-
FCP which card is right?
I’m setting up a new FINAL CUT PRO system. My primary method of acquisition will be in HDV and DV. I will be using either the Sony Z1 or if the JVC GY-HD100u proves a workhorse of a camera, then I’ll probably go with that one because of the interchangable lens system. I’ll have a pretty flexible monitor system with inputs for SDI, composite and component monitoring. I will have a deck for playback and record. Yes, I know I can capture using the Firewire 800 ports on my system.
Additionally I’ll probably have to capture and record to/from composite sources like DVD player/recorder, VHS tape, etc. Also I might have to record to component sources like Betacam SP from time to time.
My question is what is the best and most cost effective video card to purchase for my system? Also if one card won’t do it, perhaps I would be better off purchasing two cards to perform these various functions.
Call, write or send flowers…
770-598-6509
-
2 Replies
-
Hi Richard,
Given you want to input and output in SD and HD, and work with SDI, component and composite, I would recommend any of the DeckLink HD series cards partnered with a Multibridge. The US$1995 Multibridge has all the i/o you will need for component HD, component SD, composite SD, SD-SDI and HD-SDI.
The DeckLink HD series card will simply act as the conduit between your computer and the Multibridge. Multibridge will do the work of converting between analog and digital and digital to analog.
You can really use any DeckLink HD series card including the entry model $595 DeckLink HD. It has SDI in and out and a spare SDI monitoring port. If you need genlock or Trisync, then the $995 DeckLink HD Plus includes that in addition to SDI in and out. The $1495 DeckLink HD Pro 4:2:2 adds component and composite analog monitoring and finally the $1995 DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4 adds dual-link RGB 4:4:4 support as well as split hardware down conversion.
So there are a range of cards and you can just buy the one that suits your purposes without buying features you don’t need. All of them partner with the Multibridge for 4:2:2 video and the DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4 can also work with the Multibridge in 4:4:4.
Our next generation of Multibridge products is due within a few weeks and will not require a DeckLink card as it will just plug straight in to the PCI Express slot in your computer. This is nice as it keeps the cost down and allows us to do even more with the Multibridge as you don’t need to use any SDI connections to connect to a DeckLink card in your computer.
Regards,
Luke Maslen
Blackmagic Design -
Dear Luke:
Thanks for the info. Are you guys any closer to releasing the Multibridge Extreme. It looks like that card will do everything I need and fly my baby to the moon. You’re probably coming back from Amsterdam or somewhere so I’ll not expect an immediate reply but please catch me when you can and let me know where things stand. Have a great day!
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up