HDMI (from directv dvr) to final cut… recommended capture card/device? hdmi to firewire

[Shane Ross]

Nope. The only options for converting capturing HDMI that connects to your computer via firewire are:

AJA IOHD. Discontinued, but when sold, cost $3500. Might find one used…but nowhere near $100.

MOTU V4HD. Also discontinued, but ran about $2000.

Those were the ONLY IO devices for FCP that captured HD and connected via Firewire.

If you have a Thunderbolt port, you have better options.

Decklink Ultrastudio Mini Recorder:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892453-REG/Blackmagic_Design_bdlkulsdzminrec_Ultrastudio_Mini_Recorder.html

$140. But again, you need Thunderbolt.

Shane
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[Bret Williams]

Likely wouldn’t work anyway because of the copy protection built into the HDMI signal.

[Andy Levine]

wow thanks for that shane!

i just noticed that i have component out coming from the dvr does that change things at all?

my imac (MC812LL/A) has a ‘thunderbolt port’ but something tells me it is more like a mimi display port rather than a fully-functional thunderbolt port on this model. hopefully i’m wrong. might you know?

thanks again.

-andy

[Andy Levine]

i have component out will that work?

[Shane Ross]

Component out might bypass the copy protection Bret is talking about. But your port is a Mini-Display port…not Thunderbolt…so nothing will work in terms of capturing for FCP or any NLE.

But there are EYETV options for capturing as H.264. I use this for over the air broadcasts playing on my computer. Because I don’t have cable.

Shane
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[Andy Levine]

hmmm…

these are already recorded programs on the directv dvr.

so since my imac has mini display, not thunderbolt the hdmi plan is no good. but is the component to firewire an option?

thanks again.

[Shane Ross]

No, I was mistaken. Your computer does have thunderbolt.

And no, there are no Component to firewire options, other than the two discontinued items I mentioned.

Shane
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[Andy Levine]

ok so hdmi is workable to the thunderbolt but there is some kind of drm that could be a problem. i am currently able to record to my set top box dvd recorder from the hdmi so maybe the drm isn’t an issue with these recordings.

[Andy Levine]

why not usb then, this one is only $100:

Blackmagic Design Video Recorder USB Capture Device

[Shane Ross]

That device only records SD H.264s. Trust me, I have it. The HD one is $500…but still only captures as H.264

Shane
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