Aurora Launches Low-Cost, High-Quality, High-Definition PipeHD

Aurora Video Systems announced the release of its new PipeHD video capture and editing card, a uniquely affordable solution for high-performance HD editing. This latest addition to the Aurora Pipe product family allows users to take advantage of the RT Extreme capabilities within Final Cut Pro, while providing the option to work in either high-definition or standard-definition modes. Like all Aurora products, the PipeHD is built on the company's years of experience developing technology engineered exclusively for Macintosh systems and QuickTime applications.



Like Aurora's PipePro video capture and editing card, PipeHD connects to most audio and video devices to offer a greater level of creativity and flexibility than ever before available in this price range. Aurora's PipeHD outperforms more expensive competing devices, offering 10-bit inputs and outputs across the board that can handle both HD and SD video. The card's SDI input enables editors to connect directly to a DigiBeta deck, and two SDI outputs allow for a direct connection to an external video monitor and to a digital deck controlled via the PipeHD's RS-422 serial port. Additionally, users can monitor video via either composite, S-video, or component analog outputs, which will allow for a better workflow without the need for expensive converters. A genlock input is provided for synchronization to studio equipment, or the deck can lock onto an internal genlock signal produced by the PipeHD.



In addition to outputting two channels of 24-bit, 48-kHz analog audio for monitoring purposes, the PipeHD features four channels of high-quality 48-kHz SPDIF (AES/EBU-compatible) digital audio I/O, which offer excellent sound and compatibility while giving users the ability to work in multiple channels. PipeHD also supports up to eight channels of 48-kHz audio embedded in the SDI inputs and outputs. A second desktop feature allows editors to view and manipulate video in other applications, such as Photoshop, and then see how it will appear when output by the PipeHD card.



Aurora's family of Pipe cards (Pipe, PipePro, PipeSDI, PipeHD) is a true QuickTime solution for the Mac OS. No third-party software is necessary for previewing video in applications other than Final Cut Pro. In addition to moving data from Final Cut Pro and putting it on screen, Aurora Pipe cards provide real-time preview compatibility with programs such as Adobe's After Effects and Discreet's combustion.