HDMI monitoring from FCP

Quite confused and unsure if this is a BlackMagic Design or Final Cut forum question. I've researched a good bit on both boards.

System is Mac Pro running 10.6.7 with 2 X 2.4GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon and 12 GB or RAM.
Decklink Studio
Final Cut Pro 7.03
No BlackMagic Design driver updates done since the install in August 2010. FCP is up to date.

Problem: I cannot get 1080p output to display on an external 42" LG 1080p monitor. I don't need a calibrated display -- just something large for clients to see their projects. I have just acquired this monitor. I am selecting every possible external video choice within Final Cut, and the only ONES that work are Video Playback NTSC 8-bit, 10-bit or RGB 10-bit. The HD video on the timeline looks horrible as expected. It will play with full motion.

External video is set to 'All Frames"

Every other HD Blackmagic setting causes the LG 42" monitor to show a "no signal" message.

Is there something obvious that I should be doing that I am not?

I used a 23" HDMI-capable computer monitor in this role in September 2010 and was successful seeing full motion in nice quality. I am having no success now. The same settings tried then don't work today.

Thank you. I had great expectations but am now a little bummed today.

Greg Golden

Some HDMI input monitors are finicky and takes a second or a couple of tries to get the signal to start playing thru.

Can you play 720p out to the monitor?

Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC

If have the Blackmagic Design Decklink Studio with the HDMI in/out card. I just updated to the newest driver/software. I get GREAT still frames on it when the playhead is parked. I get no moving images at all.

As for the video output setting within FCP, I've tried a ton of them -- everything that I'd think could possibly work (with the exception of 2K and Red choices). Using NTSC 720X486 settings I DO see moving video, but it is horribly blocky.

All Frames is checked. I've tried Single Frame and "OFF" and still no moving images during playback.

Greg Golden

Chris, you are a genius. Next time I'm in Atlanta I owe you a Venti Pike Place at Starbucks (or something similar). I wouldn't have guessed that setting (1080i) was the answer, so I never tried it.

But now the Canvas freezes and gives me a still image when the playhead is running. Go figure... I can live with that if I need to.

Thanks much!

Greg Golden

Thank you, Andrew. You were exactly right. That checkbox HAD been checked at one time for another setting, but I guess it didn't remain so when I was trying other options. I'm back in business again. And I appreciate your wisdom.

Greg Golden
Cottage Hill Baptist Church
Mobile, Alabama

Greg Golden

I have an SDI only version for Black Magic card and all of a sudden I get no output from Final Cut to my monitor. Changed nothing no, updates, etc.
The card is putting out a signal because my 17 in Panasonic pro monitor sees a signal (1080i, 59.94) but that is not what is set in my FCP preferences. It simply will not switch to 720P 25 ANYTHING. The FCP window says it it is changed but it does not change the signal.
When using BMD's own capture software, it does change, but there is no 720P 25. Besides, I'm not capturing, I'm just playing back. Worked fine for months now I'm stumped...

Any help here?

They ARE matched.
The BMD output setting in FCP is the same as the sequence, but the card is only putting out 1080i 50 to the monitor. It refuses to switch in FCP.

Scott