By site editor Dan Chung:
Atomos have updated their popular Ninja HDMI external recorder. Essentially a HDMI version of the SDI Samurai Blade model, it features the same hi-res screen and advanced functions. Recording straight to off-the-shelf SSD media the Ninja Blade can record in Apple ProRes and DNxHD at 1080 HD.
Just like the Samurai Blade, the Ninja Blade has a lovely 1280×720 IPS display and a raft of tools such as waveform, vectorscope, zebras, false colour, audio monitoring and black and white mode.
I’ve been running a Samurai Blade on my Sony FS700 rig for several months now and found it to be extremely reliable. The unit is lightweight and small enough to sit unobtrusively on the top handle of my setup. The Samurai can also be used with HDMI cameras by using an Atomos Connect SDI to HDMI converter, but the Ninja Blade will be a better solution for DSLR and Prosumer video cameras which only have HDMI outputs.
Check out our technical editor Matt Allard’s review of the Samurai Blade if you want a better idea of the Ninja Blade functions:
Here is the release from Atomos:
Melbourne, Australia – February 25th, 2014: Atomos, the creator of the award-winning Ninja and Samurai camera-mounted recorders, and the pocket-sized Connect converters, will launch the new HDMI Ninja Blade at BVE Expo, 25-27th February 2014 at the Excel Exhibition Centre, London. The Ninja Blade brings new levels of professional monitoring to camera mounted recorders for DSLR’s and any HDMI capable device.
“We are extremely proud to work with all the major camera companies, especially technology leaders from Japan, which gives us a unique advantage over our competitors.” said Jeromy Young, CEO and Founder of Atomos. “And I am especially pleased to be able to announce a product that is also ready to ship, which is something of a rarity in this industry these days. With the Ninja Blade we are able to deliver fantastic, professional-grade monitoring functionality and recording codecs straight from the multitude of DSLR’s, mirror-less and HDMI video cameras. And we can deliver it now, not in 6 or 12 months’ time.”
Atomos recorders have broken new ground in production by combining recording, monitoring and playback all in one easy to operate, portable device. Like the Samurai Blade, Ninja Blade allows the recording of pristine, 10-bit images straight from the camera sensor directly to inexpensive HDD or SSD drives, captured using Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD codecs. Waveform, vectorscope and monitor assist tools such as tri-level focus peaking, zebra, false colour and blue-only offer a very comprehensive test and shot setup tool kit.
The Ninja Blade takes advantage of low-cost, modern technology by utilizing HDMI-capable pro-video and consumer camcorders, as well as DSLRs. Many features from Atomos are designed with real productions and real situations in mind, to create smarter workflows, keeping the highest quality but also keeping running costs low. The Ninja Blade was designed with a long battery life. Atomos’ unique Continuous Power technology (patent pending) means that you never have to interrupt recording to swap batteries.
The new Ninja Blade features a stunning 1280 x 720 SuperAtom IPS touchscreen, at 325ppi 179-degree viewing, 400nit brightness and multi frequency (48/50/60Hz) operation depending on video input, giving super-smooth monitoring and playback. Every screen is calibrated to SMPTE Rec 709 colour space and a D65 white point with 100% gamut from factory. On-the-fly screen calibration is built into every Ninja Blade, so you are always accurate in any shooting environment.
You can see the Ninja Blade and the full range of Atomos products at BVE Expo on the Atomos stand (G32) together with distribution partner Global Distribution. For more about Atomos see www.atomos.com and Global Distribution.
Pricing and Availability
The Atomos Ninja Blade is now shipping for 749 EUR and 595 GBP (excluding tax and delivery) and will be available through the Global Distribution.
