OpenGear Software 1.8.2 — what does it actually do?

[Justin Strauber]

Well, firstly, the OpenGear Converter software applies to all of the converters. When they update the code for one, it automagically updates the download for all of them. Did they do something for the UpDownCross? No, probably not.

The readme states “General performance and stability improvements”, which is vague at best. Improvement to the converter software or for one of the converters?

Now, exactly what problem are you referring to with the metadata?

[Jeff Hartman]

The specific issue is that the UDC fails to pass closed captions under certain combinations of input and output formats. The particular combinations that are most critical for my shop are between 720p and 480i; the card generally works between 1080i and 480i, but since we are mostly 720p that’s a big problem.

I worked out all of the combinations quite some time ago, and can dig them back up if necessary.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Jeff Hartman]

Okay, just went back to my paperwork from mid-December when I tested the cards and originally reported the problem. Here are the specifics:

1080i in, NTSC out: captions OK
1080i in, 720p out: captions OK
1080i in, 1080i out: captions OK
720p in, NTSC out: no captions
720p in, 1080i out: no captions
720p in, 720p out: captions OK
NTSC in, NTSC out: captions OK
NTSC in, 720p out: no captions
NTSC in, 1080i out: no captions

Since we don’t have a way to generate or check for PAL captions, I didn’t test combinations involving that format.

Also, this is not a fluke with one card: we see the same results from four different cards.

— Jeff

[Joshua Helling]

This update, in some case the lock timing could be slower. So this has improved that situation for the UDC (it’s shorter than it was, but different formats will be different).

It did NOT address the CC translation lines for the UpDownCross, though it is still in the Bug Database to be addressed.

Sincerely,

Joshua
Director of Support
Blackmagic Design Inc.

[Jeff Hartman]

[Joshua Helling] “This update, in some case the lock timing could be slower. So this has improved that situation for the UDC (it’s shorter than it was, but different formats will be different).

It did NOT address the CC translation lines for the UpDownCross, though it is still in the Bug Database to be addressed.”

I’m confused… how does this update apply to the UDC if the software doesn’t even see the card?

— Jeff

[Joshua Helling]

The software does not need to see the card (as in the utility). In the case of the UDC the only interaction for the software is the firmware update. This will happen when you plug in the device and start the utility. After the update there will be no further interaction from the GUI.

I hope that helps to clarify.

Sincerely,

Joshua
Director of Support
Blackmagic Design Inc.

[Jeff Hartman]

[Joshua Helling] “The software does not need to see the card (as in the utility). In the case of the UDC the only interaction for the software is the firmware update. This will happen when you plug in the device and start the utility. After the update there will be no further interaction from the GUI.”

So the fact that I can plug the card in and start the utility but nothing seems to happen — everything is greyed out and the top bar says “Blackmagic Converter Utility: No converter connected” — is normal, and means that there’s no firmware update pending for this particular card?

— Jeff