Blackmagic Design upgraded its popular DeckLink HD Extreme card this month, adding dual-link 3 Gb/sec SDI for 4:4:4 color resolution as well as a new hardware downconverter that enables simultaneous HD and SD playback. The price remains at $995.

The new card supports full-resolution editing at 2K, expanding on the 2K workflows that it introduced last year on the Multibridge Eclipse editing system and HDLink Pro HD/2K monitoring system. It can now be employed in a 4:4:4 HD workflow utilizing Sony HDCAM SR decks. Used in combination with the HDLink Pro product, the card allows large displays like the 30-inch Apple Cinema display to be used for playback at 2048×1556 resolution.

The 3 Gb/sec SDI  connection is twice as fast as normal HD-SDI, but the DeckLink HD  Extreme card can switch instantly between SD, HD and 2K. It also has built-in HDMI  input and output for connecting to standard displays and video projectors, or for capturing from cameras with HDMI  outs.

Connected via high-speed PCI Express, the card also ensures that editors get full usage of real-time effects processing in their NLE software. On the audio side, the card has unbalanced AES  digital in and out plus balanced XLR connectors.

For more information:  www.blackmagic-design.com