In September 2024, Blackmagic Design introduced that it was working to deliver BRAW performance to Sony’s Cinema Line cameras. A firmware replace for the Blackmagic Video Help recording screens is scheduled to be launched this month that can lastly make {that a} actuality.
What’s BRAW?
Blackmagic RAW, or BRAW, is a video codec that delivers the advantages of RAW recording with smaller information which are simpler and quicker to work with in post-production. The corporate additionally calls BRAW “the world’s quickest RAW format.” RAW video information historically document your digital camera’s sensor knowledge with none picture processing. Nevertheless, BRAW strikes a part of the processing, generally known as demosaicing, again into your digital camera. Because of this, the BRAW video information play again easily with out requiring highly effective laptop processors.
Plus, you get all the advantages of RAW video, together with having the ability to change the ISO and white steadiness of the clips when colour grading.
Cross-platform open normal
The BRAW codec is an open normal that’s cross-platform and free. It’s obtainable on Home windows, Mac OS, and Linux programs. The corporate has additionally made the SDK (software program improvement package) publicly obtainable to builders, utterly freed from cost with no licenses or charges ever. So, many third-party producers have now added assist for BRAW recording to their cameras. These embrace cameras from Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Sigma and Z Cam. Nevertheless, most often, you have to to make use of Blackmagic Design’s Video Help monitor recorder to document BRAW externally.
Sony and BRAW
In September 2024, Blackmagic Design introduced that it was collaborating with Sony to introduce exterior BRAW recording capabilities to the Cinema Line sequence of cameras. On the time, the FX9 was scheduled to get the improve first, earlier than rolling it out throughout the vary. Nevertheless, these priorities modified over the intervening 12 months, in order that now Sony’s FX3, FX3A, and FX30 are first in line for BRAW assist. Sony launched firmware updates for these cameras final month, which added a menu choice for exterior BRAW recording. Now it’s over to Blackmagic Design to replace the firmware for its Video Help 12G merchandise so as to add compatibility with the Sony cameras. That replace is due for launch this month. Earlier than the top of the yr, the FX6 and FX9 ought to acquire BRAW recording as properly.
What we predict
There are some within the video world who eschew BRAW for not being a real RAW codec. It’s because some processing nonetheless occurs in-camera with the format. Nevertheless, to all intents and functions, you possibly can deal with BRAW identical to you’ll with different RAW codecs in post-production. Anybody who has labored with BRAW may also attest to how clean and simple it’s to play again, edit and colour grade.
If you’re a Sony shooter, you’ll quickly be capable to expertise how good BRAW is as properly, although you have to one of many newest 12G Video Help fashions. As well as, Blackmagic Design ought to be given enormous credit score for making BRAW freely obtainable to all builders and producers. A lot of its rivals intently guard their proprietary applied sciences with restrictive licenses and charges. BRAW is simply one other instance of Blackmagic Design serving to to make cinema-grade video extra accessible to everybody.
