News

by Jeff LochMarch 8^th, 2019

Blackmagic Design released a new DeckLink card – the DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder – and also some new firmware updates for the Decklink 8K Pro and the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K. Davinci Resolve is also part of the updates with version 15.3 now out. Let’s take a look at these updates! 

Blackmagic DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder

Following the announcement of the URSA Mini Pro G2 announcement and the BMPCC 4K RAW upgrade, Blackmagic Design also released a brand new DeckLink card called the DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder.

This new PCIe capture card features 4 HDMI 2.0b input ports, so you can simultaneously capture four different video sources at up to 60 frames per second. The nice thing is these sources can be a completely different video signal and standard. So, in the end, you can input in the card any combination of your choice of SD, HD, Ultra HD, 4K DCI, and even computer video formats. In terms of video sampling, you can record directly your choice of 8 or 10-bit YUV and 10 or 12-bit RGB at up to 4K DCI 30p, or 8-bit RGB at up to 4K DCI 60p. Also, the DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder even supports computer and gaming consoles in 8-bit RGB up to 2560 x 1600 resolution.

The DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder plugs directly into an available – single slot – PCIe slot (or Thunderbolt 3 external housing) and appears as four separate capture cards. This card looks like a perfect solution if you are doing live streams or live events recordings.

Blackmagic Decklink 8K Pro Update

Blackmagic Design updated their Desktop Video application to version 11.0, and there is an exciting update for its Decklink 8K Pro capture card. The card will now be able to use its four 12G-SDI connections to capture and playback four different video sources at once.

Like the Quad HDMI Recorder, you can now capture any combination of formats and frame rates, up to Ultra HD and 4K DCI at 60 frames per second. Indeed, the difference between the two products is the playback features of the Decklink 8K Pro. This update for Decklink 8K Pro also adds HDR features and support (SMPTE ST2108-1 and SMPTE ST2082-10), but it also makes it possible to output HDR content over SDI.

Blackmagic Duplicator 4K Long Form Recording Update

Last but not least, there is a new software update for the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K that adds long-form recording capabilities. The  Blackmagic Duplicator 4K could already record to 25 SD cards at the same time from a 12G-SDI video source. Now you can record directly to the 25 SD cards in your choice of H.264 or H.265 in SD, HD or Ultra HD up to 2160p60.

Also, one of the interesting new features is the ability to record continuously, non-stop long-form recording for several months (depending on your SD cards capacities). That way, you can use the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K as a security server for your IP cameras for example. Two recording modes are available: single disk recording or infinite overwrite recording:

• In single disk recording mode, recording happens on each of the 25 SD cards sequentially, as if they were a single large disk. When all of the cards are full, the recording stops. You can swap the full cards for empty ones; the recording will continue as long as there is an SD card with free space available.
• In infinite overwrite recording, the recording never stops. When all of the 25 SD cards are full, the recording will overwrite the first card.

Image courtesy of Blackmagic Design

DaVinci Resolve 15.3 Update

Blackmagic Design updated DaVinci Resolve to version 15.3. This update supports the new URSA Mini Pro G2 and implements BM RAW SDK 1.3. As always, Blackmagic also fixed some bug and improved some features, including:

• Improved support for audio metadata in AAF exports including clip volume, pan data, track volume, and automation
• Improved performance when selecting clips in the Edit timeline
• Improved responsiveness when using Wacom tablets on Windows
• Improved playback behavior on the Edit page
• Improved timecode support for high frame rate EXR clips

Pricing and Availability

The DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder is available now for $545. The Desktop Video 11.0 application update for the Decklink 8K Pro is available as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website. The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K 1.2 update is also a free update, available right now from the Blackmagic Design website.  Finally, the DaVinci Resolve 15.3 update is also free, and you can download it from the Apple Store or the Blackmagic Design website.

Do you own some Blackmagic Design DeckLink playback or capture cards? What do you think of these updates? Let us know in the comments down below!