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  • Multibridge Pro product questions

    Posted by Francis on May 31, 2006 at 2:23 pm

    Hi

    I have some pre purchase questions about the new Multibridge Pro. I plan to use Multibridge as a stand-alone converter.

    1) The product specs say that Multibridge Pro is switchable to S-Video but I do not see the physical connections. Does this piggyback on two BNC’s to provide Y/C? If it does, are the BNC to S-Video adapters included with the package?

    2) Does the Multibridge Pro have custom LUTs? What outputs would the LUT be active? Only HDMI?

    3) Why HDMI and not DVI-D?

    4) If I have an LCD or plasma HDTV connected to the HDMI output of Multibridge, will it display a signal when the Multibridge is in SD mode or will it only be active in HD mode?

    5) What is “switched down-conversion” versus “simultaneous HD and SD output” (on the more expensive Multibridge products)?

    6) Can Multibridge downconvert 720p material internally or only 1080i material?

    Francis

    Francis replied 19 years, 11 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Bob Zelin

    May 31, 2006 at 10:32 pm

    you write –
    3) Why HDMI and not DVI-D?

    REPLY
    Because people that want to spend LESS MONEY for the Multibridge Pro probably want to spend less money on their display monitor – so they will go to a consumer store to buy a consumer HD TV, which will have HDMI. Professionals will buy the Multibridge Extreme, which has DVI-D that can drive a PROFESSIONAL monitor, including the 30″ Apple Cinema display. The Multibridge Pro is for people on a budget – but it’s a very nice unit, especially if you only need to do 4:2:2 HD. If you can afford a Sony SR series HD VTR, then you can afford the Multibridge Extreme. //

    4) If I have an LCD or plasma HDTV connected to the HDMI output of Multibridge, will it display a signal when the Multibridge is in SD mode or will it only be active in HD mode?

    REPLY – yes, the HDMI display will show any signal coming thru the Multibridge – SD or HD.

    Bob Zelin

    ps – what is a LUT ? (you obviously are not referring to LUTs as refered to in disk drives).

  • Kristian Lam

    June 1, 2006 at 7:02 am

    [Francis] “1) The product specs say that Multibridge Pro is switchable to S-Video but I do not see the physical connections. Does this piggyback on two BNC’s to provide Y/C? If it does, are the BNC to S-Video adapters included with the package?”

    Yes, we use the Y and B-Y BNC connectors to provide Y/C. We don’t provide the cables, but you can easily get from other suppliers. See this note:

    https://blackmagic-design.com/support/detail.asp?techID=157

    [Francis] “q2) Does the Multibridge Pro have custom LUTs? What outputs would the LUT be active? Only HDMI?”

    The Look Up Tables on Multibridges only affect the DVI-D output. HDMI output on the Multibridge Pro will not have LUTs.

    [Francis] “3) Why HDMI and not DVI-D?”

    More devices and demand for HDMI.

    [Francis] “q4) If I have an LCD or plasma HDTV connected to the HDMI output of Multibridge, will it display a signal when the Multibridge is in SD mode or will it only be active in HD mode?”

    Both SD and HD.

    [Francis] “5) What is “switched down-conversion” versus “simultaneous HD and SD output” (on the more expensive Multibridge products)? “

    It’s software vs hardware downconversion. With software down conversion, you can only have SD or HD output, not both. With Multibridge Extreme, hardware down conversion allows simultaneous SD and HD output.

    [Francis] “6) Can Multibridge downconvert 720p material internally or only 1080i material?”

    720p59.94 -> NTSC
    1080i59.94 -> NTSC
    1080p23.98 -> NTSC
    1080i50 -> PAL

    regards

    Kristian Lam
    Blackmagic Design

  • Francis

    June 2, 2006 at 4:32 am

    [Kristian Lam] “It’s software vs hardware downconversion. With software down conversion, you can only have SD or HD output, not both. With Multibridge Extreme, hardware down conversion allows simultaneous SD and HD output.”

    OK, so if I am using the Multibridge PRO as a *standalone* converter, I do not get HD downconversion because it does not have a hardware converter?

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