Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5 12G HDR

A Major Upgrade in the Video Assist Line: Transition to 12G and High-Brightness HDR

The Blackmagic Video Assist 5-inch 12G HDR represents a logical upgrade over the 3G models: it offers 12G-SDI bandwidth, access to Ultra HD and 4K DCI formats, and an HDR display at 2500 nits designed to remain readable in bright sunlight. This combination makes it a particularly relevant tool on demanding shoots where reliable image control is essential, whether you work in cinema setups, live capture, or mobile control rooms.

Beyond simple monitoring, it positions itself as a true production hub: it centralizes image, analysis (scopes), and recording in codecs recognized by post-production houses, while maintaining a compact form factor suited for rigs, cages, and onboard configurations.

Who It's For and Use Cases: Filming, Live, and Broadcast-Quality External Capture

This monitor-recorder is aimed at directors of photography, camera operators, DITs, videographers, and content creators who want to secure exposure and colorimetry on set while recording a file immediately ready for editing. It is also very comfortable in live environments: SDI and HDMI inputs/outputs allow easy integration into a capture chain, and its HDR monitoring helps maintain a consistent image when working in REC 709 or REC 2020.

Depending on the camera used, the Video Assist can also become a Blackmagic RAW capture solution as an external recorder, convenient for gaining grading flexibility and optimizing storage thanks to Constant Bitrate and Constant Quality modes.

HDR Display, Modern Recording, and Image Control: A Complete Production Assistant

A 5-inch Full HD Screen Designed for Decision-Making

Its 1920 x 1080 screen with P3 gamut, combined with 2500 nits brightness, is tailored for situations where a standard monitor becomes hard to read. Compatibility with HDR10 and HLG, as well as HDR grids on scopes, allow finer evaluation of highlights and dynamic range while keeping concrete references for broadcast.

Scopes, 3D LUTs, and Overlays: On-Set Control Without Accessories

The Video Assist includes essential scopes (waveform, RGB parade, vectorscope, RGB histogram) and display modes adapted for shooting: PiP, overlay information, and opacity adjustment. You can also work with 3D LUTs to preview a look, harmonize multiple cameras, or validate a grading intent directly on location.

An External Recorder Tailored for Post-Production

Regarding files, the device records in Apple ProRes and DNxHR, widely used standards in editing and grading, as well as in Blackmagic RAW (depending on camera compatibility). Support for multiple quality variants (422 HQ, LT, Proxy, DNxHR HQX, SQ, LB, etc.) allows adapting bitrate to the project: fiction, documentary, event, or web content.

UHS-II SD Card Support and SSD Recording via USB Type-C

To handle the bitrates of demanding formats, the UHS-II SD slot offers a compact solution, while the USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1 enables direct recording to external drives. This is a tangible advantage for long takes or multi-card shoots: you gain autonomy, faster offloading, and production continuity. The USB Type-C also serves for installation, updates, control via the utility, and webcam output to simplify certain streaming setups.

Technical specifications

Max resolution	2160p60	Power supply	External power supply, Rechargeable battery
Storage	SD Card	Display	5 "color touch screen
Inputs	SDI, HDMI	Weight	410 g
Outputs	SDI, USB-C, HDMI	Dimensions (mm)	148 x 90 x 36

SDI Inputs/Outputs	1 x Micro BNC input; 1 x Micro BNC output	HD SDI Standards	720p50/59.94/60; 1080p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60; 1080PsF23.98/24/25/29.97/30; 1080i50/59.94/60
SDI Bitrates	270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s, 12 Gb/s	2K DCI Standards	2Kp23.98/24/25/29.97/30; 2KPsF23.98/24/25/29.97/30
HDMI 2.0a Inputs/Outputs	1 input; 1 output	Ultra HD Standards	2160p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60
Analog Audio	no input; 1 x 3.5 mm headphone output; mono speaker	4K DCI Standards	4Kp23.98/24/25/29.97/30
Power	1 x 12 V input	SDI Compliance	SMPTE 259M, 292M, 296M, 425M, 2084
Screen	5 inches, 1920 x 1080, 2500 nits, P3 gamut	SDI Metadata	HD RP188
Video Sampling	4:2:2 YUV; 10-bit precision	Bitrate Switching	SDI/HDMI between 270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s, 12 Gb/s
HDMI Color Precision	10 bits	HDMI SD Standards	525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL
Color Spaces	REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020	HDMI HD Standards	720p50/59.94/60; 1080p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60; 1080i50/59.94/60
HDR	HDR10, HLG; HDR grids on scopes	HDMI Ultra HD Standards	2160p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60
Scopes	waveform, RGB parade, vectorscope, RGB histogram; PiP modes and overlay information with opacity adjustment; standard and HDR grids	HDMI 4K DCI Standards	4Kp23.98/24/25
Embedded Audio	SDI 16 channels input and output via 12G-SDI; HDMI 8 channels input and output via 2.0a	HDMI HDR	HDR10, HLG
Audio Sampling	48 kHz, 24 bits	Copy Protection	HDMI input does not capture protected sources; verify copyright permissions
SD SDI Standards	525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL