Video out from iMac?

take2visualmedia

take2visualmedia

Well-known member
Ok since the new version of FCPX looks like it's finally ready for prime time we are more seriously considering it. I have been holding off on buying a new Mac Pro Tower to see if/when Apple was going to release a new version. Looks like not (tell me if I'm wrong).

I'm becoming more interested in a tricked out 27" iMac with a Thunderbolt RAID. One question...how do I get video out to an external monitor? On our tower systems we have Blackmagic cards...is there a way to get video out to an external monitor?
 
Thats the route I went 27 inch iMac...still waiting for the new Mac pros to surface, anyhow word on the street an number of vendors are working on thunderbolt breakout boxes allowing external audio/video etc.. not ready just yet.

Just as an aside... the thunderbolt port also acts as a video out to drive a second monitor. Just buy the appropriate lead, I went thunderbolt to HDMI and it all works..
 
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I'd bet money that Apple will release a high-end desktop option - probably when then new Xeons come out.

I have a Blackmagic thunderbolt card and performance is identical to a PCIe internal Blackmagic card. Except the fan is a bit noisy, which is extremely irritating. On the plus side, you get DaVinci Resolve for free so overall I still like 'em :)

Thunderbolt / Displayport -> HDMI also works but on my iMac gives slight frame tearing. Has anyone got it to output audio on HDMI as well?

In the end I just use the Blackmagic Thunderbolt thingy since it sticks out audio and video via HDMI (and HD-SDI and 3D etc) but give the cheap option a try as well - may tide you over for sure. It worked well for me for several months.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
 
Yes they are probably waiting on the new Xeon chips.. a machine to watch out for, anyhow no line tearing on my 2nd monitor, it a new 27 Acer...went thru the Apple monitor calibration procedure and I know its not a broadcast monitor but I'll bet its not that far off. I keep a keen eye on my scopes anyhow.
 
The AJA one is out, the BlackMagic SDI/3D one is also out.

The HDMI BlackMagic Intensity Extreme comes out today!!!

Already pre-ordered the HDMI one so I will report back when it ships.
 
NoahK said:
Yeah an iMac plus Thunderbolt offers great video output possibilities such as AJA's http://www.aja.com/products/io/io-xt.php and Blackmagic's Intensity- http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/ Great options. You do not want to just go HDMI to a monitor directly from the iMac- that's not proper RGB>REC709 HD conversion and would not be accurate for important stuff like color grading.

-Noah
Click to expand...
While not technically proper, it is possible straight from HDMI.
Have a read
http://www.fcp.co/final-cut-pro/articles/691-using-fcpx-on-long-format-broadcast-productions
 
A HDTV monitor with SDI instead of HDMI is going to cost you at least 10 times as much.

So instead of $250 for a 22inch TV your looking at $3500 instead. But most consumer HDTVs now have "Blue only " modes and all the setup features of pro monitors but they are just buried in menus instead having all the switches and knobs on the front.

The other thing if Apple ever explains how ColorSync works with video we would be able to just use our PC monitors and not need a broadcast monitor.
 
You can get 21.5" FSI, one of the most advanced and best quality on the market, for $2500. But yes, to get true broadcast output an HDTV via HDMI isn't true broadcast. Must be SDI to an actual broadcast monitor. Anything that is a 2-way communication of the video signal is just "pretty" output. HDTV's are in now way equal to broadcast monitors, no matter what.
 
I say don't bother going HDMI out- you're not seeing accurate color. And you want to see broadcast accurate color because otherwise your clients/audience won't. If you just wanna see something on a big screen- ok. Otherwise not the way to go...
 
I think going HDMI out of a AJA or BlackMagic Box would be better than just using a thunderbolt to Hdmi adapter.

But since when does a monitor need SDI to be considered a broadcast monitor? I remember component was what they all used back in the day.
 
True... my understanding in terms of spec for both HDMI and HD-SDI is that HDMI is HD-SDI minus the timecode...But as HDMI is seen as a domestic interface and to save money how the data is processed by one manufacturer varies to another i.e. using the cheapest electronics processing/ chip set to get a image up and all the nasties that throws up.
 
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Chaos123x said:
I think going HDMI out of a AJA or BlackMagic Box would be better than just using a thunderbolt to Hdmi adapter.

But since when does a monitor need SDI to be considered a broadcast monitor? I remember component was what they all used back in the day.
Click to expand...

There was a time before SDI when component was the best connection that was available. That time was in the last century, though.

HDMI can support features that SDI does not, like frame packing for 3D, ethernet, etc. But those features are designed for working between consumer TVs and set top boxes and Blu-Ray players.

SDI can support features that HDMI does not, like timecode and 16 channels of PCM audio that are much more useful to professionals.
 
Chaos123x said:
I think going HDMI out of a AJA or BlackMagic Box would be better than just using a thunderbolt to Hdmi adapter.

But since when does a monitor need SDI to be considered a broadcast monitor? I remember component was what they all used back in the day.
Click to expand...

HDMI is a two way communication protocol for consumer electronics. Both sides negotiate characteristics about the video and audio signals, thus NOT sending a raw, untouched signal.

HDMI is HDMI no matter what box sends/receives it, it is an engineering standard protocol, AJA, BM, Thunderbolt, it's all the same HDMI digital signal.

SDI is a raw, untouched analog signal that has been the standard for broadcast monitors for the past decade plus.

Broadcast Monitors are not made the same as TV or computer screens, they are designed to show raw, true, unaltered chroma and luma video signals. All TV monitors have built in automatic filters that enhance the signal so that it shows it's best on that specific screen. Computer monitors are much higher resolution, progressive, and the mechanics are very different from the other two monitor types.

There is a HUGE difference between broadcast monitors and HDTV screens, between HDMI and HD-SDI, they are not the same.
There is NO difference between HDMI from an AJA box or via Thunderbolt.
There is no substitution for true HD-SDI output for quality checks and color grading.
 
garters said:
So Ben is it possible to use an imac and a true HD-SDI broadcast monitor somehow?
Wayne
Click to expand...

Precisely with a broadcast monitoring solution using Thunderbolt from AJA/Blackmagic/Matrox. Check to make sure FCPX is supported.

-Noah
 
BenB said:
HDMI is a two way communication protocol for consumer electronics. Both sides negotiate characteristics about the video and audio signals, thus NOT sending a raw, untouched signal.

HDMI is HDMI no matter what box sends/receives it, it is an engineering standard protocol, AJA, BM, Thunderbolt, it's all the same HDMI digital signal.

SDI is a raw, untouched analog signal that has been the standard for broadcast monitors for the past decade plus.

Broadcast Monitors are not made the same as TV or computer screens, they are designed to show raw, true, unaltered chroma and luma video signals. All TV monitors have built in automatic filters that enhance the signal so that it shows it's best on that specific screen. Computer monitors are much higher resolution, progressive, and the mechanics are very different from the other two monitor types.

There is a HUGE difference between broadcast monitors and HDTV screens, between HDMI and HD-SDI, they are not the same.
There is NO difference between HDMI from an AJA box or via Thunderbolt.
There is no substitution for true HD-SDI output for quality checks and color grading.
Click to expand...

So Serial Digital Interface is a pure analog signal? :huh:
 
We all know SDI out with a broadcast monitor is the only real solution. But for those on a budget I suggest getting the BlackMagic Intensity Extreme ($284) thunderbolt box with HDMI in and out and hooking it up to a HDTV that has advanced calibration features like blue only and other tweaks. Check out the Samsung 22inch 5000 HDTV it rocks ($199 at Best Buy on Clearence), don't accidently buy the new 5003 though it doesn't have a blue gun and it's pretty crappy.
 
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