Blackmagic Design has opened pre-orders for its innovative Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive camera, a groundbreaking system specifically engineered to capture Apple Immersive Video for the Apple Vision Pro. Shipments are expected to begin in early 2025.
This comprehensive workflow will be further enhanced by an upcoming DaVinci Resolve Studio update, slated for early next year, providing professional filmmakers with complete control over the Apple Immersive Video production process. Apple Immersive Video utilizes a 180-degree media format that combines ultra-high-resolution immersive video with Spatial Audio, fully immersing viewers in the action. “We are excited to begin accepting pre-orders for the new Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive camera and preview a true end-to-end workflow for Apple Immersive Video with DaVinci Resolve,” stated Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We are looking forward to working closely with filmmakers and production companies on the Blackmagic production workflow for Apple Immersive Video before releasing the camera to a wider audience later in 2025. We can’t wait to see the amazing action, drama, concerts, sports and other incredible experiences our customers will capture in this powerful new format pioneered by Apple.”
The Ursa Cine Immersive boasts a fixed, custom lens system pre-installed, optimized for Apple Immersive Video capture. The sensor delivers an impressive 8160 x 7200 resolution per eye, featuring pixel-level synchronization and a remarkable 16 stops of dynamic range, enabling the shooting of 90fps 3D immersive cinema content to a single file. The custom lens system is precisely calibrated and the data is stored within the Blackmagic RAW file, ensuring accurate positional data throughout post-production.
A new DaVinci Resolve Studio version, launching in Q1 of next year, introduces powerful tools for editing, color grading, and producing Apple Immersive Video footage. Key features include a dedicated immersive video viewer allowing for panning, tilting, and rolling of clips on 2D monitors or directly within Apple Vision Pro. Furthermore, transitions rendered by Apple Vision Pro can be bypassed using FCP XML metadata, providing editors with clean master files. Export presets streamline the output process for direct viewing on Apple Vision Pro.
The Ursa Cine platform, known for its robust magnesium alloy chassis and lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite skin, offers 12G-SDI out, 10G Ethernet, USB-C, XLR audio, and more. Its foldable monitor includes a large 5″ HDR touchscreen and an external color status LCD. A dedicated assist station with a second 5″ HDR touchscreen enhances on-set workflow. Powering options include an 8-pin Lemo connector compatible with 24V and 12V power supplies.
The Ursa Cine Immersive includes a 250W power supply, B-mount battery plate, top handle, antennas, baseplate, and high-voltage B-mount battery plate. Its built-in 8TB of high-performance network storage records directly to the included Blackmagic Media Module, enabling real-time syncing to Blackmagic Cloud and DaVinci Resolve media bins. This allows for over 2 hours of 8K stereoscopic 3D immersive Blackmagic RAW recording and remote access for editors.
The new Blackmagic RAW Immersive file format simplifies immersive video post-production, including support for Blackmagic global media sync. It stores essential metadata, ensuring image consistency. The Ursa Cine Immersive incorporates ultra-fast cloud storage, allowing high-resolution recording and real-time file access via 10G Ethernet. A small H.264 proxy file is also created for quick cloud uploads. The Blackmagic Media Dock further enhances workflow by providing high-speed media access from multiple cameras.
The Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive is available for pre-order at $29,995 (US). Delivery commences in late Q1 2025, with reseller availability later in the year.