Why expensive Black Magic / AJA stuff for monitoring HD?

[ppc_michael]

I just got a DVI to HDMI cable for under $10 and it works perfectly for monitoring HD directly from the FCP timeline to my Sony HD monitor. So I'm wondering, what is the advantage of the alternative expensive monitoring tools such as the Black Magic card?

 

[fluidedge]

in short - color reproduction. It's broadcast accurate with the AJA/BM equipment.

Though i'm sure someone can come up with a more extensive list of reasons.

 

[LethalWolfe]

The image from the FCP Canvas, Viewer, and/or Digital Cinema Desktop is just a proxy and can't be counted on for accurate viewing. The signal coming off the DVI port is not a b'cast standard video signal and therefore for isn't accurate. The AJA and BM cards also give you more than just monitoring (various inputs and outputs, real-time cross converting done in hardware, etc.,)

If you want a quality, budget HD monitoring solution get a Matrox MXO and a 23" ACD.


Lethal

 

[ppc_michael]

Hmm. Interesting, thanks.

 

[KeithPratt]

I think the colour accuracy issue is sometimes overplayed. When you compare what the colour looks like on the Canvas and what it looks like coming out of an AJA or Blackmagic card, the difference may seem inconsequential to you — it's a case of what level of accuracy you really need. I think the bigger issue is DVI being progressive-only, meaning you're not seeing interlaced stuff as it really is.

If your input/output is all going to be data-based (Firewire and P2/SxS cards, etc.) then a budget option just for monitoring is the Blackmagic Intensity. It'll give you a proper broadcast out for monitoring direct from your source footage, interlaced or progressive, 50Hz/59.94Hz. It doesn't have the other connections or bells and whistles cards further up the Blackmagic line do, but if you're not a cow or a referee then you probably don't need them. (I haven't actually used this card, I'm just going on specs.)

 

[fluidedge]

I think colour is really important to think about actually. Broadcasters have very strict rules on the format of video to be broadcast and a proper monitoring system is vital to meet their requirements.

 

[killr_b]

For filters, transitions, and some effects to play back without render in full quality, real time.

 

[KeithPratt]

I think colour is really important to think about actually. Broadcasters have very strict rules on the format of video to be broadcast and a proper monitoring system is vital to meet their requirements.

Don't get me wrong, it's almost always going to beneficial to have a properly set-up output and monitor, but for some things it's overkill. And I think waveforms and vectorscopes are the way to go for monitoring broadcast legality.

I like your avatar. That's the badger's tail, right?