Video & projection
Blackmagic Video Assist troubleshooting
The Blackmagic Video Assist problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most. Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common Video Assist errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
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Blackmagic RAW option missing / my camera is not listed for BRAW recording
Likely cause: BRAW-from-HDMI is enabled per-camera in firmware; without the matching camera body and build the option does not appear.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Card recorded on the Video Assist plays in the unit but the computer says it must be formatted / is unreadable
Likely cause: Mismatched card readers and HFS+ on Windows trigger false needs-formatting prompts; formatting on the computer is what actually loses footage.
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How do I load and apply a 3D LUT for monitoring?
Likely cause: The Video Assist treats LUTs as a monitoring overlay unless you explicitly choose to record them, protecting the clean master.
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How do I record to an external USB-C SSD / flash disk?
Likely cause: The USB-C port is a full external-media recording path; formatting in-unit guarantees a compatible file system and reliable sustained write speed.
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How do I update firmware / what is the current latest version?
Likely cause: Firmware ships via the USB-C setup utility; 3.22 is the current public build and each release adds camera support and stability.
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No signal / black screen on SDI or HDMI input (often right after a firmware update)
Likely cause: The unit only locks to signal formats it supports; interrupted firmware flashes and marginal HDMI cables are the most common causes of no-signal after an update.
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Only records HD, or high formats will not record — which media should I use?
Likely cause: 4K/high-bitrate ProRes/DNx exceeds UHS-I write speed; only tested UHS-II cards or USB-C SSDs sustain the data rate.
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Touchscreen frozen or unit unresponsive
Likely cause: A hard power-cycle clears a stuck UI; reflashing firmware and swapping media addresses the common software/media-stall causes.
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Unit will not power on or drains fast — what are the power options?
Likely cause: The dual LP-E6 system is sensitive to weak/clone cells; a solid 12V DC feed removes battery drop-outs.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the Video Assist
- 1. Pick the Blackmagic Video Assist. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.
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