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Matrox MXO vs Aja IO HD
Hello everyone
I’m about to round out my Final Cut Studio system to enable it to output to Digibeta and HDCam for a new drama project that’s coming up. We’ll be ingesting purely from HDD (a mix of Firestore and stuff that’s come in via a laptop) in DVC Pro HD, 720P/25 fps for eventual PAL delivery.
In other words, I do not anticipate ever having to digitize from tape, on this project anyway.
As far as I can tell the main thing that the AJA Io HD offers over the MXO is input – in terms of output, the two are pretty much matched, if you combine the MXO with a USB to serial cable for deck control. (I do understand that the MXO is essentially a hack, but if it works what’s the differrence…) And the MXO is less than half the price of the AJA IO.
Do I have that right?
Would anyone like to make a further case for either?
Thanks !
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33 Replies
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The MXO will output HD SDI and SDI, and HD and SD component. It will output to digibeta just fine, and SHOULD output to HDCAM, although I haven’t tried.
Shane
Littlefrog PostGETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
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[Zrennk] “I’m about to round out my Final Cut Studio system to enable it to output to Digibeta and HDCam for a new drama project that’s coming up.”
I would never buy hardware for just one single project- I get hardware that can extend my system for the foreseeable future. I cannot imagine not having the ability to ingest any formats that come at me into my system.
What happens in a year from now when you need to ingest footage?[Zrennk] “As far as I can tell the main thing that the AJA Io HD offers over the MXO is input “
What about live downconvert while still outputting HD, since the IoHD has 2 SDI, and a component connection that offer the user 3 SD or HD outputs, and 2 additional SD only outs when using the the composite and Y/C connections.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflowshttps://library.creativecow.net/articles/adcock_gary/AJAIOHD.php
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For the record, the MXO downconverts HD to SD upon output as well. But yeah, the I/O HD has MANY MANY other features. If you need those features, go for it, if not, then the MXO is fine.
It is all about your current and possible future needs…and what you can afford.
Shane
Littlefrog PostGETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.lfhd.net -
Zrennk,
I have to disagree with Gary A. In 1988 I had a “what if I need four audio tracks in BetaSP?”. I popped $30k for a BetaSP recorder instead of $15k for the same machine with two audio tracks. Fifteen years later I never once used the four tracks, just two. I always wished I had the extra $15k I spent.
The AJA is approx. $3500 and the Matrox is approx. $1k. What if a year from now there are new or better products (typically) at lower prices than the AJA? You can use the $2500 you saved today to get what you need a year later. If you even need it then. Or borrow or rent a unit for the few times it is needed. What if there are no tapes in your business a year from now, which many of us are trying to do today?
Gary G
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[Zrennk] “As far as I can tell the main thing that the AJA Io HD offers over the MXO is input – in terms of output, the two are pretty much matched,”
Not really.
Io HD offers multiple outputs that are all hot at the same time. In other words, you can output SDI, HD-SDI, Component and S-Video all at the same time.
Also, you can output HD and SD at the same time.
Also, you can upconvert SD to HD, Downconvert HD to SD, Cross Convert 720 to 1080 or 1080 to 720.
Also, you have a full compliment of audio / video inputs and outputs.
Also, you have RS-422 Control
The MXO is a display device. The Io HD is a true Audio / Video Input / Output device.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow!
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let’s not forget to say that the AJA io HD only connects to your Mac thru FW800 with it’s limits.
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[walter biscardi] “The MXO is a display device”
Uh, not ONLY a display device. I have used it to output to digibeta, beta and DVCPRO HD. I have yet to use it with HDCAM, but I am sure it is possible.
Shane
Littlefrog PostGETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.lfhd.net -
[GaryAlan] “let’s not forget to say that the AJA io HD only connects to your Mac thru FW800 with it’s limits.”
Actually, the Io HD is not limited to much. I can even play out Uncompressed HD. Can’t capture it, but if you have it on your system, you can play out Uncomnpressed HD.
It can also capture / playback Uncompressed 8 and 10bit SD.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow!
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I did not say the AJA was limited. I said FW800 has limits and thus the AJA would have also those those limits.
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“Io HD offers multiple outputs that are all hot at the same time. In other words, you can output SDI, HD-SDI, Component and S-Video all at the same time.”
Yes, if you have all those decks and monitors and need everything at the same time. I still want to get away from all those tapes, but I also realize there are some people out there that will have those needs and want to provide those services.
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