Blackmagic Design releases software upgrades for their Decklink and VideoHub products.
Software Updates
Videohub 4.6.4 has just been released. This update fixes an issue with the USB not being recognized when an SD reference is connected.
DeckLink 7.9.6 is available. This release fixes an SD-SDI issue with Sony HDW 700 cameras on DeckLink Studio, DeckLink SDI, DeckLink Duo, and DeckLink Optical Fiber.
These updates can be downloaded here:
Blackmagic has released a few software updates to coincide with Adobe’s CS 5.0.2 release. Available releases are for DeckLink, Multibridge, and USB 3.0 Desktop Video version 7.8.1 and Intensity version 3.8.1 for Mac and Windows.
Release highlights include:
The Updates can be downloaded here – http://blackmagic-design.com/support/
Don’t have Adobe CS5 yet? Get it here.
Check out our large selection of Blackmagic Design products.
Blackmagic Design has released a new software update for Media Express which brings 3D Capture and Playback support to the DeckLink HD Extreme 3D.
In this release is the DeckLink version 7.8 and Media Express version 2.2 software. These releases include full 3D capture and playback support for HD Extreme 3D with Media Express. Our 3D support includes dual stream SDI capture and playback as well as a muxed HDMI output for monitoring in side by side, line by line, top and bottom or left eye/right eye 3D formats.
There are also new updates for Multibridge and Intensity. These updates include some performance improvements for CS5 with DVCPRO and P2 formats as well as some minor bug fixes.
The updates can be downloaded here.
http://blackmagic-design.com/support/
In addition, the DeckLink manual has also been updated with information needed for 3D capture and playback support. You’ll find the revised manual here:
http://www.decklink.com/support/documentation/
Quite the buzz about this! It took Blackmagic less than a year to bring Davinci to the desktop market, and at $995 – I think we have to take a serious look. First of all, lets get this right out in the open. This is NOT the system for you to plan on running 2k or 4k files, raw RED files, or stereoscopic HD work. For that you will need to get the Linux based, $50K license – yes, $50k. It’s $20k for the licenses, and $30k for the REQUIRED control surface panel. The Tangent Wave device won’t work.
NAB, something I have had a love-hate relationship with for many, many years. This year promised to be the year of stereoscopic production, and so far it is!
This post however is going to center around our every day production needs – and what has become one of the most anticipated software releases at this year’s conference – Adobe CS5! I have to say, thus far, it looks fantastic! I wanted to spend a few moments sharing some thoughts on one of the big features that many people have been waiting for: The Mercury Playback Engine, and what it really means, and what companies like Matrox are doing to work with Adobe.
If you don’t already know, the Mercury playback engine is designed around technology that combines the power of the GPU, with the CPU. In this case, an Nvidia based card with CUDA. The demonstrations at Adobe’s booth and others are all shown on top-of-the-line workstations (HPz800 and 8 or 12 core machines), with Nvidia 5800 graphics cards ($2000+) of course to put the Adobe Cs5 products in the best light possible. Understandable, but not something many of you might have just sitting around at the moment! I was privy to see a Mercury demo at a Matrox meeting though, when done on a quad core workstation, with an Nvidia 4800 card ($1500) to see why Matrox was still relevant. Ok, I’m listening.
Continue reading “From NAB 2010: Adobe CS5 Mercury Playback and Matrox RT”…
Now with new exciting 3D workflows, we have a new model of DeckLink HD Extreme that not only supports 3D, but also includes an hardware up, down and cross converter, support of SDI, HDMI and component analog capture and playback at video rates up to 1080p60, hardware support for 12 bit SDI, and a sync cable feature for using two cards together.
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is ready for 3D workflow using both interleaved/side by side and dual stream capture and playback. Interleaved is where the left and right eyes are interleaved as fields so you can edit using standard editing software.
Dual steam is where DeckLink HD Extreme 3D uses the dual link SDI connections to capture and playback two streams for left and right eye, and records them into two separate media files. Dual stream 3D is higher quality because each eye is full resolution, but less compatible with current editing software.
Media Express has been upgraded to handle both interleaved/side by side and dual stream 3D, so it’s a great solution for capture and playback of 3D media. This means DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is a complete 3D solution!
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D includes a high quality up, down and cross converter so you can edit in SD and play out HD, or edit in HD and play out SD. The cross converter lets you edit in 720p and output in 1080i, or edit in 1080i and play back in 720p. It’s incredible quality and full 10 bit with audio.
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is also based on a new internal hardware design with support for 12 bit SDI video and full support for video rates up to 1080p60 via SDI, HDMI and analog component. For developers, two DeckLink HD Extreme 3D cards can be joined together with a cable for synchronous dual card operation.
Sony is also announcing at NAB 2010 support in their HDCAM SR deck for the 2K format that’s been built into DeckLink HD Extreme, Multibridge, Videohub and HDLink, and this is exciting news. Now you will be able to edit in 2K film with a workflow as easy as video. This will make 2K film editing and design much easier!
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is available now for US$975.
AJA Teams with CineForm to Enable True Stereo 3D Output from Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro Timelines via Neo3D and KONA 3
AJA has collaborated with workflow solution developer CineForm to provide Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere and other Mac and Windows-based NLE and effects software users with a variety of unique ways to output stereoscopic 3D material using the AJA KONA 3 video capture card through CineFormʼs Neo3D software.
Continue reading “Kona 3 & Neo3D Enable True Stereo 3D to NLE Timelines”…
Learn to import an animated character from 3ds Max 2013 into Marvelous Designer 2
Chaos Group has announced the open beta for V-Ray 1.6 for Sketchup. This massive upgrade to V-Ray for SketchUp includes a series of new feature introductions that enhance visualization workflow and render quality (V-Ray RT®, V-Ray Dome Light), and streamline scene complexity (V-Ray Proxy).
Check out this very cool The Foundry Mari tutorial from Jeff Kleinzweig, the lead artist at Zindagi Games.
Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.
The Foundry and Luxology announced a free Modo 701 15 Day trial and a 30 Day production trial that is $25. I suggest you head over to the Luxology site and get started as soon as you can. Plus, if you haven’t already, take the 701 Feature Tour, now with new videos.
MAXON, leading developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions, today revealed the first step in its strategic alliance with Adobe Systems Incorporated, aimed at delivering a new level of integration between its powerful 3D application CINEMA 4D, and Adobe® After Effects®. The recently revealed next release of Adobe’s industry-leading software will include two MAXON technologies directly within the new Adobe After Effects: CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D Lite.
An open letter to Ang Lee from Compositor Phillip Broste regarding the state of the VFX industry and Mr. Lee’s lack of acknowledgement to the artists who created the VFX in “Life of Pi”. I definitely recommend the read.
Thinkbox Software today announced the release of Krakatoa MY, the high-volume particle renderer for Autodesk Maya 3D software running on Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
The Hollywood Reporter posted an article about Technicolor and Autodesk partnering in the development of a new color grading and compositing tool. Steve Scott, the pioneering colorist and head of Technicolor, is leading the charge on this new venture and believes that together they can create a single procedural finishing system that would offer tools from both disciplines – color grading and compositing.
The famous “Animators Survival Kit” written by Richard Williams is coming soon to the iPad. The price and exact date of release have not yet been determined, but the publisher, Faber and Faber, has indicated that it will be roughly timed with Williams’ 80th birthday next month.
Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction – Come learn about the renderer used to create content for movie hits like Avatar, The Avengers, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 8 and Oblivion, as well as the upcoming Star Trek – Into Darkness, Man of Steel, After Earth, and more!
MODO 701 is coming soon. Be one of the first to discover what’s new and improved during our ‘MODO 701 Feature Tour’ webcast on March 25th at 10AM (PST). Sign up today.
Deep Compositing allows artists to work with ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel. This allows rendering of CGI elements without predetermined holdout mattes, avoiding the need for re-renders when content changes.
Want to go to Siggraph 2012 but don’t want to pay for it? We’ll let Motion Media help you out. We are giving you a free Exhibits only pass for this years event in Los Angeles. All you have to do is fill in the form below and a link and code will be sent directly to you.
PipelineFX is offering a one-day workshop geared toward artists and new users of Qube! at Siggraph 2012. This workshop focuses on submitting, managing and troubleshooting render jobs as well as best practices for maximum render throughput.
Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.
The SynthEyes 3-D tracking application completes a triple-header with the introduction of its Linux version by developer Andersson Technologies LLC, joining the existing Windows and Mac OS X versions.
Extension 2 for Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software is now available on the Autodesk Subscription Center. Extension 2 helps artists and studios with increased stability, usability, and performance.
NextLimit has released a fully updated ArchiCAD plugin for Maxwell Render, available for download now from the customer gateway.
Matrox is pleased to announce that Matrox MXO2 Dock is now available. The Matrox MXO2 Dock thunderbolt Accessory for Matrox MXO2 I/O Devices Delivers Convenience and Connectivity for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users
FREE 69 PAGE eBOOK! This step by step guide will walk you through the creative world of ZBrush from the basics to sculpting, painting and on to finishing off your art with ZBrush's powerful render engine.