Digital Cinema Society

After several delays, the much anticipated Blackmagic Production Camera 4K is now shipping. Originally advertised at $4,000US, Blackmagic is now offering the camera at $2,995US. The new lower price will be available for all customers, including existing pre-orders. Key Features include: Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution, ... [ Read: Blackmagic 4K Camera Now Shipping with Price Reduced to $3,000 ]

AJA has announced availability of Io 4K, a new pro I/O, updated for Thunderbolt-2 4K workflows. The new device connects to any Thunderbolt-2 enabled device such as the new Mac Pro, offering an additional Thunderbolt-2 port for daisy-chaining other peripherals in supported workflows. Other key features include: - ... [ Read: AJA Ships Io 4K for New Mac with 4K/UHD Capture and Playback via Thunderbolt-2 ]

On February 6th, Panasonic announced the successsor to the GH3 with a new Mirrorless still/motion camera capable of shooting 4K 24p Cinema Motion at (4096x2160), plus 4K 3840x2160 30p/24p.  Exact pricing has not been announced but is rumored to be less than $2,000US with pre-orders starting to be accepted on St. Paddy’s ... [ Read: Panasonic Lumix GH4 Mirrorless Camera shoots 4K Motion for less than $2K, Pre-orders begin March 17th ]

Belden has made a binding offer to acquire privately held Grass Valley for US$220 million.  GV technologies include production cameras such as the Viper, (which was instrumental in the adoption of Digital Acquisition and used on the Oscar winning feature “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), editing solutions ... [ Read: Belden Buys Grass Valley For US$220 Million ]

Sitting through a rather ho-hum Super Bowl game owing to it being so lopsided, I wasn’t that upset when the Time Warner Cable went out just before half-time. It took a while to switch to the antennae, and my only concern was that I would miss the expected 30th Anniversary Apple Macintosh Commercial. It was with this ... [ Read: 30th Anniversary Apple Macintosh Commercial Shot Only With iPhone ]

Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC; Jeremy Benning, CSC; Jonathan Freeman, ASC and Blake McClure earned top honors in the four competitive categories at the 28th Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The ceremony was held February 1st at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & ... [ Read: ASC Winners: Lubezki for GRAVITY - TV Awards go to KILLING LINCOLN, GAME OF THRONES & DRUNK HISTORY ]

By James Mathers, Cinematographer and President of DCS As a Cinematographer, I’ve had to get used to the fact that my role is constantly changing, and while I don’t think it is necessary, some have even suggested a new name for what we do.  Whatever the specific skill-sets employed, we are still charged with ... [ Read: Motionographer, Virtual Cinematographer, Director of Imaging? Role Evolves, Title Remains: Cinematographer ]

ARRI announced today that pricing has been set for its new documentary-style camera, AMIRA, starting at $39,000US. Orders are now being taken for delivery in the early 2nd quarter of 2014. The new camera is being offered in three basic configurations. The entry-point AMIRA camera set allows Rec 709 ProRes 422 recording ... [ Read: With Price and Delivery Announcement, ARRI is Now Taking Orders on AMIRA ]

There was lots to see at the International CES; too much really for our purposes, everything from car/infotainment, wearable biometrics, smartphone accessories, computers, and TVs, etc, etc., etc.    It was the largest CES ever with a record two million net square feet of exhibit space housing more than 3,200 exhibitors ... [ Read: Report on CES -- Panasonic’s New Varicam, and 3D Steps Aside for 4K ]

Other studios are expected to follow Paramount’s lead in becoming the first major distributor to end all domestic U.S. releases on film.  The new digital-only policy reportedly began with their Oscar-nominated film, "The Wolf of Wall Street" and makes "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” notable as their last movie ... [ Read: Paramount to End All Theatrical Domestic Releases On Film ]