Blackmagic Design has just pulled back the curtain on its latest creation: the URSA Cine Immersive camera. This revolutionary piece of tech is engineered to film breathtaking 8K VR180 footage tailored for the Apple Immersive Video format. If you’re tempted to snag this state-of-the-art gear, you can pre-order it right now for $30,000, with the shipping set to kick off in the first quarter of 2025. To complement this, Blackmagic is also prepping a new update for DaVinci Resolve Studio. This update will roll out editing tools specifically crafted for Apple Immersive Video, including camera calibration data support.
Now, what exactly is Apple Immersive Video? It’s a 180° 3D video format that comes alive when watched through the Apple Vision Pro. If you’re wondering about the gear behind the jaw-dropping visuals you see on the headset, it’s a good bet that early versions of the URSA Cine Immersive had a hand in creating them.
For filmmakers ready to dive into this immersive world, the URSA Cine Immersive is finally hitting the market, though it’ll set you back a hefty $30K. While that might seem steep, it’s quite comparable to other top-tier cinema cameras out there.
This camera is meticulously crafted for capturing Apple Immersive Video, boasting dual 180° stereo lenses that seize imagery at a staggering 59MP each, that’s 8,160 x 7,200 pixels, with an impressive 16 stops of dynamic range. The camera doesn’t just stop at visuals—it can shoot up to 90 frames per second in the Blackmagic RAW format, embedding unique calibration data that ensures smoother editing and enhanced stability in your final footage.
The upcoming DaVinci Resolve Studio update? It’s packed with cool features for footage captured from this camera:
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Immersive Video Viewer: Offers the ability to pan, tilt, and roll clips on 2D monitors or view directly on the Apple Vision Pro.
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Seamless Transitions: Optimizes clean master files using a metadata-based bypass for smooth transitions on the Apple Vision Pro.
- Export Presets: Provides a streamlined path for delivering Apple Vision Pro-ready packages.
Both Blackmagic and Apple are spearheading this initiative, hoping that this camera and its intuitive editing tools will pave the way for a new wave of filmmakers eager to explore the potential of Apple Immersive Video.
There’s still a bit of mystery surrounding whether the camera and its editing capabilities will play nicely with other platforms or VR headsets, or if Apple’s format has certain unique elements that might complicate cross-platform compatibility and releases. Time will tell, but the excitement for what this could mean for filmmakers is palpable.
