• Blackmagic Design

  SDI output resolution to monitor

  Posted by Frank Ruggiero on November 22, 2009 at 5:21 pm

  Hi Blackmagic,

  Can anyone explain this to me? If I am creating graphics at 720×486, how does the Blackmagic SDI work with that when I am sending it over the SDI cable? Isnt SDI a resolution of 720 x 480 (Smpte259M)?

  I want to work in After Effects and Premiere at 720×486. Does the Blackmagic compensate for my output by removing 6 lines before outputting? Or do I always have to work in 720×480?

  If anyone can clear that up, I would greatly appreciate it.

  Thanks.

  Frank

  Joshua Helling replied 16 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Bob Zelin

  November 22, 2009 at 11:48 pm

  everything stays at 720×486. 720×480 is if you have chosen to work in DV resolution.

  bob Zelin
• 

  Frank Ruggiero

  November 22, 2009 at 11:58 pm

  Hi Bob,

  Thanks for answering my question. I have always worked in 720×486, but where it is confusing is the SDI. Is SDI a 720×480 resolution? A monitor company is telling me that SDI is only 480 scanlines. SO what would that mean when I try to output through the card. Does the Blackmagic take my 486 signal and alter it to deliver it to 480?

  Or am I just mistaken or have bad information.

  Thanks Bob.

  Frank
• 

  Joshua Helling

  November 24, 2009 at 1:15 am

  To add on what Bob said. 720×486 is D1 resolution. Everything out of our card will be that res (even in a DV Project). The extra lines are added to make a signal that will typically be expected by SDI or analog equipment.

  DV, and MPEG2, are typically saved at DV resolution which is 720×480. However, if you are editing in a DV editing mode with BMD cards the timeline is 720×480 but the output will be 720×486 (2 and 4 lines are added to prevent scaling of the image). This is refered to as a DV-D1 conversion and is fairly common in these types of apps (it typically happens behinds the scenes).

  I hope that helps.

  Sincerely,

  Joshua
  Director of Support
  Blackmagic Design Inc.

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