Will Salley
Forum Replies Created
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“Is this normal”
Yes – Most all professional video gear is designed to be in operation continuously. The problem with the Multibridge Pro is that it’s fan isn’t quite up to “pro” quality. Mine started squealing about three months after it was put into use. I was able to prolong the life of the fan by lubricating the shaft with delayed-viscosity penetrating grease. It lasted a few more months but I’ve mothballed the Multibridge because of the Open GL/nvidia/Blackmagic issues.
I’m hoping that the Snow Leopard release will fix the problems with Open GL (renamed Open CL) and sacrificing Extended Desktop is the result. If the Open GL problem has not been resolved AND the Extended Desktop has been removed, well then that’s just another thing to add to the list.
It’s amazing how quiet the Mac Pro is without the Multibridge running!
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.8 – QT 7.6.2 – 20 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (Not Functioning)- Open GL 1.5.10 – Wacom Intous2 tablet – AJA io -
I’m assuming – and hoping – this is a result of fixing the ongoing nvidia/Open GL/Quicktime issue where the second monitor (not the NTSC or playback monitor) becomes corrupted. I’ve been unable to use my Multibridge Pro for what is going on two years because of this issue. I’ll be more than happy to give up the extended desktop for a functioning capture device.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (Junk)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
[John Terrone] ” I’m working with alot of lights and cameras for this project and it’s taking very long to render. If the RAM isn’t the solution, is there another way to get this machine faster. Here are my current AE settings: “
You have an almost identical setup as my main system (2.8 Quad core with 20GB RAM) and mine renders blazingly fast (as compared to the past systems I’ve used). I think it may be your use of multiple cameras and lights. Since I don’t use AE for 3D, I’m not sure, but the apps that I do happen to use for 3D (Cinema4D, Maya, and Motion) will all slow down considerably as more lights and cameras are added.
By the way, Your memory settings are spot-on for the best performance in AE unless you do a lot of RAM previews.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
Thanks for replies everyone.. very helpful. It looks like there haven’t been many new product introductions since this time last year when I was shopping for i/o cards.
One more question. Do the AJA breakout boxes use a cooling fan?
[Chris Borjis] “It’s completely un-useable and I can’t believe they market it as high quality…it’s not at all”
I completely agree with Chris. The Multibridge Pro is full of problems, the worst of which is image quality. Mine has also had two other major issues:
– the fan is loud and cheap. It required replacement after 4 months use. I didn’t get a reply from BMD until after I had no choice but to replace it.
– A known issue is that the BMD drivers corrupts the Quartz Extreme on a second monitor. This happens at all times – no matter whether FCP is running. This alone renders this $1600 piece of gear useless. BMD has had almost a year to fix this, meanwhile I’m stuck using a SD card on a five year old G5 for tape output.I’ve had three Decklink cards over the years (I am still using the Extreme SD), I am deeply disappointed in Blackmagic Design.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
To add to Jamie’s suggestion – Create a folder on your media drive(s) for each day of shooting and for each camera (if there are multiple cams). From the SXS card, drop and drag the folder named “BPAV” to the corresponding folder for that day. Do not rename the “BPAV” folder or change any of it’s enclosed folders. This will keep the file/directory structure intact for future importing, and allow you to free up the card- but only after you have made a back up to another drive! Having 18 hours of footage will be much easier to manage when you have it divided into each days footage.
After your import, you can delete the original media if you need more space, but always keep a backup.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
I’d go with the AJA. The Multibridge has some basic design and functionality flaws that I’ve not experienced with the AJA products or older Blackmagic products. Mine is collectling dust after only 5 months.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
Thanks Rob, I re-installed the 6.7 version software but I still have the problem. I’ll try the PRAM reset next. The system info has never recognized the Quartz Extreme capabilities of the second monitor so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it since the problem has disappeared and reappeared with certain updates.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
It sounds like crosstalk from nearby radio frequencies (police radio, TV station, etc.) and that would definitely qualify as “interference”. It may very well be from some type of lighting – ballasts perhaps.
It is not uncommon to encounter, especially in larger cities, with so much RF flying around.
A way to check this would be when you hear the interference on headsets, change the transmitter/receiver frequency to something different. If the interference follows, it is more than likely a nearby source such as the light ballast or power transformer. If the interference is gone, it was most likely, another radio source.
Be sure to check your cables! Mic to transmitter, receiver to mixer, mixer to camera, for any shielding problems and faulty connections.
So far as a fix, you can try software pop/static filters but it’s a random noise, which is the hardest for the software to fix. Soundtrack Pro has a good one.
Let us know what you find out.
Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.6 – QT 7.5.5 – 14 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.9 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
I have the SD 302 and the Sony EX-3 (EX-1 on steroids) and the recorded tracks are very clean in comparison to the Panasonic, JVC, and HDV-based Sony prosumer cameras. The preamp is also much less noisy than the full-size Sony’s and Panny’s. It’s a primary reason I own these particular pieces.
Check your 302 for the correct output level – if you see a orange-lit LED on the right side, you have an attenuated output.
Primary System Info
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.4 – QT 7.5 – 6MBram – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.6 – Wacom Intous2 tablet -
PT will need to have DigiTranslator installed to read the exported OMF.
Primary System Info
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.5.4 – QT 7.5 – 6MBram – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (v6.7)- Open GL 1.5.6 – Wacom Intous2 tablet