HDMI card for a MacPro4,1

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Level 3

683 points

HDMI card for a MacPro4,1

Hi all,

First let me post that my need for HDMI out is for the 8 channels of AUDIO. Video over HDMI is secondary in my situation and is not required. I also already have multiple audio devices that have 8 (or more) audio channels out, but I specifically need an HDMI solution for audio.

I've been using a MOTU HD Express with good success for this for about 4 years. The first box died and the 2nd one is starting to show similar signs of demise. MOTU also has no drivers for this unit past OS 10.9.x, so I'm looking for other options.

What I'm looking for is an HDMI solution that will work on a MacPro4,1, on OS 10.11.x and beyond.

I'd consider this if it would work over a 3rd party USB3 or Thunderbolt card. I have neither in this machine at the moment.

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/intensity/techspecs/

Are there any other suggestions?

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Feb 3, 2016 10:02 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

lllaass

Level 10

210,405 points

Feb 4, 2016 9:18 AM in response to DaveF

See:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/video/editing

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Answer 2

Feb 4, 2016 9:19 AM in response to DaveF

For a classic Mac Pro there would seem to be the following possiblities.

A video card with built-in HDMI port e.g. the AMD Radeon HD 7950
A USB adapter
A FireWire adapter
A PCI card

With regards to a video card like the above it can output 7.1 (8 channel) via the HDMI but Apple who provide the drivers for AMD cards do not enable the audio on the HDMI port. A third-party developer has written a kernel extension to fix this called HDMI Audio but it requires enabling the use of unsigned kernel extensions. See http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/guide-hdmi-audio.1499797/

I suspect all FireWire products are as obsolete now as the MOTU HD Express.

BlackMagic do as you found have a USB version of their Intensity product, I have no idea how well it would work via a USB3 PCI card, it maybe worth emailing them. BlackMagic also have the DeckLink PCI card range, see https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink some of these can output 8 channel audio via HDMI but I would recommend discussing your requirements with them.

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Answer 3

DaveF Author

Level 3

683 points

Feb 6, 2016 8:39 AM in response to DaveF

Blackmagic cannot guarantee the Intensity Shuttle will work over USB.

At this point my MOTU HD Express has died, and I'm now pursuing a USB3 to HDMI converter, but and finding none other than the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle that even claim to do 8 channels of PCM. Most don't even mention audio, or if they do, claim 2 channels.

Does anyone have verified experience with a USB to HDMI adapter that can carry 8 channels of PCM audio?

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