Blackmagic Video Assist 5 3G Camera Monitor & Recorder

Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 3G is a professional camera monitor, video recorder and video signal measurement solution! It allows you to complement your camera with SDI and HDMI outputs with a larger viewfinder and also record to high quality codecs. The new variants offer improved post signal measurement features and focus assist, signal light and 3D LUT correction. The Video Assist 5" 3G model supports standard video formats up to 1080p60, plus offers longer battery life thanks to the use of Sony L-Series batteries. On sale from 7/8 2020.

All Video Assist camera monitor and recorder models are equipped with a large touch screen for easy preview, recording and playback of videos, signal measurement and display of focus assist functions.The 7" variants are also equipped with analogue audio inputs and two SD card slots for continuous recording thanks to the larger body. All models also feature a rear signal light, speaker and headphone output. The new generation of Video Assist products uses Sony L-Series batteries and allows continuous operation thanks to two battery slots.

Both 5" and 7" variants with touchscreens facilitate shot composition and focusing and display essential information and controls including time code, transport buttons, audio meters, and histogram. Functions are also available for focus assist, false color display, 3D LUT corrections and more. 3D LUT corrections allow for a near-final preview of the image after post-production; corrections can be applied directly to the recorded files or applied non-destructively.

Video Assist's integrated monitor recorders use standard, readily available SD media, including fast UHS-II variants (ExFAT and HFS+ file systems are supported). The larger 7" versions are equipped with a pair of SD card slots for the possibility of swapping overflowing media and thus realizing infinite recording. SD cards personify affordability, small size and high recording speed.

Blackmagic Video Assist products are the ideal complement to cameras that in most cases offer only small displays with insufficient luminosity, and often do not provide quality focus assist functions or quality recording codecs. The Video Assist range can also be used to upgrade older camera models, which will have a longer lifetime thanks to modern recording formats such as Apple ProRes and Avid DNx. HDMI and SDI inputs allow the monitors to be connected to virtually any consumer or professional camera or DSLR/DSLM equipment.

Innovative touch controls provide quick access to all functions, including virtual buttons for playback of footage, a miniature timeline designed to quickly scroll through recorded videos, and displays of timecode, video standard or audio levels. Of course, you can also use gestures to speed up playback.

Video Assist products feature broad support for interfaces and video standards incl. The 7" versions also feature Mini XLR inputs for connecting professional microphones or external mixing consoles. All models are also equipped with a 12V= power input, with an additional locking nut on 12G models to prevent accidental disconnection of the power cable.

Recording uses standard open video formats, eliminating the need for post-conversion: recorded videos can be instantly processed using standard programs (e.g. DaVinci Resolve Studio) on all common operating systems. The monitors record standard 10-bit ProRes and DNx files, and also - in the case of 12G-SDI HDR variants and supported cameras - the 12-bit Blackmagic RAW format.

The software also includes signal measurement functions to ensure, for example, recording compatibility with broadcast standards. A signal waveform preview tool, vectorscope, RGB component display and histogram are available. The output of the measurement functions can also be displayed as part of the real-time video preview or as a thumbnail in the upper right corner of the display.

Digital film cameras maintain a wide dynamic range of images, but their output varies considerably from the final look of the show. 3D LUT correction solves this problem by allowing lossless correction of the appearance of the material during preview. Video Assist models support import of standard 17 and 33 point 3D LUT tables or offer several custom presets, e.g. Extended Video, Film to Video, etc.

The virtual flap function and metadata insertion options greatly simplify the management of footage. Simply gesture (drag from left to right) to bring up the digital flap panel and enter the information manually or rely on automatic incremental shot numbering. Metadata is stored as part of the video files and is then available during post-production, e.g. in DaVinci Resolve. DaVinci Resolve software offers automatic shot search and synchronization thanks to the Sync Bin feature in the Cut section!

Both SDI and HDMI interfaces support standard SD and HD standards, the 12G variants also support Ultra HD standards. There is support for PAL and NTSC SD resolutions, 720p HD standards including 720p50 and 59.94p, 1080i HD standards 1080i50 and 59i94, 1080p HD resolutions 1080p23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60p. In addition, 1080 PsF formats are also supported.

Blackmagic Video Assist monitors also eliminate the need for dedicated audio recorders due to their high quality audio recording. In addition, the 7" models feature a pair of analog audio inputs with Mini XLR connectors, phantom power for condenser microphones, and recording of both 16 and 24-bit audio at sample rates up to 192 kHz! Levels can be monitored using on-screen meters with VU or PPM ballistics.

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Blackmagic Video Assist 3.3 (11/2020)

The Blackmagic Video Assist 3.3 update - for Blackmagic Video Assist 3G and Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR models - implements webcam mode support for the USB-C interface. As a result, Video Assist monitors/recorders can be used to stream video up to 1080p resolution to all common platforms, incl. Open Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Skype, Zoom, Twitch and more. The 3.3 update also brings audio channel selection for listening on Blackmagic Video Assist 3G models and audio mapping and external time code support for the XLR interface on the Blackmagic Video Assist 7" 3G variant.

Blackmagic Video Assist 3.4 (3/2021)

Implements improved color calibration and smooth browsing of individual videos on Video Assist 3G and Video Assist 12G HDR monitors/recorders. Also adds Blackmagic RAW recording from Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II cameras for 12G HDR variants, and 2K DCI resolution support for Video Assist 3G models. Enhanced Blackmagic RAW support also requires installation of the new Blackmagic RAW 2.1 Beta 3 and DaVinci Resolve 17.1.

Blackmagic Video Assist 3.4.3 (7/2021)
The 3.4.3 update adds Blackmagic RAW footage from Panasonic LUMIX S1/S1H/S5 and Nikon Z6 II/Z7 IIcameras on Video Assist 12G HDR models (also requires installation of Blackmagic RAW 2.1 and DaVinci Resolve 17.2.2), 2K DCI mode support on 3G models , and the ability to more easily browse individual videos. Download here

New features in Blackmagic Video Assist 3.4.3
Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR and 7" 12G HDR

• Ability to browse individual videos
• Enhanced LCD color calibration
• Blackmagic RAW recording from Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II cameras
• Blackmagic RAW recording from Panasonic S1H, S1 and S5 cameras

Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 3G and 7" 3G

• Ability to browse individual videos
• Enhanced LCD colour calibration
• Support for 2K DCI mode