16K VR videos with Blackmagic URSA immersive camera - First Look
We’re thrilled to introduce the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive to the DeoVR toolkit - the world’s first professional-grade 8K‑per‑eye VR180 camera, designed for ultimate realism and cinematic impact.
16K VR Video at DeoVR:
These new videos use MV-HEVC encoding, allowing them to play natively on Apple Vision Pro. We’re in the process of submitting DeoVR for AVP so you’ll be able to enjoy them there soon.
We’re also upgrading our transcoding engine to automatically convert MV-HEVC - which isn’t supported on Quest headsets - into standard SBS format. At the moment they play in mono on Quest, but once the update rolls out you’ll get the full stereoscopic experience.
Why It Matters for DeoVR Viewers
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Unmatched image fidelity: With dual 8K sensors delivering 8,160 × 7,200 resolution per eye, this camera offers more than 58 MP per eye, resulting in imagery your retina will thank you for
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Fluid 90 fps stereoscopic capture: Crystalline motion sequencing ensures buttery-smooth visuals in 3D immersive scenes.thecameramap.com+6Newsshooter+6The Verge+6
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Cinematic dynamic range: With 16 stops of dynamic range, every detail - from shadowed textures to highlights - remains nuanced and natural
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Pro-level workflow: Comes with an 8 TB Blackmagic Media Module, plus 10G Ethernet and Wi-Fi, enabling blazing-fast media upload and cloud integration
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Seamless post-production support: Full integration with DaVinci Resolve Studio - soon updated with immersive video tools - means you’ll get intuitive editing, color grading, and export support for Apple Immersive Video
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Camera-to-file precision: Its custom, fixed lens system embeds calibration and positional metadata directly into Blackmagic RAW Immersive files - preserving perfect stereo alignment through editing
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Feature-rich build: Equipped with 12G-SDI, USB‑C, XLR audio, fold‑out 5″ HDR touchscreen, and durable magnesium-alloy shell - this camera handles both studio and field work with ease
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Professional price point: Available for $29,995 - not consumer-grade
DeoVR Gets Next-Level VR Content
Integrating the URSA Cine Immersive into our production pipeline opens a new chapter in immersive video for DeoVR users. Here’s what’s in store for our community:
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Next-gen realism: Expect hyper-real visuals with Shark-jaw clarity, vibrant tones, and lifelike motion - perfectly suited for high-end VR storytelling.
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True spatial immersion: Seamlessly capturing cinematic depth and detail, this camera puts you truly in the scene.
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More engaging content: Longer takes, richer environments, elevated visual drama - Delight your eyes and mind like never before.
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Premium-ready output: Pre-formatted for Apple Immersive Video standards and fully compatible with advanced headsets like Vision Pro.
URSA Cine Immersive Capabilities:
| Feature | Benefit for DeoVR Viewers |
|---|---|
| 8K per eye @ 90 fps | Exceptional clarity and ultra-smooth motion |
| 16-stop dynamic range | Lush, nuanced visuals in any lighting |
| 8 TB onboard media | Longer takes, fewer interruptions |
| 10G Ethernet + Wi-Fi | Fast transfers, cloud-enabled workflows |
| DaVinci Resolve tools | Polished post-production and Vision Pro delivery |
| Embedded lens metadata | Precise stereo alignment through editing |
| Rugged, pro build | Reliable performance in pro shooting scenarios |
First Look: Testing URSA Cine Immersive Footage on Apple Vision Pro
We’ve been testing new Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive footage shot in 16K for Apple Vision Pro, featured in this FXGuide article. Our goal: stream it seamlessly in the upcoming DeoVR app for AVP.
We uploaded the file to the DeoVR FFMPEG transcoding server for initial streaming tests.
🚧 What Worked
- The video stream is encoded in MV-HEVC, which is fully decodable.
- Using the latest FFmpeg builds, we successfully converted the footage to Side-by-Side (SBS) format for immersive playback.
❌ What Didn’t
- The audio stream is encoded in a 51-channel ‘apac’ codec, which is currently undecodable in FFmpeg.
- The MP4 container includes Apple-specific extensions, likely requiring additional decoding support or tooling.
For now, we’ve extracted a mono video-only stream to test playback: Test Clip (AIVU, No Audio)
We're actively exploring support for immersive audio formats and encourage others to share their findings. We're building DeoVR to support the future of high-fidelity immersive media, and community feedback is key to that mission.
Note from Dev Team:
The main challenge is Apple’s lack of public documentation for internal formats. Much of the development process is based on trial and error. We can read AIVU files (minus audio), but we cannot create them - yet. However, Apple does offer a tool that helps with AIVU workflows: Immersive Video Utility
Interview: Blackmagic Design team
Live from SXSW in Texas, we interview the Blackmagic Design team about the groundbreaking launch of the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive, the first commercial camera system built specifically for capturing Apple Immersive Video.
Keep checking back for more information and content made with this state-of-the-art camera.
