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Real-time performance of Decklink Extreme HD
I don’t mean to ask a loaded question as I know there are a lot of variables in the equation. Assuming I’m on a PC using parts on the recommended list on BM’s site and drives that are fast enough to handle HD uncompressed, is there any way to give me an idea on how much I can get real-time? I work on a long form show and there are a few specific needs I’ll likely have. Some of these questions may be better answered in a premiere forum but I’ll give them a shot here first. 🙂
Assuming I work with 8-bit SD footage, can I expect to do 4 layers of video in real-time if I needed? I know BM’s website mentions keying in real-time for live mixers and whatnot, can I expect to be able to play back footage with alpha in real-time or is it just compressed playback so I can see the timing on the computer screen? Can you keep a software waveform/vectorscope open the entire time to help keep an eye on the levels (I know software scopes aren’t as accurate as real ones)? If you apply primary color correction (not secondary CC like using masks) can I expect that to be a guaranteed render? Do they generally playback great or are there random hiccups due to software quirks in premiere or BM driver oddities (I know hiccups can occur if the computer has background processes running that may steal resources).
I’ve read the fluff and tech docs on BM’s website and did some searches through the forum here but I haven’t researched black magic long so it’s possible all of these questions are clearly answered somewhere already and I just haven’t stumbled upon them. I guess what I’d like to know is if the decklink extreme is simply a glorified capture card or if it allows any sort of real-time boost in performance by having the card installed? I come from a background where capture cards have chips and parts built on to take the burden of playback and capture off the CPUs and onto the capture hardware itself. I’m trying to figure out if the decklink card just uses the speed of the drives exclusively or if it fakes playback somehow to get real-time or if it indeed offers true real-time playback of video?
Right now I’m interested in the HD for future projects and side projects involving HD sources but most of my current work is still 8-bit SD sources (I work with DVCPro SDI and BetaCamSP).
Sorry for the long-winded post. I’m looking into a system for myself where I can edit shows on the side and am prepared to buy decent equipment to run the decklink product.
– John David Hutton
mYth productions -
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