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Blackmagic Camera control

We have three ways to control a Blackmagic camera:

  • IP direct (only with URSA G2 and Microstudio G2)
  • IP through an ATEM (then SDI to camera)
  • SDI directly

Supported models​

Compatible models:

  • Blackmagic URSA
  • Blackmagic Studio Camera
  • Blackmagic Microstudio
  • Blackmagic PocketCinema

Depending on your model, only SDI control (SDI or ATEM) will be available.

While the URSA G2 and Microstudio G2 with the latest firmware can be controlled directly over IP.

Controls​

The control is exactly the same on every camera, except tally not present on IP control.

ControlNotesSDI/ATEMIP
IrisManual and AUTO iris✔✔
GainGain in dB or ISO✔✔
ShutterManual, AUTO, ECS✔✔
White balanceR/G/B gains, M. White, Color Temperature and Tint✔✔
Black balanceR/G/B gains, M. Black✔✔
GammaR/G/B and M. Gamma✔✔
Saturation/HueSaturation and Hue✔✔
RecordON/OFF, status and TC✔✔
TallyRed/Green tally✔
LensZoom and Focus✔✔
note

In SDI/ATEM, the control is unidirectional, so if you do a white balance on camera body, it will not be reflected on the RCP (neither in the Blackmagic software).

In IP, this is bidirectional and we receive async values.

RCP menus overview:

IP Direct​

In local, the RCP connects directly to your cameras.

In remote (4G/RF), the RCP connects to the RIO and the RIO connects directly to the camera.

You can mix local and remote control on the same RCP.

You can have one cam per RCP. Or you can have multiple cams on the same RCP.



You can find the guide to setup your camera here.


info

Typically used if you:

  • have direct IP link to the cameras (even if you have an ATEM)
  • wants to use your camera remotely
warning

Only works with Blackmagic URSA G2 and Blackmagic Microstudio G2 in their latest software version. Requires your RCP to be updated to at least 24.1.3. For other models, it will be through SDI/ATEM.

IP through ATEM​

In local, the RCP connects to the ATEM using a standard ethernet switch. Then the ATEM connects to every Blackmagic camera over SDI.

In remote, this is not possible, so you would typically use a RCP that will connects to a RIO that will itself connects to a camera (over IP or SDI using RSBM module).


You can find the guide to setup your camera here.


info

Typically used if you have already an ATEM with SDI in/out wired and no ethernet to the cameras. Works with any Blackmagic camera that has SDI in/out.

note

Works with any Blackmagic camera that has SDI in and SDI out. But also works with HDMI camera like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema using an ATEM HDMI.

note

Works with any ATEM (mini, constellation, etc.)

SDI​

In local, the RCP connects to a CI0-BM (it's a specific CI0 with 3 ports: 2 serials and 1 SDI out+loop).



You can find the guide to setup your camera here.


note

You could totally replace the CI0-BM with an ATEM (mini SDI or any ATEM).

info

Typically used for polecam or workflow where you're in LAN without an ATEM on hand and you want to stay in the Cyanview ecosystem.

Blackmagic Wireless​

For remote control, you need a RCP and a RIO on the camera side. And every setup above will work, just using a RIO/RCP combo instead of RCP.

WiFi​

info

Typically used for a steadycam in a studio where you have a stable/robust WiFi and few people.

note

RCP could connect to the BM camera using WiFi or Ethernet.

4G/RF​

info

Typically used for remote production or for a steadycam with huge coverage outside any WiFi infrastructure

From the field​

Blackmagic URSA G2 remote control on track​

This event was covered by AVEO, APR and LENI (France).

The setup:

  • RCP in the truck
  • RIO + RSBM on the backpack to control camera through SDI
  • telemetry through Haivision DataBridge
  • Tally from ATEM in the truck (ATEM -> RCP -> RIO -> CAM)

You can find a in depth article here

Blackmagic URSA in remote production​

  • multiples Blackmagic URSA G2
  • RIO + RSBM to control the camera (through SDI in)
  • streaming using Aviwest
note

Could use IP control (instead of SDI with RSBM) with the new camera FW update

  • single RCP controlling multiple cameras
  • from a remote location

Blackmagic URSA on cable cam in 4G​

On camera side:

  • one Blackmagic URSA G2
  • RIO controlling the camera over IP
  • RIO controlling the lens over 12P serial cable (to have iris/zoom/focus precise control)
  • RIO connected in 4G to internet (remi.cyanview.com)

On vision engineer side:

  • 1 RCP to control the camera remotely (paint + iris)
  • Connected in 4G to internet (remi.cyanview.com)
  • Importing cam from RIO

On operator side:

  • One NIO
  • Connected in 4G to internet (remi.cyanview.com)
  • Importing cam from RIO
  • BM zoom/focus handles connected to NIO USB to remotely zoom/focus