Core SWX Helix Battery System – Cross-Compatible with Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K and 17K Cameras

Battery News

by Jeff LochJuly 15^th, 2024

Core SWX recently announced that their Helix battery system, including the Helix and Helix Max batteries, would be cross-compatible with the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K and 17K cinema cameras. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

American powering solutions specialist Core SWX is well-known for their high-quality and innovative battery solutions. During NAB 2024, the company introduced the PD Pro power solution, HyperCore G3 series, and Powerbase Edge Snap battery packs. The PD Pro power connector aims to save your expensive camera equipment by solving the well-known SDI/D-Tap short-circuit problem. The company even earned a CineD best-of-show award for it!

The dual-voltage Core SWX Helix batteries were released in 2019, followed by the Helix Max in 2023. These versatile batteries have a native dual 14V/28V power output and multiple battery sizes ranging from 98Wh to 360Wh. They are available in either V-Mount/Gold-Mount or even B-Mount for the Helix Max series. Whether you have one or multiple Core SWX Helix batteries, you’ll be pleased to know they are cross-compatible with the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K and 17K.

Core SWX Helix – cross-compatibility with Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K and 17K

During NAB 2024, Blackmagic Design introduced the URSA Cine 12K cinema camera and the whopping 17K version, which features a 65mm image sensor. While the 17K version should be available by the end of this year, the 12K version is already available for preorder and should start shipping soon after experiencing some delays.

Both cameras require a lot of power and use a 24V battery system. Indeed, the URSA Cine 12K/17K are amongst the first non-ARRI cinema cameras to use the B-Mount standard for powering. However, while B-Mount batteries were introduced in 2019, many rental houses, production houses, and filmmakers are still running on their V-Mount and Gold-Mount batteries.

In an intelligent move, Blackmagic Design released two new battery plates: a V-Mount model (codename: #CINEURSAC/BATTV) and a Gold-Mount version (codename: #CINEURSAC/BATTG). Core SWX is amongst the first battery manufacturers to announce that these V-Mount/Gold-Mount battery plates are compatible with their Helix and Helix Max batteries.

According to Core SWX, you “can use your existing fleet of Helix Max battery packs or continue using low-voltage packs, with the option to transition to the high-voltage Helix Max Native Dual Voltage platform. This flexibility allows users to operate their cameras at high voltage for maximum efficiency, supporting power draws of up to 185 watts.”

Price and availability

The Blackmagic Design V-Mount and Gold-Mount battery plates should start shipping soon for $99/€101. The Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K should also begin shipping soon for $14,995/€14,334. All Core SWX Helix and Helix Max are available now, starting at $348.

For more information, please visit Core SWX’s website here.

What do you think about this cross-compatibility? Are you a Core SWX user? Have you preordered the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!