In November 2025, Groove Jones used its new Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera to capture a high-stakes match of Major League Pickleball Moneyball Match featuring the Dallas Flash and the New Jersey Fives at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas. The match, starring top-tier pros including the world’s number-one female player Anna Leigh Waters, offered the perfect proving ground for this next-gen filming technology.
A Camera Built for the Speed of Pickleball
Pickleball moves fast. Traditional broadcast cameras often struggle to capture the speed, nuance, and energy of each volley. The URSA Cine Immersive camera changed the game by delivering extremely high-resolution footage with strong color fidelity and impressive low-light performance. The result: footage that looks stunning — especially when viewed on immersive platforms like Apple Vision Pro.
With the URSA Cine they moved from roughly 2K per eye, to 4K, and now to 8K per eye — more than 16 times the pixel data they began with, running at 90 frames per second instead of the typical 30. On top of that, the leap from 8-bit to full 12-bit HDR color meant they captured richer light, smoother motion, and a depth of realism that makes the footage almost lifelike.
More Than Just Pixels — A Cleaner, Smoother Workflow
This wasn’t just about better video. The project workflow was more efficient too. The team captured three modules of footage — each eight terabytes — without needing any stitching or tripod cleanup. That saved significant time in post-production, letting the team focus on storytelling rather than technical fixes.
Building Toward a Series Showcasing Local Culture
This pickleball capture isn’t a one-off. It supports Groove Jones’ broader effort to create a short-form series celebrating local art, community events, sports, and culture across DFW. The 12K footage from this match is a powerful demonstration of what modern immersive video technology can do — and serves as a blueprint for future projects.
