4 Lens Mount

Use your existing high quality HD lenses or new Ultra HD lenses!

The broadcast B4 lens mount on URSA Broadcast features high performance cinema quality optics with spherical aberration correction specifically designed to match the camera’s sensor. The ⅔” mount lets you use existing HD lenses or Ultra HD lenses. Many high quality HD lenses can be used at resolutions well beyond HD, all the way up to 2.5K or 3K. Because B4 lenses are par-focal and have a very wide depth of field, the image stays in focus as you zoom in and out, so you don't need to chase focus as you shoot. That lets you work much faster because you don’t need to change lenses or refocus between close up, medium and wide shots, which is perfect when you’re following the action in fast paced sport! You also get full electronic B4 lens control so you can adjust the focus, iris and zoom using the camera’s controls, or remotely from an ATEM switcher using the SDI camera control protocol.

Work in HD or Ultra HD

Incredible 4K image sensor for wide dynamic range and wide depth of field

URSA Broadcast features an incredible 4K image sensor and a new extended video mode with better dynamic range and color fidelity. The image sensor is designed for both HD and Ultra HD so you get amazing texture and detail, accurate skin tones, vibrant color and high dynamic range video, all without the need for post production. That means you can shoot, edit and get stories on air fast! The high resolution sensor is a huge advantage, even when working in HD, because you get sub pixel image processing and superior anti-aliasing for super sharp images. URSA Broadcast is a future proof camera that’s versatile enough to use on any HD or Ultra HD production!

Built in Optical ND Filters

High quality neutral density filters with IR compensation

URSA Broadcast features high quality neutral density (ND) filters that let you quickly reduce the amount of light entering the camera. The ¼, 1/16th and 1/64th stop filters have been specifically designed to match the image sensor and color science of URSA Broadcast, providing you with additional latitude and better colorimetry, even under harsh lighting conditions. This lets you use different combinations of aperture and shutter angle, in a wider range of situations. The IR filters have been designed to evenly filter both optical and IR wavelengths. This eliminates the IR contamination usually associated with most ND filters. The ND filters are true optical filters with a precision mechanism that quickly moves them into place when the ND filter dial is turned. The filter settings can be displayed as either a fraction, number, or stop reduction on the LCD.

Non Stop Recording

Works with both C-Fast and SD card media!

URSA Broadcast features both dual CFast 2.0 recorders and dual SD/UHS-II card recorders so you can choose the media that works best for you. Both types of media are standard, non-proprietary, inexpensive and readily available at most computer and camera stores. You can record 10-bit broadcast quality DNxHD 145, DNxHD 220X or ProRes files with metadata, making URSA Broadcast compatible with virtually all editing software. That means URSA Broadcast is easy to integrate and fit in to your existing broadcast systems. You can even record lossless 12-bit CinemaDNG RAW files for high quality programming and post production workflows. With dual slots for each media type, URSA Broadcast gives you redundant recorders and non stop recording! When the first card is full, recording automatically continues onto the next card so you can swap one card while recording continues on the other.

Technical Specifications

Description

URSA Broadcast is an advanced Ultra HD broadcast camera that works with your existing HD or Ultra HD B4 lenses so you can shoot HD today and switch to Ultra HD when you’re ready! You get professional broadcast controls, built in ND filters, non stop 12-bit recording of ProRes and DNx files to dual SD UHS-IIor CFast cards, and new extended video range for stunning broadcast ready shots that can go straight to air. URSA Broadcast is two cameras in one. Use it for production work or add a Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder to turn it into a live studio camera with remote control and built in color corrector!

Connections

Total Video Inputs
1 x SDI
 

Total Video Outputs
1 x SDI, 1 x SDI Monitoring.
 

SDI Rates
1.5G, 3G, 6G, 12G.
 

Analog Audio Inputs
2 x XLR switchable between mic, line and AES digital audio. Phantom power support.
 

Analog Audio Outputs
1 x 3.5mm headphone jack, supports iPhone microphone for talkback.
 

Reference Inputs
Tri-Sync/Black Burst/Timecode.
 

Remote Control
2 x 2.5mm LANC input for Rec Start/Stop, plus Iris and Focus control using compatible lenses.
 

Computer Interface
USB Type-C for software updates.

 

 

Operating Systems

Mac 10.11 El Capitan, 
Mac 10.12 Sierra, 
Mac 10.13 High Sierra or later.

Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.
 

Physical Specifications