Last week Blackmagic Design lowered the price on the handy Video Assist monitor/recorders. Currently you can pick up the Video Assist for $395 US and the Video Assist 4K for $595 US.
Today the new Blackmagic Video Assist 4K gets a 2.5 update that adds the tools we all need to get a perfect shot. I personally didn’t understand why they didn’t have them in the first place but hey it’s now available.
Mac OSX 2.5 Update
Windows 2.5 Update
What’s new in Blackmagic Video Assist 4K 2.5 update
- Vectorscope,
- Waveform monitor
- RGB parade
- histogram
- Add Anamorphic Desqueeze to the Video Assist 4K
- Add Blue (only to the Video Assist 4K)
- General performance and stability updates to both models
False color is a great feature for getting a balanced image however finally having waveform on the Video Assist is great. I depend on waveform a lot to get my exposure right. One feature lacking in the 4K model though is not having UHD 60p. With more cameras offering the higher frame rate it is a little limiting.
Video Assist Formats
HD Video Standards
720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60
1080PsF23.98, 1080PsF24
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
Ultra HD Video Standards
2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97 and 2160p30. Monitoring only, downconverts to HD.
Video Assist 4K Formats
HD Video Standards
720p50, 720p59.94
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
Ultra HD Video Standards
2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p30
With the added new tools to the 4K model and lower pricing the Video Assist is looking like a very good deal. Are you going to scoop one up?