21 December 2007 — Number 060

DeckLink Minimum System Requirements for Mac OS X™

Contents of this support note:

 

MAC OS X 10.5 LEOPARD, MAC PRO CONFIGURATION

• We recommend the following software versions be used together: Mac OS X 10.5.1, Final Cut Pro 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.3.1 and the latest DeckLink v6.6.2 drivers. Software versions can be found by following these steps.

Recommended memory

Currently we recommend 2 GB of RAM for standard definition and at least 4 GB of RAM for high definition video. This specification may be updated at any time to recommend more RAM if we find that driver, application or Mac OS X updates require more RAM.

Memory modules must be installed in pairs

Memory modules must be installed in pairs in the Mac Pro. If you want to install 2 GB of RAM, you cannot just install a single 2 GB module. You must install either:
• 2 x 1 GB modules (= 2 GB), or
• 4 x 512 MB modules (= 2 GB).

Maximizing memory speed

Memory speed is particularly important for demanding video work such as RT effects. Sets of four memory modules provide increased memory speed compared with using only a single pair of memory modules. While you must install memory modules in pairs, it is even better to install in sets of four memory modules. The Mac Pro RAM configurations which will achieve ideal performance when when running Final Cut Pro are detailed by Apple in the article Final Cut Pro: For best performance on Mac Pro, install memory in risers symmetrically.

Disk arrays - internal or external?

The Mac Pro has 4 disk bays with plug-in disk carriers. You can bolt a SATA II disk to the carrier and push it into place without needing to fiddle with any power or data cables. It's a very clever design.

We ran some tests on this in our lab and mounted 3 x 500 GB SATA II disks into the three empty bays, and striped them with RAID 0 for a 1.5 Terabyte internal disk array. We only used three disks because the fourth disk is used as the Mac OS X system disk. Testing was conducted using the following model of hard disk: Seagate 500Gb 7200rpm 16Mb 3.5" SATA II [ST3500641AS].

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test reported about 170 MB/sec which was easily fast enough for HD uncompressed 10 bit. However this three-disk internal solution is more suited to people needing simple capture and playback of HD, such as designers and effects artists. They just want simple clip capture and playback and the built-in three-disk array is a great solution for them. There are also newer 750 GB disks, which are faster, and so performance could increase further.

For editors who have hundreds of cuts and/or effects in their projects, we would strongly recommend an external disk array with multiple disks. CalDigit HDPro disk arrays are highly recommended because they connect directly to the PCI Express bus of Mac Pro computers, just like Blackmagic Design Multibridge products. This means you can take advantage of the full speed of the PCI Express bus without the cost and latency associated with traditional HBA cards such as SCSI, Fibre Channel and FireWire cards.

The following storage systems have been verified by Blackmagic Design for use with uncompressed standard definition video.
• Almost any internal 7200 rpm SATA drive is adequate for capture and playback in a PowerMac G5 or Mac Pro. Stripe 2 or more drives together for use with real time effects and greater reliability.
• Apple Xserve RAID with 512 MB of RAM cache on the RAID controller(s).
• CalDigit HDPro
• G-Tech G-SPEED XL16 partnered with an ATTO Celerity FC-42ES card
• LaCie Biggest S2S with PCI-Express Card
• Promise VTrak M200f partnered with an Apple Dual Channel Fibre Channel card

The following storage systems have been verified with Blackmagic Design for use with uncompressed high definition video up to 1080i60 4:2:2.
• Apple Xserve RAID with 512 MB of RAM cache on the RAID controller(s).
• CalDigit HDPro, with direct PCI Express connection
• G-Tech G-SPEED XL16 partnered with an ATTO Celerity FC-42ES card
• LaCie Biggest S2S with PCI-Express Card
• Promise VTrak M200f partnered with an Apple Dual Channel Fibre Channel card

The following storage systems have been verified by Blackmagic Design for use with uncompressed high definition video up to 1080i60 4:4:4.
• CalDigit HDPro, with direct PCI Express connection
• G-Tech G-SPEED XL16 partnered with an ATTO Celerity FC-42ES card
• Promise VTrak M200f partnered with an Apple Dual Channel Fibre Channel card

The following storage systems have been verified by Blackmagic Design for use with uncompressed 2K video up to 2048 x 1556 pixels at 24fps.
• CalDigit HDPro, with direct PCI Express connection
• G-Tech G-SPEED XL16 partnered with an ATTO Celerity FC-42ES card

PCI Express slots - which ones to use

The Mac Pro has configurable PCI Express slots meaning that you can assign more PCI Express lanes to cards that need additional performance. After installing your DeckLink card and starting up the Mac Pro, an Expansion Slot Utility will appear showing that you have a choice of four PCI Express Profiles:
• x16 Lane Graphics Slot + One x8 Lane and Two x1 Lane Slots
• x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots
• Three x8 Lane + One x1 Lane Slots
• Two x8 Lane + Two x4 Lane Slots

Choose between one of the first two options which include the x16 Lane Graphics Slot.

If the Expansion Slot Utility does not automatically appear, switch to the Finder, go to the Go menu and choose Go to Folder. Type in the following text: /System/Library/CoreServices/. After pressing Go, the CoreServices folder will appear. Locate the Expansion Slot Utility in this folder and open it manually.

Ideally the DeckLink card should be placed in slot 4 which is the top slot of the Mac Pro. The top slot has at least x4 lanes allocated to it in all PCI Express Profiles and therefore is always suitable for use with HD and SD DeckLink cards. Slot 4 is also worth trying if you find that the DeckLink card is not working in another slot.

Standard Definition DeckLink cards only require a x1 lane slot for maximum performance. Standard Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.

High Definition DeckLink cards also support standard definition and require a x4 lane slot for maximum performance. High Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.

As a general rule we would recommend that DeckLink users choose the second PCI Express Profile from the Expansion Slot Utility, ie x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots. This will provide two x4 lane slots which is perfect for use with a high definition DeckLink card and a SCSI, Fibre Channel or SATA disk array card (aka Host Bus Adapter or HBA). Most HBA cards require a x4 lane slot. Some 4 GB Fibre Channel cards nominally prefer a x8 lane slot when using all four channels. However in reality, a x4 lane slot should be fine as the disks will not need any more speed than the DeckLink card.

Related technical notes:
• Disk Arrays for Uncompressed SD Video
• Disk Arrays for Uncompressed HD Video
• Storage and Data Rates for Uncompressed Video

 


MAC OS X 10.5 LEOPARD, POWERMAC G5 CONFIGURATION

 

• We recommend the following software versions be used together: Mac OS X 10.5.1, Final Cut Pro 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.3.1 and the latest DeckLink v6.6.2 drivers. Software versions can be found by following these steps.

Recommended memory

Currently we recommend 2 GB of RAM for standard definition and at least 4 GB of RAM for high definition video. This specification may be updated at any time to recommend more RAM if we find that driver, application or Mac OS X updates require more RAM.

Memory modules must be installed in pairs in the PowerMac G5. If you want to install 2 GB of RAM, you cannot just install a single 2 GB module. You must install either:
• 2 x 1 GB modules (= 2 GB), or
• 4 x 512 MB modules (= 2 GB).

Standard Definition DeckLink cards are available in 66 Hz PCI and single-lane PCI Express (PCIe) models. PCI and PCIe slots are physically different to each other and this means you must choose the appropriate DeckLink card to match the slots in your PowerMac.

Standard Definition is supported under the following configurations with at least 2 GB of RAM:

  • any PowerMac G5 with PCI-X slots. Any slot can be used with PCI cards.
  • any dual-core or quad-core PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe) slots. Any slot can be used with PCIe cards.


We have not performed verification testing using a PowerMac G4 and Final Cut Studio 2.0 and therefore do not support this configuration. However it is likely that a dual-processor PowerMac G4/1.25 GHz, or faster, will work fine using any slot for the DeckLink card.

 

High Definition DeckLink cards are available in 133 MHz PCI-X and in four-lane PCIe models. PCI-X and PCIe slots are physically different to each other and this means you must choose the appropriate DeckLink card to match the slots in your PowerMac. DeckLink models, which support high definition video with a x1 lane PCI Express card, are not compatible with PowerMac G5's.

High Definition is supported under the following configurations with at least 4 GB of RAM:

  • any dual-processor PowerMac G5 with PCI-X slots. Any slot can be used with PCI-X cards.
  • any dual-core or quad-core PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe) slots. Any slot can be used with PCIe cards.


Disk arrays - internal or external?

 

The PowerMac G5 has 2 disk bays. One is usually used as the Mac OS X system disk and the other is spare. You can use a single disk in the spare disk bay for compressed capture and playback of video formats including HDV, DVCPRO HD, PhotoJPEG AND DV. However a single disk is usually inadequate for uncompressed video and certainly cannot be used for high definition uncompressed video. An external disk array should be used with the PowerMac G5 and uncompressed video.

 


MAC OS X 10.4 TIGER, MAC PRO CONFIGURATION

 

• We recommend the following software versions be used together: Mac OS X 10.4.11, Final Cut Pro 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.3.1 and the latest DeckLink v6.6.2 drivers. Software versions can be found by following these steps.

Recommended memory

Currently we recommend 2 GB of RAM for standard definition and at least 4 GB of RAM for high definition video. This specification may be updated at any time to recommend more RAM if we find that driver, application or Mac OS X updates require more RAM.

Memory modules must be installed in pairs

Memory modules must be installed in pairs in the Mac Pro. If you want to install 2 GB of RAM, you cannot just install a single 2 GB module. You must install either:
• 2 x 1 GB modules (= 2 GB), or
• 4 x 512 MB modules (= 2 GB).

Maximizing memory speed

Memory speed is particularly important for demanding video work such as RT effects. Sets of four memory modules provide increased memory speed compared with using only a single pair of memory modules. While you must install memory modules in pairs, it is even better to install in sets of four memory modules. The Mac Pro RAM configurations which will achieve ideal performance when when running Final Cut Pro are detailed by Apple in the article Final Cut Pro: For best performance on Mac Pro, install memory in risers symmetrically.

Disk arrays - internal or external?

The Mac Pro has 4 disk bays with plug-in disk carriers. You can bolt a SATA II disk to the carrier and push it into place without needing to fiddle with any power or data cables. It's a very clever design.

We ran some tests on this in our lab and mounted 3 x 500 GB SATA II disks into the three empty bays, and striped them with RAID 0 for a 1.5 Terabyte internal disk array. We only used three disks because the fourth disk is used as the Mac OS X system disk. Testing was conducted using the following model of hard disk: Seagate 500Gb 7200rpm 16Mb 3.5" SATA II [ST3500641AS].

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test reported about 170 MB/sec which was easily fast enough for HD uncompressed 10 bit. However this three-disk internal solution is more suited to people needing simple capture and playback of HD, such as designers and effects artists. They just want simple clip capture and playback and the built-in three-disk array is a great solution for them. There are also newer 750 GB disks, which are faster, and so performance could increase further.

For editors who have hundreds of cuts and/or effects in their projects, we would strongly recommend an external disk array with multiple disks. CalDigit HDPro disk arrays are highly recommended because they connect directly to the PCI Express bus of Mac Pro computers, just like Blackmagic Design Multibridge products. This means you can take advantage of the full speed of the PCI Express bus without the cost and latency associated with traditional HBA cards such as SCSI, Fibre Channel and FireWire cards.

PCI Express slots - which ones to use

The Mac Pro has configurable PCI Express slots meaning that you can assign more PCI Express lanes to cards that need additional performance. After installing your DeckLink card and starting up the Mac Pro, an Expansion Slot Utility will appear showing that you have a choice of four PCI Express Profiles:
• x16 Lane Graphics Slot + One x8 Lane and Two x1 Lane Slots
• x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots
• Three x8 Lane + One x1 Lane Slots
• Two x8 Lane + Two x4 Lane Slots

Choose between one of the first two options which include the x16 Lane Graphics Slot.

If the Expansion Slot Utility does not automatically appear, switch to the Finder, go to the Go menu and choose Go to Folder. Type in the following text: /System/Library/CoreServices/. After pressing Go, the CoreServices folder will appear. Locate the Expansion Slot Utility in this folder and open it manually.

Ideally the DeckLink card should be placed in slot 4 which is the top slot of the Mac Pro. The top slot has at least x4 lanes allocated to it in all PCI Express Profiles and therefore is always suitable for use with HD and SD DeckLink cards. Slot 4 is also worth trying if you find that the DeckLink card is not working in another slot.

Standard Definition DeckLink cards only require a x1 lane slot for maximum performance. Standard Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.

High Definition DeckLink cards also support standard definition and require a x4 lane slot for maximum performance. High Definition is supported in any model of Mac Pro.

As a general rule we would recommend that DeckLink users choose the second PCI Express Profile from the Expansion Slot Utility, ie x16 Lane Graphics Slot + Two x4 Lane and One x1 Lane Slots. This will provide two x4 lane slots which is perfect for use with a high definition DeckLink card and a SCSI, Fibre Channel or SATA disk array card (aka Host Bus Adapter or HBA). Most HBA cards require a x4 lane slot. Some 4 GB Fibre Channel cards nominally prefer a x8 lane slot when using all four channels. However in reality, a x4 lane slot should be fine as the disks will not need any more speed than the DeckLink card.

Related technical notes:
• Disk Arrays for Uncompressed SD Video
• Disk Arrays for Uncompressed HD Video
• Storage and Data Rates for Uncompressed Video

 


MAC OS X 10.4 TIGER, POWERMAC G5 CONFIGURATION

 

• We recommend the following software versions be used together: Mac OS X 10.4.11, Final Cut Pro 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.3.1 and the latest DeckLink v6.6.2 drivers. Software versions can be found by following these steps.

Recommended memory

Currently we recommend 2 GB of RAM for standard definition and at least 4 GB of RAM for high definition video. This specification may be updated at any time to recommend more RAM if we find that driver, application or Mac OS X updates require more RAM.

Memory modules must be installed in pairs in the PowerMac G5. If you want to install 2 GB of RAM, you cannot just install a single 2 GB module. You must install either:
• 2 x 1 GB modules (= 2 GB), or
• 4 x 512 MB modules (= 2 GB).

Standard Definition DeckLink cards are available in 66 Hz PCI and single-lane PCI Express (PCIe) models. PCI and PCIe slots are physically different to each other and this means you must choose the appropriate DeckLink card to match the slots in your PowerMac.

Standard Definition is supported under the following configurations with at least 2 GB of RAM:

  • any PowerMac G5 with PCI-X slots. Any slot can be used with PCI cards.
  • any dual-core or quad-core PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe) slots. Any slot can be used with PCIe cards.


We have not performed verification testing using a PowerMac G4 and Final Cut Studio 2.0 and therefore do not support this configuration. However it is likely that a dual-processor PowerMac G4/1.25 GHz, or faster, will work fine using any slot for the DeckLink card.

 

High Definition DeckLink cards are available in 133 MHz PCI-X and in four-lane PCIe models. PCI-X and PCIe slots are physically different to each other and this means you must choose the appropriate DeckLink card to match the slots in your PowerMac. DeckLink models, which support high definition video with a x1 lane PCI Express card, are not compatible with PowerMac G5's.

High Definition is supported under the following configurations with at least 4 GB of RAM:

  • any dual-processor PowerMac G5 with PCI-X slots. Any slot can be used with PCI-X cards.
  • any dual-core or quad-core PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe) slots. Any slot can be used with PCIe cards.


Disk arrays - internal or external?

 

The PowerMac G5 has 2 disk bays. One is usually used as the Mac OS X system disk and the other is spare. You can use a single disk in the spare disk bay for compressed capture and playback of video formats including HDV, DVCPRO HD, PhotoJPEG AND DV. However a single disk is usually inadequate for uncompressed video and certainly cannot be used for high definition uncompressed video. An external disk array should be used with the PowerMac G5 and uncompressed video.

 


MAC OS X 10.4 TIGER, FINAL CUT PRO 5.1 CONFIGURATION

 

• This is no longer a supported configuration but some legacy notes are still available regarding the use of Mac OS X 10.4.10 and Final Cut Pro 5.1.4.

 


MAC OS X 10.3 PANTHER, POWERMAC G4 & G5 CONFIGURATION

 

• This is no longer a supported configuration but some legacy notes are still available regarding the use of Mac OS X 10.3.8 and Final Cut Pro HD 4.5.

 


MAC OS X 10.2 JAGUAR, POWERMAC G4 CONFIGURATION

 

• This is no longer a supported configuration but some legacy notes are still available regarding the use of Mac OS X 10.2.8 and Final Cut Pro™ 3.0.4.

 


PERIPHERAL HARDWARE

 

• Please see our detailed support notes regarding disk arrays for uncompressed SD and HD video.

• An additional RS-422 serial option is not required for deck control on DeckLink systems, as the serial port is built in to the card.

• Some very old, or entry level, decks only provide RS-232 deck control. RS-232 deck control solutions can be used with DeckLink cards.

 


INCOMPATIBLE CONFIGURATIONS
The following configurations should not be used with DeckLink systems.

 

• PowerMac G5's with 33 MHz PCI slots should not be used with DeckLink cards. Please review the latest compatibility information regarding G5's with 33 MHz PCI slots.

• Processor upgrade cards cannot be used. It is necessary to use a Macintosh computer which meets the minimum system requirements in an unmodified state. Do not use processor upgrade cards with a Macintosh computer which already meets the minimum system requirements.

• Unshielded graphics cards should be avoided when using a PowerMac G5 and a DeckLink card with analog connections. Unshielded AGP graphics cards have been found to cause electromagnetic interference with nearby analog components and this can lead to the output of interference patterns in analog video. More detailed information is available in this support note.

• Adaptec SCSI cards should not be used as Adaptec has discontinued development of drivers for Mac OS X.

Ask Adaptec: "search by" Answer ID 11052
"Adaptec is no longer developing SCSI drivers for the Mac OS. Technical support is available for those products still in their complimentary support period; however, there will be no new SCSI drivers, firmware, or patches available."

Please note that this support note no longer seems to be present in Adaptec's support pages.

 

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