Introduction

Designed specifically for live productions like concerts and sporting events, it costs just $2995, allowing simultaneous control of up to four cameras for less than a traditional single-camera system.

The Camera Control Panel's hierarchical layout of physical controls, organised into clear functional zones, ensures instinctive control of critical functionality. Bespoke, multi-axis joysticks possess refined haptics for simultaneous, single-handed tuning of iris and black levels.

Unlike traditional controllers it does not require desk installation, ensuring efficient, flexible set-up and exceptional portability.

The Blackmagic Camera Control Panel has disrupted the conservative live broadcast industry, adopted by Grammy nominated artists such as The Pretenders and American rock band Fall Out Boy on its worldwide MANIA tour.

Project Challenges

'To deliver an affordable, professional camera control solution that empowers independent producers to create engaging professional live broadcasts, regardless of budget or technical expertise.'

Develop a compact, versatile product architecture that allows quick set-up and effortless portability.

Create a rational, intuitive control layout that fosters an intrinsic connection between user and camera, - enhancing productivity and eliminating errors in high pressure live situations.

Consider live production workflows and ergonomics for comfortable simultaneous control of multiple cameras.

Engineer a highly durable enclosure capable of withstanding the rigours of on-location work.

To deliver truly engaging professional live broadcasts, producers must achieve a seamless visual flow between multiple cameras. Shooting at various angles from different locations, often in widely variable lighting conditions, it is critical that each camera is set up and balanced to produce consistent video footage.

Typically, professional camera controllers are sold as individual modules, designed to be installed in a desk as part of a permanent multi-camera production chain. Costing upwards of $20,000 for a set of four, the prohibitive cost precludes all but the most well-resourced studios and television networks from achieving truly professional live camera control.

For fledgling studios challenging industry norms, particularly those in emerging online platforms, fixed configurations are a significant constraint. To remain competitive, they must remain agile and responsive, able to react efficiently to last-minute briefs, tight deadlines and unconventional settings.

Design Solution

Innovation

4 in 1 solution - The Blackmagic Camera Control Panel is the world's first portable CCP to integrate four camera control modules in one enclosure.

Affordability - For $2995, it is a quarter of the cost of anything else on the market, making it the world's most affordable multi-camera remote control interface.

Responsive performance - The Camera Control Panel's hierarchical layout of physical controls, organised into clear functional zones, ensures instinctive control of critical functionality.

Considered haptics and ergonomics – Subtle textural cues on knobs, buttons and bespoke, multi-axis joysticks offer refined tactile feedback for simultaneous, single-handed tuning of iris and black levels.

Versatility - Unlike traditional controllers the compact Blackmagic Camera Control Panel does not require desk installation, ensuring efficient, flexible set-up in a range of locations.

Fail-safe reliability - The compact, lightweight CNC machined aluminium chassis facilitates exceptional structural integrity, durability and accuracy for consistent location of controls.

Form

Pared back to its essential elements, the control surface presents a highly ordered, rational work space, despite the wealth of features available. Angled at 5°, its generous front landing provides a natural working posture, putting critical controls at the user's fingertips for responsive, intuitive access.

The striking CNC machined anodized aluminium chassis is a dramatic counterpoint to the main work space and a reflection of the precision technology it houses; a professional studio presence to inspire trust in the most demanding client.

Quality

Resilience in a range of unforgiving locations and hectic broadcast scenarios is essential. CNC machined from aircraft-grade aluminium, The Camera Control Panel's chassis facilitates exceptional structural integrity and a highly accurate datum for consistent positioning of controls and displays.

The control surface is also CNC machined, ensuring precise alignment of the many controls at the user's disposal. This simultaneously enhances usability and perceived quality, while providing the tactile durability professional broadcasters demand.

User Experience

During intense live broadcasts operators must remain focused on multiple inputs simultaneously, continually responding to instructions from demanding producers. Designed for ­­live productions like concerts and sporting events, the ultra-compact Camera Control Panel allows remote real-time adjustments to technical settings like iris, shutter and color balance. This leaves camera operators free to focus on the creative aspects of live production such has framing and composition.

The Camera Control Panel presents a clear, ordered work space, with a hierarchical layout of physical controls organised into clear functional zones. This ensures quick, instinctive control of key functionality and eliminates time-consuming navigation of complex GUIs for reliable, real-time control of up to four cameras.

Control is organised into three distinct zones:

Scene and Camera Control – Allows users to save and recall scene presets for quick camera adjustments based on the changes in the scene such as lighting.

Gain and Pedestal Control – The center section features independent RGB controls for gain (highlights) and pedestal (mid-tones) or black and white. This allows adjustment of individual red, green and blue levels in blacks and whites to compensate for unwanted color.

Lens and Iris – The lower section features a bespoke, multi-axis joystick with refined haptics for simultaneous, single-handed tuning of iris and black levels.

Design Impacts

Democratization

The prohibitive cost of most multi-camera control systems, many costing over $12,000 for a set of four, precludes all but the most well-resourced studios and Television networks from producing truly professional live broadcasts.

With most requiring desk mounting in a studio or outside broadcast van, they are simply not suitable for smaller operations wanting to move quickly from location to location on shoe-string budgets and temporary infrastructure.

Inexpensive software-based alternatives are complex and slow to navigate; in fast-paced, unpredictable live situations, such inefficiency could be the difference between a compelling broadcast and a failure.

The highly portable Camera Control Panel democratizes broadcast-quality switcher control, offering direct, responsive control through an intuitive physical interface. No longer required to compromise creativity, performance or efficiency, individuals, institutions and even novice users are empowered to explore new, innovative, approaches to live broadcasting regardless of the location.

This has significant cultural benefits, in that professional execution is no longer determined by affluence or technical expertise. With a highly diverse user base now able to access high-end camera control technology, a vast range of eclectic ideas can now be expressed in a professional manner, unconstrained by the limitations of inferior technology.

Reputation

The Camera Control Panel exemplifies Blackmagic Design's determination to empower creative people with affordable, professional video technology. This has resonated with real-world users like Production Designer Robb Jibson of Chicago firm So Midwest, Inc. who used Pocket Cinema Camera 4Ks on American rock band Fall Out Boy's worldwide MANIA tour.

"The Blackmagic Camera Control Panel ties in seamlessly with the Blackmagic camera family and allows control in just a quarter of the space." Robb Jibson, MANIA production designer of Chicago firm So Midwest, Inc.

Internal Culture

Realizing truly inclusive, design-led products such as this is a great privilege. Developing products that empower people has a powerful effect on staff morale, fostering a tightly-knit team culture.

As a company, we're always inspired by the highly creative things people do with our products. As Blackmagic Design continues to facilitate this by making high-end technology accessible to mass markets, it remains critical for front-end design decisions to be informed by the specific needs our customers and a considered approach to innovative materials, engineering and manufacturing processes.

Commerciality

Democratization invariably propels growth from a continually diversifying customer base. Available in over 80 countries worldwide, The Blackmagic Camera Control Panel reaches a truly mass audience, easily exceeding projected sales forecasts.

Sustainability

The Blackmagic Camera Control Panel has been specifically designed to ensure an exceptionally long working life, with a durable aluminium alloy body that prevents short-term waste.

Easily disassembled for recycling, the base panel can be quickly removed for servicing. Waste is further reduced with a hard wearing reusable packaging insert that acts as a protective case for safe transportation in a bag or road case.

Lightweight, compact and fully portable, it can be shipped more efficiently than most broadcast quality camera control systems.

Safety

The main work surface of the Blackmagic Camera Control panel possesses a custom powder-coated finish that eliminates glare from overhead lighting and provides tactile contrast to the various controls in each control module. Back-lit for legibility in dark studio environments, the durable keypads minimize user errors and reduce eye strain.