Sony VENICE 2 Version 3.0 Firmware Update – New Frame Rates and More

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanFebruary 11^th, 2024

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The new version 3.0 firmware for the Sony VENICE 2 adds a new 33.333fps mode to help avoid flicker in certain scenes, enhanced high frame rate up to 90fps with 2x anamorphic lenses, features to help improve the color fidelity of “In-Camera VFX” for virtual production stages, as well as improved functionality for multi-camera usage at live events.

Sony VENICE 2 – the company’s most recent digital cinema flagship – was announced back in November 2021. Bringing internal X-OCN recording, VENICE color science, 8-stops of built-in ND filters, and more in a slightly more compact body, the camera offers two different sensors:

• original 6K VENICE sensor
• new full-frame 8.6K sensor – higher dual base ISO of 800/3200, recording modes up to 8.6K 3:2 30fps or 8.2K 17:9 full-frame up to 60fps

Since then, the VENICE 2 started shipping and has already received a few firmware updates along with the new Rialto 2 extension system. Before that, our VENICE 2 lab test was also released, so make sure to check it out in case you missed it. Recently, Sony released a new version 3.00 firmware update for the Sony VENICE 2, so let’s take a quick look and see what’s new.

Sony VENICE 2 version 3.0 firmware

The new version 3.00 firmware is available now for both VENICE 2 sensor versions – 6K (MPC-3626) and 8K (MPC-3628). It brings a few improvements such as a new 33.333 fps mode to help avoid flicker and enhanced high frame rate up to 90fps with 2x anamorphic lenses. Furthermore, it brings features to help improve the color fidelity of “In-Camera VFX” when mixing standard production lighting and LED volumes on virtual production stages, as well as improved functionality for multi-camera usage at live events.

Version 3.0 update – full release notes

Added virtual production shooting support functions 

• When shooting in an environment where background lighting from an LED wall used for in-camera VFX applications and real lighting are mixed, you can improve the color reproduction of human skin tones by setting the color temperature of the LED wall and the mixing ratio of the LED wall lighting and the actual lighting. 
• When adjusting the genlock phase, the changed value is now reflected immediately. This makes for easy adjustment of the imaging phase relative to the panel light emission. 

Enhanced functionality for live production 

• When RM/RCP Paint Control is off (standard mode), you can now set whether to control the white balance function and shutter function from a remote control unit, such as the RM-B170. 
• When RM/RCP Paint Control is on, the Look can now be selected as a LUT and applied to various video outputs. The use of User 3D LUT is also supported. 
• Saturation and Skin Detail functions have been added. Configurable in the Paint menu when RM/RCP Paint Control is on.

Other improved functions 

• An FPS value of 33.33 can now be set when Project Frame Rate is set to 24/25/50. 
• Resolved flickering and stuttering issues on the viewfinder screen when Project Frame Rate is set to 23.98/24.00 and the frame rate is set to 60 FPS during variable speed shooting (FPS set to Variable). 
• When the imager mode is 5.8K 17:9, Zoom to Fit can now be set to 2.39:1 when the de-squeeze ratio is set to 2.0×. This enables high frame rate (HFR) shooting up to 90 FPS even when shooting on the MPC-3628 with an anamorphic lens. 
• Log(Legal) can now be selected as a LUT and applied to various video outputs. This setting enables S-Log3 data output in legal range to external editing equipment. 
• Peaking display can now be turned on/off using an assignable button. 
• ACES 1.0 Output-Rec.709 can now be selected as a LUT to apply to the Monitor output video and viewfinder screen video when Input Color Space is set to ACEScct. 
• Display of a 2.2:1 aspect marker is now supported. 
• File data saved in internal memory, such as passwords and User 3D LUTs, can now be reset together with the menu settings by executing Factory Reset in the Maintenance menu. 

The firmware is now available free of charge on the Sony Pro webpage. Sony further announced that the VENICE 2 camera with version 3.0 firmware will be showcased at the Sony booth at BSC Expo.

Have you worked with the Sony VENICE 2 camera yet? What do you think about the image quality and ergonomics? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article!