The latest firmware from Blackmagic has added pre-recording on two of its physical camera models. the URSA Broadcast G2 , the PYXIS 6K and 12K. (Ahead I’ll clarify the differences between Pre-recording and and Pre-reading.) Now you can record up to 10 minutes of action before you press the record button. The pre-record function lets the camera continuously record to the media card, ensuring any unexpected event will never be missed. Simply select the pre-record duration you need, from 5 seconds to a full 10 minutes, and that cached media will be added to the start of each file you record. This means every important moment is safely captured, critical for unpredictable or fast changing environments like documentaries, news or live events. By only saving what’s needed, pre-record also helps reduce storage use because even though you are constantly recording, only the section before you press record is preserved.

Contrasting Pre-Record with Pre-Read

• Pre-Recording allows a camcorder (i.e. camera with built-in recording capabilities) to be recording before pressing the record button, to avoid missing the beginning of an event whose time is often unpredictable.
• Pre-Reading (or read-before-write) is a function present in some editing videotape decks (VTRs, i.e. Videotape Recorders) which lets it instantly play back what it’s recording, allowing for seamless, virtually lossless editing, layering (like adding titles via a video mixer/switcher), and building A/B roll systems with fewer decks by reading the digital signal, processing it externally, and immediately writing the modified version back to the tape without delay. It’s a high-end function that eliminates generational loss, making edits look like the original source.

More in the Blackmagic firmware update for cameras

Also included in this Blackmagic update is support for 4 channel audio recording on Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2, Blackmagic PYXIS 6K and Blackmagic PYXIS 12K models. This allows you to record two additional audio channels which is ideal for interviews, live events or documentaries where you might want separate mics for talent, ambient sound or scratch tracks, all perfectly synced within the video file. In addition, this update adds new Camera Control REST API commands for Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 and Blackmagic PYXIS models. There is also improved Blackmagic Cloud functionality and B4 lens compatibility for Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2.

For more information or to download the firmware update for your camcorder, click here.

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FTC disclosure

None of the listed individuals or companies mentioned above has paid for this article. Blackmagic has sent Allan Tépper equipment or NFR software for evaluation and reviews. Some of the manufacturers listed above have contracted Tépper and/or TecnoTur LLC to carry out consulting and/or translations/localizations/transcreations. So far, none of the manufacturers listed above is/are sponsors of the TecnoTur, BeyondPodcasting, CapicúaFM or TuSaludSecreta programs, although they are welcome to do so, and some are, may be (or may have been) sponsors of ProVideo Coalition magazine. Some links to third parties listed in this article and/or on this web page may indirectly benefit TecnoTur LLC via affiliate programs. Allan Tépper’s opinions are his own. Allan Tépper is not liable for misuse or misunderstanding of information he shares.