BlackMagic's DeckLink HD Pro fires up Final Cut Pro HD 5

Post, August, 2005 by Tor Rolf Seemann

First, a disclaimer: I have to admit, this is going to be less of a review and more of an explanation why I have decided to standardize our post suites on Apple's Final Cut Pro 5 with BlackMagic's very affordable DeckLink HD Pro cards.

For starters, I found this to be the best solution based on its overall image quality, the fact that it's future-proofed for HD formats yet still cozy in the SD world, its stability, its ease of use and installation, and its price point is affordable for everyone--from event videographers all the way up to feature film effects work. Quite simply, this powerhouse match-up is a two-punch knock out.

THE HARDWARE

If you're looking for the highest quality video available, check out the DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4. DeckLink HD Pro has two HD-SDI inputs and outputs, so you can use it for normal 4:2:2 SDI. Then switch easily to uncompressed Dual Link 10-bit 4:4:4 RGB editing on both Mac OS X and Windows XP. That's incredible quality and great for all levels of post. DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4 can also use the two SDI outputs to allow simultaneous HD and SD playback, so you can see both standards while you edit. DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4 is fully dual rate and includes HD/SD-SDI in and out, combined with incredible 14-bit analog component YUV/NTSC/PAL-switchable video out. It also features unbalanced AES in and out, word-clock out, reference in, as well as RS-422 remote control.

DeckLink cards feature blazing speed PCI-X 133/100 for HDTV editing while retaining compatibility with older 33MHz and 66MHz PCI slots for SD. Fast PCI-X 133MHz makes it easy to handle the high data rates of uncompressed HD video. When used on Mac OS X, DeckLink includes support for DV and JPEG compressed video formats. On Windows XP, you can choose between AVI and QuickTime file formats and even play back Targa and BMP image sequences in the Adobe Premiere Pro timeline without rendering. This wide support for various file formats and operating systems for cross-platform compatibility isn't common with this type of card. DeckLink uncompressed QuickTime files can even be freely moved between Mac OS X and Windows XP systems.

DeckLink HD Pro models (Dual Link and Single Link) include high quality analog monitoring output, great when using CRT monitors. Unlike the built-in SDI inputs on CRT monitors, DeckLink HD Pro analog output switches automatically between HD or SD so you can change standards without changing cables on your system.

THE SOFTWARE

Final Cut Pro 5 delivers powerful and precise editing tools that work with virtually any format, from DV and native HDV to fully-uncompressed HD as you get with the DeckLink card above. With a realtime multi-stream effects architecture, multicam editing tools, advanced color correction and intuitive integration with other Apple professional video and audio applications, Final Cut Pro gives you more creative options and technical control than before. In fact, this is the version that completely won me over ... Intel ... or no Intel.

Unlike other solutions, Final Cut Pro 5 acquires HDV media via FireWire and keeps it in the original format, transferring it into the system without any generation loss. And you can capture and output video frames accurately using professional decks, or go tapeless with built-in Panasonic P2 media support. You can also simultaneously view and cut from multiple sources in realtime, thanks to new multicam editing for DV, SD and HD. There is also the ability to group up to 128 sources together into multi-clips, then add or subtract cameras at any time for maximum flexibility. And you can switch from shot to shot, with or without effects, and auto-assemble sequences based on time-of-day timecode. The multicam feature alone is enough justification to upgrade to V.5.

The realtime effects processing will save you a ton of time on everything from DV to fully-uncompressed HD. New Dynamic RT adjusts image quality and frame rate on the fly for optimal playback, and scales performance as CPU power increases. You define Dynamic RT preferences for total control.

And what about this long awaited feature? Capture and output up to 24 channels of high resolution 24-bit, 96kHz audio in a single pass. FCP 5 is fully compatible with these MCP (Mackie Control Protocol) devices: Mackie Control, Mackie Control XT, Logic Control and Logic Control XT. So you can use external audio control surfaces to mix and record multiple fader automations simultaneously--and enjoy two-way communication between your system and the control surface.

Finally, a system I can configure myself, rely on, trust my reputation with, and get projects in and out on time and on budget. This is an affordable solution. I even set one up at home. The only thing I found out of my "personal" budget for a home suite was a broadcast HD monitor--but I found a great work-around. I bought a 34-inch Sony 16X9 CRT HD monitor at Circuit City for $2,300--and use the analog HD component outputs from the DeckLink HD card to get a gorgeous image. And because so many ill-informed consumers are ga-ga over LCDs and other flat-chested displays, you're likely to get a hell of a good deal on a quality CRT. Come on everybody, get your HD on.