[Blackmagic Media Express For Mac Download
Virginie Fayad
Is it possible to capture NTSC DV directly into media express via firewire? I have a large collection of MiniDV tapes with standard NTSC video on them that need ingested as part of an archival project.
I think I have now read every forum post with the words "latency" "capture" and "blackmagic" and tried the suggestions but we are still having about a half second latency from our live feed which is not great. I'm hoping someone can help.
We have 7 live cameras routed through a Kramer SDI Matrix and then to our Display computer which has a first-generation Blackmagic Decklink Quad capture card. When we check the signal on the Display computer using the Blackmagic Media Express software, we have minimal latency from every camera (maybe a few frames). As soon as we route it through Watchout, we have noticeable delay between the live and projected imagery. We have tried turning off de-interlacing and unchecked the frame blending option for the live feed, with no effect. We changed the WO settings to downsample to 720p and it temporarily reduced the latency to something a little more reasonable but was still significantly more delay than we'd prefer.
An application can either use BlackMagic's proprietary framework/API Decklink or DirectShow. WATCHOUT only supports DirectShow so when you are comparing software then make sure that you are comparing using the same framework. WATCHOUT is pulling the frames from the DirectShow capture filter as fast as possible. The BlackMagic DirectShow capture filter is installed when installing the software package from BlackMagic so it might be good to test different versions of their software.
What normally adds latency is re-sampling of any kind like color format re-sampling, color space re-sampling, framerate re-sampling or resolution re-sampling. Especially if the hardware doesn't have these capabilities then the conversion takes place in software. WATCHOUT is capturing using the YUV 4:2:2 8-bit (YUV2) format in the resolution and refresh rate that is specified in WATCHOUT for the live video media.
Getting the frame from DirectShow and showing it on the screen takes usually two display frames due to double buffering. So if you are running the displays at 60 Hz then WATCHOUT will add around 33 ms. All other latency comes from the DirectShow capture filter and capture hardware. Most hi-end hardware adds around one frame when not re-sampling etc.. So in most cases it should take 3-4 frames from capture to display. Some hardware have low latency modes which makes it possible to capture in less than one frame time (example: Datapath livestream) which results in a 2-3 frames capture to display latency.
Blackmagic's DirectShow implementation isn't the greatest and you need to make sure that no re sampling is taking place for best results. Test Media Player Classic with the same settings as in WATCHOUT and see if you get the same results there. Make sure to select the YUV2 color format when comparing.
Hello there, I am running a macbook pro retina Catalina 10.15.6 -mid 2014 Izzy 3.0.7, I have recently purchased the ultrastudio mini recorder to receive a live feed into izzy. I have installed the driver, which is showing up in the izzy live capture settings. I have also installed the Desktop video setup software for the device. Izzy is recognising the ultrastudio as an input device however no signal is coming through on the preview window nor through the video input watcher....I am not sure what else to check, or how to troubleshoot from here on...any help much appreciated. thanks, Leben
If I recall correctly, when using one of these I had to use a very specific setting for the input, I think 1080i59.9 because the device was very picky. Try switching from PAL to the other input options.
I am using one of these devices at the moment with Sony A7rII camera via HDMI. I have also used it with a Sony EX1 camera with SDI - It appears like you might have the wrong cable - you have to use a digital SDI cable between the camera and the unit. Actually I have two of the units but only one is functional. Unfortunately they are not repairable, so if you do not see a small pin light next to the port when it is connected to your computer then it is broken and will need to be replaced. I have found that only a certain configuration will work with each camera. For the Sony A7rII it is 1080i 50fps with the camera set to PAL system. I have started to use a senhieser Lavellier microphone through the camera and routing to Isadora through the device as well. This works but the settings in the Capture Settings control panel appear unusual. If I can make sense of the settings I will report back.
@Michel I'm feeding a composite signal into a BNC adapter that fits onto the ultrastudio, I presumed this would work as I got the adapter of my old digital mixer, that did accept a composite feed into it. Also I've noticed that on channel 1 in the live feed preferences I have 2 different options for the black magic, with one "offline"...these options are reversed when using channel 4.....is this any clue?
Before you even open Isadora, you have to check that you're getting an input by using the Blackmagic utilities: first check the setup using the Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup, and then use Blackmagic Media Express to check you're getting a picture.
If you are, then you can open Isadora and the input should just work.
What device are you feeding the Blackmagic Mini Recorder with?
@mark_m Hi, I have configured the settings in the Desktop video setup" application. That being the option for an SDI or HDMI signal. As for media express, a google search tells me this is an application that comes with DeckLink models....which I do not have...or can this be downloaded from the blackmagic site? I cannot see it there...
I am currently just feeding a VCR signal into it....I purchased it to digitize video from my Vidicon tube cameras...I presumed I could just feed any old composite signal into it...perhaps I was wrong about this
As I said, the signal has to be an SDI signal you are feeding an analog signal that the mini Recorder cannot read. The BNC adaptor has nothing to do with the signal you are sending over it. So your composite signal will not work with the ultra studio.
I am not sure why you can choose two different Mini Recorder in the "device" selection in Isadora. But as soon as you select one it will not be available in the other channels, it can only be selected once.
One thing about the Blackmagic devices is that all settings have to match, if your computer outputs 1080p 50Hz via HDMI you have to set HDMI as input in the Desktop Video Setup software from Blackmagic and select 1080p 50Hz in Isadora for it to show up. On this website you can see what resolutions are suported remember SDI and HDMI have limited resolution support.
You can download the Media Express Software from the Blackmagic website. As @bonemap said first trouble shoot with the original software form Blackmagic to be sure all settings are right.
I have a mini Recorder and it works fine when all settings are right.
As Michal said, the device may not be able to handle an analog signal, or the cable or converter may be the issue. You may need an ADVC (analog-digital video converter) device between the VCR and the capture device.
No, it probably just means the device was unplugged after Isadora found it, (likely while you were trying different things), and so it "lost" the "original" device (which became labeled "offline") and found a "new" device that's not offline (even though they're the same device). If you quit and relaunch Isadora, I'm pretty certain the "offline" option will disappear.
This has been my experience too. You have to make sure everything in the chain is on the same settings/is compatible so it can be a matter of changing multiple settings to make them all match your source (meaning things have to have the right setting in multiple places and there's only one "correct" combination that'll allow you to get a video feed). Once the settings all match, I've found these devices to be very reliable.
Yes. This is the problem. This won't work. This is an analogue signal. You need either an analogue to digital convertor, or a Blackmagic device which will capture analogue signals, like the Intensity Shuttle Thunderbolt.
Camera Sony A7rII + usb power / needs charged batteries as well, Camera setting PAL 1080i 25fps, Camera has micro HDMI output, Blackmagic ultrastudio mini-recorder ful-size hdmi input/ output to thunderbolt 2 cable, Macbook pro 2015 thunderbolt 2, Isadora3 software to capture from the Blackmagic device, Patch VideoIn Watcher to Projector actor, Stage Set-up enable audio video output to NDI video, Blackboard Collaborate software recognises NDI after enabling NDI utility.
but that left me with the newest (again 10.11.4) version of the blackmagic desktop video software and also (only because I preemptively copied it onto my desktop ) a working version of the media express software
so far in my short time with it this morning it seems like as long as I have the video input set correctly (via the blackmagic desktop video panel) and media express software preferences set to the same resolution of the video coming in then it shows up and captures perfectly
Is i understand right, the problem with you macbook pro 2012 was the thunderbolt ports? Because i am trying to have either Mini Matrox Mx02 and Black Magic with Thunderbolt to get recognized from my Macbook in the system profiler, and nothing show up! I made a test, and connected a thunderbolt adapator to a projector and the image show up in the projector, but in the system profiler, still is saying it does not recognized the adaptator.
Was it the problem you had ?
no my problem is described at the link I posted.
essentially the computer would just shut off randomly and more frequently the longer the problem persisted.
I forget what they said the hardware issue was but it talks about it at the link.
It sounds like you are only having the issue of not seeing the device.