Blackmagicdesign Video Assist User manual

Installation and Operation Manual
November 2017
Blackmagic
VideoAssist
English, 日本語, Français, Deutsch, Español,
中文,한국어, Русский,Italiano and Português.

Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing your Blackmagic Video Assist.
We are extremely excited to have designed the Blackmagic Video Assist family of products.
We think they are the perfect solution to help you shoot better video on any type of camera.
Your video assist combines the best of our monitoring and recording technologies for on
set monitoring and professional recording into easy to use very compact products.
Blackmagic Video Assist models can be mounted on your camera, or with the underside
fold out stand you can use them on a desk for general deck and monitoring use. That’s
perfect for use as a master recorder for a live production switcher.
Blackmagic Video Assist has a 6G-SDI input so it will monitor Ultra HD. Blackmagic Video
Assist 4K records Ultra HD on two SD cards for continuous recording and is also a powerful
audio recorder, so you can mix analog audio into the SDI or HDMI recording. Your video
assist is a very versatile monitor and recorder that you can use with any camera and on
any project.
This instruction manual contains all the information you need to start using your video assist.
Please check the support page on our website at www.blackmagicdesign.com for the
latest version of this manual and for updates to your video assist’s software. Keeping
your software up to date will ensure you get all the latest features! When downloading
software, please register with your information so we can keep you updated when new
software is released. We are continually working on new features and improvements,
so we would love to hear from you!
Grant Petty
CEO Blackmagic Design
English

Contents
Blackmagic Video Assist
Getting Started 5
Plugging in Power 5
Plugging in Video 6
Plugging in Audio 6
Inserting SD Cards 7
Recording 8
Remote Control via the LANC Connector 8
Continuous Recording 8
Recording Clean HDMI
fromDSLR Cameras 9
Playback 9
Settings 10
Changing Settings using the
Touchscreen 10
Volume and Analog Audio Levels 17
Storage, Monitor, Display,
Audio and Setup Settings 18
Monitoring using on screen meters 23
Video Scopes 24
About SD Cards 29
Choosing a Fast SD Card 29
Formatting SD Cards
usingyour Video Assist 30
Formatting SD Cards using a Computer 31
Working with Files from SD Cards 32
Checking Disk Speed 33
Blackmagic Video Assist Setup 33
Video Settings 34
About Settings 34
Changing the Language 34
Updating the Internal Software 35
Using DaVinci Resolve 36
Importing your Clips 37
Editing your Clips 37
Trimming Clips 39
Mapping Keyboard Shortcuts 39
Adding Transitions 40
Adding Titles 41
Color Correcting your Clips 42
Using Scopes 43
Secondary Color Correction 45
Qualifying a Color 45
Adding a Power Window 46
Tracking a Window 47
Using Plugins 47
Mixing Your Audio 48
The Fairlight Page 49
The Audio Timeline 49
What is a Bus? 50
The Mixer 50
Using the Equalizer to
Enhance your Audio 51
Mastering your Edit 53
Post Production Workflow 54
Working with 3rd Party Software 54
Using Final Cut Pro X 54
Using Avid Media Composer 55
Using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 55
Using Autodesk Smoke 2013 56
Help 58
Warranty 59

Getting Started
Getting Started
Plugging in Power
Getting started with your video assist is as simple as plugging in power, connecting your video
source, plugging in your audio and inserting an SD card.
To supply power, plug in the supplied power adapter to your video assist’s power input on
theright side panel.
With external power connected, you can also charge two LP-E6 type Lithium-Ion batteries,
which can be mounted to battery slots 1 and 2onthe back panel. To plug an LP-E6 type battery
into your video assist, gently press thebattery against the inside top edge of the battery slot,
then slide the battery down against the back panel until you feel it click and lock into place.
Press the battery release button on the top panel to remove a battery. For more information
onbattery use andhow to monitor the battery power remaining, refer to the ‘settings’ section
inthis manual.
To power on the unit, press the power button on the right side panel. Pressand hold
topower off.
Connect external power to the +12V power input.
Press the power button to turn the unit on.
This section shows you how to get started including:
■Plugging in Power
■Plugging in Video
■Plugging in Audio
■Inserting SD cards
Blackmagic Video Assist 4K
HDMI IN HDMI OUT SDI IN SDI OUT ANALOG AUDIO IN
SD CARD SD CARD +12V POWER
PUSHPUSH
5

Getting Started
Plugging in Video
The next step is to plug your SDI or HDMI source videointo the MiniBNC, BNC or HDMIinput.
The unit will auto detect the SDI or HDMI input depending on what you connect first. Mini BNC
to regular BNC cables can be purchased from your nearest professional video equipment
stores. Mini BNC connectors are also commonly known as DIN1.0/2.3 connectors.
Connect your source video to the SDI or HDMI input on the left side. Connect an HDMITV or SDI monitor by
plugging into the HDMI or SDI output. You can listen to the audio on your clips during recording and playback
by plugging a headset into the headset jack. On Blackmagic Video Assist 4K you can also listen to your audio
during playback via the built in speaker below the LCD.
Plugging in Audio
When plugging in your video, audio is also connected as it’s embedded in the SDI or HDMI
video signal. However, Blackmagic Video Assist 4K also has built in mini XLR connectors so you
can plug in external balanced analog audio as well.
A kickstand is provided so you can mount the
unit on your desk. Simply lift the edge of the
stand and gently swing it into the open position.
BlackmagicVideoAssist4K
HDMI IN HDMI OUT SDI IN SDI OUT
ANALOG AUDIO IN
PUSH
PUSH
Your video assist uses common
LP-E6 type batteries.
Blackmagic Video Assist 4K
HDMI IN HDMI OUT SDI IN SDI OUT ANALOG AUDIO IN
SD CARD SD CARD +12V POWER
PUSHPUSH
Blackmagic Video Assist 4K
HDMI IN HDMI OUT SDI IN SDI OUT ANALOG AUDIO IN
SD CARD SD CARD +12V POWER
PUSHPUSH
Blackmagic Video Assist 4K
HDMI IN HDMI OUT SDI IN SDI OUT ANALOG AUDIO IN
SD CARD SD CARD +12V POWER
PUSHPUSH
6