At IBC 2025, we caught up with Craig Heffernan from Blackmagic Design to speak about what has turn into this 12 months’s central theme for the corporate: ProRes RAW arriving in DaVinci Resolve 20.2 and chosen Blackmagic Design {hardware}, whereas Blackmagic RAW recording is increasing to third-party cameras, beginning with Sony’s FX line.
RAW workflows have been a recurring dialogue at IBC, however this 12 months Blackmagic Design pushed the subject additional than earlier than. For the primary time, ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW are each being built-in throughout Blackmagic’s {hardware} and software program, giving filmmakers extra flexibility in how they seize and end their initiatives.
ProRes RAW involves Resolve and Pocket Cinema Digicam 4K
Craig stated that after years of technical discussions with Apple, ProRes RAW is now built-in into DaVinci Resolve 20.2. The replace not solely provides ProRes RAW but additionally brings new modifying, audio, and AI instruments, making it greater than only a codec replace.
On the {hardware} aspect, the primary Blackmagic digicam to obtain ProRes RAW is the Pocket Cinema Digicam 4K. Regardless of being one of many older fashions within the lineup, its giant consumer base and Bayer-based sensor made the implementation easy. Newer Blackmagic cameras use RGBW sensors, which require extra complicated engineering, so the Pocket 4K serves as the start line. House owners will now have the selection between Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW. Decision and body price choices are nonetheless to be confirmed and will fluctuate relying on the third-party digicam integration. Help can also be deliberate for the Video Help line, however solely the 12G fashions have the processing energy to deal with ProRes RAW. Older variations won’t be suitable.
Increasing Blackmagic RAW to Sony cameras
Over the previous 12 months, Blackmagic has continued creating Blackmagic RAW assist for third-party cameras. Preliminary work across the FX9 was proven at IBC 2024, however growth shifted towards the FX3, the place HDMI integration proved a greater match. At this 12 months’s present, a beta was demonstrated working on the FX3 with Video Help.
The roadmap now consists of assist for the FX3, FX3A, and FX30 in October, adopted by the FX6 and FX9 later within the 12 months. Regardless that the FX9 has been discontinued by Sony, its large consumer base makes it a precedence for inclusion.
Picture credit score: CineD
Apple collaboration and iPhone ambitions
These developments spotlight Blackmagic’s shut collaboration with Apple. The partnership extends from the Ursa Cine Immersive for Imaginative and prescient Professional to the Blackmagic Digicam app for iOS, the primary third-party app to document Apple Log and ProRes RAW. With the iPhone 17 positioned as knowledgeable video device, Blackmagic has been offering {hardware} pathways for connectivity, Genlock, and off-board recording.
Wanting forward
DaVinci Resolve 20.2 brings greater than ProRes RAW integration. The replace enhances the modifying toolset, provides new audio options, and builds on AI performance first previewed earlier this 12 months. Craig even famous that the scope of modifications is giant sufficient that it might have been launched as a standalone replace. Discussions are ongoing with main software program distributors about native assist for Blackmagic RAW, although no agency commitments have been made.
Collectively, these bulletins mark one of many largest codec shifts seen at current IBC exhibits, with ProRes RAW discovering its place in Blackmagic’s ecosystem and Blackmagic RAW extending into third-party cameras.
Do you see your self working extra with ProRes RAW now that it’s in Resolve, or will you proceed with Blackmagic RAW? Inform us your ideas within the feedback under!
