Compatible cards
by filmjeff
on
Apr 1, 2007 at 5:57:36 am
I have a big project coming up in May where I'll be shooting overseas. I will be capturing HDV material with a V1 but I want to edit in DVCPRO HD and plan to output to a rented HDCAM deck. There seem to be so many i/o cards available that I get bogged down in all the technical specs. Using a Mac Pro and FCP HD, would I be better off with a Kona card for input and a Matrox MXO to drive a second LCD monitor with a high def picture or should I get a Blackmagic Multibridge Pro to serve both of those functions? There's a $1k difference between the Multibridge Pro and the Multibridge Extreme, and the way I read the specs I may have to get the Extreme to be able to run a second DVI monitor. Am I reading it right? The Matrox MXO is about the same price as the differential, but is one a more reliable way to go?
So many of these questions in the forum could be answered if there were a clearinghouse for users to simply list those configurations of equipment they've been successful in setting up and running.
Re: Compatible cards by Brian McCartney on Apr 1, 2007 at 8:58:44 pm
Here is my config
Mac Pro 2.66
Sony HDV deck HVR M15
AJA Kona LHe
AJA HDP
Sony 14" PVM CRT
Dell 24" LCD
The Kona LHe takes the component analog output from the HDV deck and I capture DVCproHD in Final Cut. The Kona LHe spits out a downconverted analog component signal to my Sony 14" PVM CRT and one of the SDI outputs gets routed to the AJA HDP to convert the HDSDI Signal to DVI. The DVI signal goes to a Dell 24" monitor.
The LHe is about $1650 and and the HDP is around $700
This system has been working great for my needs. The Kona stuff is pretty solid. I don't have any experience with the Black Magic product line so I would be unable to make a comparison. All I know is that I can get the jobs I do done without much thought given to my hardware.
Re: Compatible cards by filmjeff on Apr 1, 2007 at 10:30:50 pm
Thanks for the response. You didn't mention whether or not your equipment is set up for output to something like an HDCAM deck. That's one of the reasons I've been considering the Blackmagic Multibridge options. What are you using for output?
Re: Compatible cards by Brian McCartney on Apr 2, 2007 at 3:20:02 am
The Kona LHe has 2 HDSDI outputs. You can use one to monitor and one for output to a deck. So if you wanted to output your project to an HDCAM deck it would be no problem. Head over to aja.com and check out the specs on the LHe, it might be what you are looking for.
Re: Compatible cards by Michael G on Apr 2, 2007 at 10:16:46 am
I output from a Decklink HD Pro card to HDCam. The Decklink card has two HDSDI outputs plus component out for monitoring. Both Kona and Decklink also have the Sony RS422 9 pin machine control and sync input. I suggest checking the various features of both Decklink and Kona. Also a cheaper option than the multibridge is the HD Pro or Extreme.
Re: Compatible cards by filmjeff on Apr 2, 2007 at 4:50:36 pm
Is there any advantage, or disadvantage, to using a single device since Blackmagic Multibridge's main feature seems to be its ability to convert in both directions on both input and output? I would think that being able to individually upgrade just the Kona card or the Decklink HD Pro card might have an advantage as changes come along, but I'm definitely intrigued by an all in one box. Is there the same amount of horsepower in either option, or am I comparing a couple of Hondas to a Ferrari?
Re: Compatible cards by Michael G on Apr 2, 2007 at 10:44:44 pm
The multibridge was released just after I bought an HD Pro. It certainly is an interesting device but you need to ask what form of input and output signals you are wanting to use. In my suite, I only needed SDI inputs and outputs plus a component monitor feed.
If you need the extra facility of the multibridge then it would be more elegant and possibly cheaper than a card and external converters
Re: Compatible cards by Brian McCartney on Apr 3, 2007 at 1:57:03 am
I think the best thing to do is research the different options (Black Magic and AJA) and see what fits into your workflow the best. For what you will spend on decks and storage the difference in price between the two I/O solutions is insignificant. I have no experience with Black Magic but I did look at their offerings before I made my choice. For me the choice was AJA. For you? Who knows but you.
BTW, the AJA Kona series does do realtime downconversion on both input and output, the Kona 3 card will also do upconversion and crossconversion. As I just ran across the need to do this I might have a Kona 3 in my future. I will still be able to keep my HDP to do the SDI to DVI conversion.
Re: Compatible cards by filmjeff on Apr 3, 2007 at 2:25:49 am
Thanks Brian for your considered responses. I knew there wouldn't be a simple answer but i feel like I've got a bit more information and a few more options to work from.
