Blackmagic Design Decklink Multibridge Pro 2

The all-in-one converter
Finally, there's a simple solution for connecting analog video equipment to SDI digital processing systems: the Multibridge is capable of simultaneously converting digital signals to analog and vice versa. This is true bidirectional conversion for analog video and audio signals. Rack-mountable to convert analog signals from Beta SP VTRs or HDV camcorders.

Acquisition and playback
Connect the integrated 10 Gbit PCI Express interface to any Windows XP or Mac OS X certified configuration, and Multibridge instantly transforms into a single, integral video acquisition and playback solution. With an incredible 10 Gbit bandwidth, PCI Express is 25 times faster than a FireWire interface. PCI Express has the bandwidth to support very high video data rates, from simple uncompressed 10-bit streams in standard or high definition, to cinema-quality 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 video streams and beyond. PCI Express technology is low-cost, as it is often integrated as standard on most PC motherboards, and a high-quality connection cable is supplied for a complete, ready-to-use solution.

External viewing in HD resolution
If you're using a Multibridge Pro or Multibridge Eclipse connected to a virtual editing setup, you'll love the full resolution offered by the integrated dual-channel DVI-D output. You can connect any HDMI monitor to manage external video viewing of your editing setup. Unlike CRT monitors, LCD viewing is capable of delivering full HD resolution at a much lower cost, and thanks to all-digital display management, you get incredible image clarity and brightness at low cost. The Multibridge implements the new dual-channel DVI-D standard, which, combined with specific processing capability, enables you to connect very large diagonal monitors that are not supported by competing environments.

Full support for audio and video signals
Need to be HD-ready, while preserving compatibility with analog VTRs such as Betacam SP, Multibridge Pro and Multibridge Eclipse are completely format-independent, offering you more than enough audio and video inputs and outputs to connect to virtually any equipment!

Multibridge Pro supports analog and digital audio conversion, all in a compact 1U format. Video conversions offer both RGB/YUV component and NTSC/PAL composite inputs/outputs. For analog audio management, there are 2 balanced +4dB I/O channels on standard XLR connections. For digital audio, 8 AES/EBU channels with frequency conversion available on each input. For external listening and viewing, Multibridge Pro offers an HDMI connection combined with unbalanced audio outputs for easy connection to high-quality audio playback equipment.

Simply the best possible quality
Fully compatible with SD and HD-SDI signals in 4:2:2, Multibridge also offers support for dual-channel HD-SDI 4:4:4 signals combined with 14-bit digital-to-analog conversion, enabling the highest level of quality among currently available technologies. The new 4:4:4 TV standard, implemented on the latest Sony HDCAM SR VTRs, includes additional colorimetric information, offering the full bandwidth of the RGB color space with increased precision of 10 or 12 bits in SDI video. When connected to the host system via PCI Express, this level of quality is captured as is, and can be replayed in full without compression, giving you the very best on the market, whatever the price. Multibridge also supports hardware processing of color space conversions, meaning that 4:4:4 clips can be recorded to SDI VTRs in 4:2:2, and 4:2:2 clips can be recorded to Sony HDCAM-SR VTRs in 4:4:4. Multibridge is simply the ideal product for connection to Digital Betacam, Panasonic HD-D5 or the latest Sony HDCAM SR VTRs.

High definition or standard definition
The Multibridge supports dual-channel SDI and handles all formats independently, allowing you to switch seamlessly between standard definition and high definition. You can connect just as easily to standard-definition SDI VTRs to handle 270 Mbits streams, such as Digital Betacam, as to high-definition SDI VTRs to handle 1.485 Gbits streams, such as HDCAM or HD-D5, and up to the incredible quality offered by the 12-bit 4:4:4 stream of Sony HDCAM SR VTRs. With the ability to support new formats simply by upgrading via a USB connection, you can handle everything that exists today, and you're ready for tomorrow.

Full software compatibility
Multibridge Pro and Multibridge Eclipse offer a fast PCI Express connection to the host computer, enabling you to use a wide range of software to capture, playback and edit video clips. Multibridge is compatible with QuickTime and DirectShow technologies, so you can use any software capable of handling signals in standard definition, high definition, including HD in 10-bit RGB 4:4:4. Unlike integrated systems, with DeckLink solutions you can customize your environment to suit your needs by choosing the software that suits you best. Use Final Cut Pro on Mac OS X, or Adobe Premiere Pro on Windows XP for editing, then add Adobe After Effects and Photoshop to finalize your work for TV broadcast. The choice of tools is entirely up to you, Mac or PC.

Down conversion and real-time effects
Multibridge offers advanced hardware processing capability, including broadcast-quality HD down conversion and similar functions. The down conversion process is particularly useful when the Multibridge is used as a stand-alone converter, or when connected to a Mac OS X or Windows XP configuration via the PCI Express interface, you can play back HD and SD streams simultaneously, perfect for viewing in both formats. Even complex multi-layer HD montages can be downsampled and replayed in standard definition in real time. Down-conversion processing uses proprietary custom polyphase interpolation and filtering technology to achieve incredible quality with 10-bit precision.

Numerous software utilities included
Multibridge uses the famous DeckLink software when connected to a hardware configuration via PCI Express, giving you access to many of the utilities supplied as standard. For broadcast graphics, Photoshop plug-ins are included for capturing and rendering still images. If you need to manipulate DPX footage, the new FrameLink software lets you access any image from QuickTime and AVI files, as DPX files instantly. Deck Control software lets you control your VTR via an RS-422 connection to capture and replay clips with frame-accurate timecode. To test and measure the performance of your storage system, the Disk Speed Test utility is included. The data obtained enables you to judge immediately whether your storage system is suited to your needs. If you're exchanging data between the two platforms, use the famous Blackmagic Codec, which enables you to manipulate and calculate data on configurations that don't have DeckLink hardware.