FCP System Questions

[Tom Meegan]

https://www.aja.com/html/products_macintosh.html

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/338796-REG/Aurora_PIPEPRO_Pipe_Pro_10_Bit_SDI.html

I have used and like AJA and Black Magic Design. You pay a bit more for AJA, but I’ve gotten that back in very good support.

I don’t know the Aurora product, but have heard good things.

Good luck.

Tom M

[Russell Lasson]

I would second the recommendation to use a AJA product for in and out.

The other consideration is storage space. Do you need to be able to do full uncompressed HD digitizing or will you be satisfied with the new ProRes codec?

-Russ

[Filthyd]

Well I’ve been looking at the AJA IO/LA, AJA IO and Blackmagic’s Multibridge because they all give me the I/O options I have now with my Avid Media Composer system, although I don’t think the AJA products I’m looking at have the HD option. The Blackmagic Multibridge connects with a PCI Express adapter while the AJA boxes connect with FW400, not sure about the FW connection. Just really confused with this part of setting the system up because I need to have these video output options available since I send video to various DVD recorders and client monitors in the building.

[Russell Lasson]

[filthyD] “Well I’ve been looking at the AJA IO/LA, AJA IO and Blackmagic’s Multibridge”

Hold on there. Don’t compare the AJA IO LA or LD to the Blackmagic Multibridge. They are really completely different products.

If you need HD, the you’ll need the AJA IO HD which will ship sometime late summer. You’re correct, the AJA IO LA or LD only do SD video.

If you want a comparison to the Multibridge, then you’ll be looking into the AJA Kona cards.

-Russ

[Filthyd]

Like I said I’m still new to all of this. Been with Avid for MANY years and never had to consider I/O products before. Do you have any thoughts/suggestions you can pass on comparing the AJA Kona card to BM’s Multibridge?

Thanks

[Russell Lasson]

If have both Blackmagic and AJA products in our facility. I’ve grown to love the tech support of AJA. For Blackmagic, it’s been almost non-existant (but I still have their cards that I got for cheep off ebay!)

You really need to determine what connections you need. Do you need to digitize component video? Do you really need HDSDI for your clients? What type of video monitor will you be using and how will it connect to the card? How will you be monitoring the audio, analog or digital?

From the sound of it, the Kona LH might be a great fit for you, but you really need to go through your whole workflow to make that decision.

Feel free to ask some more questions if you want.

-Russ

[Tom Meegan]

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/multibridge/

https://www.aja.com/html/products_macintosh_kona_3.html

I own the AJA Kona LHe and had a month of editing with the Kona 3. They have been rock solid. If you go this route spring for the K-Box so your inputs and outputs will be housed in a more robust frame. Scroll down to the bottom of the AJA page above to see what I’m talking about.

I’ve used the BMD Decklink cards on several jobs, and they also have been rock solid. I don’t have experience with the Multibridge product.

I suggest you make a detailed list of your technical needs and then do a product comparison.

If price is not an issue, go with the Kona solution

[Richard Definis]

Russel/Tom,

I had to create a new account, for some reason CC deactivated my account.

All my connections are component for now. I’ve only had clients ask about HD so I know it’s eventually coming to my door. What I like about my Avid system is the I/O options I have available. I can send out up to three composite signals (one for my NTSC monitor, one to my client monitor and one to my VHS dub rack, yes they still ask for them!). My S-video out goes to the DVD recorder and the component out goes to my UVW1800 & DSR80 through a LAIRD edit router. It seems most of the people I have talked with keep recommending AJA over BM and with that I was considering the AJA IO LA box. I’ve also been thinking of building this system with the new MacPro 8 Core machine. Have you guys heard any reports on how they are doing out there?

Rich

[Russell Lasson]

[Richard] “one to my VHS dub rack,”

Gosh, I haven’t used one of those for like 5 years!

[Richard] “I’ve also been thinking of building this system with the new MacPro 8 Core machine. Have you guys heard any reports on how they are doing out there?”

With FCS2 and the ATI X1900 XT, they rock!!!!

[Richard] “with that I was considering the AJA IO LA box”

SD only. If you need component video and HD video, get the Kona LHe or the upcoming AJA IO HD.

-Russ

[Richard Definis]

Thanks Russ and Tom for helping me narrow this down. I’m probably going to go with internal storage at first, thinking of 2-500 GB drives. Cheaper on the wallet right now than an external set-up.