Blackmagic Design announced true 2K resolution support with version 5.5 software for the highly popular Multibridge Extreme all-in-one bi-directional converter with PCI-Express.
The Multibridge Extreme is the world's first uncompressed video product to feature 2K, realtime 10-bit RGB playout for the world's two most popular editing applications: Apple Final Cut Pro on Mac OS X and Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 on Windows XP. This new software driver 5.5 for Multibridge Extreme also features 2K real- time preview for popular compositing and paint applications such as Adobe After Effects 7.0, Combustion, Shake and Photoshop.
True 2K, at 23.98 and 24 fps enables editors, broadcast paint and special effects professionals the ability to monitor 2K video and graphics on Dual-Link DVI-D LCD displays, such as the Apple 30" Cinema Display and the DELL 30" flat-panel display. Each individual pixel is digitally mapped pixel-for-pixel for the most color sensitive and accurate image quality available: perfect for detailed video and film work.
"We originally designed Multibridge Extreme with massive bandwidth and processing power for high end tasks, such as true 2K film resolution support. Multibridge Extreme enables digital effects artists to work in full 2048 x 1556 resolution, exceeding the high resolution of the HDTV format, which is perfect for Digital Intermediate feature film work," said Grant Petty, ceo, Blackmagic Design.
"Blackmagic Design is the first company to offer a product that features the low cost of SD, combined with the ability to work in HD and native 2K."
Software release Multibridge Extreme 5.5 includes:
* True 2K, 10 bit RGB realtime playout support for Apple Final Cut Pro on Mac OS X and Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 on Windows XP* True 2K realtime preview for popular effects and paint applications such as Adobe After Effects 7.0, Photoshop, Shake and Combustion* Support for 30" dual-link DVI-D displays at full resolution 2K 2048x1556, and support for 2048x1536, 2048x1157, 2048x1106, 2048x1080 at 23.98 and 24 fps* Closed caption support in high and standard definition analog and digital video* Added Windows 2003 server support for software version 5.5 for Windows XP
Multibridge Extreme is the world's first all-in-one bi-directional converter featuring a new high-speed 10GBps PCI-Express connection. 25 times faster than FireWire, Multibridge Extreme's PCI-Express allows capture and playback of uncompressed video up to 2K feature film resolutions when plugged into a computer.
Multibridge Extreme can be used as the highest quality audio and video converter, or as a high-end editing and compositing system for broadcast, post-production and film projects. It instantly switches between HD and SD with 4:2:2 and Dual Link 4:4:4 video quality. Multibridge Extreme features SDI digital video, Analog Component video, 8 channels of AES/EBU digital audio, two channels of balanced professional XLR analog audio and two unbalanced audio outputs for low cost in-suite monitoring.
Multibridge Extreme is available now for $2,595 from authorized Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Blackmagic's latest software driver is available free to registered Multibridge Extreme users, and can be download immediately from the Blackmagic Design support web site located at www.blackmagic-design.com/support/software/.
Blackmagic Design (www.blackmagic-design.com) manufactures the world's highest quality video cards and converters for the postproduction and television broadcast industries. The Multibridge Extreme and DeckLink family of leading quality video cards have changed the post-production industry and made HDTV more affordable for everyone. Blackmagic was founded by some of the world's leading editors and engineers from the post-production industry. Blackmagic Design has operations in the U.S., Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
