If you are building a multicamera video studio today, you may be asking whether one of the Blackmagic Studio cameras —either the HD-only or the 4K UltraHD model— is now the obvious choice. In the past month, Blackmagic both added the previously missing 720p option and lowered the prices by removing optical fiber from the base model. Now it’s time to ask how seriously you should consider them. As a preamble to an upcoming review of them, here are details to keep in mind.

If you are building a multicamera video studio today, you may be asking whether one of the Blackmagic Studio cameras —either the HD-only or the 4K UltraHD model— is now the obvious choice. In the past month, Blackmagic both added the previously missing 720p option and lowered the prices by removing optical fiber from the base model. Now it’s time to ask how seriously you should consider them. As a preamble to an upcoming review of them, here are details to keep in mind.

As I indicated above, soon I’ll be reviewing Blackmagic Studio cameras. I honestly wasn’t interested in reviewing them before they added 720p support, since I know that it is essential for many —but certainly not all— studios. As I indicated in my Blackmagic studio cameras finally support 720p! article of July 2015, now ±41 networks in the US use 720p, and many of the consulting clients who are interested in a studio consultation either are sure they need 720p, or haven’t yet decided. [Both Blackmagic Studio Camera models also offer 1080p (and even 1080i), an one also offers 4K UltraHD.] At least now the Blackmagic Studio Cameras no longer need to be ruled out for 720p or undecided studios, an now it’s time to determine whether in certain cases, they are a good candidate.

Now, in addition to the 720p and 1080p in both Blackmagic Studio models, the Australian company has lowered the price of both base models, as previously reported by José Antunes. Now the base models are US$1695 or US$2495 respectively.

In that upcoming review, I’ll be covering:

• Connectivity of Blackmagic Studio cameras with video mixers (“switchers”) that have SDI versus HDMI inputs, or (now optionally) via optical fiber
• How progressive framerates should be handled (pure or PSF) depending on the framerate and the type of video mixer
• Lens options
• Genlock
• Intercom
• Remote, i.e. CCU
• General picture quality
• Vulnerability or resistance to aliasing
• Vulnerability or resistance to moiré
• Even more!

By the way, I’ll also be reviewing a robotic PTZ/Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera from another manufacturer very soon. Stay tuned.

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