Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2

Overview
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 offers 2 different viewfinder options, depending on the cameras use. The standard Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder is perfect for production and ENG use, with a high resolution OLED display and glass optics. The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2, on the other hand, is ideal for studio use with its large 7 inch display, tally light, and adjustable controls. Both viewfinders are easy to install and provide a comfortable shooting experience.

If you need to shoot over the shoulder or handheld, the Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder is a great addition. It features a high resolution color display and can be adjusted for left or right eye use. The installation process is simple, and the viewfinder even includes a sensor to turn off the screen when not in use. For studio use, the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is a game changer. It can turn the URSA Broadcast G2 into a professional studio camera with its digital film sensor, built-in color corrector, and compatibility with B4 lenses. The viewfinder also has physical controls for framing, focus, and customizable function buttons, along with a bright tally light that can be activated via SDI control.

Summary
Resolution: Full HD
Power Connection: 4 Pin XLR
Video Connection: SDI
Included in box
1x Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2

About the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2
Turn URSA Broadcast G2 into the ultimate live camera with a professional 7 inch studio viewfinder!

When you’re working live in the studio or out at an event in a large venue such as a stadium, the URSA Studio Viewfinder gives you everything you need to comfortably operate your URSA Mini in live production! The bright 7” screen has a detachable sunshade and includes large handles and an articulated pivot mount that let you position and move the viewfinder independent of the camera!

The large rotary control dials and customizable function buttons let you make on the fly adjustments without having to take your eyes off the action! Set up is quick and easy using the included V-Lock plate and it connects directly to the SDI monitor and power output on your URSA Mini, so you don’t need additional cables or power supplies.

Connections
SDI Video Input 1 x HD/Ultra HD 3G-SDI via BNC.
Power Input 1 x 4 pin XLR 12V.
Screen Dimensions 7″ 1920 x 1200 resolution.
Screen Type 7″ high brightness TFT LCD
Screen Brightness 2000 nits
Computer Interface 1 x USB type C connector for initial setup and software updates via Blackmagic Camera Setup software.
SDI Video Standards
HD Format Support 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
SDI Compliance SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 425M 2084.
Video Sampling 4:2:2 YUV.
Color Precision 10-bit.
Color Space REC 601, REC 709.
Multiple Rate support SDI switches between 1.5 Gb/s HD and 3.0 Gb/s 60P HD.
Monitor Features
Controls Dial, knobs and customizable function buttons for settings, short cut features and navigating menus.
Handles Built in grab handles for positioning the monitor independently from the camera.
Position Adjustment Options Variable tension pivot points for articulated arm and grab handles with forward, backward, up, down, pan and tilt adjustments.
Mounting Options Quick release V-lock mounting bracket for attaching viewfinder to URSA Mini handle.
Tally Large LED tally light with customizable perspex camera numbers.
Metadata Support Detects camera information embedded in the SDI signal including status information, frame guides, focus peaking, tally, and more.
Screen Interface On screen meters and status information including Camera ID, resolution, frames per second, shutter speed, gain, white balance, camera battery level, and more.
Operating Systems Mac 10.14 Mojave,
Mac 10.15 Catalina or later.
Windows 10
Power Requirements 12V power input via 4 pin XLR connected via URSA Mini 12v power output.
Physical Specifications 304mm x 146.8mm
Environmental Specifications
Operating Temperature 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)
Storage Temperature -20° to 60° C (-4° to 140° F)
Relative Humidity 0% to 90% non-condensing
Warranty 12 Month Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty.

Add a Blackmagic Design Viewfinder

The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 has 2 different viewfinder options, depending on how you need to use the camera. The standard Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder is a conventional viewfinder that’s perfect for production and ENG use and is designed to use on the camera when shoulder mounted or on a tripod. It has a high resolution OLED display and glass optics, so you get an extremely high quality image. The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is based on a large 7 inch display and is perfect for tripod mounted studio camera use. It totally transforms the camera into a true studio camera! The studio viewfinder also includes a large tally light and easy to access controls. It’s even fully adjustable!

Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder

If your project calls for a lot of over the shoulder or handheld shooting, you’ll want to add the Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder. You get a high resolution 1920 x 1080 color display that lets you get incredibly accurate focus and the screen is so sharp it’s just like using an optical viewfinder on a traditional film camera. The viewfinder can be adjusted for either left or right eye use. Installation is simple, and you only need to mount it and plug in the SDI and power connections to the side of URSA Broadcast. It’s so comfortable when using the camera shoulder mounted. The viewfinder also includes a sensor to turn off the screen when you’re not using it to extend the life of the OLED screen.

Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2

If you add the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2, you can turn an URSA Broadcast G2 into a professional studio camera. URSA Broadcast G2 has a digital film sensor and built in color corrector, so you get better image quality than a traditional studio camera. Plus you can add the Blackmagic Studio Fiber Converter to connect the camera with SMPTE fiber while adding additional studio camera controls to the rear of the camera. URSA Broadcast has a B4 lens mount, so it handles both ENG lenses as well as large “box” style broadcast lenses, for par focal focus and amazing zoom range. It even works with the Blackmagic Focus and Zoom demands to control B4 lenses while using the camera with two hands.

Big Bright Adjustable Display

The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 mounts using a standard V-Lock mount, so it’s easy to attach it to the top of your camera. It can mount to the top of the camera body, or the top of the SMPTE fiber converter if you have one installed on the camera. It features a bright 7″ display with grip handles so it’s very easy to position it independently of the camera, even while your camera is on air. The mount allows the viewfinder to be tilted up and down and rotated sideways. Then you can adjust the lock knobs to vary the amount of tension on the viewfinder adjustments. There’s also a metal sunshade for use when in bright outdoor locations and the sunshade can be removed quickly when not needed.

Physical Viewfinder Controls

The URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 features physical controls for adjusting framing and focus features. The menu dial allows you to scroll through menus and change settings as needed. However the most exciting controls are the 3 knobs on the right side of the viewfinder, which give you smooth control of the LCD brightness and contrast, as well as directly adjustable focus peaking control. The focus peaking control allows you to constantly adjust peaking to make focus easy at the zoom setting you are using. Plus, there are 3 customizable function buttons you can program to control features such as zebra, false color, focus peaking, luminance waveform, LUTs and more!

Large Bright Tally Light

The back of the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 features a large tally light that illuminates red for on-air, green for preview, and orange for ISO recording. As the director cuts between cameras on the ATEM switcher, tally information is sent back to the camera over SDI so the light is lit when the camera is on the air. You only need to set the correct camera number in the URSA Broadcast G2 menus! The tally light is very large so it’s easy to see when the presenter is a long distance from the camera. Plus, the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 also includes clip-on number decals that insert into the tally light, so each camera is clearly numbered and easy for presenters to see.

Activate Tally Light via SDI Control

The big bright tally light on the top of the viewfinder is one of the features that can be controlled over the SDI video connection. The Blackmagic SDI Camera Control Protocol takes advantage of blanking space in the SDI data stream to add talkback, tally and other camera control information direct to the camera via the program return feed. This also works with the viewfinder as it has the same control sent to it from the camera via its SDI input. The Blackmagic control protocol is an open standard and is documented in the ATEM switcher manual. That means anyone can create custom solutions for Blackmagic cameras, switchers and Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder.

Build Custom Camera Control Solutions

The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Shield for Arduino is an Arduino expansion board or “shield” that makes it possible for anyone to develop their own custom control solutions for Blackmagic Design cameras. Arduino is a popular low cost open source micro controller platform used by developers and enthusiasts. The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Shield for Arduino attaches to any Arduino and then supports inserting camera control commands into the 3G-SDI link to the camera. This means all Blackmagic Studio and URSA Broadcast G2 cameras can now be controlled remotely via Arduino code and you can design and build your own custom CCU or broadcast automation solutions!