2560x1600 10bit from a blackmagic box?

[Matthew McGinity]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at a Blackmagic device (either the Decklink 4K Extreme or the Ultrastudio 4K), to provide 10-bit output.
I want to work at 2560x1600, which they both support.
Both the Decklink 4k and ultrastudio 4K have SDI and HDMI outputs only.
However, none of the 10-bit 2560x1600 monitors I've looked at (NEC Spectraview, DELL, Eizo) have SDI or HDMI inputs. They only have dual-link DVI or Displayport. And none of the Sony, FSI monitors I looked at, which do have SDI, go above 1920x1200.


So how do I connect a 2560x1600 10-bit DVI/Displayport monitor to a Blackmagic device?
What am I missing?

Matt

 

[Matthew Scott]

Bloody good question Matt, in all ears too

 

[Dimitri Boschma]

Probably with this: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/hdlink/

 

[Matthew McGinity]

Probably with this: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/hdlink/

Indeed. But is this really the way God (or Blackmagic) intended it? Seems clunky, as if I'm misunderstanding something.

 

[Dimitri Boschma]

I am almost sure that this is the way Blacmagic intended it. But 'clunky' indeed...
On the bright side, to make this 'clunky' thing a positive thing. You could use the HDLink (The later models) with software to do live grading as an added bonus.
But this would be an added bonus, and I think this is not what your main intention was...

 

[Matthew McGinity]

I've gone over the HDLink specs, and it seems it only goes up to 2048 x 1556.

And a closer look at the 4K Blackmagic devices seems to suggest they only support 2048 x 1556, and then jump up to 3480 x 2160, for SDI.
For HDMI they say simply "Pixel for pixel up to 4K resolutions", which could mean it works.
Kona 3G seems to be the same.

So how do people connect 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 resolution monitors and preview at 10-bit ??
Is anyone doing it? With which monitors and devices? I'd love to know.

Matt

 

[Matthew McGinity]

I put the question out to a few AV companies, and they all drew blanks.
Using a Quadro seems to be the only possible avenue.
It seems that either you work at HD or you jump to 4K, which is a little frustrating given the dozens of 2560x1440 and 2560x1600 monitors and projectors on the market.

Matt
ps. for the record - we create content for installations and exhibitions, so traditional distribution formats are not a constraint for us.