Black Magic Offers SD/HD Capture Card

by Dan Havlik
Published on Feb 17, 2006 8:00 AM



February 17, 2006 – Yesterday, BlackMagic Design announced the release of the DeckLink HD Pro PCIe capture card. This dual link HDTV 4:4:4 12 bit SDI card promises to be a low cost device that can stand up to the quality demands of the film industry, visual effects designers, and higher-end television broadcast video.

The DeckLink HD Pro PCIe features twin SDI inputs and outputs for 4:4:4 high definition connections and can switch instantly to standard definition formats. This versatility allows for a variety of formats without the need to constantly switch and reconnect cables each time a different format is being used. The DeckLink HD Pro PCIe also includes 4:2:2 HD-SDI and 14 bit analog video monitoring output that can flip between HD and SD.

In addition to these video features, the DeckLink also has SPDIF/unbalanced AES audio input and output, word-clock out, Tri Sync/Black Burst reference input and a built-in remote control port for broadcast deck control. In short, this may be the card to replace the stacks of capture and conversion devices on the editor’s shelf.

The DeckLink HD card is dual-platform, as well. It is compatible with the new Apple PowerMac G5, which features PCI Express slots and supports both Apple Final Cut Pro HD and Premiere Pro 2.0. In addition to Mac, the DeckLink HD also supports Windows XP, thus making it the only capture card currently available to support both systems with the same capture card.

The DeckLink HD Pro PCIe capture card is now available for purchase with an MSRP of $1195 from BlackMagic Design resellers. More information regarding this product can be found at their website.