Multibridge Pro HDMI and SD

[Luke Maslen]

Hi Francis,

Multibridge Pro definitely supports SD output via HDMI. Do you have some other source of standard definition HDMI output you could test with your plasma screen, eg the HDMI output of a DVD player? This will help to establish whether the plasma TV is accepting any SD HDMI signal at all or whether we need to investigate your Multibridge Pro unit further.

Can you please try both NTSC and PAL video output from your Axio system and see if that makes a difference as to whether the plasma screen can display the video via Multibridge Pro?

Finally, does your plasma screen accept any of the analog outputs of Multibridge Pro when working in SD?

These tests will help to narrow down the problem.

Regards,

Luke Maslen
Blackmagic Design

[Francis]

I do not have any other source of HDMI output – the Multibridge and the plasma are my very first HDMI capable devices.

The plasma is definitely displaying SD through its Component, Y/C and Composite inputs. It is also displaying HD fine through its Component input. Presently I am using HDMI for HD and Component for SD until I track down what is wrong.

Tomorrow I will substitute the SDI out of a Digibeta deck to the SDI in of the Multibridge to see if that affects anything. I will also try Analog SD–>Multibridge SDI Out–>Multibridge SDI In–>HDMI. I will also try PAL SDI from the Axio to see if it does anything.

BTW, for your support database. You should have an option somewhere to install the Multibridge USB Driver and Multibridge Utility alone, if it is being used as a standalone converter. I discovered that installation of the complete Multibridge software including the BMD codecs prevents Axio from playing back its native AVI files properly. I now have everything working properly now after some trial and error.

Francis

[Luke Maslen]

Hi Francis,

Thank you for your suggestion which I will definitely pass on although it is strange that the driver installation would cause any interference without the Multibridge hardware installed in your PC. We’ll look in to that.

Please let me know when you get a chance to run your tests. While they might reveal something, the best test would be an independant source of standard defintion HDMI output to feed in to your plasma screen. That could be from a DVD player or a Sony HDR-HC3 camera or similar. Perhaps you have a colleague or friend who could lend you one for a brief test?

Regards,

Luke Maslen
Blackmagic Design

[Francis]

Luke

I did various tests today, switching the Axio to PAL, trying the Analog–>SDI Out–>SDI In–>HDMI, etc.

Finally I dug up on the internet and found out that the Panasonic TY-FB7HM HDMI input card for my Panasonic TH42PHD8UK plasma apparently does not support 480i (aka 525i) signals, only 480p progressive as the minimum. Incidentally, other users are implying that quite a few different plasmas do not accept 480i signals over HDMI.

I assume that the Multibridge Pro faithfully outputs 480i on its HDMI output, converting the equivalent signal it is receiving over SDI.

So I think that solves it then, I will have to use the Component out when I am in SD and HDMI out if I want that sharper picture in HD. Needless to say I’m a bit disappointed, but it is what it is.

Another one to add to your support database!

Francis

[Paul King]

Hi Francis

I have the same setup as you and I have found the same problem. However it looks like it’s on the Multibridge side because my Loewe LCD is reporting that the Multibridge is sending out 1440 x 576 when PAL in input into it.

I also found that there is no S-video IO from the stand alone converter as advertised on the website which I am a bit pissed about. It’s very wrong to abvertise a feature and then not deliver it.

I am going to test it in Decklink mode and see if it’s still bidirectional.

[Francis]

Paul

I was under the impression that I could use a dual BNC to S-Video adapter cable to input/output Y/C video. Is this not the case?????????

Francis

[Paul King]

Hi Francis

Apparently not when it converter mode.

I am just firing mine up in capture mode (PCIe connection) because I have been advised that it will work this way. I am hoping it will still behaive as a bidirectional converter this way.

Will let you know.

Thanks

Paul