At NAB 2023, Blackmagic Design announced the Camera 8.1 update which adds support for vertical aspect ratio video to Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. This allows users to easily create vertical video.
This update also adds automatic rotation of the camera’s on-screen HUD and automatically tags files as vertical so they display correctly when imported for editing, making it much easier to both shoot and edit vertical content. Blackmagic Camera 8.1 update is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design website.
Blackmagic Camera 8.1 update allows users to easily create content for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc. You can just rotate the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera to shoot vertical aspect ratios such as 9:16 and 4:5. The on-screen HUD also rotates so critical information, such as frame rate, shutter angle and frame guides, are easy to view, even when the camera’s turned upside down. Users can even switch on frame guides so important details stay in shot for different aspect ratios. When customers import their files into DaVinci Resolve, clips are automatically tagged as vertical so they appear correctly in their timeline. Once customers have finished their project, it’s easy to upload to their channel with direct exporting to TikTok and YouTube.
What’s new in Blackmagic Camera 8.1
- Added support for new Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF model.
The following models have new features.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K
- Improved compatibility with Zeiss Milvus & Otus EF lenses.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, 6K, 6K G2 and 6K Pro
- Added support for automatically rotating the user interface when shooting vertical video.
- Added ability to remap the L-Fn button on MFT lenses.
- Added software update progress bar when installing new camera software.
- Added new 9×16 frame guide preset.
- Changed stills capture format from CinemaDNG to Blackmagic RAW.
- Added ability to capture Blackmagic RAW reference stills while recording.
- Added ability to capture Blackmagic RAW reference stills during playback.
- Improved lens and auto focus performance.
- Fixed bug with incorrect HDMI VIC codes being output on some formats.
Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, 6K G2 and 6K Pro
- Added support for zoom servo controls when using the Canon EF-S 18-135mm lens.
- Added ability to remap the shortcut buttons on Canon CN-E zoom lenses.
- Added smoother auto iris changes with supported EF lenses.
- Increased horizontal resolution of the 2.8K 17:9 format from 2868 to 2880.
Updated Blackmagic RAW 3.0 includes:
- Adds support for Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF.
- Adds support for automatically rotating vertical video clips.
