At the recent IBC 2024 trade show in Amsterdam, Blackmagic Design’s big announcement was the new external monitor for its PYXIS cinema camera. However, some visitors to the show were surprised to also see a Sony FX9 on the Blackmagic stand. This was Blackmagic quietly revealing that it is working with Sony to bring BRAW recording to some Cinema Line cameras.
What is BRAW?
BRAW is short for Blackmagic RAW. It’s a proprietary video file format developed by Blackmagic Design. At a technical level, some people have debated whether BRAW is a true RAW format. This is because the video is partly demosaiced in-camera before recording. However, you can adjust ISO, white balance and more in post-production, just as with a RAW file. The BRAW files are also recorded as 12-bit log format which means they deliver a wider dynamic range. In addition, BRAW files are smaller than some other RAW formats, so they use less space on your drives and are easier to play back in post-production.
What has been announced?
At IBC 2024, Blackmagic Design demonstrated a Sony Cinema Line FX9 camera connected to a Blackmagic Video Assist. In an interview with ProAV TV, Blackmagic’s EMEA Technical Sales Director, Craig Heffernan, explained what the company is working on. Heffernan said, “We had a small technical demo where we had a Video Assist product attached to a Sony FX9 and introducing people to the work we’re doing. So that is providing Blackmagic RAW recording for the FX6 and the FX9 cameras and then unlocking that technology for that camera platform.”
Video Assist
Blackmagic’s Video Assist is a portable monitor and recorder solution, similar to the Atomos Ninja range. The Video Assist comes with either a five-inch or seven-inch screen. You can also choose between 3G models that support video up to 1080p60 and the 12G HDR models that record video up to 2160p60. To record in BRAW you will need to use one of the 12G Video Assists. They support recording in ProRes, DNxHR or BRAW formats to internal SDXC cards or an external USB SSD hard drive.
How it works
Heffernan explained that the Sony cameras output the 4K RAW signal directly to the Video Assist over SDI. He said, “Blackmagic RAW is built to profile to the sensor, so some of the work we have to do is within our hardware encoder that sits inside the Video Assist. So we understand the nature of the Sony sensor and then we bundle that into the Blackmagic RAW package. Anyone that’s used Blackmagic RAW knows you get a sidecar of metadata which tells Resolve the camera principal characteristics.”
What next?
Although Blackmagic is initially focusing on developing BRAW for the FX6 and FX9, that’s just the beginning. Heffernan said, “My understanding is we’re working to support FX6 and FX9 first, we’ll then take a look at FX3 so that we can cover the full range of those pro cine models. There’s no development currently for the Alpha channel and the mirrorless hybrid systems. From Sony’s point of view that’s a different division, that’s a different engineering team. Hopefully, if this is popular, and we see a lot of uptake with Sony users wanting access to Blackmagic RAW, that’s a conversation we could have.”
What we think
BRAW recording is already supported by cameras from Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Sigma and Z Cam. The BRAW format is great for preserving the full dynamic range of your camera and gives you much more flexibility in post-production. So it’s a welcome development to see the technology supporting Sony cameras as well. In addition, Blackmagic has made the BRAW file format open, cross-platform and free. The codec is supported via the free SDK on Mac OS, Windows and Linux systems with no hidden licenses or ongoing fees. BRAW recording on the Sony FX6 and FX9 is sure to be a very popular addition. Owners of the FX3 and Alpha cameras will hope that they get access to BRAW soon too.
Pricing and availability
Blackmagic Design only showed the BRAW recording with the Sony FX6 and FX9 as a technical demo at IBC 2024. However, Heffernan said that the company hoped that the technology would be released as a free update for the Video Assist in Q4 of this year.
