Best Breakout box for FCP?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Dag Mykland] “I’m kind of stuck on the AJA KONA break out box, but is this the best option for me?”

The Kona is not just a breakout box, it’s a card that goes into your machine and the breakout box is optional. It also does not have HDMI so if you absolutely must have that, then that’s not unit for you.

Look at AJA Io HD.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Dag Mykland]

Sorry.

Didn’t make myself perfectly clear in the previous post.

I was looking at the Io HD.

But does this require a card as well? I thought it was connected through FW?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Dag Mykland] “But does this require a card as well? I thought it was connected through FW?”

No, that’s why I suggested you look at that if all you wanted was a breakout box.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Andy Mees]

the Matrox MXO2 desperately wants to be the obvious answer but until it ships the IoHD is it

https://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mxo2/features/

[Walter Biscardi]

[Andy Mees] “the Matrox MXO2 desperately wants to be the obvious answer but until it ships the IoHD is it”

Yes, but it still does not do everything the Io HD does. Definitely a cheaper alternative, but you’ll have to compare all the features to determine which will do the job you require.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Gary Adcock]

[Andy Mees] “the Matrox MXO2 desperately wants to be the obvious answer but until it ships the IoHD is it “

then everyone is going to find out how much CPU you need to handle some of the “features” – the MXO2 uses the host CPU for the majority of its processing and conversion, while the IoHD does this all in a dedicated hardware package.

if you want realtime functionality handling that in hardware is ALWAYS better.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD

[Dag Mykland]

Thanks guys..

It seems my first thoughts were everyones thoughts..

But one question.

On the Sony deck we have HDMI out.

BUT.. As our projects most of the time is still on DV-PAL, the Sony deck can’t send any signal to the LCD screen through HDMI unless it’s a HDV og HD project.

Does this make sense, or is there a menu option I’m missing?

And will we have the problem if we do get the AJA KONA Io HD?

[Andy Mees]

Very true Walter. The MXO2, if and when it delivers on all its promised features will certainly offer a cost effective alternative for those without the budget or need for the IoHD hardware. I’ll reserve judgement on performance comparisons until it ships, but Gary’s point below is also very well made.

Its got to be good for all of us though that companies like AJA, MXO and others remain competitive in these spheres, Choice is great.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Dag Mykland] “BUT.. As our projects most of the time is still on DV-PAL, the Sony deck can’t send any signal to the LCD screen through HDMI unless it’s a HDV og HD project.”

That makes sense because I’m guessing the Sony deck does not convert SD to HD. It can downconvert, but I’m betting there’s no upconvert.

The Io HD will do that for you.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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[Mitch Ives]

[walter biscardi] “Yes, but it still does not do everything the Io HD does. Definitely a cheaper alternative, but you’ll have to compare all the features to determine which will do the job you require.”

And let’s not forget that AJA products tend to be rock solid, whereas the original MXO was a bugfest. I tested many drivers with issues. At one point it got so bad that I had to wipe the drive and start over on the MBP 17, due to the damage from repeated crashing. I found myself getting all nostalgic… reminded me of my experiences with the RTmac… 🙂

Perhaps the MXO2 will be different, though…

Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com