| My observation of the Decklink
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 | My observation of the Decklink
by Bob Zelin on Jan 7, 2003 at 5:03:00 am |
I find it interesting that most of the questions on the Blackmagic Decklink forum are from users that don't understand what the Decklink card does, and simply think (and want to get clarified) that the Decklink IS the AJA Kona, but $2000 cheaper. It's not that it's a cool card, that works great with embedded audio. It's that it's $2000 cheaper, and I sense frustration from these people that they have to buy embedders and deembedders (or the D10CEA) to use it with their conventional Beta VTR's. I find it almost sad that it's appeal is that it is cheap, as opposed to that it is a great card for the right application.
Bob Zelin
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• | | | |  | Re: My observation of the Decklink
by Grant Petty on Jan 7, 2003 at 9:29:43 pm |
Hi,
I guess we get a little bit of that, however most people understand what DeckLink does. You can use Miranga Picolink converters to get SDI to AES and back for around $1500, so it does remove a bit of the discount, however it still comes out about a thousand cheaper.
They are different cards, and if I was going analog, I would think seriously about if DeckLink was the right choice, when the Kona has everything.
I guess people need to understand that DeckLink is cheaper because we made it specifically for connecting to digital decks, and made it focused by leaving off stuff a lot of people don't use.
That's the advantage of QuickTime, as people can choose different cards based on needs, so there can be quite a range of options. I am really glad we got DeckLink so low in cost, and it was not easy, however at least my friends can now afford to get one!
Regards,
Grant
Blackmagic Design
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I find it almost sad that it's appeal is that it is cheap, as opposed to that it is a great card for the right application.
I'd like to think it's because the pros looking to do FCP are still pioneers and they're looking for any way to get things done.
But I suppose you're right, it's the cost that motivates them. But then that's what's motivating the whole FCP craze anyway.
It won't be long before they'll have you spec'ing out systems with FCP Express, and then groaning to have to pay the full grand for the Pro version.
Say Grant, have you had an opportunity to check out FCP Express? What are the chances people will be doing SDI outputs from Express with Decklink or Kona? From the website it looks to be a DV-only app...
--
Patrick Inhofer
editor, compositor, nice guy
applePi Editorial, nyc
Cow forum leader: Kona
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• | | | | | Re: Decklink, FCP Express
by Grant Petty on Jan 9, 2003 at 12:22:22 pm |
Hi,
As far as we know FCP Express is DV only, so won't connect to anything other than a DV camera. It's fixed resolution, and input output for DV.
I hope this is not the start of a trend, as the idea of QuickTime is to allow us to leverage the volume of DV for software so we have good low cost tools for uncompressed and HD.
If manufacturers start doing class structure software products where DV is hard codec, it means the DV guys cannot get good features without spending more and more, and the high end guys don't benefit from the high volume of DV.
I guess we need to keep an eye on it all.
Regards,
Grant
Blackmagic Design
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