Black magic HD monitoring

MikeWilkinson

MikeWilkinson

Veteran
I've been reading up on the BM cards, and even emailing their tech support, but I'm just not getting the answers I need, so I'll see if anyone here is doing this.

(Yes I have read Evinskys sticky about Downconversion)

What I need to do:
Import DV+Audio
Export DV+Audio to DV tape
Realtime Down Res of DVCPROHD footage to DV tape
Preview DVCPROHD Footage in timeline

What I have:
PowerMac G5 Dual Core (PCIe)
FCP 5
A DV Deck with a sometimes working Firewire and composite in/out
A preview monitor with composite/component in/out

I currently do all of my SD in/out with firewire, but my deck is getting old and the FW port is flaky...

So to sum it up;
I need composite in/out (Output includes HD>SD RT conversion)
I need component out (for HD preview?)


I don't really want to get a new deck if I don't have to, same for an Apple CD to go with a MMXO...

At BM's site: "Even the base model DeckLink $295 card can play back uncompressed HD files and then downconvert to standard definition."
Does this mean I can get my 720 timeline to playback on my monitor?

Any suggestions/examples of your own workflow?>
 
I think I get what you want to do.

You do not seem to need to import SD or HD via SDI or component. So, that side of the capture card is wasted for you.

You can downrez to DV in RT via Kona or Decklink cards but if you want to stay digital, you would need SDI to firewire converter box. That would add at least $1K. You could output via component video or SDI if you had a deck which accepted a component or SDI signal. Unless that deck had RS422 control via the Kona or Decklink card, you could not control the deck from FCP.

The Matrox MXO gives you SDI, Component and Composite out with RT downrez but with no deck control via RS422. Of course it gives you DVI output. I use the MXO and really like it for monitoring HD or SD for that matter.

As far as my own workflow, I have a Sony DSR-25 but I can't remember when the last time I did an output to DV tape was.

I am strictly shooting HVX200 either to P2, Firestore or directly to hard drive. If I need SD downrez it is for DVD delivery and I just use BitVice to create SD-MPEG2 from DVCPRO HD QT movie.

So, if you do need input, as you indicate, I think a good choice would be the Kona LHe or the Decklink Multibridge (don't think you need the MultiBridge Pro).

How are you monitoring your HD timeline? Not using the computer monitor I hope.

Ned Soltz
 
nsoltz said:
How are you monitoring your HD timeline?

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...

Dump my cut HD timeline onto a SD timeline. Preview the SD via firewire from my JVC preview monitor.

You are correct in that I do not need SDI In/out... most of what I do will be to DVDs, but I do have a few clients who want DV down rezes of footage shot.

With a BM card, would I be able to work on my HD timeline and have it playing back on my monitor via component?

It's late... all this is giving me a headache... I shall return in the a.m.
 
I'll second the MXO. If you have already captured your footage via firewire...DV, HDV, DVCPRO HD, XDCAM...then you don't need a capture card. And the MXO downconverts to SD, outputs to HD (both via SDI and Component)...AND...you can connect it to an Apple 23" Display and view full broadcast HD quality.

Not bad for a small box.
 
Shane Ross said:
I'll second the MXO. If you have already captured your footage via firewire...DV, HDV, DVCPRO HD, XDCAM...then you don't need a capture card. And the MXO downconverts to SD, outputs to HD (both via SDI and Component)...AND...you can connect it to an Apple 23" Display and view full broadcast HD quality.

Not bad for a small box.
Click to expand...

could i go HVX component out (component to dvi converter) to MXO to my monitor and analyze hvx on location footage?

will it (MXO) accurately display blacks? i know i've had problems with black where on the apple lcd is x and on crts or tvs is "Y"
 
I guess I just want to utilize the preview monitor I already dropped $500 on.

With my monitor, I can get a component board for it... can I use the MXO's component output to monitor?

Same goes for the BM DL cards.. would I be able to work on my HD timeline and have it playing back on my monitor via component?
 
Last edited:
Jay, I have no idea about the Component out to DVI to MXO to monitor. Never tried it. Not sure if it will work. I don't have a camera to test that.

Will it accurately display blacks? Heck yeah. I wouldn't say it was sending a broadcast quality image to the ACD if it didn't.

Arges...

With my monitor, I can get a component board for it... can I use the MXO's component output to monitor?

Yes. The MXO has Component outs.

Same goes for the BM DL cards.. would I be able to work on my HD timeline and have it playing back on my monitor via component?

As long as the BM card is an HD card, and has component outs.
 
BlackMagic: "Even DVCPRO HD multi-layer editing in Final Cut Pro HD™ can be downconverted and played out on all DeckLink cards in standard definition, making the transition to HD easier."

Maybe I should stick to a Decklink Pro card for HD monitoring and just deal with Firewire for SD import/export... I've been doing it for this long, I can hold out until next year's budget lets me buy a new deck.
 
You cannot go component to DVI converter to MXO. The MXO is looking for the video signal from a compatible graphics card and depends upon USB for control from computer.

Ned
 
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