Media Express 2

[Deleted User]

Hello Margus,

No one seems to be talking about it, I think it does not work with Windows 7, that’s why it’s always being delayed. Perhaps, it will get released on October the 22nd Windows 7 launch date or shortly after?

Also the details on what Media Express 2.0 will do is very vague to say the least on the Blackmagic website, what actual advantages will it give us high end users?

I can’t seem to get the Blackmagic Eclipse working under CS4 even with the update, so I have just gone back to the CS3.

Thanks,

Leo

[Margus Voll]

I just got mail second before your replay 🙂

DeckLink 7.3 with Media Express 2

We have just posted a new DeckLink 7.3 update with Media Express 2.0 included. This is a very big update because it includes a lot of new features, and Media Express 2.0 is a very large update which is a complete rewrite of the software.

The new Media Express 2.0 public beta included in the Mac OS X and Windows DeckLink installers as well as Linux. Currently the Linux installer is in the DeckLink SDK download, but we will change that in the next weeks to make it easer to download.

Media Express 2.0 has the same user interface on all platforms, so its easy to move between systems. With Media Express on Linux, we have a very nice total solution for high quality capture and playback on the platform, so people doing 3D and other Linux based work should really like this update.

Media Express 2.0 has also been included in the Multibridge and Intensity installers as well so if you have one of these models, please download it! It needs a 24 inch monitor to use it correctly.

Also included in DeckLink 7.3 is support for 1080p50/60 video modes in DeckLink HD Extreme 3 that works in both dual link and single link 3 Gb/s SDI formats. Also included is additional support for Final Cut Pro 7, including easy setups for ProRes 4444 and RED workflow. DeckLink 7.3 for Windows also includes improved Fusion support and support for Fusion x64.

The software and a new manual are available to download now at https://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/software/

—

Margus

https://iconstudios.eu

[Deleted User]

Hello Margus,

I’ll give this a go now for the Eclipse. I’ll let you know how I get on. I’m suprised that the 23.976/24p, 25/50 1280×720 down-conversion and capture are not available.

Thanks,

Leo

[Evangelos Achillopoulos]

I just tried it…

It looks like silk… The test’s I run were on a MacPro.

I have to state two problems…

1. I couldn’t use it at 1280 x 800 resolution… It locks at 1920 x 1200… thats a big problem when you don’t have big displays handy especially on set…

They could add some scroll bars on the clips side and resize the viewing window. The 1280 x 800 resolution should be the minimum…

2. I couldn’t select which Prores codec I want it says just “Apple prores” also I would like to be able to select other codec’s found in the machine like sheer video or cineform… and we need to be able to access the options of the codec’s also.

That’s my first impressions that depressed me immediately…

Evangelos Achillopoulos
Elec. Engineer
DIT, DI/VFX supervisor

[Margus Voll]

Hi.

Not so silky to me. FCP did not feel well with it (i mean with whole 7.3).
Probably as i have not updated to SL and fcs 7.
Have to test it a bit.

—

Margus

https://iconstudios.eu

[Deleted User]

Hello,

I tried to load a Microsoft DV AVI 720×576 25fps PAL into Media Express 2.0 it says not supported?

Maybe that’s why the Media Express 1.0 legacy one is installed as well?

Thanks,

Leo

[Matt Dowling]

Hi Leo,

We will be doing several small updates to Media Express 2 over the next week or so and part of that may include supporting formats such as Microsoft DV.

We included Media Express 1 in the installers as Media Express 2 is still a beta release and we did not want to leave anyone high and dry if something was to go a skew with the beta builds.

So expect to see several small updates over the next week or so.

Regards,

Matt
Blackmagic Design

[Matt Dowling]

Hi Evangelos,

The first release version of Media Express 2 will be locked to 1920×1200. I agree that it needs to support other resolutions, and we are looking at doing that soon but for now we just wanted to get the beta release out to our users and get some real world feedback before we cut a GM.

We appreciate the feedback

Regards,

Matt
Blackmagic Design

[Deleted User]

Hello Matt,

Thanks for the post, so it will support all Blackmagic formats Media Express 2.0, so if I converted the DV file into a SD Blakcmagic 8 bit 422 then It should play okay I presume as it’s only going to play Blackmagic formats/codecs.

Also any news on the capture and HD/SD down-convert of footage 1280×720 23.976/24p and 50.25p via the Blackmagic cards to a Broadcast monitor Analogue – Component, SDI?

Thanks,

Leo

[Evangelos Achillopoulos]

Matt, thanks for the response.

I just wanted to state that a more open selection on the capture preferences will be essential…

1. Select input 720,1080,2k,RGB dual link, single, 3Gps etc.
2. Select codec with options.
3. Select downconversion options if applicable

Plus I have tested the RGB capture with my Viper to DPX.

1. The DPX’s didn’t had a name in this form [name of take].000000.dpx I had to use automator to rename them
2. The 4 digits are not enough a 7 or 8 digits would be ok, again I used automator to renumber them.
3. The regular numbering of DPX’s should be the VITC timecode converted to absolute frame number in 8 digits form. This is the norm on scanned DPX’s. Or if there is no TC from VITC is good to have an option like the TC_Regen/RecRun on videos
4. The DPX that i did capture didn’t open in Color, I will check with other software if they open.

I want to state also that this software is longly waited from DIT’s around the world, so a VITC time code stamp will be very useful for many applications, also a programmable keyboard shortcuts will be perfect for on set use.

I hope I give some feedback that will be added to the first release…

Evangelos Achillopoulos
Elec. Engineer
DIT, DI/VFX supervisor