A high precision instrument designed for artists

Blackboard defined the direction for colour grading.

But technology evolves and art advances. Colour grading has developed new techniques as desire has become reality.

Complexity, speed, efficiency - the drive continues.

Inheriting the pedigree, Blackboard 2 evolves the concept, refining the method and enabling the future of colour grading.

Read about Blackboard 2 in more detail in the Blackboard 2 datasheet.

Look and Feel

Blackboard 2 blends sleek, natural wood into the curved, sweeping design, creating a surface that is at once both practical and highly desirable.

Form and Function

The simple radial design ensures all controls are within easy reach, while the controls themselves convey precision.

Context Controls

All controls vary in range, sensitivity and feedback depending on the operation. The function and labelling of keys, encoders and displays changes seamlessly with every operation. Blackboard 2 only illuminates the active controls to speed up navigation.

Adaptive Keys

All keys are soft-configured so that any operation can be assigned to any key, and have a dynamically displayed label or image that shows the exact context in every operation directly on the key.

Screens

Blackboard 2 employs four large, high-resolution displays to give the colourist clear and instant feedback. They not only display the values for the current operation, but also show the flow of operations to assist in navigation with more complex tasks.

Jog/Shuttle

The larger jog/shuttle control features a smooth, high-precision optical encoder for navigating, as well as a push button to quickly change between modes.

Encoders

Blackboard 2 features twelve wear-free, limitless optical encoders for rotary input. Each encoder has an integrated push switch for further operations, and is illuminated with a full colour LED to show activity and state.

Trackballs and rings

The all-new trackballs boast a five-contact point mounting system, ensuring movement is easy in every direction. Optical laser sensing gives absolute precision, whilst the inertial-weighted third axis rings float precisely under the lightest touch.

Tablet

Directly integrated into the surface, Blackboard 2 provides a Wacom tablet with a three button pen for input and control.

Integrated Keyboards

Blackboard 2 offers the choice of a soft QWERTY keyboard mapped onto the adaptive keys for text input and labelling, or a flip-up keyboard for administration tasks such as email.

Datasheets

Blackboard 2

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Dimensions (WxDxH)	1484 x 490 x 140 mm (58.5 x 19.3 x 5.6 inches)
Weight	20 kgs (44 pounds)
Power
Control	Switched
PSU Input Voltage	100–240 V, auto-ranging silent psu
PSU Input Current 2	Amps (max)
BB2 DC Power input	24 V d.c. / 7.5 A
Heat	180 Watts (615 B.T.U.)
Surface	Unique grain, real wood finish
Display Screens
Quantity	4
Resolution (wxh)	800 x 240 pixels
Dimensions (wxh)	150mm x 48mm (5.9 x 1.9 inches)
Illumination	User-controllable back light
Controls
Keys	220 x soft-mapped, soft labelled, tactile push keys
Labelling	Dynamic, context sensitive, self-labelling
Resolution	112 x 72 pixels
Visibility	Surface labelled, high contrast, wide viewing angle
Illumination	User-controlled brightness
Trackballs and rings
Number	3 x trackballs
Mount	6 point trackball mounting
Sensing	Optical (laser)
Resolution	1250 ppr X&Y
Rings	3 x bespoke 3rd axis rings

Encoders
Number	14 x encoders
Type	Limitless, rotary optical
Switched	Integral push switch
Illumination	RGB led, customisable colour and brightness
Resolution	64 ppr
Feedback	2 x customisable magnetic clutch optical encoders
Jog/Shuttle
Type	Limitless, rotary optical
Switch	Integral push switch
Resolution	>2944 ppr
Feedback	Customisable magnetic clutch optical encoder with detents
Tablet
Type	Integral, Wacom tablet
Stylus	3 button pen
Dimensions (w x d)	155mm x 100mm (6.1 x 3.9 inches)
Software Keyboard
Software Keyboard	Full, soft-mapped QWERTY keyboard on adaptive keys
Hardware Keyboard & Touchpad
Type	Integrated, flip-up, 86 key keyboard
Illumination	User-controllable backlight
Touchpad	Integrated, two button touchpad
Interface
System control interface	USB2 and DVI-D (dual-link)
User ports	2 x USB2

Blackboard is a dedicated hardware control surface. Conceived for fast, non-linear mastering, its unique and innovative design provides powerful functions to simplify the creation of complex grades and effects.

Blackboard's low profile allows a direct eye line to the projection screen, and the radial arrangement of control keys across a cool, smooth surface ensures optimum comfort. The controls have been designed for use in a typical grading environment where light levels are often low.

Blackboard provides:

• One touch access to commonly required tools
• Precision three-axis trackballs with optical encoders
• Grade scratchpad with instant grade recall/comparison
• Dedicated keyframing controls
• Gallery and Cutview navigation and shortcut buttons enable quick saving, recall and application of grades
• Direct control over cursor selection, view configuration, and macro record and recall
• Adjustable key illumination for film and video grading environments and personal preference
• Full-colour, high resolution LCD screens with interactive feedback for all controls
• Context sensitive buttons and encoders
• Each grade type invokes a custom interface for the LCD screens and up to 12 encoders and 24 buttons
• Low-profile allows a direct eye-line to a projection screen
• Sleek ergonomic design—radial arrangement of control keys for optimum comfort
• Tactile controls for low ambient light levels
• Integrated pen and tablet—for shape editing and gestural control as well as function selection
• Full jog/shuttle transport control for fast and accurate navigation of the Baselight timeline
• Dedicated UI host processor controls Blackboard and the Baselight user interface

Datasheets

Blackboard 1

Width	150 cm
Depth	50.5 cm
Height	9 cm
Weight	20 kg
Power supply voltage	110-240V
Power supply current	0.9A at 220V1.8A at 110V