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Activity Forums Blackmagic Design Multiple Hyperdecks for HD Playback

  • Multiple Hyperdecks for HD Playback

    Posted by Jeff Stroming on June 6, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Hey everyone,

    We are looking to play back 2 hyperdecks simultaneously using an external JL Cooper ES-450SP-422 controller. We would have one main hyperdeck and the other a backup, so the RS-422 signal would need to be split. When we hit play on the controller, we would like both decks to play (relatively) simultaneously. We don’t HAVE to have them timecode sync’d but this would be a big plus. We also would need to be able to dial in a timecode, and have both decks go to that timecode (I know this is possible with the JL cooper unit I mentioned).

    Our main concern is using an RS-422 distribution amplifier, and how bi-directional signal would be affected in that setup.

    So my major questions are:
    1> Is this possible, and
    2> What RS-422 distribution amplifier should I purchase if it is.

    Thanks for your help.

    Tom Bassford replied 13 years, 11 months ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Tom Bassford

    June 6, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    rs422 is a bit broken at the moment, I’ve been hoping / trying to use an Ashvale SM2 slomo controller with the HyperDeck but have had issues with the timecode being incorrect.

    I’m hoping they may fix this in some future firmware upgrade? Or just support deck control from the ATEM switchers?? Either would be OK with me, the current firmware is basically unusable for playback currently.

    https://ATEMuser.com

  • Jeff Stroming

    June 7, 2012 at 1:10 am

    Should this theoretically be possible? I have read that this controller DOES indeed work with the Hyperdeck, my bigger concern is will there be an issue splitting the RS-422 signal to 2 decks?

  • Shaun Roemich

    June 8, 2012 at 12:33 am

    RS-422 communication is bi-directional so I would be TERRIBLY surprised if simply D/A ing the signal would work. It isn’t a simple GPI trigger.

    Big Dog – Technical Director – Switcher
    Road Dog Media – Vancouver, BC Canada
    roaddogmedia@gmail.com

  • Tom Bassford

    June 8, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Where did you read that the JLCooper remote works with the hyperdeck?

    If you want to control multiple decks you need a multiple deck controller such as the https://www.jlcooper.com/_php/product.php?prod=es450sp2

    I would be hesitant to spend money on this without checking it works properly first. The original firmware for the hyperdecks provided some limited RS422 controls, this was broken by the DNxHD update, the ProRes update partially fixed some of the issues but it is still not working 100% properly.

    Maybe when the Hyperdeck Pro comes out there will be another update with proper RS422 support?

    https://ATEMuser.com

  • Jeff Stroming

    June 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    https://www.jlcooper.com/_brochures/__New_for_NAB_2012/New_for_NAB_2012.pdf

    See the bottom header “Other New Software & Compatibility Updates”, 4th line down. That doesn’t mean it works with the current firmware, but that it was supported at some point.

  • Tom Bassford

    June 8, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Or that they read RS422 on the Hyperdeck spec and listed it as a controllable device!

    Who knows? It *might* work, but I wouldn’t spend out without testing it first. If they tested it pre NAB then it was probably tested on the original firmware – IIRC this supported the basic play / stop / jog / shuttle commands but not jump to timecode.

    What are you actually wanting to use it for? You can find RS422 deck controllers on ebay for peanuts – the protocol has been the same since Beta SP (or before even?) so any old controller *should* work if / when BMD sort out the issues with the protocol support on the Hyperdeck.

    https://ATEMuser.com

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