The original DeckLink has become world famous. Great for simple 10 bit SDI only applications, it features SDI in and out, unbalanced AES output and RS-422 remote control with all connections on the rear of the card. The original DeckLink model doesn't need genlock as it provides a stable SDI output for locking decks to the card, eliminating the need for a black burst generator.

True 10 bit SDI capture retains all the subtle detail in your images, even during multi generation rendering and video processing. When using analog decks such as Betacam SP™, DeckLink SP and DeckLink Extreme models feature analog component YUV video and balanced analog audio, so you don’t need cumbersome external converters.

Built-in Professional Quality Audio

All DeckLink cards feature unbalanced AES digital audio out for incredible quality and sample accurate AV sync. DeckLink unbalanced AES audio outputs are also compatible with S/PDIF consumer audio, so you can use inexpensive HiFi equipment for audio monitoring. DeckLink Pro includes 4 AES audio outputs for a massive 8 channels of audio, great for mastering 8 channels to multi-track audio equipment. When connecting to analog decks, DeckLink SP and DeckLink Extreme models include analog XLR audio in and out connectors for direct analog deck connection. 8 channel SDI audio is supported, perfect for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound audio work.

Choose Windows™ or Mac OS X™

DeckLink cards can be plugged into either Windows™ or Mac OS X™ systems. You can move DeckLink cards between operating systems allowing you to constantly reconfigure your facility as your needs change. On Windows™, DeckLink supports DirectShow™ for compatibility with most video software. For editing, DeckLink includes a full suite of plug-ins for Adobe Premiere Pro including Deck Control. You can even playback AVI, QuickTime™ and still frames files all on the same Premiere Pro timeline and with multi-channel audio via our ASIO driver. DeckLink is a world leader on Apple Mac OS X™ with QuickTime™ support for full compatibility with all video software such as Final Cut Pro™, After Effects, Shake™, DVD Studio Pro™, iDVD™, Combustion™ and many more.

Software Compatibility

With DeckLink’s open standard design, you can use a wide range of video software. DeckLink is compatible with QuickTime™ and DirectShow™ which means you can use any QuickTime™ or DirectShow™ software. Unlike pre-built systems, with DeckLink you can customize your system for different tasks. Use Final Cut Pro™ on Mac OS X™ or Premiere Pro on Windows™ and Mac OS X™ for editing. Use After Effects and Photoshop for broadcast design and paint and then DVD authoring software to give your clients a DVD of your work. The choice is yours.

Flexible File Formats

When used with Mac OS X™ and Windows™ operating systems, you can select from the highest quality 10 bit uncompressed and 8 bit uncompressed. When used on Mac OS X™, DeckLink includes support for ProRes 422, DV and JPEG compressed video formats. On Windows™, you can choose between AVI and QuickTime™ file formats and even play back TARGA and BMP image sequences in the Premiere Pro timeline without rendering.

No other card has such wide support for various file formats and operating systems for cross platform compatibility. DeckLink uncompressed QuickTime™ files can be freely moved between Mac OS X™ and Windows™ systems.

Down Conversion and Real Time Effects

When running on Mac OS X™ all DeckLink cards feature our new full broadcast quality down conversion, so you can instantly master HD edits to standard definition. Even the base model DeckLink $295 card can play back uncompressed HD files and then downconvert to standard definition. That's perfect when you’re working in HD for future proof mastering, but you're delivering in standard definition. Down conversion uses polyphase interpolation and filtering for incredible quality with conversion at full 10 bit quality. Even DVCPRO HD multi-layer editing in Final Cut Pro™ can be downconverted and played out on all DeckLink cards in standard definition, making the transition to HD easier.

Loads of Software Utilities Free

All DeckLink cards include free software utilities developed to assist real world production needs. All standard definition DeckLink models support keying so you can key graphics over live input video in real time. Controlled by an application called Blackmagic LiveKey it’s a snap to switch DeckLink into a keying card. For broadcast graphics and paint we include Photoshop plug-ins for capture and output of still frames. If you need DPX image sequences for DI workflow, the new Blackmagic FrameLink lets you instantly access QuickTime™ and AVI media as DPX files. Our famous Blackmagic Deck Control application lets you control a deck remotely via RS-422. Capture and play clips to and from tape with timecode accuracy, which is great for broadcast design. For easy disk array setup we include Blackmagic Disk Speed Test for real world checking of your capture disk, with speed results displayed in easy to understand video frames per second. When moving media between systems, use our free Blackmagic Software Codec for reading and rendering media, even when you don’t have DeckLink hardware installed.