URSA Mini CCU-RCP with BlackMagic Arduino Shield
RCP panel for CCU control of BlackMagic URSA Mini and Studio Camera series in a Sony form factor
Help bring an awesome URSA Mini RCP CCU controller to market based on the newly released BlackMagic Arduino Shield and make a great deal at the same time! This is the missing piece that will make your BlackMagic Cameras professionally functional in a live production situation.
Shading your BlackMagic Camera with hardware
SKAARHOJ (us, the guys behind) ease the use of broadcast hardware for people making live video. CCU control of BlackMagic Design (BMD) cameras has been notoriously difficult through software only. We are already specialised in alternative hardware controls for BlackMagic ATEM switchers and with BlackMagics introduction of the Arduino Shield we now want to build a Sony form factor remote control panel (RCP) for BlackMagics cameras, such as URSA Mini and Studio Camera series.
This campaign aims to raise money to develop and build a first batch of such remote control panels at a price we can only achieve through a larger scale production run.
By contributing to this campaign you will get one or more panels delivered at a price much lower than the sales price at a later point but you will also get your say on how the product will work out of the box.
All the designs, be it hardware or software will be available under open licenses and shared freely on GitHub under and after the development.
This is pictures of the RCP prototype:
Benefits:
Form factor: It has the same form factor as a Sony RCP-1500 series, so it will fit into your OB van. Here are the dimensions of the Sony RCP taken from their manual:
BMD Arduino Shield inside: Under the bottom of the controller, you find a 3G-SDI in and out BNC plug. Route the return feed to the camera through this connection to insert CCU data on the signal. This is all thanks to the embedded BMD Arduino Shield. Thanks BlackMagicDesign, you rock! :-)
The web interface features a beautiful SVG rendition of the controller which lets you click any component to edit its function.
Every hardware component is configured through the web interface, even with multiple “states” in mind so it can perform different functions under different conditions. Here the encoder knobs are configured differently depending on the menu state the controller is in.
This shows how the RCP joystick handle, wheel and button could be configured.
The controllers IP address can be set in the interface in addition to enabling communication with external hardware such as an ATEM switcher, SmartScope, VideoHub and of course the BlackMagic SDI Shield.
Joystick Iris Control: We want the shading experience to be as close as possible to a traditional CCU. So we have integrated a real CCU joystick with master black wheel and push button on top!
Master Black (Pedestal / Lift-Y) is also implemented on an encoder (in addition to the joystick wheel) and shown on a display. The same display may demonstrate the Iris level and the value limits in both ends (what BMD calls “Coarse” in their ATEM switchers).
Active Panel and relative: A number of buttons are still “in development” conceptually. This is also where we want your feedback! But we do think there should be a “Panel Active” button as well as a “Relative” button known from Sony CCUs. Also Auto Iris is included here.
File stores and OLED display: Four buttons under the 256×64 pixel settings OLED display will be used to save and recall settings from memory.
Open Source: The device can be completely re-programmed by any Arduino programmer. Internally it’s based on a SKAARDUINO platform developed by SKAARHOJ K/S and this platform is compatible with Arduinos development framework for easy access. This also guarantees that you always have the possibility to re-use and upgrade your hardware in the future independently of us!
We have lots of experience making these types of products, so we have put together a budget for producing 50 units. In broad terms it falls into these categories:
Prototyping costs: 5925$
Electronics (PCB motherboard): 5555$
Interface Components and MCU: 34640$
BMD Arduino Shield: 4750$
Enclosure (metal): 10900$
Assembly and test: 2050$
Certifications: 5778$
Accessories: 1400$
WorldWide 2-day Shipping: 5000$
Total = 75.998$
Surprises (exchange rates and taxes, change of service provider, what we forgot, risks): +20%
Platform costs: +10% (Indiegogo + payment provider)
Total pledged for: 100.317$
We have decided to run the campaign only if we get the full amount. We don’t want to run like crazy to produce any number other than what would result from a fully funded campaign. What happens if we don’t reach the goal? We’re not entirely sure, but probably at least you will see us offer the RCP for sale under more regular production terms (MSRP around 2900$). This means a higher price, but you will get the unit. So, supporting and promoting this campaign is your ticket to a cheap unit! Please spread the word everywhere you can!
The RCP Joystick sourcing was a potential risk until we got confirmed from the supplier that we could rely on delivery of enough joysticks for the batch! So this doesn’t worry us anymore.
We have worked with the BlackMagic Arduino shield now for a while and it seems to work without show stoppers, so unless there is a supply shortage we are good.
In terms of the remaining hardware; The risks are fairly low since the device consists of hardware modules SKAARHOJ is already using inside our other controller devices. We have many years of experience building such controllers on a modular basis and having the enclosure, electronics and software produced for it. The budget is based on prices from sub contractors and while the project success does depend on them carrying through their deliveries, our experience with them tells us, that it would be an unlikely problem. We have reserved a buffer of money to face such potential difficulties.
If you feel this idea is worth sharing, please share, spread the word! We know there is a lot of buzz around the URSA Mini cameras and lots of people are looking for exactly this panel to complete their new camera set up. You may know someone who is struggling to find that solution which we are probably the first to offer a solution for. So spread the word to help us bring this product to the market and complete the ecosystem around BlackMagics awesome cameras.
Make sure to use the Indiegogo share tools when you share!
And if course, you can always support us by pledging for the awesome t-shirt :-)