Blackmagic Design Announces DeckLink Pro Is Now Shipping

Blackmagic Design announced DeckLink Pro is now shipping tocustomers, and in the first four days of shipments, over 100 units havebeen sold worldwide, making it the industry’s fastest sellinguncompressed QuickTime video card, according to the company. DeckLinkPro is an enhanced version of Blackmagic Design's popular DeckLinkuncompressed 10-bit SDI video card.

DeckLink Pro had advanced features that make it a very flexibleuncompressed 10-bit SDI Quicktime card with realtime effects. Withanalog video monitoring and eight channels of SPDIF audio monitoring,DeckLink is more than just a simple I/O device. It integrates fullyinto advanced broadcast postproduction workflows.

Featuring 10-bit uncompressed SDI capture and playback, combinedwith SDI and analog component YUV video monitoring with eight channelsof SPDIF digital audio monitoring, DeckLink Pro is a value at onlyUS$1,295.

Unlike simple FireWire-based products, DeckLink Pro features anindependent desktop using the full benefit of high-speed PCI 33/66MHzbandwidth. The desktop via the video out feature is unique and allowsnon-QuickTime applications such as Adobe Photoshop to be used forhigh-end video tasks.

DeckLink Pro allows you to connect to the most advanced SDI-basedpostproduction systems via true 10-bit SDI connections and built-invideo genlock. DeckLink Pro is fantastic even for simple videomonitoring tasks using the analog monitoring outputs. Any professionalvideo monitor can be directly connected to Decklink Pro's SDI or analogYUV video outputs.

So even in situations where a deck is not available, DeckLink Proallows you to monitor realtime effects such as color correction at avery low cost. When a deck is available, simply plug it in, and captureall your video clips, and master out finished work in uncompressed10-bit video.

For audio purists, DeckLink Pro includes eight channels of SPDIFdigital audio output for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound monitoring. This isa first for the industry, according to Black Magic Design, and no otheruncompressed video card features this level of audio support.

Eight channels of audio are perfect if you want to dub out audio tomulti-channel audio recorders such as the audio industry standard DA88tape deck. Eight-channel audio is also available via SDI-embeddedaudio.

Featuring industry standard SDI and analog video monitoring,combined with the eight channels of audio, DeckLink Pro is a greatchoice when building a home-based postproduction facility where youhire in decks when required. DeckLink Pro is also suited for connectingto high-end SDI-based systems in the largest post facilities.

DeckLink Pro is low-cost, so it can even be used for simple videomonitoring, when the deck is not available, or you’re workingwith non-SDI-based FireWire DV decks. Other benefits not found onFireWire-based solutions are full 16-bit-per-channel RGB rendering inAdobe After Effects and RGB RAM preview in Discreet Combustion, andAdobe After Effects.

Connecting to a broadcast deck is simple, and Blackmagic DeckLinkPro has been specifically designed to make it simple via dedicated SDIvideo and serial control connections. Compatible decks include SonyDigital Betacam, D1, Panasonic DVCPRO 25, DVCPRO 50, D5, Sony Jseries.

DeckLink Pro also eliminates breakout box clutter with its exclusivelong 7ft. or 2m direct-connect breakout cable to plug directly intoyour deck and monitoring. There is no need to purchase any cables, andif you want to disconnect your system, you need to unplug only a singlecable.

Blackmagic DeckLink Pro features include:
- Fully digital SMPTE-259M 10-bit SDI input and output.
- Separate SDI video and analog component YUV video monitoringoutputs.
- Separate 4X SPDIF digital audio outputs for eight-channel audiomonitoring.
- Genlock input.
- Uncompressed true 10-bit and uncompressed 8-bit capture and playbackmodes.
- Built-in DV Bridge. Realtime and instant playback from DV edits tovideo output.
- Compressed full-resolution, high-quality JPEG capture and playbackmode.
- Includes Blackmagic Deck Control, for broadcast tape deck capture andplayback.
- Sony-compatible RS-422 serial deck control port.
- Realtime 10-bit color correction, dissolves, and image controleffects.
- Realtime effects updated via easy Internet-based downloads.
- Video Desktop: realtime output for Adobe Photoshop to SDIvideo.
- Instantly switch between NTSC and PAL.
- Super high-quality 64-bit RGB codec rendering at trillions ofcolors.
- All file formats compatible, including Pinnacle, AJA Video, andDigital Voodoo.
- Adobe After Effects RGB output for previewing compositions andpre-renders. - YUV native rendering in supported applications.
- Fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.2.
- Universal free software codec for Mac OS X, Mac OS 9, andWindows.
- Everything included for US$1,295.

Supported platforms are Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. Checkwww.blackmagic-design.comfor feature differences between platforms.

Blackmagic DeckLink Pro is available from authorized BlackmagicDesign resellers worldwide for only US$1,295. Please check www.blackmagic-design.comfor additional product information and authorized resellerlocations.

About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design manufactures the world's highest-quality 10-bitvideo cards for the postproduction and television broadcast industries.Blackmagic Design also provides products and technology to otherhigh-end manufacturers.

Over the last year, Blackmagic Design and its partners have quicklymoved to an industry-leading position with the first uncompressed10-bit QuickTime video card for Mac OS X, the first uncompressedrealtime effects in 10-bit, the first film Cinema Tools compatible filmediting solution on OS X, the first true 10-bit realtime colorcorrection and the first film-quality uncompressed 10-bit HDTVQuickTime card.

With growth in the creative segment of the professional televisionindustry at an all-time high, Blackmagic Design is well-positioned totake advantage of its unique technologies for future innovation andgrowth. Blackmagic Design's headquarters, manufacturing, anddevelopment facility is located in the postproduction district of SouthMelbourne, Victoria, Australia.