Blackmagic Multibridge Extreme Firmware Update

Intensity and Multibridge installers have also been updated to include the new Media Express 2.0.For customers using advanced 1080 progressive HD video standards, DeckLink 7.3 updates the software in the DeckLink HD Extreme 3 model with full support for 1080p50, 1080p59.94 and 1080p60. This works in both Dual Link 1.5 Gb/s HD-SDI as well as single link 3 Gb/s SDI. For monitoring, HDLink Pro models have also been updated to support the new progressive video formats, and this software update is available now.DeckLink 7.3 for Mac OS X also supports more new features recently introduced in Final Cut Pro 7. These include support and easy setups for ProRes 4:4:4:4 and RED workflow.

• Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve

DeckLink 7.3 for Windows includes support for Fusion x64 as well as performance improvements.

By Ned Soltzhas always enjoyed a reputation of combining high quality and attractive price points — dare I say even inexpensive pricing — with innovative product offerings. The Blackmagic is no exception to this principle. I must say categorically that there is no other product in its price range that delivers what Multibridge Pro does.Multibridge Pro is an external rack-mountable I/O device as well as a stand-alone format converter. As a capture device, it interfaces to a PCIe PC or Mac via a supplied PCIe card. When disconnected from the computer, it functions as a stand-alone converter configurable through supplied utility software and controlled via USB-2 interface. Power source is 110V-240V 50-60hz auto-sensing AC only.It boasts a full range of input/output connections.

Most notably, it supports 3Gb/s SDI for HD 4:4:4 or 2K as well as supporting dual link HD-SDI 4:4:4 owing to its dual SDI connections. These formats are available both as input and output. SDI I/O is switchable between SD-SDI or HD-SDI. While it should go without saying, nonetheless I note that it supports SDI embedded audio in both SD and HD modes. But note that it will support up to 16 channels of audio in HD and eight channels in SD.Additionally, its analog I/Os include component YUV, and S-video switchable between SD and HD.

Full support is provided for both the NTSC and PAL worlds.Most notably, Blackmagic Design has included both HDMI in and out, with embedded audio, of course. This is a highly significant feature considering the proliferation of HDMI cameras/decks as well as providing the ability to monitor to HDMI TV’s for display purposes. That feature is really handy for client preview of edited material.On the audio side, Multibridge Pro has two balanced XLR analog inputs, two balanced XLR plus two RCA analog outputs, four DB25 connectors for AES/EBU audio (eight channels supported). The four DB25 AES/EBU connectors are duplicated for both inputs and outputs.For those who require more audio I/Os, Blackmagic also offers the Multibridge Eclipse, for $2,395, which includes four analog balanced XLR input/outputs, and six XLR AES/EBU input/outputs to support 12 channels.

It retains the two RCA analog audio outputs of the Multibridge Pro. Other than the larger enclosure side owing to the additional I/Oss, all other features are identical to the Multbridge Pro.As any capture card naturally would include, Multibridge Pro has Sony-compatible RS-422.The 4-lane PCIe adapter card fits into any empty 4x or greater slot on a PC or Mac. One important fact to note is that the Multibridge Pro should be powered on before booting the computer. Conversely, the computer will crash (BSOD on Windows or Kernel Panic on Mac) if the Multibridge is powered down before the computer.Mac system requirements are OS X 10.4.7 (or greater) or OS X 10.5. Support is provided for the most current version 10.5.6 as of this writing. PC system requirements are WindowsXP or Vista. Since Apple does not have a 64-bit QuickTime at this time, PC users who wish to work in QT formats should remain at 32-bit versions of Windows.Blackmagic Design includes driver software for both PC and Mac and they update their software frequently to remain current with OS and other updates.

In fact, in the five months that I’ve been using Multibridge Pro, there have been at least three software updates. Updating is as easy as downloading from the Blackmagic site and running the installer program.Whether via a new installation or upgrade, the software installs the Multibridge Driver, Blackmagic’s Decklink Software, Blackmagic presets as well as several other useful utilities.The heart of the system is the Decklink software which is located in the Mac or Windows Control Panel. It is through this application that connections are specified, up/down convert, output behaviors, etc are specified. Another option category includes the ability to import or create 1D or 3D LUTs for 2K work.Blackmagic Deck Control allows capture from any compatible RS-422-controlled deck either by “capture now” or by logging in/out points. This is a very useful feature for FCP users who wish to work with VITC time code, which is not supported by FCP. The Decklink software mentioned above allows for utilizing up to three lines of VANC for such data as VITC and then for reinserting those lines into the blanking area during playback.FrameLink software allows for full interchange of DPX files.Working with grabbing stills in Photoshop is a snap (or rather, a click) using supplied Acquire and Export plug-ins.

Note here that in working in RGB space, gain is set at unity so there is no way you would exceed 100% RGB clip telecine levels.Finally, Decklink Speed Test can test the read/write speed of your attached RAIDs to help determine whether there is sufficient throughput for the task you’re attempting. Speed Test, however, only works when it sees a Decklink product installed so it is not universally available to those with Blackmagic Design boards.On the Mac, Multibridge Pro supports Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite 3 and 4, and Combustion. PC support adds Eyeon Fusion 5.3 and Steinberg Nuendo 3.2.

As of this writing, Sony Vegas 8.0b beta version supports the card.I had the opportunity to test on a Mac with Final Cut Studio 2 and Adobe Creative Suite CS3/4. Functionality would be very similar on a PC with CreativeSuite software.First, though, a note on cross-platform work. The non-linear world is still in search of the optimal and available cross-platform codec.

Blackmagic Design is constrained in all its products lines as a result. Both PC and Mac versions will render 8- and 10-bit uncompressed HD as well as RGB 4:4:4. The only available compressed codec on the PC side is a full-rasterPhotoJPEG in an avi wrapper yet with such compression efficiency as to be able to encode HD 1080i at a data rate of 12 MB/s, some 10% of the data rate of uncompressed video. Mac users have available to them the full range of NLE-supported codecs.

On Final Cut Studio, that would include ProRes 422, ProRes 422HQ, DVCPRO HD, etc.To put things very simply, Multibridge Pro works. I found hardware and software to be rock-solid and cannot attribute any system crash or error to it except when failing to follow the recommend start up/shutdown procedure. However, one minor glitch has been documented by Blackmagic Design and I did experience it.When launching Apple Motion, the program may refuse to open, returning an error message “Unable to initialize OpenGL.” When this occurs, it is necessary to open the Decklink control panel and select option “When not playing video, send black to all video outputs.” Decklink is also temperamental about the primary Mac monitor plugged into DVI 2 as opposed to DVI 1 on the Mac’s video card.Furthermore, on the PC side, a Blackmagic Design technical bulletin lists qualified workstations and motherboards. A technical bulletin notes specific steps when installing on certain HP workstations.But if things go wrong, the Blackmagic Design Web site has extensive FAQs and tech notes. Tech support is very responsive both via e-mail and phone.

My only tech issues surrounded a question of which slot to utilize in my MacPro and that was answered very quickly via a phone call.Because the Multibridge Pro is a directly connected PCI device, there are no latency concerns. Connecting to RS-422 compatible deck was as simple as connecting the cables and making certain that device control was selected in my Final Cut Pro capture settings. And those capture settings (as well as sequence and output settings) are all included as Easy Set Ups which the installer software places in the appropriate place for FCP to locate.Most revolutionary in a multi-function device at this price, though, is its real-time up and down conversion. Working with SD footage and need to up-res to HD? Simply go into the Decklink software and pull down the up-conversion choice to either 720 or 1080.

Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve

Likewise, down-convert on the output side from HD to SD or cross-convert 720/1080. All of these conversions are accomplished in real time.What is lacking, however, is simultaneous HD and SD output.

There might be any number of situations where one would wish to output both HD and a downcoverted SD. Currently, the Multibridge Pro is limited to one-format output. It is heartening, however, to see that the new DeckLink HD Extreme card (which we plan to review at a later date) offers simultaneous HD/SD output.I have also found the Multibridge Pro extremely useful when color-grading in Apple Color. Selecting a Blackmagic option in the Output section of a project’s user prefs enabled accurate monitoring to calibrated SDI monitor through the Multibridge Pro.The Multibridge Pro is as complete a capture and output solution as any video editor would desire. It is at home in the SD and HD video worlds as well as in the world of 2K editing. Its stand-alone conversion features give it a place in a studio, post house or production truck. Its quality and stability inspire confidence in editors they can spend their time editing instead of getting the #%#$@.

thing to work. Its rack-mounted form factor, clear arrangement of virtually every I/O anyone would need makes it adaptable to any user’s configuration. And it is completely cross-platform with the only limitations being those of codecs.I would like to see simultaneous HD/SD output, autosensing of active input/output as well as portability features. Namely, with its external PCIe interface, I would like to see an optional Express34 card interface to allow it to work on PC/Mac notebooks.

The fact that it accepts 12V DC from an external power supply should mean that it could then be adapter to be powered from a professional battery or some other power source for portable use.At $1,595, there is nothing like it for both the film and video worlds.BLACKMAGIC DESIGN MULTIBRIDGE PROSCORE:PROS:Full range of input/output connections, supports 3Gb/s SDI for HD 4:4:4 or 2K as well as supporting dual link HD-SDI 4:4:4 owing to its dual SDI connections. Supports up to 16 channels of audio in HD and eight channels in SD. Easy operation and excellent tech support.CONS:Lacks simultaneous HD/SD output, autosensing of active input/output as well as portability features.BOTTOM LINE: There is no other product in its price range that delivers what Multibridge Pro does.MSRP:$1,595CONTACT.