Suggestions for Video Card Needed
by Brad Jenkins
on
Aug 24, 2008 at 5:45:18 pm
I'm looking to purchase a video card for digi beta capture, and don't know where to start. Would appreciate suggestions for the budget minded. Thanks to all !!!!
Re: Suggestions for Video Card Needed by Ben Holmes on Aug 24, 2008 at 6:10:47 pm
Brad
You've got two good choices, the Blackmagic decklink range (starts around $300 I think) or the more expensive Kona range. You can find these (and prices) at www.ajavideo.com, and www.decklink.com.
I have used both, and had few troubles with either (actually slightly more Kona card failures, but their service is amazingly good). For digibeta, I think the decklink is the cheaper option, and a great card. Make sure whatever you choose will meet all future requirements for output and partucularly audio. If you just want to import video from a digibeta deck with embedded audio, and send it back the same way, it's inexpensive and easy to do. Integrating into a larger post environment usually costs more.
Also, you will need a fast disk array to cope with uncompressed SD, although you can now work in ProRes in SD with a firewire 800 drive no problems (and some may even play uncompressed SD fine). ProRes is a great format for quality/space.
If you search on the forum here, you'll find plenty of recommendations. Currently I use decklink and G-Tech drives.
Hope that helps.
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
----------------------------
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer
Re: Suggestions for Video Card Needed by walter biscardi on Aug 24, 2008 at 7:18:55 pm
You can search this forum and you will find thousands of recommendations on video cards.
I use the AJA Kona series and only recommend those boards. If all you need is DigiBeta and no HD, then the LH or LHe will work find or even the AJA IoLD.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.
