iPhone HDMI Output Gets Real: Blackmagic and Final Cut Camera Add Live HDMI and Full-Quality Codecs

Recent updates to Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera unlock live HDMI output and full-quality codecs on modern iPhones. Both apps are free, and the Final Cut Camera app reached version 2.3 this week after a notable 2.0 update tied to the iPhone 17 launch.

Native live HDMI out is supported on iPhone 17 Pro and newer. For earlier Pro models, Blackmagic offers an optional dock that enables HDMI output on iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. These changes make mobile video capture more like traditional camera workflows.

Key highlights

• Full-quality codecs including ProRes and ProRes RAW
• 4K capture on 15 Pro and newer models
• Storage options favor external drives and cloud over internal ProRes storage

Taken together, these updates expand professional capture, monitoring, and storage options for mobile filmmakers and content creators.

Recent updates to the Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera apps have introduced significant features for users seeking professional video capabilities. Both apps now support full-quality codecs and live HDMI output. The Final Cut Camera app was recently upgraded to version 2.3, with version 2.0 having previously added features during the release of the iPhone 17. Blackmagic Camera has expanded its options by integrating an optional dock that facilitates HDMI output on several iPhone models.

Live HDMI output is readily available on the iPhone 17 Pro and newer models, enhancing the device’s video output capabilities. Additionally, with the use of a Blackmagic dock, HDMI output can be achieved on earlier models such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These updates illustrate a significant step forward in providing accessible video production tools on mobile platforms.

Furthermore, Blackmagic emphasizes the advantage of using external and cloud storage over internal options for ProRes file handling, which was initially introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro alongside Log encoding. Recent models, including the 15 Pro and newer, support 4K video capture and incorporate ProRes RAW capabilities.

Using your iPhone (or iPad) as a camera continues to get easier and more flexible.

Full-quality codecs and live HDMI output are suddenly the norm.

Let’s break this down quickly.

But since I’m all about acquiring used gear and keeping what you own working as long as possible, you can also use HDMI output (and a bunch of other features) on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models using a new Blackmagic dock.

Blackmagic Design is attributed in the article as noting storage preferences for high-quality formats; the article states that Blackmagic notes ProRes with internal storage is often avoided in favor of external storage and that the company advocates cloud storage as an alternative.

Live HDMI out is natively supported on the iPhone 17 Pro and better, presented as an observed capability rather than a direct quote from Apple Inc. The available sources do not provide direct quotes or statements attributed to Apple Inc. in the quoted material.

The recent updates to Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera introduced support for full-quality codecs and live HDMI output. Source

The iPhone 13 Pro introduced ProRes and Log encoding. Source

Models from the iPhone 15 Pro onward can shoot in 4K. Source

The iPhone 16 Pro adds ProRes RAW. Source

Both apps are free of charge. Source

Blackmagic notes that recording ProRes to internal storage is often avoided in favor of external storage. Source

Blackmagic advocates external storage as an alternative for handling ProRes files. Source

The company also advocates cloud storage as another alternative to internal ProRes storage. Source

These codec and storage points are drawn from the reported updates and hardware details in the source material. Source

The source describes full-quality codecs and live HDMI output as suddenly the norm. Source

Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera have received updates that add live HDMI output and support for full-quality codecs. Live HDMI out is natively supported on the iPhone 17 Pro and newer models. Final Cut Camera was updated to version 2.3 this week, and version 2.0 added features in the fall alongside the iPhone 17 release. The Blackmagic app opens up options for HDMI output, including use of an optional dock.

A new Blackmagic dock enables HDMI output on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. The reported updates describe full-quality codecs and live HDMI output as suddenly the norm. The iPhone 17 Pro introduced a set of video features, and 15- and 16-generation Pro models also added video features. Both Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera are available free of charge.

CONCLUSION

Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera received recent updates that add full-quality codecs and live HDMI output. Final Cut Camera was updated to version 2.3 this week, and version 2.0 added features alongside the iPhone 17 release in the fall. Both Blackmagic Camera and Final Cut Camera are available free of charge. The Blackmagic app includes an optional dock that opens additional HDMI output options.

Live HDMI output is natively supported on the iPhone 17 Pro and newer models. A Blackmagic dock enables HDMI output on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Codec and capture capabilities cited in the source include ProRes and Log encoding introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro, 4K capture on 15 Pro and newer models, and ProRes RAW on the 16 Pro. The source states that ProRes recording to internal storage is often avoided in favor of external storage, and that Blackmagic advocates cloud storage as an alternative.