New system, Arena 5 black magic output

[percramer]

Hi all,

i am choosing hardware for a new system. I want at least 6 outputs and some capture possibilities. So i was kind of exited about the new feature to output to black magic devices. But i can't seem to find much info on this.

I was thinking about putting in a DeckLink Quad 2 then. That has got 8 processing busses which can be configured as inputs or outputs. This would give me a lot of freedom to use what is needed per job (more inputs or outputs). And i actually prefer HD-SDI outputs over via/dvi/etc. But do i still need to put in a beefy graphics card also? Where all the calculation are done on?

Any good pointers on which motherboard etc you guys prefer?

Regards,

Per

[Oaktown]

i am choosing hardware for a new system. I want at least 6 outputs and some capture possibilities. So i was kind of exited about the new feature to output to black magic devices. But i can't seem to find much info on this.

Take a look at this post I wrote a couple of weeks ago where I discuss using a BMD capture card to output video: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=12581

I was thinking about putting in a DeckLink Quad 2 then. That has got 8 processing busses which can be configured as inputs or outputs. This would give me a lot of freedom to use what is needed per job (more inputs or outputs).

The DeckLink Quad 2 in combination with Resolume Arena 5 is going to be awesome for sure and I can't wait for it to be released!

And i actually prefer HD-SDI outputs over via/dvi/etc.

I'm personally a big fan of Dual Link DVI and DisplayPort but I do like using HD-SDI outputs for conferences.

Unfortunately, HD-SDI gear is limited to broadcast formats and requires add'l expensive gear to handle computer formats. I often use the BMD DVI Extenders & HDLInk Pro or a Barco Image Pro II (the dual output version is my preferred tool but is hell of expensive!) in combination with HD-SDI capture cards to gain access to multiple formats.

Also, keep in mind that the capture card outputs will have a slight amount of latency and won't sync up with the GPU outputs.

But do i still need to put in a beefy graphics card also? Where all the calculation are done on?

Yes you will still need to get a good graphics card for calculations. Nvidia seems to be a great fit with Resolume and works very well under load. If you can afford them, the 980/980ti/Titan are really great GPUs and you can't go wrong!

Any good pointers on which motherboard etc you guys prefer?

There are quite a few threads discussing preferred hardware but from what you're describing, it sound like you need to play close attention to the PCIe bandwidth and available x16 and x8 lanes. Also keep in mind that Thunderbolt 2 is also available on some motherboards and that really gives you the ability to expand your rig (PCIe and 4K video) so I would definitely keep that in mind. Something like an ASUS X99-E WS could be a great motherboard for you and you could add a Thunderbolt card to it.

[percramer]

Hi,

i missed that post, but nice to see that your results where that good with the BM output. If you have got a 2 / 3 fps delay then was that so noticeable that it didn't allow you to use the live feed anymore? I have had to work with switchers in the past that gave more delay then that (and it worked out ok).

For this new system money isn't a real issue at this moment, i just know it is going to cost money The resolutions are no problem since i tend to do most my work in standard resolutions for corporate gigs.

The thing that attracts me most is the easy usage in corporate events with SDI outputs and the fact that i don't need a lot of extra convertors. I already own 3 pairs of the BM hmdi>SDI (and visa versa) convertors so i could just keep using those. As longs as the different sdi outputs are in sync for multi projector setups, because that is what i need it for the most.

Else the 980 series seems like quite a nice card indeed. But would you prefer external hardware to expand the outputs to even more outputs or add an extra 980 card to the system?

[Oaktown]

i missed that post, but nice to see that your results where that good with the BM output. If you have got a 2 / 3 fps delay then was that so noticeable that it didn't allow you to use the live feed anymore? I have had to work with switchers in the past that gave more delay then that (and it worked out ok).

Yes but for some reason, I was not able to use the Blackmagic cameras that were patched into the 1M/E switcher I was getting an input from.

i tend to do most my work in standard resolutions for corporate gigs.

You mean broadcast resolutions, right?

The thing that attracts me most is the easy usage in corporate events with SDI outputs and the fact that i don't need a lot of extra convertors. I already own 3 pairs of the BM hmdi>SDI (and visa versa) convertors so i could just keep using those. As longs as the different sdi outputs are in sync for multi projector setups, because that is what i need it for the most.

In a corporate environment tend to use Resolume Arena 5 downstream from a BMD 1M/E and BMD 12x12 videohup and I create screen arrays using Datapath X4 hardware so my needs are probably different than yours but just keep in mind that GPU/Capture card won't sync up.

Else the 980 series seems like quite a nice card indeed. But would you prefer external hardware to expand the outputs to even more outputs or add an extra 980 card to the system?

I tend to stick with one GPU and breakdown the signal in downstream controllers such as the Datapath X4.