The Blackmagic Video Assist 2.5 firmware update was first announced at NAB 2017 has been released into the wild and ready for you to download. Is this one of those firmware updates where users get a crazy number of new features? No. It is the kind of firmware update where users get a few incredibly useful features.
Video Assist 4K & Multiple Scopes
Blackmagic added all the exposure and color tools to the Video Assist 4K one may need to help them capture their images with perfect exposure and color. The scope we are talking about are the: Waveform, Parade, Vectorscope, and Histogram. All of these scopes can be viewed in isolation meaning over black or over the video you are shooting.
By tapping the smaller histogram on the lower left of the Video Assist 4K the monitor will reveal five different selections: Video, Waveform, Parade, Vector, and Histogram. Thankfully you can make you exposure tool selection quickly without being forced to dive into a confusing menu. Then there is the option of overlaying your selected scope over video or over black for easier viewing. On the upper left of the video frame, there are two little buttons. Tapping the left most of these will reveal two sliders. One slider is the scope brightness and other is the video opacity. By dragging the video opacity slider up and down you can choose how clear the video appears behind the scope, or you can tap the small camera icon and go picture in picture pushing the video into a one-inch screen on the top right and out of the way.
Scope / Video Overlays
On the upper left of the video frame, there are two little buttons. Tapping the left most of these will reveal two sliders. One slider is the scope brightness and other is the video opacity. By dragging the video opacity slider up and down you can choose how clear the video appears behind the scope, or you can tap the small camera icon and go picture in picture pushing the video into a one-inch screen on the top right and out of the way. The way Blackmagic has added the scopes feels smart and easy to use. I caught myself bouncing between the different scopes quickly and easily as I set up my shot. This is the way is it should be. Maybe we will see more Blackmagic gear with these exposure tools in them soon.
What’s new in Blackmagic Video Assist 2.5
- Add multiple Scopes to the Video Assist 4K
- Add Anamorphic De-squeeze to the Video Assist 4K
- Add Blue only to the Video Assist 4K
- General performance and stability updates to the Video Assist and Video Assist 4K
