There are many great reasons why DeckLink SD cards have helped introduce thousands of people worldwide to the incredible quality of broadcast video.

Uncompressed Video

Formats such as DV use video compression for smaller and easier to manage files but sacrifices image quality. Uncompressed video capture of perfect quality video, is now easy thanks to modern, faster hard disks. Uncompressed video won’t suffer from generation loss and always looks amazingly clean and sharp. Uncompressed video also renders faster, as you don’t waste CPU time with video compression. Now 100% of your CPU time can be used rendering your effects!

Higher Color Resolution and Flexibility

SDI doesn't use compression so you can record video to any kind of broadcast or high end consumer deck, completely independent of the tape format. Unlike DV which only has 4:1:1 color sampling, with 1-red and 1-blue video sample per 4-luma samples, SDI is usually 4:2:2 and has twice the color resolution.

SDI supports 8 and 10 bit video interchangeably with all DeckLink cards supporting 16 bit rendering where possible so full bit depth is always preserved. SDI video is also very flexible as all equipment connects together using simple coax BNC cables up to 100 meters or 300 feet apart. Although SDI was previously expensive, Blackmagic Design has single-handedly changed the industry making it more affordable for everyone.

Connect to Everything

SDI enables every kind of video equipment, including all tape format decks, monitoring and distribution to be easily connected for maximum compatibility. No matter what the tape format, you'll find a compatible deck model with SDI connections. SDI has absolutely no latency, so unlike FireWire, you get an instant response when editing. SDI also allows direct monitoring with all good video monitors having SDI input options - or use SDI to DVI-D converters, such as Multibridge or HDLink, for digital LCD monitoring.

Audio perfectionists will appreciate the massive multi-channel audio capability of SDI, enabling DeckLink SD cards to capture up to 8 channels of audio. That’s great for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound work! And as with uncompressed video, all audio is digital so there's no generation loss of any kind - all with perfect AV sync! There are thousands of SDI based products in the industry today which are fully compatible with DeckLink cards.

Analog Component Video Support

DeckLink SP and DeckLink Extreme models include full component video connections where 3 BNC cables connect Y, R-Y and B-Y color channels. This provides the highest quality analog video monitoring when working with decks such as Betacam SP™. Betacam SP™ decks provide component analog video connections using dual video heads for the Y color channel. R-Y, B-Y color channels use 8 bit Chroma Time Domain Multiplex (CTDM) processing for full 4:2:2 color bandwidth.

This results in great quality analog video that simple connections such as composite or S-Video can't match. Only component video gives you the best quality out of older analog decks so you can retain value in the investment of equipment you already own. Most broadcasters still accept Betacam SP™ tapes, so you’ve got the perfect solution for standard definition mastering at an affordable price.

Multiple Power Supplies

Computer PCI bus power noise has been a problem for broadcast video capture cards from other manufacturers. DeckLink solves this problem by using 6 independent onboard power supplies, thereby reducing power supply noise from affecting delicate analog video and audio circuits. This helps keep noise, from digital switching of microprocessors, out of analog video and results in crisp, clean, perfect pictures.

High Quality Shielded Cables

DeckLink Pro, DeckLink SP and DeckLink Extreme feature 2 meter or 7 foot long fully shielded cables for connecting to your decks and monitors. The cables are made from high quality shielded cabling, eliminating interference. They are included at no additional cost, so you don’t need to purchase additional quality cabling when building your system!

From advanced video production companies in Hollywood to the smallest individual freelance user, you can rely on DeckLink quality every day. With Blackmagic Design, you get the best quality and compatibility at the most affordable price.

DeckLink SP is now available in PCI-33/66 or PCI Express models!

Buy now from your local Blackmagic Design authorized reseller.

Products
DeckLink™	US$295
DeckLink Pro™	US$595
DeckLink SP™	US$595
DeckLink SP PCIe™	US$595
DeckLink Extreme™	US$895
DeckLink Extreme PCIe™	US$895
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Serial Digital Interface

For over a decade, high end post production companies have used the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) to connect all kinds of equipment together at the highest quality possible. SDI is fully digital and has no video compression, so it doesn't suffer from any image degradation. Unlike DV based consumer video standards, SDI uses 10 bit video quantizing which allows 1024 video levels, 4 times the quality of the 8 bit DV video, totally eliminating banding and contouring problems in high quality video. When doing complex creative work such as broadcast graphics and multi-layer keying of video, SDI is ideal because it has the highest quality color resolution.

Go the Distance

SDI video connects long distances up to 300 feet or 100 meters, so you can connect everyone together in your facility. Cables are simple BNC coaxial cables so you can easily make cables to the perfect length for your needs.

Industry Standard Format

Connect to any SDI deck for all industry tape formats. From DV, Digital Betacam™, D1, up to HDCAM SR™ and HD D-5, you have them all covered. DeckLink SD cards enable you to capture to a wide range of disk formats such as JPEG, DV and DVCPRO 50 or uncompressed 8 bit and 10 bit.

16 Bit Rendering

When working with 10 bit SDI video, you'll always want to make sure you're getting the best rendering quality possible. DeckLink cards can render in 16 bit RGB for incredible quality.

Professional Software Compatibility

Edit and design with DeckLink cards for the highest quality possible. Unlike dedicated pre-built systems, you have the flexibility of customizing a system to your needs and not the needs someone has decided for you. Check out powerful software such as Final Cut Pro™, Premiere Pro®, Motion™, After Effects®, Shake™ and Photoshop® for cutting edge creative tools.

The Famous Blackmagic Codec

The world famous Blackmagic Codec allows highest rendering quality on DeckLink cards. Unlike other products, only the Blackmagic Codec features correct anti-aliasing 4:2:2 color filtering, so RGB graphics convert to the correct 4:2:2 YUV video space without aliasing problems.

Uncompressed Video Quality

SDI uses a higher data rate than DV, so it’s got the speed to handle full resolution video in standard definition or high definition uncompressed. That means you can preserve video quality until you need to compress the video for streaming or broadcast.

Affordable for Everyone

If you're new to high end video, check out DeckLink from Blackmagic Design. DeckLink is a low cost SDI broadcast video card for both Windows™ and Mac OS X™ for only $295.