Get the world's highest quality 2D and 3D workflows! The DeckLink HD Extreme 3D includes SDI, HDMI 1.4, analogue component, analogue and AES/EBU audio and more. Now you can capture and play back from virtually any video and audio device, even in 3D! DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also includes the latest technology for advanced full resolution 3D editing, including dual stream SDI capture and playback plus built in HDMI 1.4!
Perfect for post production, broadcast and even feature film work, DeckLink HD Extreme 3D switches between SD and HD, and has built in 3 Gb/s SDI, 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 RGB, native 12 bit and frame rates right up to 1080p60! DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also features built in up, down and cross conversion, plus an internal SD/HD keyer.
Connect to Anything
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is the only solution that connects to SDI, HDMI, component analogue, NTSC/PAL and S-Video equipment for capture and playback, while instantly switching between SD, HD and 2K. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D includes 2 channels of AES/EBU audio in and out with a sample rate converter on the AES/EBU input as well as 2 channels of XLR professional analogue audio in and out. Work with the widest range of equipment, such as HDCAM, HD-D5, HDCAM SR, Betacam SP, Digital Betacam, HD receivers, HDV cameras, televisions, mixers and more. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D now supports Dual Link SDI and 3 Gb/s SDI, so you can capture and play back 4:4:4 video when used with decks such as Sony HDCAM SR™, or view real time playback of 2K film resolution at 24 fps with Blackmagic Design's HDLink Pro.
Amazing 3D Workflow
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is ready for advanced 3D workflows using both interleaved and dual stream capture and playback. Interleaved allows the left and right eye to be combined into a single frame so you can edit 3D using your favourite editing software! Dual stream is also fully supported in DeckLink HD Extreme 3D using the dual SDI and HDMI 1.4 connections for capture and playback of two full resolution video streams for left and right eye into two separate media files. Dual stream 3D allows the highest quality 3D possible because each eye is captured as an independent full resolution media file, although is often less compatible with current editing software. To solve the dual stream compatibility problem, Blackmagic Design's Media Express is included and supports capture and playback of both interleaved and dual stream 3D media files for a complete 3D solution!
New HDMI 1.4 Support
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D features the latest generation of HDMI 1.4 built in for capture and playback! HDMI 1.4 lets you keep your 3D video in full resolution because it transfers frames using the frame packing method. Frame packing keeps the video frames separate for the left and right eyes using a single HDMI connection. HDMI 1.4 is a massive improvement over the previous generation HDMI for 3D. However DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also keeps compatibility with these previous generation HDMI devices by supporting side by side, line by line and top and bottom method for transferring 3D video which are half resolution 3D modes. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is intelligent, and adapts when you plug into older HDMI devices or the latest HDMI 1.4 devices! Now you can capture 3D from devices such as cameras and gaming consoles into two separate full resolution video files, one for each eye. Imagine the quality of the latest generation HDMI 1.4 televisions for monitoring dual stream full resolution 3D! That's the highest quality 3D possible!
More HD Real Time Effects
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D's super fast 10 Gb/s connection plugs directly into your editing software’s real time effects processing. Unlike FireWire products, you get all CPU time for real time effects, as only PCI Express lets you upgrade to HD without limiting real time effects. The higher speed of PCI Express also easily handles advanced formats such as full resolution 2K digital film. Only high speed PCI Express ensures that when you upgrade your studio to high definition, you'll get full real time effects.
Powerful Image Processor
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D includes a fast video processor for incredible 10 bit quality hardware up, down and cross conversion! Now you can edit once and deploy in SD, 720HD or 1080HD while leaving all CPU time dedicated to real time effects. You can also select between letterbox, anamorphic 16:9 and pillar- box 4:3 video! When working in HD video, down conversion lets you monitor in SD and HD at the same time with s-video and composite video outputs active.
New 3 Gb/s SDI Connections
The new DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is the first capture card to include high speed 3 Gb/s SDI connections. 3 Gb/s SDI is the latest version of the SDI video standard that allows 4:4:4 RGB and 2K film connection and even 3D with a single BNC type connection. 3 Gb/s SDI runs twice the data rate of normal HD-SDI video, however it can instantly switch to traditional standard definition and high definition SDI. 3 Gb/s SDI allows 4:4:4 RGB workflow or full resolution 2K feature film quality 24 fps 2048 x 1556 capture and playback. 2K via SDI allows a revolutionary change to feature film workflow as now you can connect film resolution video around your facility using the same familiar workflow as a "normal" video job! Only DeckLink HD Extreme 3D gives you film editing features built in for no extra cost!
Incredible Built In HDMI
You'll love the full resolution HDMI input and output built into DeckLink HD Extreme 3D. Use the HDMI output for connecting to any 2D or 3D HDMI television or video projector for full HD resolution monitoring at much lower cost than a dedicated HD broadcast monitor. Imagine presenting your work to your clients using cinema size large screen video projectors or televisions! Use the built in HDMI input for capturing from cameras with HDMI outputs. Unlike FireWire capture, using the HDMI output of consumer cameras means you get the highest quality uncompressed video from the camera, or you can use the native compression of your editing software, such as uncompressed, JPEG, DVCPRO HD, and ProRes. Unlike FireWire compression, using the native compression of your editing software, combined with high speed 10 Gb/s PCI Express gives you all CPU time for maximum real time effects playback direct to large screen displays and broadcast monitors.
World's Highest Quality
Fully compatible with SD-SDI and HD-SDI 4:2:2, new DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also features Dual Link HD-SDI 4:4:4 connections for feature film quality. Dual Link 4:4:4 is used on the latest Sony HDCAM SR decks, and contains additional colour detail giving you full RGB colour bandwidth and extra precision of up to 10 bit SDI video. When connected via PCI Express to a host computer, this higher quality video can be captured and played back completely uncompressed for amazing feature film quality. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also takes a new lead in quality with the latest 3 Gb/s SDI technology, so you can connect RGB 4:4:4 and 2K and even 3D via a single SDI connection. 3 Gb/s SDI technology is the video standard of the future for post production, and allows "beyond HDTV resolutions". DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is ideal for connecting to Digital Betacam™, Panasonic HD-D5™ or the new Sony HDCAM SR decks. Uncompressed 10 bit video is the highest quality possible from the SDI television system, and only uncompressed video will hold up under heavy working conditions demanded by clients today while retaining a delicate film look.
True Professional Quality Audio
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D features unbalanced AES digital audio in and out as well as XLR balanced pro audio for incredible quality while maintaining sample accurate AV sync. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D includes a sample rate converter on the AES/EBU input, so you can connect to any digital audio device, as either synchronized or un-synchronized sources. DeckLink HD Extreme 3D also includes a massive 16 channels of SDI embedded audio support for HD capture and playback, and 8 channels of SDI embedded audio for standard definition capture and playback.
Compatible with Popular Video Software
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D works in Windows XP™, Windows Vista™, Windows 7, Mac OS X™ and Linux systems. Use your favourite video software such as Apple Final Cut Pro™, Adobe Premiere Pro™, Adobe After Effects™, Adobe Photoshop™, eyeon Fusion™ and many more. Instantly switch between 2K, 1080 HD, 720 HD, NTSC and PAL for worldwide compatibility.
Includes Loads of Free Software Utilities
Photoshop™ plug-ins are included for capture and output of still frames. Blackmagic Media Express™ lets you control a deck remotely via RS-422 for capture and playback of clips with timecode accuracy and Blackmagic Disk Speed Test™ checks your disk array in frames per second.
- Connections: 2 x SD/HD-SDI in, 2 x SD/HD-SDI out, HDMI 1.4 in, HDMI 1.4 out, YUV/NTSC/PAL/S-Video in and out, YUV operates in HD or SD, 2 channel XLR audio in an out, AES unbalanced audio in and out, RS-422 Deck Control and Reference in
- Built in Up, Down and Cross Converter
- HD Extreme operates up to HD-SDI 4:4:4 quality
- Built in Hardware Down-Converter
- Real time effects supported in Apple Final Cut Pro™ and Adobe Premiere Pro™
- True 10 bit and8 bit uncompressed YUV video capture and playback for high end production quality
- Compressed video capture and playback on supported platforms. Edit in DV, JPEG, HDV and DVCPRO-100 HD files on Mac OS X
- Blackmagic Deck Control included - complete solution for automated capture and playback of media to broadcast tape decks using serial control
- Realtime RAM preview in Adobe After Effects™, Apple Motion™ and Discreet Combustion™
- Super high quality 64 bit RGB codec, QuickTime rendering at trillions of colours in Adobe After Effects™
- SDI compliant with SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 296M and ITU-R BT.656
- HD format support: 1080 lines at 23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 30PsF, 50i, 59.94i, 60i, 720 lines at 50p, 59.94p and 60p. SD format support: NTSC, PAL, S-Video
- Supports 4:2:2 YUV and 4:4:4:4 RGB colour space
MAC OS X 10.5 LEOPARD, MAC PRO CONFIGURATION
We recommend the following software versions be used together: Mac OS X 10.5.1, Final Cut Pro 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.3.1 and the latest
DeckLink v6.6.2 drivers. Software versions can be found by following these
steps.
Recommended memory
Currently we recommend 2 GB of RAM for standard definition and at least 4 GB of RAM for high definition video. This specification may be updated at any time to recommend more RAM if we find that driver, application or Mac OS X updates require more RAM.
Memory modules must be installed in pairs
Memory modules must be
installed in pairs in the Mac Pro. If you want to install 2 GB of RAM, you cannot just install a single 2 GB module. You must install either:
- 2 x 1 GB modules (= 2 GB), or
- 4 x 512 MB modules (= 2 GB).
Maximizing memory speed
Memory speed is particularly important for demanding video work such as RT effects. Sets of four memory modules provide increased memory speed compared with using only a single pair of memory modules. While you must install memory modules in pairs, it is even better to install in sets of four memory modules. The Mac Pro RAM configurations which will achieve ideal performance when when running Final Cut Pro are detailed by Apple in the article Final Cut Pro: For best performance on Mac Pro, install memory in risers symmetrically.
PCI Express slots - which ones to use
The Mac Pro has configurable PCI Express slots meaning that you can assign more PCI Express lanes to cards that need additional performance. After installing your DeckLink card and starting up the Mac Pro, an Expansion Slot Utility will appear showing that you have a choice of four PCI Express Profiles:
- x16 Lane Graphics Slot + One x8 Lane and Two x1 Lane Slots
- x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots
- Three x8 Lane + One x1 Lane Slots
- Two x8 Lane + Two x4 Lane Slots
Choose between one of the first two options which include the x16 Lane Graphics Slot.
If the Expansion Slot Utility does not automatically appear, switch to the Finder, go to the Go menu and choose Go to Folder. Type in the following text: /System/Library/CoreServices/. After pressing Go, the CoreServices folder will appear. Locate the Expansion Slot Utility in this folder and open it manually.
Ideally the DeckLink card should be placed in slot 4 which is the top slot of the Mac Pro. The top slot has at least x4 lanes allocated to it in all PCI Express Profiles and therefore is always suitable for use with HD and SD DeckLink cards. Slot 4 is also worth trying if you find that the DeckLink card is not working in another slot.
Standard Definition DeckLink cards only require a x1 lane slot for maximum performance. Standard Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.
High Definition DeckLink cards also support standard definition and require a x4 lane slot for maximum performance. High Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.
As a general rule we would recommend that DeckLink users choose the second PCI Express Profile from the Expansion Slot Utility, ie x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots. This will provide two x4 lane slots which is perfect for use with a high definition DeckLink card and a SCSI, Fibre Channel or SATA disk array card (aka Host Bus Adapter or HBA). Most HBA cards require a x4 lane slot. Some 4 GB Fibre Channel cards nominally prefer a x8 lane slot when using all four channels. However in reality, a x4 lane slot should be fine as the disks will not need any more speed than the DeckLink card.
Full System Requirements can be found at the Blackmagic Designs Support Library.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR WINDOWS™
DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity families - Minimum System Requirements for Windows.
Supported Software
Blackmagic Design recommends the following software versions be used. Software versions can be found by following these steps.
Operating System
Related technical note: Should I use 32 or 64-bit versions of Windows?
Related technical note: Compatibility with Windows 7
QuickTime™ for Windows™
Install the latest available version of QuickTime if you intend to use Adobe After Effects or Autodesk Combustion as a frame buffer via Blackmagic Design hardware.
A 64-bit version of QuickTime for Windows is not available from Apple at this time and consequently QuickTime functionality may not work for some applications when used with 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows and Blackmagic video capture products.
Related technical note: QuickTime 7: Supported Operating Systems.
Supported Application Versions
Many software applications are compatible with DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity products. These drivers include specific support for the following popular applications but are also compatible with many other applications:
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 v4.1
- Adobe After Effects CS4
- Adobe Photoshop CS4
- Adobe After Effects CS3
- Adobe Photoshop CS3
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 v3.2
- Autodesk Combustion 4
- Autodesk Combustion 2008
- Eyeon Fusion 5.3
- Steinberg Nuendo 3.2
Note: Sony Vegas Pro 8.0b support is a public beta release. Blackmagic Design does not recommend using this beta for mission critical projects. Users must turn off drawing to desktop when using Blackmagic video output to prevent dropped frames.
While older versions of these applications might work, these are the only versions which are officially supported and for which verification testing has been performed with current drivers for DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity. Accordingly we recommend using these specific software versions for the latest features and compatibility.
Memory
- We recommend at least 2 GB of RAM for both SD and HD for Windows XP Professional.
- We recommend at least 4 GB of RAM for both SD and HD for Windows Vista.
Blackmagic Recommended computer systems
DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity can be used with:
Recommended Workstations - These computer systems that have been tested in house at the Blackmagic Design lab with DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity. After purchasing one of these systems, you will need to install DeckLink, Multibridge or Intensity and your desired software from the list of supported applications above.
Recommended Motherboards - If you want to build your own computer for use with DeckLink, Multibridge or Intensity, these motherboards are the ones to use. You might want to do this to save costs and are comfortable with building your own PC, or else you have some special configuration you need to build. Once the PC is built, you will need to install the DeckLink card and your desired software from the list of supported applications above.
Recommended Workstations for Standard and High Definition
- Hewlett Packard Z400
- Hewlett Packard Z600
- Hewlett Packard Z800
- Hewlett Packard xw8200
- Hewlett Packard xw8600 (not recommended for DeckLink PCI-X cards)
- Hewlett Packard xw9300
Dell Systems are not supported.
Disk Storage
Recommended Disk Storage for SD and HD Uncompressed 4:2:2
- CalDigit HD Pro
- Ciprico MediaVault series
- G-Technology Gspeed
- LaCie 4Big Quadra (2 units stripped RAID0)
- Maxx Digital Evo2 HD
- Medéa VideoRaid FCR2X
- Medéa VideoRaid XTRM4
- Promise VTrak series
- Sonnet Technologies Fusion™ D500P. Use 1 unit for SD, or 2 units for HD, in conjunction with a Tempo SATA E4P PCIe or X4P PCI-X.
Recommended Disk Storage for SD and HD Uncompressed 4:4:4 and 2K
- CalDigit HD Pro
- G-Technology Gspeed
- Lacie 4BIg Quadra (4 units stripped RAID0)
- Maxx Digital Evo2 HD (on 64-bit Windows)
Recommended Graphics Cards
PCIe x16
- ATI FireGL Series
- ATI Radeon 45X Series
- nVIDIA Gforce 9x series
- nVIDIA Quadro FX series
Full System Requirements can be found at the Blackmagic Designs Support Library.
