Blackmagicdesign URSA - Metadata Logging; Using the Slate for Metadata

Dropped Frame Indicator
A flashing red record icon on the 10” LCD and SDI overlays indicates that dropped frames are
detected. On URSA Viewfinder a flashing exclamation mark in the top right indicates dropped
frames detected. Refer to the ‘Choosing a CFast 2.0 card’ and ‘Important note about CFast card
speed’ for more information on how to avoid dropping frames.
Blackmagic URSA indicates dropped frames by flashing the
red “recording” icon at the bottom of the 10” LCD.
Entering Metadata
Metadata is information saved inside your clip, such as take numbers, camera settings and
other identifying details. This is extremely useful when sorting and processing footage in
postproduction. For example, take and shot and scene numbers are essential organisational
tools, while lens information can be used to automatically remove distortion or better match
VFXassets to plates.
Your Blackmagic URSA automatically saves some metadata to each clip, such as camera
settings, timecode, date and time. You can use your camera’s slate to add many
additional details.
The Slate
The two touchscreens on Blackmagic URSA have many purposes, one of which is to allow you
to easily log metadata directly into the camera using the ‘slate’ feature. Metadata is stored in the
recorded files and is easily accessed by editing software.
1 In ‘recording’ mode, tap anywhere on the LCD screen, or press the ‘slate’ button on
Blackmagic URSA to make the slate appear.
2 To enter or change details, tap the text area you wish to change and a touchscreen
keyboard will appear. Type in the desired information and tap the ‘enter’ key on the
bottom right corner of the keyboard. The information will be updated on the slate and
will also be recorded onto the file.
3 If you want the scene, shot or take number to auto-increment, tap the corresponding
auto-increment icon so it is highlighted. Tap it again to turn off the auto-increment
feature. You will see the information auto increment with every recording.
If you wish to edit the metadata of a clip, cue the clip in playback mode and enter the slate
screen to display the clip’s metadata. Change any information in the slate and tap the ‘update’
button to confirm the change.
Entering words into the keywords field will allow you to use them as search terms in your library
database. This may be particularly useful for large projects where you have lots of material.
39Entering Metadata