Multibridge is the world's highest quality capture, playback and conversion solution. Combining Dual Link 4:4:4 SDI video, new 3 Gb/s SDI connections for native 2K, digitally clean HDMI connections and the blazing transfer speeds of PCI Express, there is simply no higher quality editing solution available.

Highest Quality Conversion

Multibridge uses only the highest quality digital to analog conversion, so you know you're getting everything out of the SDI video connection. Because Multibridge operates up to HD-SDI 4:4:4 quality levels, as used on feature film work, then the highest quality conversion is required to handle these demanding tasks. Other converters on the market use only passive filtering and 10 bit analog converters - although claim 12 bit! Multibridge is different, because our designed-in active filters won’t roll off the high frequencies in the video, so you get better handling of fine detail in the image for that clean, clear film look.

SDI has the Flexibility for High End Production

The SDI video standard was designed for total flexibility. All equipment connects together using simple coax BNC cables with connections of up to 100 meters or 300 feet apart. SDI doesn't use compression so you can record video to any kind of broadcast or high end consumer deck, completely independently of the tape format. Modern equipment such as Multibridge allows for dual rate switching between standard definition 270 Mb/s or high definition 1.485 Gb/s video rates, so newer HDTV equipment can easily integrate into existing systems. Unlike DV which is only 4:1:1 color sampling and has only 1-red and 1-blue video sample per 4-luma samples, SDI is normally 4:2:2 and has twice the color resolution. When doing feature film work or other high end multi layer video editing, SDI allows two connections for full 4:4:4 video where full color resolution is available. When running Dual Link 4:4:4 you can even connect video using RGB color space instead of the normal YUV color space, or use the built in 3 Gb/s SDI connections for full 2048 x 1556 playback at 24 fps, for perfect for feature film workflow. Blackmagic Design also supports 16 bit rendering where possible, so full bit depth is always persevered.

Compatibility when it Counts

SDI has the compatibility to connect every kind of video equipment together, from all tape format decks, monitoring and distribution. No matter what the tape format there will be a model with SDI connections. That means you don’t have to worry about tape formats and non linear editing file formats standards, with SDI it all connects together seamlessly. SDI has absolutely no latency, so unlike FireWire you get instant response on NLE timelines. SDI also allows direct monitoring as all good video monitors have SDI input options, or use analog converters such as Multibridge and HDLink for LCD monitoring. For audio perfectionists, SDI has a massive multi channel audio capability with video capture cards such as DeckLink using up to 16 channels for HD audio capture. That’s great for 5.1 surround sound work. And like the video, all audio is digital so there is no generation loss of any kind, combined with perfect AV sync. There are thousands of SDI based products on the market ranging from over 1 million dollar telecine film scanners down to low cost analog converters for only a few hundred dollars, that are fully compatible with each other.

Feature Film Video Quality

SDI features twice the color resolution of DV so you get incredible quality graphics and effects. All Blackmagic Design products use full 4:2:2 10 bit SDI video with video stored at full resolution using 10 bit depth. If you're doing higher quality feature film work, then 4:4:4 HD-SDI is perfect. Only Multibridge models feature two SDI inputs and outputs for Dual Link HD 4:4:4 10 bit RGB support using two SDI connections as well as supporting the new 3 Gb/s SDI for connecting to equipment with single link 4:4:4 HD-SDI or 2K via SDI connections. 3 Gb/s is fully compatible with standard definition, high definition and 2K video equipment so you get the flexibility to change between workflow's instantly.

That’s ideal for incredibly high end work and Dual Link 4:4:4 compatible decks are available from companies such as Sony™ with their HDCAM SR™ series decks and most telecine film scanners. Multibridge even features hardware color space conversion so 4:4:4 clips can be played to 4:2:2 SDI decks and 4:2:2 clips can be played out to 4:4:4 decks. With Blackmagic you can choose compatibility with either 4:2:2 SDI or the highest quality possible with 4:4:4 full color resolution video easily.

PCI Express has the Speed for Quality

By connecting the world's highest quality converter to a host computer via PCI Express, you get the world's highest quality capture and playback solution. If you're editing or creating high end effects and broadcast graphics, PCI Express is 25 times faster than FireWire based solutions so you can capture the highest quality 4:4:4 10 bit RGB to disk.

Finally, there's a solution that lets you work with common decks such as Betacam SP™ and Digital Betacam™, but instantly switches to the highest 4:4:4 HD quality. PCI Express has the speed to make high quality capture easy, and because all electronics are external to the computer, interference from the high speed CPU into the delicate analog electronics is eliminated.

From the most advanced video production companies in Hollywood to individual, freelance, creative users, video & audio professionals all rely upon Blackmagic Design to deliver quality everyday. With advanced connections such as SDI you have the ideal solution for work that can't afford to suffer from inadequate quality, or performance, as can be the case with some FireWire-based solutions. With Blackmagic Design, you get the best quality and compatibility with SDI, and at the most affordable price ever!

Multibridge Eclipse and Multibridge Pro are now available from your local Blackmagic Design reseller.

Order now from your local Blackmagic Design authorized reseller.

Products
Multibridge Pro™	US$1,595
Multibridge Eclipse™	US$2,795
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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 for the highest quality possible. SDI is fully digital and has no video compression, so 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.

Standard Definition,
HDTV and 2K

Most people run standard definition for 80% or more of their work, but need High Definition capability from time to time. With Multibridge, you can immediately switch between SD or HD depending on the type of job that comes along. Full resolution video is supported from standard definition SDI using 720 x 486 for NTSC and 720 x 576 for PAL, up to the HDTV resolutions of 1280 x 720 for the 720p HD, and 1920 x 1080 for the 1080 HD standards. Now you can take on HD jobs as they come along, but keep your equipment productive with standard definition work.

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 coax 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. When using capture cards such as DeckLink you can capture to a wide range of disk formats such as JPEG, DV to uncompressed 8 bit, 10 bit or RGB 10 bit.

Industrial Strength Cabling

When your company becomes larger, SDI cabling is ideal. With SDI, it’s easy to find engineers who can custom make BNC cables that are strong enough to run under floors and up above in cable trays. SDI cables are fully shielded and able to withstand the rigors of large system construction.

The Famous Blackmagic Codec

The world famous Blackmagic Codec allows highest rendering quality on Multibridge. 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.

Choose RGB or YUV Workflow

Normal SDI video uses the 4:2:2 sampling where for every 4 black and white pixels, there are two color pixels for red and blue. YUV is fully compatible with most television requirement and is the native format for SDI video connections. For feature film and other high end work, many people like to work in RGB, because film, computers and video monitors natively work in RGB, and eliminates color space conversions. However RGB video commonly called 4:4:4 requires extra bandwidth and uses extra disk space when captured onto computers. With Multibridge you can choose the best color space for your workflow.

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, completely uncompressed. That means you can preserve video quality until you need to compress the video, such as the final compression pass for streaming or broadcast.