Is there an SDK or API for developers with DeckLink cards?
Yes, Blackmagic Design provides an SDK for DeckLink, Multibridge, Intensity Pro, Videohubs as well as HDLink. We also support standard Quicktime and Directshow APIs for use with our DeckLink, Multibridge and Intensity products. Read more about our SDK by downloading the documentation here:
http://blackmagic-design.com/support/software/download.asp?download=522
You can also download the SDK for free and start writing your own custom application straight away.
The SDKs can be downloaded from our software downloads page here:
http://blackmagic-design.com/support/software/
QuickTime™
The great thing about developing using Quicktime is that the code you write will be compatible with any Quicktime compatible card and Apple provides a lot of information about hot to interface with Quicktime on their web site.
You will need to check the section about writing to an output component. This is how software asks QuickTime to play to hardware. It's a very nice architecture, as once you get this working, you will work with DeckLink, Multibridge, Intensity and any other hardware card that's QuickTime compatible.
There is also a section on writing capture components, and this is how application software can capture from any QuickTime based hardware device without needing to know the details of the hardware device itself. QuickTime does a lot for you already.
Please check: http://developer.apple.com/quicktime/
DirectShow®
The latest DirectShow filters are included in the current DeckLink Windows drivers. DirectShow is only available for Windows but is supported by lots of applications including ones that do not support QuickTime. Applications which use the DirectShow API can now interface with DeckLink cards to capture in the AVI file format and play back to tape. The latest DeckLink Windows drivers are available from the software downloads page of our web site. DirectShow is included in the DirectX SDK available from Microsoft at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/directx/
For access to some custom DeckLink features there is a DeckLink DirectShow SDK available from the software downloads page of our web site. The SDK also includes some examples of simple code to use DeckLink for capture, playback and keying.
Contacting Blackmagic Developer Support
You can also contact us via developer@blackmagic-design.com if you have any questions that you have any developer related questions.
If you have not done so already, you might also like to subscribe to the Blackmagic Developer mailing list. This list is designed for technical questions regarding technologies used by Blackmagic Design, eg DirectShow, QuickTime, codecs, APIs, SDKs, etc. It is meant as a forum where developers can discuss both ideas and problems with other developers. Anyone may reply and the Blackmagic Design engineers may also respond when appropriate. You can subscribe to the mailing list at:
http://lists.blackmagic-design.com/mailman/listinfo/bmd-developer
Please subscribe from a permanent email address as we do not automatically allow subscription requests from disposable addresses, e.g. Hotmail and Yahoo. We may also require a brief outline of the software you are developing before adding you to the forum.
We update our drivers on a regular basis and the updates can include new support for QuickTime, DirectShow or Premiere Pro so it is always a good idea to keep up to date.
We hope this information is helpful and please email the list if you have any further questions.
Blackmagic Design Development Team
