HD-SDI to HDMI - AJA or Blackmagic

[Chris Parker]

Just wondering what you guys would recommend for getting an HD-SDI signal converted to an HDMI signal for monitoring, and why.

Thanks.

 

[Ben Feuer]

Blackmagic HDLink, mostly on the basis of price.

 

[Chris Parker]

I thought the AJA one was cheaper.....

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=AJA-HI5&off=34&sort=prod

there it is for $429. how much is the HDLink? oh wait....

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=BMD-HDLDVI&off=0&sort=prod

there it is. basically the same price at markertek. considering this, is one better than the other? and why?

 

[Mike McCarthy]

I use HDlinks from Blackmagic, but from what I can tell, AJA's convertors have one significant features missing from the BMD product. The AJA one can scale the image to a DVI/HDMI resolution DIFFERENT from the input signal. This is important if you plan to us a monitor that is not 1920x1080, (not recommended) which will be unsupported by the BMD device, for 1080p/i SDI signals. BMD is always pixel for pixel, (or 2x for SD) while the AJA says it can scale.
Not sure how the HDLink Pro fits in in that regard. (Besides 3GB/s and 2K support)

 

[Andrew M.]

HDLink Pro has software that will change and adjust the curves and it has colorimetric support via USB port from your PC.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/hdlink/software/

For monitoring the waveforms if you are Avid shop you can use this for now:
http://www.3prong.com/WaveScope.htm
Is there one like this for WXP?

I hope in the future they will add support for the histogram son the screen like most pro monitor have. I need 40-50” monitor that supports all this stuff.
Anybody knows if there is one out there. All what I see is 30” or less.

 

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

Andrew
which is better decl link Multibridge Pro™ US$1,595
is it will work for monitoring ?
or i need this too for monitoring while shooting HD LINK PRO

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Just wondering what you guys would recommend for getting an HD-SDI signal converted to an HDMI signal for monitoring, and why.

Thanks.

we use the AJA Hi5 - rocks!

 

[Mike McCarthy]

Andrew
which is better decl link Multibridge Pro™ US$1,595
is it will work for monitoring ?
or i need this too for monitoring while shooting HD LINK PRO

The new Multibridges no longer have a DVI output, which used to be capable of 2K. They do have an HDMI out for 1080p/i if you can adapt that out to your LCD. Otherwise you need an HDLink to convert the SDI out to DVI.

 

[Chris Parker]

we use the AJA Hi5 - rocks!

Thanks. I think I'll go for these.

By the way, have you used either the MOTU V3HD or the AJA IO HD yet? Just curious. I got a MOTU today but figure it will be too loud for my setup, as I am taking it inside studios often, and the fan noise is simply too much I think.

Is the AJA IO HD quiet, and does it work well?

 

[Evin Grant]

I haven't been able to tell if the HI5 scales, Mark? One advantage to the BMD is it can accept dual link 4:4:4 and custom gammas if you ever wanted to use it for grading.

 

[Andrew M.]

Yes, I looked on Hi5 and it doesn't support many modes that BMD does.
Also BMD Pro supports 3GB/sec dual HD-SDI

BTW What RED SDI out is? dual-link 1.5GB?

 

[Mike McCarthy]

Yes, I looked on Hi5 and it doesn't support many modes that BMD does.
Also BMD Pro supports 3GB/sec dual HD-SDI

BTW What RED SDI out is? dual-link 1.5GB?

Keep in mind that the HDLink Pro does NOT accept Dual link SDI, only Single Link 3Gb/s. It is incompatible with most current hardware. Look closely, the two BMC connectors are 'Input' and 'Passthrough Output'. The regular version does accept dual link though.

 

[Andrew M.]

Yes, I see it now.
What RED is outputing though?
Do you have to use dual SDI (both outputs) to get 1080p 4:4:4 ?

 

[Mike McCarthy]

Yes, I see it now.
What RED is outputing though?
Do you have to use dual SDI (both outputs) to get 1080p 4:4:4 ?

1080p 4:4:4 requires Dual link for regular HD-SDI OR single link if your hardware supports the new 3Gb/s standard. BMD is the only company I have seen supporting it yet, with their Multibridge line. The Red likely uses dual link regular HD-SDI, although I can't confirm that 100%. The regular HDLink would be the optimal BMD solution for previewing from Red in 1080 4:4:4.

 

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

will anybody please explaine me how dual link works ? if you have some explaination photos please ?

 

[Simon Blackledge]

single link = 4:2:2
dual link (ie 2 sdi leads) = 4:4:4

The new BM HD Link Pro supports 3Gb/s therefore 4:4:4 down a single SDI link.

S

 

[Jonas Klittmark]

Guys, I know this is a really old thread but I'm curious about what the latest word is on Aja vs HdLink?

Will be used with a Mac Pro and Decklink plus I would like to be able to hook the Scarlet SDI straight in. Display is Dreamcolor.