[David Mack]

It doesn’t work with Audition?!?!! My current system (Blackmagic), that I’m moving away from (to Xena) does that – that would be a real shame! Is this really true?!?

With CS3 coming out and Soundbooth being part of production bundle – I wonder whether this will be ‘fixed’- at least for soundbooth in CS3?

[David Mack]

No, no, no. It’s not that. I can spot interlaced footage! I do animation and always render progressive. So the images are progressive, however you CAN see the feathered edges – this can only mean that the odd and even lines of the image are being drawn separately doesn’t it? On the blackmagic settings, the screen refresh is described as 25Hz Interlaced. That’s where I see the issue arrising. If that could be 50Hz Progressive (but showing 25Fps) then I think it would give rock solid playback.

[David Mack]

Hmmmm. OK, maybe it’s not interlacing in the true sense (LCD’s just can’t as there’s no bleed I’m guessing) but it doesn’t seem to draw it from top to bottom line by line in the true progressive way either. It does seem to draw every other line and then do a second scan to fill in the others. You can see this on horizontal movement – you see a feathering where every odd line is ahead of every even line (or visa versa).

[David Mack]

Thanks Tim,

Regards LCD’s being progressive – yes, that’s why I was somewhat surprised to find that the Black Magic system drove it in interlaced. In Europe, being 25P Fps, the best solution would be to deliver 25 Frames per second but refresh the screen twice per image, to give you a rock solid 50Hz refresh. I’m going to be trying it out when my reseller has it sorted.

Thanks again.

[David Mack]

Thanks Tim,

Can I just ask two quick questions…

1. When you use a 1080P signal via the HDP converter, does it map pixel for pixel (ie you have a black band at the top and bottom of your 24″ ) of does it stretch the image across the full (1200) vertical resolution?

2. What refresh rate do you get on the LCD monitor? Can you get it to display at 50Hz progressive or does it interlace or…..? Not talking 50Fps of footage, just the refresh rate of the lcd via the hdp.

Thanks

David

[David Mack]

If that is the case – and interestingly Black Magic have not once answered my question directly, then I think the website is about as misleading as you can possibly get – I’m not going to accept that!

Time to speak with my reseller!

Thanks.

[David Mack]

I think I’m going to give this a go, using either the HDP or BM’s HD-Link. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Thanks

[David Mack]

Thanks Xena support,

Apologies, I didn’t realise that bmps and tga’s could vary?!?! I’ve tried my blackmagic from After Effects and my 3D app (Lightwave) and both failed in both bmp and tga format. Lets see what the Xena can do – it sounds like a plan! I’ll talk with my supplier and see if I can arrange a Xena and an HDP on a sale or return basis and see if it all works for me. If the HDP doesn’t map pixel for pixel, then I could try the blackmagic hd-link – I know that does map pixel for pixel. If I can play SD and HD bmp and or tga sequences off the timeline without rendering and it displays pixel for pixel on my lcd without stretching, then you have a sale. I shall report back in due course!

Just one last question, with the hdp (HDSDI to DVI) converter, what signal does it give the LCD monitor? Does it refresh at 50Hz for 1080P or less, does it do it progressively or interlaced?

Thanks again.

[David Mack]

Hi Jeff,

I’m curious – have you also had no luck on the Blackmagic card using image sequences?

[David Mack]

Has anyone tried HD image sequences straight off the Premiere Pro timeline using the eclipse rather than MBE?