Xilinx helped Blackmagic Design develop a complete 4K camera-on-film system

     Xilinx has announced that its fully programmable devices are helping Blackmagic Design develop a complete 4K camera-on-chip system. The device is the core component of Blackmagic's URSA camera, which uses a 4K Super 35 large sensor with a full-field shutter and a 10-inch foldable display, The Blackmagic Design Production Camera 4K(BMPC 4K) is also the world's smallest Ultra HD 4K cinema grade camera.

     The Xilinx Kintex-7 device is a core component of these new cameras, providing industry-leading transceivers that enable the new 12G-SDI connectivity standard and support 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video output. Blackmagic is able to combine 12G-SDI connectivity with advanced video image processing algorithms based on FPGA architecture to form a complete camera system. The Kintex-7 FPGA is the industry's first mid-range FPGA to support the 300MHz architecture speed and 12Gbps line speed transceivers required for 4K video system development.

     Blackmagic Design's cameras provide cinematographers with a new set of tools to help them produce professional-grade work, helping to democratize the market for professional camera applications. Xilinx will be showcasing URSA and Production Camera 4K cameras (booth N5616) during the National Broadcast and Television Equipment Show 2015 (NAB 2015).

     Dan May, President of Blackmagic Design, said: "Blackmagic Design has been working with Xilinx for more than 10 years, and our portfolio has expanded into a richer range of video devices and solutions. Xilinx's industry-leading technology portfolio helps us deliver cost-effective products that deliver the highest quality video to our customers."

     "Our products are helping Blackmagic Design integrate advanced connectivity and video processing technology," says Feng Yi, Senior Video Systems Architect for Silink's Broadcast and Professional Audio and Video Business. Xilinx's fully programmable solution provides Blackmagic Design with the platform to implement and optimize video image processing algorithms and iterate quickly until the best image video quality is produced. This flexibility allows Blackmagic Design to extend its brand into new areas such as professional cameras and to upgrade existing solutions to support Ultra HD resolution and video connectivity."