Introducing Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR
Blackmagic Video Assist is a portable monitor, a professional recorder, a portable scope and a fantastic camera viewfinder solution! You can also add better quality record codecs and a larger monitor to any SDI or HDMI camera! The new design has innovations such as 4 built in scopes, enhanced focus assist features, a tally indicator and built in 3D LUTs. The 3G models support formats up to 1080p60 and the 12G HDR models up to 2160p60. The 12G HDR models have a brighter touchscreen for shooting HDR digital film and for outdoor shooting in sunlight. Plus the 12G HDR models support Blackmagic RAW recording from supported cameras! The new design also has L‑Series batteries for longer life. Blackmagic Video Assist really is 4 products in one!
Perfect for Digital Cinema, Broadcast Test and Live Production!
Blackmagic Video Assist is so versatile it can be used for hundreds of tasks! Add it onto your camera rig to get a large screen viewfinder with modern record codecs, focus assist features and 3D LUTS! Video Assist is also an ultra portable scope that lets you test equipment in broadcast and live production to ensure your video levels are correct and all your gear is working correctly. If you're doing live production then Video Assist is just like a large screen HyperDeck so it can be used as a mastering recorder, or as a clip player for inserting ads or promos into live programs. You can even use it as an ISO recorder with each camera having a dedicated monitor and recorder!
Four Great Blackmagic Video Assist Models!
Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 3G
This model supports video formats up to 1080p60 and has a large 5" LCD with focus peaking, zebra and false color. Connections include 3G‑SDI and HDMI. This model includes a single SD Card recorder for ProRes recording. Other features include WFM, vector, histogram and RGB parade scopes plus 3D LUTs!
Blackmagic Video Assist 7" 3G
The larger 7" model includes all the features of the 5" model, but has a much larger screen. This model has 2 SD Card slots so recording can continue when a card becomes full. There are also 2 mini XLR audio inputs with phantom power so you can connect and record direct from microphones.
Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR
This model includes all of the 3G model features, but has faster 12G‑SDI and Ultra HD HDMI connections for all formats up to 2160p60. This model includes a bright wide gamut LCD for HDR as well as HDR scopes. Plus a locking power connector. This model also records to an SD card or USB‑C flash disks!
Blackmagic Video Assist 7" 12G HDR
The 7" model has the same great features as the 5" 12G HDR, however supports a larger 7" HDR LCD screen. You also get 2 SD card recorders and recording to external USB‑C flash disks. Both Blackmagic Video Assist 12G models also record Blackmagic RAW from supported cameras.
Modern Design with Latest Technology and Amazing Screens!
All Video Assist models are dominated by a large touchscreen with all controls for recording, playback of clips, viewing scopes and setting focus assist features. Both 7" models are large enough to include analog inputs for audio and two SD card slots so you get continuous recording, with automatic recording to the second card. Both of the 12G models include 12G-SDI and Ultra HD HDMI connections and USB-C for recording direct to external flash media disks. All models include a rear tally light, a front panel speaker for clip playback and a headphone jack! Video Assist uses Sony L-Series batteries, and with 2 battery slots, you can change batteries without interrupting recording!
Transform Camera Usability with Video Assist!
Traditional cameras are designed for shoulder mounted operation, so are a compromise. Hours spent leaning into a viewfinder for long tripod mounted shoots can be tough! Video Assist will transform your shooting style with an on-board rigged screen. It's much more comfortable using a screen rigged to a position best suited for a shooting setup. Plus you get better situational awareness for the operator, assistant or director. With both 5" and 7" models, you choose the size of a rigged monitor that suits you best. Plus you're also adding fantastic features such as focus zoom, focus peaking, zebras, histogram, false color, scopes, frame markers, frame guides, touchscreen and more!
Customize your Touchscreen Tools and Features
With large and bright 5" and 7" touchscreens, Video Assist makes it incredibly easy to frame shots and accurately focus. The touchscreen displays critical information while you’re shooting including the timecode, transport control, audio meters and a histogram for exposure. You can also customize the LCD to add or remove overlays such as current filename, focus peaking, zebra, false color, frame guides, 3D LUTs and more. 3D LUTs support allows monitoring shots with the desired color and look, plus you can even "bake in" the LUT if you want to record it into the file. If you're using Blackmagic RAW, the 3D LUT is only added into the metadata so it can be disabled in post production.
Dual Media Recorders for Uninterrupted Recording
Video Assist uses commonly available SD card media, so you can record to flash memory cards that are easy to obtain. The files are small enough to allow long recordings on standard SD cards or the faster UHS-II cards. The larger Video Assist 7" models include 2 SD card slots so you can swap out any full cards even during recording, allowing infinite length recording. Standard SD cards or the faster UHS-II cards are perfect for broadcast because they are small, high speed and affordable.
Upgrade to Better Recording for Digital Cameras
Blackmagic Video Assist is an ideal upgrade for cameras, as its bright display is bigger than the tiny displays found on consumer cameras, plus you're also adding professional focus assist features and better quality file formats. Video Assist is also a great solution for professional cameras because you can use it to upgrade older broadcast cameras to modern file formats used on the latest editing software. You get support for all editing software as you can record in Apple ProRes and Avid DNx. You can even use Blackmagic RAW on supported cameras. With both HDMI and SDI inputs you can connect it to any consumer camera, broadcast camera or even DSLR cameras.
Large HDR Monitor with Easy Touch Controls
The innovative touchscreen LCD user interface provides incredible control. On screen, there are dedicated buttons for play, stop and record, plus a mini timeline for scrolling through your recordings. You can even image swipe to jog! The LCD includes a heads up display of timecode, video standard, media status as well as audio meters. Scopes can be enabled via the touchscreen as well as focus and exposure assist. There's also an extensive range of settings all controlled from the large LCD. Plus you can load and save 3D LUTs!
Advanced HDR Models Include 12G‑SDI and HDMI 2.0!
Video Assist features a wide range of video and audio connections such as multi-rate SDI for SD, HD on all models and Ultra HD on the 12G-SDI models. HDMI is included for HDMI cameras and monitoring to consumer televisions and video projectors. The 7" model features Mini XLR inputs which are provided for audio input from microphones and external audio mixers. The USB-C connection lets you plug in external flash disks or SSDs for recording, which means you can get extremely long record durations because flash disks are often much larger than the physically smaller SD Cards. Video Assist even includes a 12V DC power connection and the 12G models include a locking power connector.
Post Production Friendly File Formats!
Video Assist records using standard open file formats so you don’t have to waste time transcoding media. Files are compatible with all post production software so you can work with the software of your choice, including DaVinci Resolve Studio. Recording works in industry standard 10-bit ProRes or DNx files in all formats and from all HDMI or SDI cameras, as well as 12-bit Blackmagic RAW on the 12G-SDI HDR models when connected to supported cameras. Blackmagic RAW is the fastest growing RAW format and developers can download and use the free Blackmagic RAW SDK to add support to their applications. Best of all media files work on all operating systems!
Video Assist 12G HDR Models Include Blackmagic RAW Recording!
Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary format designed to capture the quality of sensor data from cameras. Video Assist supports Blackmagic RAW recording from Leica, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Nikon, Canon and Sigma cameras. Popular camera formats such as H.264 are highly compressed resulting in noise and processing artifacts. Blackmagic RAW eliminates these problems so you get incredible detail and color throughout the production pipeline from camera to edit, color and mastering. It also saves camera settings in metadata so you can set ISO, white balance and exposure, then override them later while editing. Only Blackmagic RAW gives you the highest quality, smallest files and fastest performance!
Learn more about supported camera models
Record Direct to External USB‑C Media Disks
The Blackmagic Video Assist 12G models even include a USB-C expansion port so you can plug in an external flash disk for recording. USB‑C flash disks have massive capacity as they don't suffer from any size constraint. Plus, it's possible to record to the same disk you are using or editing, so you don't need to waste time copying files before starting post production. Flash disks are so fast, they can record high data rate formats such as high frame rate Ultra HD. Imagine adding a Blackmagic MultiDock 10G for easy SSD compatibility so you can record across multiple disks as each disk fills. You even get on screen menus for managing external disks using the touch screen!
Outputs to USB Webcam for Live Streaming!
Now you can live stream using both Blackmagic Video Assist 3G and 12G HDR models with new webcam support added to the USB connection! That means you can plug into a computer and get live video into any video software. The software is tricked into thinking video assist is a common webcam! Plus you get full HD resolution 1080p quality! Choose any software you like, such as Open Broadcaster for live broadcast streaming, or you can Skype call your client with live video of your shoot! Blackmagic Video Assist works with all major software and platforms such as Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Skype, Zoom, Twitch, Periscope, Livestream, Wirecast and more!
Built In Scopes Ensure Compliance to Standards
Video Assist features scopes for accurate exposure on cameras and compliance to broadcast standards. That means it’s also a great portable waveform monitoring solution! The waveform display provides a traditional luminance (brightness) level view of the video inputs or the playback signal. The vectorscope allows you to see the intensity of color at 100% SDI reference levels. You also get a RGB parade display which is ideal for color correction. Histogram shows the distribution of white to black detail in your images and highlights or shadows clipping. The built in scopes can even be overlaid on live video, or as a small picture in picture view at the top right of the scope!
HDR Models Include Bright Wide Gamut Screens!
On the Video Assist 12G models you'll be ready for the latest HDR workflows as they support the latest HDR standards and include an extremely bright screen with a wide color gamut. Plus the high brightness screen makes shooting outdoors in sunlight easy! The built in scopes even support HDR when required. Files are tagged with the correct HDR information which means SDI and HDMI inputs will also automatically detect HDR video standards. Static metadata PQ and HLG formats are handled according to the ST2084 standard. The bright LCD has a wider color gamut so it can handle both Rec. 2020 and Rec. 709 colorspaces. The Video Assist LCD color gamut can even handle 100% of the DCI‑P3 format.
Load Custom 3D LUTs to Recreate Film Looks!
Some cameras can output logarithmic colorspace to preserve the dynamic range, which is great for later post production, however when these files are viewed on a monitor they can look flat and washed out. 3D LUTs solve this problem because they allow you to apply a "look" to the monitor so you get an idea of how the finished images will look like when editing. LUTs can be applied temporarily for monitoring only, or they can be burned into files for use in editing when capturing Blackmagic RAW. Video Assist works with industry standard 17 and 33 point 3D LUT files, or you can work with the built in LUTs such as Extended Video, Film to Video and more.
Direct Metadata Entry for Faster Editing!
The advanced digital slate and metadata features make it extremely fast to add metadata to any shot! Simply swipe left or right from the edge of the screen to bring up the digital slate. You can even select for take numbers to be automatically incremented when you start and stop recording, so you don’t have to enter them manually for each shot! You can also set reel numbers to increment each time you format a card. All metadata is saved with the files and available in post production with software such as DaVinci Resolve!
Latest Multi Rate 12G SDI for SD, HD and Ultra HD
You get full support for the most popular video standards. The SDI and HDMI connections are multi-rate, so all models handle SD and HD television standards plus the 12G models add extra support for Ultra HD standards. Standard definition formats include NTSC and PAL. 720p HD standards include 720p50 and 59.94p. 1080i HD interlaced formats include 1080i50 and 59.94. 1080p HD formats include 1080p23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60p. Plus you can even work in 1080 PsF formats. On the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G models you also get support for Ultra HD formats up to 2160p59.94. On these 12G models you can even record 2K and 4K DCI rates up to 25p for digital film work!
Professional Multi Channel SDI and Analog Audio
Blackmagic Video Assist includes a built in professional audio recorder that’s much better quality than the audio found in most cameras, eliminating the need to carry around extra audio equipment. When working in SDI formats, you can record 2, 4, 8 or 16 channels of audio. For connecting microphones the 7" models have 2 XLR analog audio inputs with phantom power and high definition audio sample rates of 192 kHz at 16 and 24 bit per sample. The audio meters can even be changed between VU or PPM ballistics. Blackmagic Video Assist 12G features the latest audio technology to ensure low noise floor and very low distortion so you can use it for digital cinema and broadcast work.
Localized for 11 Popular Languages
Multiple languages are fully supported so you don't need to learn another language to use it! Support is included for English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Italian, Portuguese and Turkish. At first start, Video Assist will display a menu for selecting a language, plus you can switch languages in the menus. When a language is selected, the on screen text overlays will change to the selected language, as well as overlays on the video outputs when enabled. All this means Video Assist is perfect for doing international location work with different crews because you can just go into the menu and change the language any time you need!
Works with the World's Most Popular Video Software
The files from Blackmagic Video Assist are common and are compatible with all operating systems or in most video software. Media can be formatted using ExFAT or HFS+ so you can easily access the media on computers and access the files like regular disks. DaVinci Resolve is perfect for using with Video Assist as it features editing, color correction, audio post production and visual effects all in one software application. Plus you can download DaVinci Resolve free of charge for Mac, Windows and Linux! You can also use recorded files in other popular software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X. With Video Assist, your media is common so your files will remain readable in the future.
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Design
SpecificationsDescription
Blackmagic Video Assist 7" 12G HDR adds professional monitoring and recording to any SDI or HDMI camera in all HD, Ultra HD, 2K and 4K DCI formats! The super bright 2500nit 7 inch HDR monitor supports 3D LUTs and features professional scopes along with powerful focus assist and exposure tools that help you accurately set focus, exposure and frame shots. Dual built in SD card recorders save files from any camera in 10‑bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNx formats. You also get two mini XLR connections with 48V of phantom power and a noise floor of ‑128dBV for high quality, crystal clear audio recording. Plus, you can start editing immediately because you don’t have to convert the files!
Connections
SDI Video Inputs
1
SDI Video Outputs
1
SDI Rates
270Mb, 1.5G, 3G, 6G, 12G.
HDMI 2.0a Video Inputs
1
HDMI 2.0a Video Outputs
1
Analog Audio Inputs
2 x balanced mini XLR with phantom power
Analog Audio Outputs
1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Built in Speaker
Mono
Screen Dimensions
7 inch 1920 x 1200.
Screen Brightness
2500nits
Screen Color
P3 wide color gamut
SDI Audio Inputs
16 channels embedded via 12G-SDI
SDI Audio Outputs
16 channels embedded via 12G-SDI
HDMI Audio Inputs
8 channels embedded via HDMI 2.0a
HDMI Audio Outputs
8 channels embedded via HDMI 2.0a
Remote Control
1 x 2.5mm LANC for Record Start and Stop.
SD Interface
Dual UHS-II SD slots
Storage Type
Removable SDXC UHS-II, SDXC UHS-I and SDHC UHS-I SD cards.
Supports DS, HS, SDR12, SDR25, DDR50, SDR50 and SDR104 SD cards.
Computer Interface
1 x USB Type‑C 3.1 Gen 1 for external drive recording, webcam out, initial setup, software updates and Video Assist Utility software control.
SDI Video Standards
SD Video Standards
525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL
HD Video Standards
720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60
1080PsF23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080PsF25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080PsF30
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
2K Video Standards
2Kp23.98 DCI, 2Kp24 DCI, 2Kp25 DCI, 2Kp29.97 DCI, 2Kp30 DCI
2KPsF23.98 DCI, 2KPsF24 DCI, 2KPsF25 DCI, 2KPsF29.97 DCI, 2KPsF30 DCI
Ultra HD Video Standards
2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p30, 2160p50, 2160p59.94, 2160p60
4K Video Standards
4Kp23.98 DCI, 4Kp24 DCI, 4Kp25 DCI, 4Kp29.97 DCI, 4Kp30 DCI
SDI Compliance
SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 425M, SMPTE 2084
SDI Metadata Support
HD RP188
Audio Sampling
Television standard sample rate of 48 kHz and 24-bit.
Video Sampling
4:2:2 YUV
Color Precision
10-bit
Color Space
REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020
HDR Support
HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma
Multiple Rate Support
SDI and HDMI switches between 270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s and 12 Gb/s
SDI RAW
Blackmagic RAW
HDMI Video Standards
SD Video Standards
525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL
HD Video Standards
720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
Ultra HD Video Standards
2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p30, 2160p50, 2160p59.94, 2160p60
4K Video Standards
4Kp23.98 DCI, 4Kp24 DCI, 4Kp25 DCI
HDMI Color Precision
10-bit
HDR Support
HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma
Copy Protection
HDMI input is unable to capture from copy protected HDMI sources. Always confirm copyright ownership before capture or distribution of content.
Media
Media
2 x UHS-II SD for Ultra HD, compatible with regular SD for HD recording. USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1 for external drive recording.
Media Type
SDXC UHS-II, SDXC UHS-I and SDHC UHS-I SD cards.
Supported Codecs
Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 5:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 8:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 12:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q0, Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q5,
Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, Apple ProRes 422 Proxy, DNxHR HQX, DNxHR SQ, DNxHR LB, DNxHR HQX MXF, DNxHR SQ MXF, DNxHR LB MXF.
Control
Recorder Control
Integrated capacitive touchscreen LCD with onscreen controls for settings and navigating menus.
External Control
LANC, SDI and HDMI start/stop and timecode run.
Blackmagic RAW
Supported Cameras
Canon
Canon EOS C300 Mark II
FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM GFX100
FUJIFILM GFX100 II
FUJIFILM GFX100S
FUJIFILM GFX100S II
FUJIFILM X-H2s
FUJIFILM X-H2
FUJIFILM X-M5
FUJIFILM X-T5
FUJIFILM X-T50
FUJIFILM X-S20
Leica
Leica SL2-S
Nikon
Nikon Z 6
Nikon Z 7
Nikon Z 6II
Nikon Z 7II
Panasonic
Panasonic AU-EVA1
Panasonic LUMIX BGH1
Panasonic LUMIX BS1H
Panasonic LUMIX GH5S
Panasonic LUMIX GH6
Panasonic LUMIX GH7
Panasonic LUMIX G9II
Panasonic LUMIX S1
Panasonic LUMIX S1H
Panasonic LUMIX S5
Panasonic LUMIX S5D
Panasonic LUMIX S5II
Panasonic LUMIX S5IIX
SIGMA
SIGMA fp
SIGMA fp L
Z CAM
Z CAM E2
Z CAM E2-M4
Z CAM E2-F6
Z CAM E2-S6
Software
Software Included
Blackmagic OS
Scopes
Scopes
Waveform, RGB Parade, Vector, RGB Histogram.
Viewing Modes
Scopes with picture in picture or picture overlay and opacity control. Waveform and Parade with standard and HDR graticules.
Operating Systems
Mac 13.0 Ventura,
Mac 14.0 Sonoma or later.
Windows 11
Power Requirements
Power Supply
1 x External 12V power supply.
Compatible with Sony NP-F style batteries.
(batteries not included)
Physical Specifications
Environmental Specifications
Operating Temperature
0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)
Storage Temperature
-20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F)
Relative Humidity
0% to 90% non-condensing
What's Included
Blackmagic Video Assist 7” 12G HDR
Universal power supply with locking connector and international adapters
Warranty
1 Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty.
Blackmagic
Blackmagic BMD-HYPERD/AVIDA12/5HDR
Blackmagic Video Assist 5 12G HDR
