Blackmagic Design has released an updated version of its popular PCIe card, the Intensity Pro 4K allows UHD capture/playback on Windows, Mac and Linux PCIe computers.
Besides the inclusion of all the previous Intensity Pro features, the new PCIe card now includes colour support in HDMI, 1080p/60 capture/playback and UHD capture/playback up to 2160p/30 via HDMI. So, not strictly 4K but close enough for BM to tag it with the latest fad name.
BM are marketing the ‘4K’ card to consumers, Youtubers and gamers by including older inputs like analog YUV, composite and S-video for compatibility with gaming consoles and VHS/DVD equipment. The card is able to capture NTSC, PAL, 720HD, 1080HD along with the already mention UHD, in 10-bit Uncompressed or ProRes.
A sign the company is hard at work trying to crack the consumer market, is the fact this questionable line was included to the card’s press release – “That means gamers can connect their consoles over HDMI and then capture every heart pounding moment of gameplay to create the most amazing, high frame rate walkthrough videos for posting online.” We’ll have to buy two!
In all seriousness though, for filmmakers with a tight budget, one of these in your compatible computer could well do away with the need for an external recorder. It’s also a cheap solution for realtime capturing in UHD on the A7S or GH4.
There’s also a free version of DaVinci Resolve in the box, just to challenge users to up their video quality. Company CEO, Grant Petty added his stamp of approval to the card, saying “The new Intensity Pro 4K is extremely exciting because now customers can capture the world’s highest quality, high frame rate video on their computers.”
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Intensity Pro 4K is available now for US$199/AU$265 (Inc GST) from resellers worldwide.
Just look at those high tech connectors!
Standards:
SD Format Support
625i/50 PAL and 525i/59.94 NTSC, 480p
HD Format Support
720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60.
Ultra HD Format Support
2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97 and 2160p30.
HDMI Video Sampling
RGB 4:4:4 in HD and YUV 4:2:2 in Ultra HD.
HDMI Audio Sampling
Television standard sample rate of 48kHz and 24-bit.
Color Space
REC 601, REC 709.
HDMI Color Precision
10-bit
HDMI Configuration
HDMI 1.4b supports Deep Color and automatically configures to connected display.
Copy Protection
HDMI input is unable to capture from copy protected HDMI sources. Always confirm copyright ownership before capture or distribution of content.
Processing:
UHD/HD Down Conversion
Software based down conversion during video playback.
HD Up Conversion
Real time SD to 1080HD and 720HD during video capture.
Real Time Effects
Final Cut Pro X internal effects. Premiere Pro CC Mercury Playback Engine effects. Avid Media Composer internal effects.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com
Excerpts from Press Release
JasonGW
“In all seriousness though, for filmmakers with a tight budget, one of
these in your compatible laptop could well do away with the need for an
external recorder.” Actually, no. This isn’t compatible with laptops. ANY laptop. At all.
Nicole Boyd
Yea…that was a pretty stupid mistake, I’ve changed it to read ‘computer’ now.
All I can say is that I was in desperate need of caffeine at the time. Thanx for letting me know, Jason 🙂
Nicki Boyd – V&F Editor
JasonGW
Believe me, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve made a similar booboo, I’d be very, very wealthy. And possibly a little more neurotic 😛