Blackmagic DeckLink HD™

DeckLink HD and the new DeckLink HD Plus are the world''s highest quality uncompressed 10 bit HDTV and NTSC/PAL video cards

Now with Blackmagic DeckLink HD at only US $595, you can finally afford to buy the highest quality uncompressed HDTV production system. The new DeckLink HD Plus card features the same amazing quality uncompressed 10 bit HDTV SDI and NTSC/PAL SDI video, but also features, Genlock and AES/SPDIF digital audio input and output for only US$995.

Both the DeckLink HD and DeckLink HD Plus are fully digital and switch between standard definition and high definition video with ease. At only US$595 for the DeckLink HD and only US$995 for the DeckLink HD Plus, you have the freedom to move to HDTV production now!

Blackmagic DeckLink HD and HD Plus have been specifically designed to make connecting a Macintosh™ and Windows XP™ workstation to any SDI based broadcast digital deck in either standard definition or high definition video easy and low cost.

When running standard definition SDI video, DeckLink HD is fully compatible with decks such as Sony Digital Betacam™, D1™, Panasonic DVC Pro 25™, DVC Pro 50™, D5, Sony™ J series. All digital decks with industry standard SDI connections are supported, and setup is quick and easy.

When you need to do HDTV work, just switch Final Cut Pro™ easy setups, or open a HDTV clip in our included Blackmagic Deck Control application, and all SDI connections change over to full HDTV format, for connection to any SDI based HDTV deck.

By using SD/HD-SDI connections, Blackmagic DeckLink contains video, and all audio channels down the single BNC type video cable. A Sony™ RS422 compatible deck control port is also provided making setup quick and easy. DeckLink HD also includes SDI and SPDIF audio outputs for low cost, monitoring.

HDTV formats support include 1080i/50, 1080i/29.97, 1080i/30 interlaced, 1080p/23.976, 1080p/24 progressive. Also supported is 720p formats, and other formats can be added because DeckLink HD and HD Plus firmware can be updated when new software updates are released on the Blackmagic Design web site. This allows DeckLink HD cards to keep compatibility with any changes in the HDTV standards over time.

DeckLink HD and HD Plus will work in both NTSC and PAL television standards. Also featuring the most advanced PCIX interface, and the first video card to support the incredible speed of the new PCIX 133 MHz slots in the new Apple Power Macintosh™ G5 systems.

Full DVCPRO HD Acceleration
If you don''t want to use an expensive disk array for HD, then the new DVCPRO HD feature is perfect. All DeckLink HD models running on Apple Mac OS X™ include full acceleration for DVCHD PRO, as well as full compatibility with Final Cut Pro HD™ real time effects. The quality is truly amazing and is even good enough for online finishing.
File format is true DVCPRO HD DV100 format, you can master to any supported Panasonic™ DVCPRO HD broadcast deck directly via FireWire, and without any de-compression compression cycles. DVCPRO HD video uses an incredible low data rate for an online codec. You can easily edit on a single ATA or FireWire disk and you don''t need the heavy disk arrays uncompressed HD files require. We even used an iPod for 1080HD capture and playback, however it''s not advised for serious work!

Compressed DVCPRO HD is now available on all DeckLink models, even on the lowest cost DeckLink HD at only US$595! If your already own any DeckLink HD model, then upgrade to Blackmagic DeckLink for Macintosh™ v4.5 for free and start using DVCPRO HD compression today!

Independent Monitoring
DeckLink features independent connections for your monitor and broadcast deck. Even when you don''t have an expensive broadcast deck available you can still have full SDI video, and SPDIF audio monitoring. That''s perfect when working on real time effects such as 10 bit 3-way color correction in Final Cut Pro™!

If your in a smaller facility and you hire in a deck when it''s required, or your in a large post or broadcast facility where you often lose deck access when it''s routed to another suite, then you will really appreciate independent monitoring. DeckLink is the only card that lets you keep working when the deck is unavailable.

Download DVCPRO HD File Captured with DeckLink HD

DeckLink''s SDI video monitoring output can be connected to any SDI video monitor, or even converted to analog for video monitoring using an external converter.

If your need analog Y, R-Y, B-Y or NTSC/PAL monitoring but don''t want to purchase an external converter, then check out DeckLink Pro which is identical to the original DeckLink, however includes built in analog monitoring, and external genlock! If your connecting to analog decks then check out DeckLink SP, ideal for connecting to analog decks and broadcast systems.

DeckLink includes SPDIF/Unbalanced AES digital audio monitoring output which is compatible with common consumer audio equipment and professional audio products; such as speakers and mixing consoles. SPDIF has pro audio bits set in the data stream making it compatible with unbalanced AES/EBU audio equipment, providing incredible audio quality in both playback and capture modes.

Video Desktop
One of the most fun features of the Blackmagic DeckLink is the video desktop.

When not being used in applications such as Final Cut Pro™ you get a fully featured desktop display output as video from the DeckLink SDI video output. This allows you to drag and fill screen documents in applications such as Adobe Photoshop™ and then work on broadcast paint direct into a full broadcast monitor.

Never be surprised again when dropping those Photoshop™ graphics into Final Cut Pro™. This is a unique feature available on all DeckLink models!
Video formats
DeckLink features more video formats than any other video cards with true 10 bit uncompressed, 8 bit uncompressed, JPEG and DV.

With the incredible quality of uncompressed 10 bit video and Blackmagic''s renowned codec, DeckLink is easily the world''s highest quality video tool. 10 bit uncompressed is perfect when your client''s demand quality as 10 bit is video perfection!

Uncompressed 8 bit, JPEG and DV playback are incredibly flexible when the high quality of 10 bit uncompressed is not required and disk space is limited.

Real Time Effects
Blackmagic DeckLink features real time effects that are great when working on long format work such as episodic television program production. Real Time effects can be updated via internet downloads; with new effects are being released constantly.

Many exciting real time effects are included with the DeckLink. These include Cross Dissolve, Non Additive Dissolve, Additive Dissolve, Fade in Fade out, Dip to Color, Sepia, Desaturate, Brightness Contrast, Proc Amp, Tint, and Gamma Correction and 3 way color correction on both 8 bit and 10 bit uncompressed modes. More effects are constantly being added.

On Mac OS X all Final Cut Pro RT Extreme effects are supported and on faster systems, 8 layers of video and real time have been reported by DeckLink customers. RT Extreme allows your DeckLink to be RT future proof as more layers and effects are available as faster host computers are released.

Internal Alpha Keying
All SD DeckLink models now support internal keying allowing you to key graphics over live video in real time. This is perfect for adding logos and "bugs" to live video when doing dubs of your show reel; or adding copyright and not for broadcast notices to client dubs.

Key features are controlled by an application called Blackmagic LiveKey that enables keying. This is just like switching your video capture card into a keying card; DeckLink works very differently when keying is tuned on. Graphics with alpha channel displayed on the RGB video output will now be keyed live over any video that''s connected to the DeckLink video input and then sent to the DeckLink video output.

You can choose "internal key" on all DeckLink models where keying is done inside the card and you don''t need to use any external keyer equipment You can also quick key a graphic in LiveKey as well as set key levels; and allow keys to animate on and off using independently set time values.

For external keying, DeckLink Pro features 2 independent SDI outputs and genlock allowing image and key video output from the separate SDI outputs. This lets you key in outboard equipment such as production switchers etc.

Down Conversion
All DeckLink cards feature our new full broadcast quality down conversion, so you can instantly master HD edits to standard definition when working in Mac OS X. Even the original DeckLink $295 card can play back uncompressed HD files and then down convert to standard definition. That''s perfect when you’re working in HD for future proof mastering, but your delivering in standard definition. Down conversion quality is incredible and retains full 10 bit quality when working in that format.

Uncompressed 10 bit
10 bit uncompressed is better quality than any other system, at any price, and DeckLink is one of the only cards to capture and playback the pristine 10 bit SDI video stream from decks such as Digital Betacam™ and Panasonic D5™.

Uncompressed 10 bit is the highest quality possible from the SDI television system, and provides the most incredible image quality you have ever seen.

When pulling heavy image treatments and color grades, or when working on the most intricate graphic design, 10 bit uncompressed will retain all 10 bits of precision in the SDI video standard which helps eliminate image banding or contouring.

Even when working with 8 RGB applications, 10 bit uncompressed video will keep higher precision when moving pixels between RGB and YUV video space resulting in a dramatically better image quality.

8 bit video capture cards stumble on this color-space conversion, and generate mathematical rounding errors on each render generation. This shows as banding or contouring in the image. 10 bit video used in DeckLink eliminates this problem.

When working in Adobe After Effects™, the Blackmagic 64 bit codec allows 16 bit RGB per channel rendering. This allows the full uncompressed 10 bit video quality from decks such as Digital Betacam™, and D5™ to be passed directly to After Effects for very precise rendering. Independent tests show the Blackmagic Codec as the best quality codec available today.

Only 10 bit uncompressed will hold up under heavy working conditions demanded by clients today, while retaining that delicate film look.

Even if you spend most of your time working with DeckLink''s great uncompressed 8 bit, or Online JPEG formats, it''s always comforting to know DeckLink can instantly change up to 10 bit if required. It''s always there ready for you.

Uncompressed 8 bit
Uncompressed 8 bit is great when you still want the benefit of uncompressed video and need to squeeze more space out of your capture disk.

Uncompressed 8 bit is also fully compatible with other uncompressed video cards. You can capture on a DeckLink and move files onto other systems without rendering. This is a great timesaver, and lets you take advantage possibilities of QuickTime™ by mixing and matching cards to suit your needs, no matter who the manufacturer is.
QuickTime™ compatible
DeckLink uses the famous Blackmagic QuickTime™ drivers and no other company has as much experience running on Mac OS X than Blackmagic Design. This means you get well proven and stable drivers from the first company to deliver a QuickTime card on Apple''s OS X, and the only company to deliver a QuickTime capture card under Microsoft Windows XP.

The Blackmagic QuickTime drivers are constantly being improved to ensure compatibility with software from all vendors including companies such as Apple™, Microsoft™, Adobe™ and Discreet™.

QuickTime™ compatibility allows any software and hardware to be mixed and matched and DeckLink makes the perfect video companion to the most powerful software tools used in the industry today.

Compatible software includes Apple Final Cut Pro™, Adobe After Effects™, Adobe Photoshop™, Shake™, Discreet Combustion™, iDVD™, DVD Studio Pro™, Color Finesse™, Microcosm™, Cleaner™ and many more

DeckLink HD

• True multi-standard, switchable between SD NTSC or PAL and HD, 1080i, 1080p, 720p and DVCPRO HD support.

• Fully Digital 10 bit SDI input and output with embedded SDI audio.

• Switchable between SMPTE-259M SDI and SMPTE-292M HD.

• Independent monitoring HD/SD SDI video output. SPDIF consumer digital audio monitoring output. 12 channel HD-SDI and 8 channel SD-SDI audio output supported in Final Cut Pro HD™.

• Sony™ compatible RS-422 serial control port. DeckLink HD Plus extra features: Sony™ compatible RS-422 and Genlock input, Black burst and HD Trisync. Wordclock output and AES-S/PDIF input and output
  
  DeckLink cards feature:

• Realtime effects in Final Cut Pro.

• Cross Dissolve, Dip to Color, Sepia, Desaturate, Brightness Contrast, Proc Amp, Tint, Gamma Correction and 3-Way color Corrector.

• Plus RT Extreme support in Final Cut Pro™.

• True 10 bit and 8 bit uncompressed video quality modes.

• Built in DV bridge for playing DV files to video out.
  
  Film support

• Capture from NTSC video to 23.98fps progressive video with automatic 3:2 pull down removal using VITC on SDI input. Playback 23.98fps to NTSC video.

• Blackmagic Deck Control™ included.

• Complete solution for automated capture and playback of media to deck using RS-422 serial control.

• Video Desktop for direct video output from non QuickTime™ applications such as Adobe Photoshop™.

• Super high quality 64bit RGB codec rendering in trillions of colours in Adobe After Effects™ and Final Cut Pro™ YUV native rendering support.

• Real Time RAM preview in Adobe After Effects™, Apple Shake™ and Discreet Combustion™.

• No sync generator required as DeckLink generates SDI sync.

• Genlock input also included on DeckLink Extreme, Pro and SP. Apple Mac OS X™ and on Microsoft Windows™ using the same hardware.

• Media files compatible between platforms.