In September 2024, Blackmagic Design announced that it was working to bring BRAW functionality to Sony’s Cinema Line cameras. A firmware update for the Blackmagic Video Assist recording monitors is scheduled to be released this month that will finally make that a reality.
What is BRAW?
Blackmagic RAW, or BRAW, is a video codec that delivers the benefits of RAW recording with smaller files that are easier and faster to work with in post-production. The company also calls BRAW “the world’s fastest RAW format.” RAW video files traditionally record your camera’s sensor data without any image processing. However, BRAW moves part of the processing, known as demosaicing, back into your camera. As a result, the BRAW video files play back smoothly without requiring powerful computer processors.
Plus, you get all the benefits of RAW video, including being able to change the ISO and white balance of the clips when color grading.
Cross-platform open standard
The BRAW codec is an open standard that is cross-platform and free. It’s available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux systems. The company has also made the SDK (software development kit) publicly available to developers, completely free of charge with no licenses or fees ever. So, many third-party manufacturers have now added support for BRAW recording to their cameras. These include cameras from Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Sigma and Z Cam. However, in most cases, you will need to use Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist monitor recorder to record BRAW externally.
Sony and BRAW
In September 2024, Blackmagic Design announced that it was collaborating with Sony to introduce external BRAW recording capabilities to the Cinema Line series of cameras. At the time, the FX9 was scheduled to get the upgrade first, before rolling it out across the range. However, these priorities changed over the intervening 12 months, so that now Sony’s FX3, FX3A, and FX30 are first in line for BRAW support. Sony released firmware updates for those cameras last month, which added a menu option for external BRAW recording. Now it’s over to Blackmagic Design to update the firmware for its Video Assist 12G products to add compatibility with the Sony cameras. That update is due for release this month. Before the end of the year, the FX6 and FX9 should gain BRAW recording as well.
What we think
There are some in the video world who eschew BRAW for not being a true RAW codec. This is because some processing still happens in-camera with the format. However, to all intents and purposes, you can treat BRAW just like you would with other RAW codecs in post-production. Anyone who has worked with BRAW will also attest to how smooth and easy it is to play back, edit and color grade.
If you are a Sony shooter, you will soon be able to experience how good BRAW is as well, though you will need one of the latest 12G Video Assist models. In addition, Blackmagic Design should be given huge credit for making BRAW freely available to all developers and manufacturers. Many of its competitors closely guard their proprietary technologies with restrictive licenses and fees. BRAW is just another example of Blackmagic Design helping to make cinema-grade video more accessible to everyone.
