Blackmagic Design Announces HDLink Optical Fiber

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
April 20, 2009

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Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced HDLink Optical Fiber, the world’s first monitoring solution for DVI and HDMI displays that features both regular 3 Gb/s SDI and 3 Gb/s optical fiber video connections for SD, HD and 2K full resolution monitoring. HDLink Optical Fiber also includes 3D lookup tables, and 6 channels of analog audio out for only US$795.

HDLink Optical Fiber will be on display at NAB 2009 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10820.

HDLink Optical Fiber allows any supported DVI or HDMI display to be used for incredible HD-SDI monitoring. HDLink Optical Fiber supports the new 3 Gb/s SDI standard for twice the SDI data rate than normal HD-SDI. 3 Gb/s SDI retains compatibility with normal HD-SDI and standard definition SDI equipment. The higher 3 Gb/s data rate allows 4:4:4 video using a single SDI cable and Blackmagic Design’s real time 2K high resolution 2048 x 1556 feature film monitoring.

HDLink Optical Fiber includes color management via built in 3D lookup tables. 3D lookup tables allow feature film stock to be simulated so editors can always see the correct color of the final film output. Popular 3D lookup tables can be loaded for various film stocks, and HDLink Optical Fiber is compatible with third party software products for generating tables. HDLink Utility software on Windows and Mac OS X systems provides full control for adjusting tables and generating custom "looks" for download into HDLink Optical Fiber.

When editing with complex 5.1 surround sound audio tracks, HDLink Optical Fiber allows full 5.1 monitoring by including 6 separate channels of analog audio output.

Blackmagic Design believes that optical fiber technology allows benefits not possible with conventional SDI BNC cabling used today. Optical fiber cable has advantages because it’s commonly available and used in computer networking plus can be installed by electricians. It also has the benefit of much longer cable lengths, plus when video quality increases in the future and SDI data speeds increase, optical fiber cables will not need to be upgraded as existing cables will easily handle much higher speeds.

Until now, the high cost of optical fiber has been the cost of the conversion from SDI to optical fiber. This has restricted its use to high end broadcasters only. Now with new Blackmagic Design products that have optical fiber SDI built in, such as HDLink Optical Fiber, the previous high cost of using optical fiber for SDI video cabling has been eliminated. Only now are the true benefits of optical fiber SDI technology available to even the smallest television production studio.

HDLink Optical Fiber uses a SMPTE standard 1310 nm optical fiber laser driver using standard LC type connectors. When using single mode optical fiber cable, HDLink Optical Fiber passes the SMPTE SDI pathological test up to 25 km or 82000 feet at 3 Gb/s SDI, and up to 45 km or 147000 feet in SD. Optical fiber SDI automatically switches between SD, HD and 2K as it has an identical bit-stream to conventional SDI, with the added advantages of length, cost, and future proof data speed capabilities.

HDLink Optical Fiber is perfect for high definition or 2K film monitoring, and switches between SD, HD and 2K instantly. HDLink Optical Fiber also features a revolutionary new chassis with all connections on one side, so mounting on the back of displays allows cables to exit from the bottom for better cable management.

HDLink Optical Fiber Key Features

Monitor using LCD or HDMI displays via dual link DVI connection.
SDI in and out plus optical fiber SDI in and out.
3 Gb/s SDI for compatibility with 2K, HD and SD.
Loop through 3 Gb/s SDI and 3 Gb/s optical fiber SDI outputs.
Automatically switches between 2K, HD and SD.
6 channels of RCA analog audio out, and HDMI audio out supported.
Built in 3D lookup tables, also compatible with 1D lookup tables.
HDLink Utility software allows lookup tables, settings and software updates via fast USB 2.0 connection on Windows and Mac OS X platforms.
3D lookup table processing available on both SDI and optical fiber loop thru outputs.

Availability and Price
HDLink Optical Fiber is available now for US$795 or €615 from Blackmagic Design authorized resellers.

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Blackmagic Design Announces HDLink Optical Fiber

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