Another new product launched at the NAB Show this week is the Ninja 2 recorder/monitor. The updated version allows the capture and export of HDMI feeds, allowing it to record directly from the sensors of the Nikon D4 and D800 as well as that of the iPad 3. The touchscreen has also been updated, now featuring an 800x480 pixel display. It has firmware AtomOS3.0, which features SmartLog, allowing users to mark in and out points and tag clips using XML metadata, as well as monitoring aids such as Focus Peaking, Zebra, False Color and Blue-Only.

The Ninja 2 will be available from quarter 2 2012 at a retail price of $995. There will be an upgrade path for Ninja 1 owners, and the OS upgrade will be available from the end of April.

Atomos Ninja 2 Launches At NAB 2012

Melbourne, Australia – April 16, 2011. Atomos lead the way in field-based recording with a new Weapon of Smart Production.

Atomos, the creator of the award-winning Ninja and Samurai field recorders, will be showcasing more great innovations at NAB 2012, Central Hall C3, booth C6647. On show for the very first time will be the brand new Ninja 2, which features HDMI input and output, as well as support for the latest version (3.0) of the unique AtomOS operating system.

“We first showcased Ninja at NAB 2011 and just a year later we’re back with a brand new, bigger and better version. Ninja 2 marks an important milestone for Atomos in both product and company development; the change in hardware design and the new AtomOS 3.0 software means that Ninja 2 users can benefit from the same functionality updates as our Samurai customers.” said Jeromy Young, CEO and Founder of Atomos.

The Ninja 2 now boasts HDMI output as well as HDMI input, which means it can be used to record directly from the amazing new Nikon DSLR sensor (D4/D800) and the retina-display Apple iPad, really taking advantage of their stunning HD output. The Ninja 2 touchscreen has also been upgraded, now incorporating an 800x480 pixel display, with a viewing angle of 170 degrees, both horizontally and vertically, with much improved visibility in direct sunlight.

One of the key new features of AtomOS 3.0 is SmartLog - the ability to mark in and out points and tag clips using XML metadata so that you can effectively make a pre-edit on your Ninja or Samurai before you even get to the edit suite. Another new 3.0 feature is SmartControl, designed specifically for use in James Cameron’s Deep Sea Challenge. It allows start/stop/pause to be triggered on any number of Samurais interconnected via their LANC port.

AtomOS 3.0 also incorporates precision monitoring aides such as Focus Peaking, Zebra, False Color and Blue-Only. “Now there’s no need for an external monitor”, added Young. “We’re responding to customer feedback by giving even more functionality, but at no extra cost”.

Originally developed in collaboration with Apple, the Ninja and Samurai field recorders allow the recording, monitoring and playback of pristine, 10-bit uncompressed images straight from your DSLR or camcorder directly to Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD.

Pricing and Availability.

Ninja 2 will ship later in Q2/2012 for $995 USD / €795 / £695. An upgrade path for current Ninja owners to be announced. AtomOS 3.0 is a free firmware update for Ninja 2 and Samurai users and will ship 30 April 2012. See the Atomos website for details.