Blackmagic Decklink SP

[signal]

The Blackmagic Decklink SP has been out for awhile but haven't been able to dig up any reviews on how well it captures component or Y/C video.

I'm trying to decide if I want to go that route or get their Decklink card (SDI Only) and use an external converter (TV One, AJA, or Kramer). Some advantages and disadvantages going that route as well.

I don't need FX or the majority of features some of the higher end SP cards offer and trying to keep this < $750.

[Seraphic-]

If you have a PCI-express motherboard, take a look at the Intensity and Intensity Pro. They cost a lot less and offer some great features.

I talked to one of their techs the other day, but since I don't have PCIe, I can't get one of the Intensity cards. Would have to spend more for a DeckLink SP...

[squid_80]

The regular intensity can only capture via HDMI, no analog at all. The intensity pro can capture via HDMI, component, composite or s-video (using a s-video breakout lead). I got one of the pro cards on 1st june (basically straight after they launched) and it lasted about 3 days before composite and s-video input stopped working. After a week of back-and-forthing with BM trying to convince them that it was their hardware and not my setup that was at fault they sent a new card and it's been working fine since. It does seem to have trouble locking on to less than perfect signals and also very annoyingly when the signal drops out the picture delivered to the pc is replaced with a blackmagic logo and the words "No Video Input." When this happens it also cuts off the audio stream and when the signal returns the audio is normally out of sync by up to 2 seconds.

[signal]

Thanks for the heads up on the Intensity Pro.

I'm a bit concerned on the quality of the analog section due to the spartan information they have on it and by what you said.

There's no information on the ADC's, bit depth, comb filter options, tbc, etc.

By the literature the analog section seems to be a "bonus" and the HDMI is really what the card is for.

The last thing I want is to get the card and find out the quality maybe only marginally better than other cheaper conexant based cards.