Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Camera Now Available for Pre-Order

Blackmagic Design has officially opened pre-orders for the URSA Cine Immersive camera, its flagship solution for capturing content optimized for the Apple Vision Pro headset. Shipments are scheduled to begin in early 2025. This launch marks a significant step in providing filmmakers with tools to produce Apple Immersive Video, an innovative format designed to deliver 8K 3D video with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio.

The Apple Vision Pro, introduced in 2023 at WWDC, represents Apple’s first virtual reality headset, priced at $3,500. Powered by the M2 chip and running visionOS, the device enables immersive 3D experiences, including Spatial Video playback and exclusive immersive content. Until now, most immersive videos for the Apple Vision Pro have come directly from Apple, leaving a noticeable gap for third-party creators.

Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Camera Features

Announced in June 2024, the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera is tailored for professional filmmakers and content creators. The camera boasts the capability to record stereoscopic 3D video at a resolution of 8160 x 7200 and up to 90 frames per second. It offers pixel-level synchronization and 16 stops of dynamic range, delivering highly detailed, lifelike visuals.

Constructed with a magnesium alloy chassis and carbon fiber polycarbonate composite skin, the camera balances durability and weight. It features dual 5-inch touchscreens, one fold-out HDR display and another secondary touchscreen, minimizing the need for external monitors. Additionally, it includes an external status LCD for quick access to settings.

In terms of connectivity, the camera supports 12G-SDI output, 10G Ethernet, USB-C, and XLR audio inputs. Power options include a rear 8-pin Lemo connector compatible with 12V and 24V power supplies, and the camera ships with a 250W power adapter.

Pricing and Industry Impact

Priced at $29,995, the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera firmly targets the professional filmmaking market. While its advanced specifications position it as a premier tool for producing Apple Immersive Video, the steep price tag may limit adoption among smaller studios. For comparison, high-end alternatives like RED’s V-RAPTOR 8K VV fall within the $24,000 to $30,000 range, making the URSA Cine Immersive notably more expensive.

CEO Grant Petty emphasized the camera’s potential to enable filmmakers to create stunning, immersive experiences, from action-packed sequences to breathtaking landscapes and intimate performances. However, its commercial focus suggests that the device will primarily cater to large-scale productions rather than consumer-level creators.

Content for the Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s exclusive immersive content releases for the Vision Pro have been sparse. Notable titles include Submerged, a World War II-themed short film released in October 2024, and Concert for One, featuring The Weeknd, which debuted in November 2024. Despite this, Apple has yet to announce any new immersive projects.

The launch of Blackmagic’s URSA Cine Immersive camera adds a powerful tool to the ecosystem, but it remains unclear whether this will significantly boost third-party contributions. The camera’s high cost and niche appeal suggest that widespread adoption may still face hurdles.

As immersive video production tools continue to evolve, Blackmagic’s new offering underscores growing opportunities for filmmakers to explore cutting-edge formats. Whether this results in a surge of new content for the Apple Vision Pro, however, remains to be seen.