Matrox Mini w/MAX

Hey Daniel
For the setup and workflow you've described the MXO2 Mini w/MAX would fit the bill nicely. Together with any of the current MacPro's you'd have full rein to capture to and edit in ProRes and the MAX option would allow you to export to H.264 for web and/or BD blazingly fast. Don't forget you'll need to add a copy of Roxio Toast 10 (or Adobe Encore) and a BD Burner into the mix too.
Cheers
Andy

Hey Daniel
Have a look at the BlackMagic Design Intensity Pro, its a PCIe based I/O card that you would install inside your MacPro ... it's a steal at only 199 USD and will give you many of the same capture options as the Mini. Matrox have posted a PDF that contrasts and compares the advantages of their MXO2 Mini vs the Intensity Pro (there's a recent thread here just below with the link and some discussion on the comparison) and it would be worth your while to have a look at that. If the advantages of the Mini are not ones you see yourself needing then the Intensity board is a strong option. For an alternative accelerated compression to H264 option then look no further than Elgato's Turbo264 HD ... not as impressive as the MAX technology but a very strong performer at only 149 USD
Cheers
Andy

Ps In all fairness I'm not completely unbiased ... I absolutely LOVE my MXO2 :-)

Hi Garett

You note that "Most of the reception venues have DVD players but not AV access..." Hmmm... well the DVD player must be connected into their AV system by some fashion right? Usually via composite, component or HDMI right? As these are all connections that your Mini also provides then you should be just fine connecting your Mini directly into such a system (temporarily replacing the DVD players connection if no other AV input is available). Most venues would be more than happy to accommodate your needs, even more so if you visit and check the setup in a advance.

As to the question regarding hardware assisted MPEG2 encoding, I'm not aware of any portable encoders. Canopus make the Firecoder Blu which is a very nice H264 / MPEG2 PCI Express based boardset but that's PC only to my knowledge. Of course, chances are that venues will increasingly crop up with Bluray players as the format becomes more ingrained ... which brings up another possible option that you might consider, that being to simply buy and carry with you a cheap Bluray DVD player for playback ie something you can use at a venue in place of the existing DVD player which may be more acceptable (or just plain easier) than hooking up your Mac and MXO Mini. Worth considering anyway.


Hope it helps
Andy


Ps. On a side note, can I suggest that (in future) you start a new thread for new questions? It really helps to keep thread contents relevant to the stated subject and so makes it much easier for forum visitors to quickly and easily find/browse the info thats relevant to them. Would be much appreciated.