Blackmagic updates DeckLink, HDLink software
updated 11:55 am EDT, Mon April 18, 2005
DeckLink, HDLink software
Blackmagic Design today announced that its DeckLink for the Macintosh software now includes full compatibility with Apple's new Final Cut Pro 5 and also offers improvements for DI feature film workflow with new custom capture gamma table support and instant DPX file format support. Blackmagic's DeckLink cards now include support for HDV playback via DeckLink, 12 channels of audio HD capture and playback, mixed media formats in the timeline, and realtime effects in HD. DeckLink for Macintosh 5.0 will be available when Apple ships FCP 5.0 (due in May). It is available for free with all DeckLink PCI cards, which start at $300. The company also debuted its FrameLink software for instant DPS compatibility and HDLink Monitoring Converter 1.7, an update to its performance monitoring solution that includes enhanced workflow, color correction and noise reduction features.
The new DeckLink 5.0 software includes new capture gamma tables feature, which allow custom gamma tables, and lift, gain, and gamma adjustments to be applied directly to capture video. This allows gamma encoded video, as used in feature film editing, to be removed during the capture process. Users can load custom gamma tables, or use the built in preset gamma tables for Panasonic CineGamma, or gamma tables from other industry-standard cameras.
Users can also perform color adjustments and correction during capture, and these settings are added to the loaded gamma table, and can be saved and loaded to files. The 10-bit Gamma tables are fully compatible with Blackmagic' HDLink DVI monitoring converter, allowing users to move and share custom gamma tables.
Blackmagic Design’s new DPX utility, FrameLink is included with this software release.
FrameLink software offers instant DPS
Blackmagic FrameLink is a new software utility that allows any QuickTime or AVI movie to be mounted instantly and automatically written back into a movie file for playback. Designed for the television and feature film industry, FrameLink simplifies the process of using both QuickTime and AVI formats in the post-production process.
FrameLink allows QuickTime and AVI files to be captured and played back as normal, with files appearing as a folder full of DPX frames when mounted by the utility. Through FrameLink, any frame can be instantly accessed by the user, and saved files are automatically stored back into the QuickTime or AVI movie file. All this work is done in the background, with the user seeing sequential animation of still frames in DPX format.
"Essentially QuickTime and AVI files use a single file for media clips, while sequential frame animation might consist of thousands or tens of thousands of separate image files for each media clip. This creates a workflow nightmare,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. "FrameLink is the only product designed specifically to eliminate those nightmares and is another first to market for Blackmagic Design."
Blackmagic FrameLink will be available for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger at no charge to all DeckLink users. It will be included in the next DeckLink software updates, and automatically installed onto systems for our DeckLink customers to use.
HDLink Monitoring Converter 1.7
Blackmagic Design also released v1.7 of its HDLink 4:2:2 & 4:4:4 HD video monitoring and audio solution. HDLink offers video monitoring for post facilities working in HD and others looking for low-cost, true HDTV resolution video monitoring on DVI-D based LCD monitors. The latest version of HDLink includes a number of new features aimed at improving HD color correction, noise reduction and workflow for customers using HDLink with LCD monitors.
HDLink offers a full HDTV resolution 4:4:4 monitoring solution, and supports both standard definition SDI and HD-SDI based inputs as well as Dual Link HD-SDI 4:4:4 input for full resolution color monitoring. HDLink also includes high quality analog audio outputs for a complete video and audio monitoring solution. It supports all SDI-based formats from standard definition, HD-SDI, and Dual Link HD-SDI. HDLink's SDI video inputs automatically switch between SD, HD-SDI and Dual Link HD-SDI video formats. Unlike CRT based monitors, HDLink supports all HDTV frames rates and formats.
Version 1.7 includes built-in lookup tables for Panasonic Varicam and Grass Valley/Thompson Viper cameras, a new "Blue only" mode used for detecting noise and monitoring the hue of video and advanced preferences that allow HDLink to work with a wider variety of monitors. The setting allows it to ignore the monitor's EDID data in order to easily adapt video to match the monitor’s capabilities. In addition, HDLink can now display video on some previously-incompatible monitors by overriding auto-configuration if the necessary EDID data is unavailable
The update also brings a new interlace simulation mode which enhances the quality of interlaced video displayed on a progressive LCD monitor; it also now offers the ability to view illegal YUV values in order to ensure what is seen on an LCD display is what will be mastered to tape. HDLink is available with the new software for $700. The software update is available to current customers for free.
