Matrox MXO compared to new HDLink Pro?

Adam
You can capture with the BM card and only view with the MXO. The MXO combined with the right monitor allows for the best broadcast singal for your edit bay. Do you really need that? I would think not. You could better use the BM and make your work flow a little easier.
Good Luck
Z1&V1user

I haven't compared them. I don't have the HDLink. I will shortly have the AJA HDP to test, however.

The MXO works with DV, HDV, DVCPRO HD, Uncompressed 720p and Uncompressed 1080p...it is resolution independent. Whatever you need to output (short of 2k) it will do.

I'll get the AJA box and see what it does...

Shane

Z1...he's talking about the HDLINK PRO...that is a box that converts HD SDI to DVI...it isn't a capture card. It, like the MXO, only outputs video.

BUT...unlike the MXO, you need a capture card already if you want to use the HD LINK...it takes SDI inputs only. The MXO connects to your computer via a DVI port. No additional hardware needed.

All the HDLINK can do is send a signal to a DVI monitor.

Shane

The Aja HDP is easier to use. Connect it and boot. That's it.

The HDLink OTOH has required the installation of the HDLink Utility app on both MacPros I've tried to use it with before it would display anything on a 23" Apple Cinema HD Display.

BMD claims it will work right out of the box, but I'm 0 for 2 trying that.

Also, the HDLink didn't properly scale down to display DV clips. They looked like they were larger than 1280 X 720 to my eye. Certainly not 720 X 480, not even close.

The other things, in addition to what Shane mentioned, is that the MXO allows you to not only use your second monitor as a regular second monitor/extended desktop, but it also lets you downconvert and output to an NTSC Monitor from several different apps like P-shop and after effects, or output and/or record a scaled full desktop monitor's activites...like for live presentations over a projector of on a big-screen TV.

Sorry misunderstood,
But Adam for a few extra bucks I would think about an HD capture card from what I know of your project.
Z1&V1user

The main use of the MXO (of which I'm a real fan) is to be able to monitor true HD on a 23" Cinema Display... saves money... It will also send SDI to a real HD monitor, and SD to an SD monitor... that's cool too. IT's very clean indeed, and with the new drivers from Matrox, you can calibrate a Cinema Display just as you would a "real" HD monitor. (so you're monitoring HD for about 1800 bucks total with the 23" CD...) Next step up would be a Panasonic HD monitor (LCD) and it would start about $3200... the Matrox could feed that too.

Thing is the CD looks good enough to my old eyes for most all the work out there. If you were working in say, 2 k or something maybe it's not good enough, but hey, it's all up to how the viewer has setup his TV or HD display too.

Course you could go first cabin and do an Io HD for your HDV captures (using the new Pro Res 4:2:2 codec), and feed it's output to a real HD monitor... or to any monitor lcd or plasma that has an HDMI input...

.Jerry

"or to any monitor lcd or plasma that has an HDMI input... "

Since you brought up the HDMI LDC monitor idea here, what do you think of these consumer monitors for HDV viewing purposes? Are you speaking about 1080P w/1920x1080 resolutions only?
Z1&v1user

The problem with them is calibrating them. You really can't. if we're talking consumer stuff.

No Blue only gun display or way to send it to it...

Matrox figured that one, and their tech is so proprietary that they own this one... cool freaking idea. You send the DVI out from your computer to a CD, the box turns it into a broadcastable set-upable display. Has a blue only setup with the normal proc amp controls you'll see on any TV it manages to do in it's control panel.

The box works for native HDV output, HD anything...

It uses FCP's full screen commands to activate it.

I love this thing. it's saving us a ton if all we need to see is 23"... Send the DVI to a 23" for you AND send the signal to a plasma for the client... setup the 23, then setup the plasma by eyballing it. viola close enough for 90 percent of the work out there.

it was the blue only, control amp that did the trick...

The decklink product can't drive a computer display too...THAT is what makes the MXO unique.

The HDLink though can load lookup tables... pretty keen if you need to do that. Pro colorists would need this.

Jerry

You have to feed the the HDLink Pro HD thru SDI in... you feed the MXO your computer's DVI out. They are and aren't the same box at all.

AJA has similar solutions... they can drive a CD from SDI too.

Jerry