RT.X2 with FREE Tutorial

RT.X2

If you're a professional video editor concerned about getting maximum productivity from Adobe CS3 and CS4, have a look at the Matrox RT.X2 product line – the ideal solutions for corporate communicators, event videographers, project studios, educational facilities and digital filmmakers. If you need the flexibility to edit and view HDV or P2 MXF 720p and output HD, choose Matrox RT.X2.

DESCRIPTION
If you need to edit HDV, XDCAM EX, or P2 MXF 720p and output HD, choose Matrox RT.X2. If you want to use a DVI display for full resolution HD previews, you’ll need RT.X2.

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms go far beyond the capabilities of software-only editing and systems that combine Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and a simple I/O card.

The additional benefits you get with Matrox RT.X2 include:

• Many more real-time layers of video and graphics
• More effects in real-time including color correction, chroma/luma keying, speed changes, blur/glow/soft focus, 3D DVE and much more
• Extensive camera support including many new models from Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Sony
• Real-time native editing of Sony XDCAM EX .mp4 clips
• Real-time native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p and SD files
• Real-time capture from analog sources to compressed MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame
• Real-time playback of 32-bit MPEG-2 I-frame AVI files with alpha
• Real-time mixed-format multi-cam
• Real-time MPEG-2 IBP capture from analog and DV sources for DVD authoring
• Composite, Y/C, and analog component input and output
• WYSIWYG video output for motion graphics, animation, and compositing applications
• Audio VU meters on capture
• Full-resolution HD monitoring with calibration control1 on an inexpensive flat panel display via independent DVI output

With the Matrox RT.X2 platforms, you'll save time on every project so you can concentrate on creating your best work and building your business.

New features and updates in version 4.2.1:

• Support for Microsoft Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate (64-bit).
• Support for Adobe Premiere Pro and Media Encoder CS4 4.2 or later (earlier versions of Adobe Premiere Pro and Media Encoder are not supported).
• Support for XDCAM EX split clips and XDCAM EX metadata
• The following improvements for working with Matrox sequences in Adobe Premiere Pro:
  • Support for P2 spanned clips and P2 metadata. 
  • Improved performance for editing AVCHD and AVC-Intra clips.
  • Improved playback performance of Adobe native effects and non-real-time clips.
  • Overall playback and stability improvements.
    

Key features of Matrox RT.X2

• Professional real-time HD and SD editing
• Real-time, mixed-format, multi-layer workflows that combine HD and SD material from analog and digital sources
• Real-time Matrox Flex CPU effects — color correction, speed changes, chroma/luma keying and many more
• Real-time and accelerated Matrox Flex GPU effects — 2D/3D DVE, blur/glow/soft focus, shine and many more
• Extensive camera support including many new models from Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Sony
• Real-time native HDV, XDCAM EX, P2 MXF 720p, and MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame HD editing
• Real-time native DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO, Panasonic P2 MXF SD, and MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame SD editing
• Real-time playback of 32-bit MPEG-2 I-frame AVI files with alpha in HD and SD
• Real-time mixed-format multi-cam
• Real-time high-quality downscaling for analog SD output from an HD timeline
• Real-time MPEG-2 IBP capture from analog and DV sources for DVD authoring
• WYSIWYG for Adobe After Effects, Encore and Photoshop; Autodesk Combustion; and NewTek LightWave 3D (32-bit versions) with dynamic Alt+Tab switching
• Composite, Y/C, HD/SD analog component input and output
• Full-resolution HD monitoring with calibration control1 on an inexpensive flat panel display via independent DVI output

Real-time multi-layer HD/SD workflows
Matrox RT.X2 is designed primarily for real-time native HDV, DV, Sony XDCAM EX, and Panasonic P2 720p and SD editing, but also provides a high-quality MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame codec so you can capture other HD and SD formats over the analog inputs, and mix all types of footage on an HD or SD timeline in real-time.

Extensive camera support
Matrox RT.X2 supports a wide range of analog, DV, HDV, XDCAM EX, and P2 cameras from the world's leading manufacturers including most of the resolutions of these new models:

• JVC HD110, HD200, HD250
• Sony PMW-EX1, PMW-EX3, HVR-A1, HVR-Z1, HVR-V1, PDW-F330
• Panasonic HVX200, HDX900, HDC27H, HPX2000
• Canon XH A1, XH G1, XL H1

Highest quality real-time effects
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms are designed to overcome the limitations of software-only editing by providing performance- and quality-optimized effects processing. Built on Matrox Power of X and Flex technologies, the Matrox RT.X2 platforms leverage CPU and GPU power to provide a tightly integrated, high performance editing environment for Adobe Premiere Pro. Matrox RT.X2 platforms’ broadcast quality effects are fully keyframeable and feature a high level of control for detailed work. Each effect has a series of parameters that can be fine tuned to get just the look you want. To save time you can use the preconfigured effects presets or create and save your own presets.

Most real-time video/graphics layers
Many editing systems compromise quality or effects refinement and complexity to increase the number of layers, whereas the Matrox RT.X2 platforms always deliver maximum real-time quality. Timelines with more layers and/or effects than can be processed in real-time can still benefit from hardware-accelerated previews. The Matrox RT.X2 platforms always play back the timeline at the best possible quality and if necessary, gracefully reduce the frame rate. You always get in-context feedback as you work.

The number of layers that can be processed in real-time depends on your system CPU and GPU as well as the characteristics of your workflow – the video resolution you are working with, the frame rate, the codec, and the number and complexity of effects. System selection guidelines and lists of computers, motherboards, and GPUs validated for use with the RT.X2 cards are posted in the support section of the Matrox website.

Real-time HD editing workflows
Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE provide the flexibility you need to get the most from your HDV editing experience.

Capture
Getting HD footage into your RT.X2 system is simple and straightforward. You can capture from analog sources to the Matrox MPEG-2 I-frame HD codec, transfer HDV via 1394, or do a direct file copy from solid-state media for P2 and XDCAM EX.

Matrox RT.X2 also supports the use of the popular Focus Enhancements FireStore drives allowing you to simply transfer video files to your RT.X2 system and edit them in real-time.

Monitoring is supported while capturing via analog or 1394.

Edit
Matrox RT.X2 provides real-time mixed-format HD editing. Provided all your footage has the same frame rate, you can put the various formats, even SD, on the timeline and play it back in real-time. The following combinations are supported:

• NTSC timeline
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440x1080i
  • NTSC (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
• PAL timeline
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440x1080i
  • PAL (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
• 486p timeline
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440 x 1080p at 29.97 fps
  • 486p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
• 576p timeline
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440 x 1080p
  • 576p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
• 720p timeline
  • P2 720p
  • XDCAM EX HQ 720p
  • HDV 720p
• 1440x1080p timeline
  • XDCAM EX HQ 1920x1080p
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080p
  • HDV 1440x1080p
  • NTSC (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • PAL (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • 486p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • 576p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
• 1440x1080i timeline
  • XDCAM EX HQ 1920x1080i
  • XDCAM EX SP 1440x1080i
  • HDV 1440x1080i
  • NTSC (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • PAL (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • 486p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)
  • 576p (MPEG-2 I-Frame, P2 MXF, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO)

Monitor
Matrox RT.X2 provides full-resolution HD monitoring on an inexpensive flat panel display via its independent DVI output. You won’t need to buy expensive HD monitoring equipment or the video-to-DVI converter required for monitoring with some I/O cards. A unique DVI calibration utility turns your DVI monitor into a true-color SD and HD display. Controls for hue, chroma, contrast, brightness, and blue-only let you adjust and control your DVI monitor exactly as you would a broadcast video monitor. In fact, RT.X2 provides better HD video definition, with pixel-to-pixel mapping on a flat panel (1920 x 1200), than you will get on a more expensive professional HD monitor which is typically limited to approximately 800 lines of resolution.

Deliver
When your edits are complete, you can record your project directly to tape using RT.X2’s analog component HD output, export to an HDV device over 1394, or export to all the formats included in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Adobe Premiere Pro export formats include:

• Blu-ray
• DVD
• Windows Media for digital cinema, HD DVD, web, and multimedia
• QuickTime
• Real Media
• MPEG-1 for VCD and multimedia
• MPEG-2 for S-VCD, DVD, and HD DVD
• MPEG-4 for streaming
• Flash video (FLV)
• Adobe Clip Notes
• HDV support (does not apply to RT.X2 SD)

Matrox RT.X2 provides real-time native editing of HDV 1080i, 1080p, and 720p (JVC ProHD) formats. On a reasonably performing system, you can expect to edit at least two HD video layers with color correction plus multiple graphics layers in real-time.

The Matrox EZ-HDV utility lets you playback HDV-AVI files of any length in Video for Windows applications, overcoming the usual 2 GB AVI file size limitation. It does this by creating a very small reference AVI file almost instantaneously without modifying the contents of your original HDV-AVI file.

Panasonic P2 MXF 720p support
Matrox RT.X2 provides real-time native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p files at 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, and 60 fps and SD files at 23.98p, 25i and 25p, 29.97i and 29.97p fps in Adobe Premiere Pro. You can also use these files in Adobe After Effects.

You can use MXF files created by your Panasonic P2 camera directly without having to convert the files to the traditional AVI file format. In addition, the unique Matrox EZ-MXF utility that is included with Matrox RT.X2 lets you use your native MXF files in animation, compositing, and motion graphics applications that support Video for Windows AVI files.

RT.X2 supports Panasonic VariCam 24p and 25p workflows with the Panasonic HVX200 camera via MXF file transfers. The camera actually saves 60 or 50 frames in the P2 MXF file and tags the ones that should be used to playback at 23.98 or 25 fps. RT.X2 lets you play those MXF files in a 23.98 or 25 timeline without any additional processing. RT.X2 will detect and remove the repeated frames on the fly. The camera also features a "pN" native mode in which it will only save the required 23.98 or 25 frames on the P2 card. RT.X2 also supports real-time playback of those "pN" files.

Note: When capturing from a VariCam source using Matrox RT.X2, only video can be captured. However, you can add a voiceover or separate audio clips to your VariCam clips on the timeline. RT.X2 supports playback of both video and audio in MXF files that you’ve recorded on your Panasonic VariCam camera.

Matrox RT.X2 extends Windows Explorer functionality to simplify AVI and MXF file management. Important details such as User Clip Name, Start Timecode, End Timecode, Duration, etc. are available in the Windows Explorer Details View. A clip icon can also be displayed in the Thumbnails View to let you more easily identify your clips.

Sony XDCAM EX support
Matrox RT.X2 provides real-time native editing of the .mp4 files that are written by the XDCAM camcorder in Adobe Premiere Pro. You can also use these files directly in Adobe After Effects. There are no time-consuming file format conversions and no need to waste disk space managing multiple versions of files. The XDCAM EX HQ-mode (1080i/p and 720p) and 1080i/p SP-mode (1440x1080) are both supported. Over and under cranked files created by the XDCAM EX camcorder’s “Slow and Quick Motion Function" variable frame rate mode can be played back in real-time without rendering.

Real-time downscaling of HD timelines to SD
Matrox RT.X2 also downscales HD projects to broadcast-quality NTSC and PAL with proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space. You can print your HD edit to analog SD tape in real-time and or use this feature to preview your HD projects on an inexpensive SD monitor.

Capture in HD, edit in SD for maximum real-time performance
If your goal is to deliver in SD, yet you want to take advantage of the superior image quality offered by your HDV camera, another way to work with HDV material on your RT.X2 platform is to capture HDV over 1394 then edit in SD using the original HDV clips. You maintain the quality of your original footage, yet benefit from maximum real-time performance during the editing process, similar to what you will experience when editing in native DV. When your edits are complete, you can output straight to SD. When you view the SD master you will see no significant difference in quality compared to a project that is edited in native HDV then downscaled to SD.

On RT.X2, if you need an HD master, you can open the same SD project in an HD timeline. No recapturing is necessary.

Real-time native DV editing workflow
All the RT.X2 cards provide amazing real-time editing performance in DV. On a reasonably performing system, you can expect to edit at least five native DV video layers plus six graphics layers and effects in real-time.

Other SD clips captured from analog SD sources with the same resolution and frame rate can be mixed on your SD timeline in real-time.

When the need arises, HDV clips can also be placed on your SD timeline. The RT.X2 cards will downscale them so you can mix 1080i at 29.97 fps material into an NTSC timeline or 1080i at 25 fps material into a PAL timeline in real-time. With Matrox RT.X2, you can also mix MPEG-2 I-frame HD material on an SD timeline in real-time.

Real-time MPEG-2 IBP capture from analog SD and DV sources for direct DVD authoring
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you capture clips in real-time from analog and DV sources directly to MPEG-2 IBP (.m2v) files for immediate use in your DVD authoring program. There is no need to capture video first, then place clips on the timeline to finally export them into the MPEG-2 DVD format. This feature is an invaluable tool when archiving stock footage and projects on digital servers or DVD disks.

Real-time Flex CPU effects
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms rely on the power of your CPU to perform a variety of real-time and accelerated effects.

The Matrox Flex CPU effects are also available in Adobe After Effects. If you have a timeline in Premiere Pro with any of the Matrox Flex CPU effects and you copy/paste the timeline into After Effects, the Matrox effects will remain intact. This is a huge time saver, given that these effects are real-time in Premiere Pro.

Real-time primary color correction
Primary color correction is a critically important effect for all productions, whether to achieve continuity when cutting between shots, ensure broadcast safe levels, or establish and emphasize a “look". The primary color corrector provides basic proc amp control; three-way color correction complete with master, shadows, midtones and highlights control; input/output level control; and RGB curves control.

Real-time proc amp controls
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you easily adjust four proc amp controls - hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast. Hue adjusts the tint of the colors in the image, saturation adjusts the vividness, contrast adjusts the difference in luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of the image, and brightness adjusts the level of black. You can also use these controls to create special effects, such as black and white, in real-time.

Real-time color match and color balance
Colors can be corrected using nine parameters related to the black (shadow), midtone, and white (highlight) levels of your clips. You can easily match colors or balance blacks, whites, and grays against a reference shot in one simple step.

Real-time input/output level control
Using the histogram display and level controls, luminance levels can be remapped to maximize the dynamic range of a clip. For example, bright areas can be made brighter and dark areas can be made darker. Five parameters are available - black, white, and gamma levels on the input; and black and white levels on the output. Auto white and auto black controls are also provided.

Real-time RGB curves control
RGB curves control offers a fast, natural way to fine-tune the colors in your video. If, for example, you want to remove a blue tint from your video, you simply drag the blue curve down. With RGB curves you can also achieve wild color effects and other looks that are otherwise impossible.

Real-time secondary color correction
The secondary color corrector is an advanced tool used for fine-tuning or dramatic effects creation. It offers all the controls found in the primary color correction filter with the added capability of limiting the effect to a specific range of pixels. Pixel selection can be done using color and/or brightness. Using the simple garbage matte tool, you can also limit the effect to a specific region. The pixel selection can also be inverted.

The secondary color corrector lets you achieve effects such as color pass and color replace. It can be used, for example, to change the color of a dress, deepen the background sky color, or to achieve an effect similar to the film Schindler’s List where only one object or person remains in color while the rest of the image becomes black and white.

Real-time chroma and luma keying
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms provide one of the finest real-time chroma keyers in the industry. Clean blue- and green-screen keys are easy to achieve, even with DV and HDV material shot in less than optimal lighting conditions. Your video is upsampled to 4:4:4:4 resolution and advanced noise reduction algorithms are used to ensure superior results. The auto key button intelligently adjusts the key with soft edges, spill removal, and shadow preservation. If needed, you can further refine the key with manual controls. You can key on any color, not just blue and green. You can also invert the selection and display the matte being generated to fine tune the key.

Real-time speed changes
You can use speed changes to emphasize special moments, extend the duration of shots to match voiceover timing, or enhance the feeling of dramatic shots. You can apply smooth slow and fast motion with field or frame blending.

Real-time transitions
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support standard dissolves, SMPTE wipes, and organic wipes with soft edges and color borders.

Real-time track matte
The real-time track matte effect lets you superimpose one clip onto another using an animated matte, sometimes called a traveling matte, to determine how the two clips are composited (keyed). You can use a grayscale video or graphics clip as your matte, or use a graphics clip or graphics sequence with an alpha channel as your matte. When using a grayscale clip as your matte, areas of black in the matte create transparent areas in your foreground clip, areas of white create opaque areas that prevent the underlying clip from showing through, and gray areas create semi-transparent areas in your foreground clip.

Real-time move and scale
This effect lets you apply multiple 2D DVEs simultaneously in real-time to easily set up picture-in-picture effects. You can also use the move and scale effect to animate multiple titles in real-time.

Real-time SD clip upscaling in an HD timeline
This effect is enabled by right-clicking on an SD clip in an HD timeline and selecting "scale to frame size". It provides real-time playback of SD clips upscaled to HD to let you mix NTSC material into a 1080i at 29.97 fps timeline or PAL material into a 1080i at 25 fps timeline. It also provides real-time playback of 576p or 486p SD clips upscaled to HD to mix into a 1080p timeline.

Real-time HD clip downscaling in an SD timeline
This effect is enabled by right-clicking on an HDV clip in an SD timeline and selecting “scale to frame size". It provides real-time playback of HDV clips downscaled to SD to let you mix 1080i at 29.97 fps material into an NTSC timeline or 1080i at 25 fps material into a PAL timeline. On RT.X2, MPEG-2 I-frame HD clips can also be downscaled in an SD timeline. It also provides real-time playback of HDV 1080p clips downscaled to SD to mix into a 576p or 486p SD timeline. On RT.X2, MPEG-2 I-frame HD clips can also be downscaled in an SD timeline.

Native Adobe Premiere Pro effects and transitions
Some of Adobe Premiere Pro’s most popular native effects and transitions such as Opacity, Crop, Dip to Black, Black and White, Dissolve, and Additive Dissolve can be used in real-time in SD. RT.X2 accelerates these effects and transitions in HD.

Real-time timecode
The RT.X2 platforms overwrite the Adobe Premiere Pro timecode filter so that it becomes real-time. The real-time time code effect lets you generate and overlay a time code counter on a video production. You can use it to make a dub of source tapes with time code "burn-in" then use these tapes to log scenes, create edit decision lists, or get client feedback on your finished production.

Real-time Flex GPU effects
Using the power of your system GPU, the Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you create a wide variety broadcast-quality 2D and 3D digital video effects.

• Real-time Adobe Motion effect
• Real-time advanced 2D/3D DVE
• Real-time shadow
• Real-time blur/glow/soft focus
• Real-time page curl
• Real-time surface finish
• Real-time pan and scan
• Real-time mask
• Real-time mask blur
• Real-time mask mosaic
• Real-time Adobe garbage mattes
• Real-time Matrox garbage mattes
• Real-time four-corner pin
• Real-time crystallize
• Real-time lens flare
• Real-time old movie effect
• Accelerated shine
• Real-time twirl
• Real-time impressionist effect
• Real-time ripple
• Real-time sphere
• Accelerated cube
• Native Adobe Premiere Pro transitions

Productivity features
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms offer tight integration with Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and a variety of productivity features that help you get your work done quickly and efficiently.

Downscaling HD projects for SD delivery
Matrox RT.X2 features broadcast-quality NTSC and PAL analog output of downscaled HD projects with proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space. You can print your HD edit to SD tape in real-time.

Panasonic VariCam 720p support
RT.X2 supports Panasonic VariCam 24p and 25p workflows with the Panasonic HVX200 camera via MXF file transfers. The camera actually saves 60 or 50 frames in the P2 MXF file and tags the ones that should be used to playback at 23.98 or 25 fps. RT.X2 lets you play those MXF files in a 23.98 or 25 timeline without any additional processing. RT.X2 will detect and remove the repeated frames on the fly. The camera also features a "pN" native mode in which it will only save the required 23.98 or 25 frames on the P2 card. RT.X2 also supports real-time playback of those "pN" files.

WYSIWYG for compositing and graphics applications (32-bit versions only)
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms include a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) video output plug-in for Adobe After Effects, Adobe Encore, and Adobe Photoshop that lets you see your work directly on your video monitor. The Adobe Dynamic Link feature is supported so you can work in After Effects, Encore, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro simultaneously and Alt+Tab between the applications. The video output will change to show the output of the active application.

The WYSIWYG plug-in also supports Autodesk Combustion and NewTek LightWave 3D. This feature lets you ensure proper 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio in NTSC or PAL, and check for exact color temperature, safe-title area, and any interlace artifacts that may be present in your images. You can also view the alpha channel of your output on the video monitor to check for defects.

Voiceover recording in the timeline
The voiceover feature of Premiere Pro is supported to let you record audio directly in the timeline. It is based on ASIO driver technology, which provides low latency. ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

Surround sound support
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support the multi-channel 5.1 surround sound mixing feature of Adobe Premiere Pro. Monitoring is done via your sound card.

VU meters on capture
VU meters on audio/video capture via analog and 1394 are a unique feature of the Matrox RT.X2 platforms. They let you see if your audio input is active and also let you monitor and adjust audio levels in order to obtain the optimal signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range.

Video preview on capture
The RT.X2 platforms let you see your analog, DV, and HDV video on your broadcast monitor while capturing. RT.X2 also supports HDV monitoring during capture.

Device control
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support the Adobe Premiere Pro standard RS-422 and FireWire device control protocols. There is no need to purchase third-party device control software.

Real-time mixed-format multi-cam
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support the multi-cam feature of Adobe Premiere Pro and go further to let you view four cameras simultaneously in real-time even if the formats are mixed, provided your RT.X2 system has the proper storage and system speed. For example, in a multi-cam sequence you could use one HDV stream and multiple DV streams and switch among them in real-time.

Legacy support for RT.X100 AVI files
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support playback of legacy RT.X100 AVI files within the editing environment, allowing you to reuse archived footage.

Flexible AVI and WAV file formats
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms capture video in Windows-standard AVI and WAV files for complete compatibility with other multimedia applications. Interleaved audio is the industry standard and allows for maximum compatibility with applications that expect the audio to be contained within the AVI file. File management is simplified because there is only one file to keep track of. However, integration with audio workstations and DVD authoring is simplified by using separate WAV audio files.

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms provide maximum flexibility by allowing AVI files to be mixed in real-time with MPEG (Adobe native HDV) and M2T (FireStore) files. This feature enables powerful and flexible online/offline workflows. For example, you can capture HDV in the field on a laptop and bring it into RT.X2 for finishing or transfer your files directly from a FireStore to the RT.X2. You can also use a software-only machine to rough cut your HDV project and bring that project into RT.X2 without having to recapture your footage. On RT.X2 SD, you can only use your HDV clips in an SD timeline.

Efficient management of AVI and MXF files
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms extend Windows Explorer functionality to simplify AVI file management. Important details such as User Clip Name, Start Timecode, End Timecode, Duration, etc. are available in the Windows Explorer Details View. A clip icon can also be displayed in the Thumbnails View to let you more easily identify your clips.

On Matrox RT.X2 this extended Windows Explorer functionality also applies to P2 MXF 720p and SD files.

Matrox EZ-MXF utility
The new "tapeless workflows" offered by Panasonic P2 are truly revolutionary. P2 simplifies acquisition, transport, archiving, asset management, etc. It brings the worlds of video editing and IT closer, making video simply a new data format that is as easy to manage as any other digital file. At the heart of the new tapeless workflows is MXF. MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a standardized (by SMPTE) file exchange format that assures interoperability among devices and systems. P2 uses .mxf files rather than .mov, .avi, or .mpg files, for example. MXF is designed for today's file-based workflows and provides a common way of packaging video and audio along with metadata so that information about the content is maintained as it flows through the production process. Matrox RT.X2 natively supports the Panasonic P2 MXF 720p and SD file formats in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. You can use MXF files created by your Panasonic P2 cameras directly in these applications without having to convert the files to the traditional AVI file format. By natively supporting the MXF file format, Matrox is joining the global MXF community committed to cross platform support.

Like every new technology, the MXF file format brings new advantages, but also some inconveniences. Most animation, compositing, and motion graphics applications used by video editors on the PC today read Video for Windows (VFW) AVI files, but they are not designed to read MXF files. So the question arises: Where can you really use your MXF files? This is where the new Matrox EZ-MXF utility bridges the gap. With Matrox EZ-MXF you can use the content of your native MXF files in all the applications that support Video for Windows AVI files. Matrox EZ-MXF lets your application see MXF files as AVI files without transcoding or decompressing and recompressing the video. The Matrox EZ-MXF utility creates very small reference AVI files almost instantaneously. The new AVI files can then be used in your favorite VFW application, making the MXF file format practical and efficient throughout your workflow. The Matrox EZ-MXF utility does not modify the contents of your original MXF file nor its metadata. Creating a Matrox EZ-MXF file could not be easier. You simply right-click on the selected MXF file and select "Create Matrox EZ-MXF" from the menu.

Matrox RT.X2 also includes features to simplify MXF file management in Windows Explorer. Important details such as User Clip Name, Start Timecode, End Timecode, Duration, etc. are available in the Windows Explorer Details View. A clip icon can also be displayed in the Thumbnails View to let you more easily identify your clips.

Matrox EZ-MXF bridges the gap between AVI and MXF allowing all Video for Windows applications to work with native MXF files.

Matrox EZ-HDV utility
The Matrox EZ-HDV utility lets you playback HDV-AVI files of any length in Video for Windows applications, overcoming the usual 2 GB AVI file size limitation. It does this by creating a very small reference AVI file almost instantaneously without modifying the contents of your original HDV-AVI file.

Support for 32-bit AVI with alpha
The RT.X2 platforms include 32-bit MPEG-2 I-frame VFW codecs that you can use to render your animations or other compositions containing alpha. The 32-bit AVI files will playback in real-time on an RT.X2 system. This support enables many workflow possibilities. For example, an editor creating broadcast graphics in After Effects or using a stock animation package such as Digital Juice or Artbeats can export one 32-bit file instead of rendering out two separate AVI + MATTE files. Having only one file simplifies management and makes it easy to include the composition in the final edit.

On RT.X2, 32-bit codecs are provided in HD and SD.

Note that the 32-bit MPEG-2 I-frame codecs are locked to the hardware and will work only if there is an RT.X2 card in the system.

Project compatibility with Matrox Axio
Matrox RT.X2 and Matrox Axio projects are compatible. Any RT.X2 timeline can be loaded onto an Axio system. Axio projects created using codecs and resolutions supported by an RT.X2 card can be loaded onto an RT.X2 system.

Real-time MPEG-2 IBP capture from analog SD and DV sources for direct DVD authoring
The Matrox RT.X2 platforms lets you capture clips in real-time from analog and DV sources directly to MPEG-2 IBP (.m2v) files for immediate use in your DVD authoring program. There is no need to capture video first, then place clips on the timeline to finally export them into the MPEG-2 DVD format. This feature is an invaluable tool when archiving stock footage and projects on digital servers or DVD disks.</BLOCKQU

SPECIFICATIONS
Capture/editing format

• HDV 1080i
• HDV 1080p
• HDV 720p
• XDCAM EX HQ-mode (1080i/p and 720p)
• XDCAM EX1080i/p SP-mode (1440x1080)
• P2 MXF 720p and SD
• DV, DVCPRO, DVCAM
• MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame SD*: 10-25 mbps
• MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame HD at 1440 horizontal resolution*: 50-100 mbps
• Compressed HD for offline: editing only
• Playback of legacy RT series AVI files

*Also available as 32-bit AVI with alpha.

Real-time video effects**

• Three-way primary and secondary color correction
• Super smooth fieldor frame-blended slow motion
• Advanced 3D DVE
• Chroma/luma keying
• Dissolve, wipes
• Surface finish
• Blur/glow/soft focus
• Shadow
• Transitions
• Page curls
• Mask, mask mosaic, mask blur
• Pan and Scan
• Four-corner pin
• Track matte
• Native Adobe transitions and effects
• Accelerated shine
• Crystallize
• Old movie
• Lens flare
• Move and scale
• Accelerated cube***
• Ripple
• Twirl
• Impressionist
• Garbage matte
• Sphere
• Timecode

**Certain complex effects at certain resolutions using certain codecs may not playback in real-time, but they still benefit from hardware acceleration. The Matrox RT.X2 platforms rely on the power of your system CPU and GPU to process real-time Matrox Flex effects. Please visit our website for system configuration guidelines.

***Requires GPU with 512 MB.

Audio

• RCA audio: 2-in/2-out †
• 16-bit, 48 kHz

† The RT.X2 cards rely on your system sound card to capture and output audio.

Video editing

• Ultra high performance editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CS4
• Real-time mixed-format timelines
• EDL import and export
• AAF export for interoperability with other systems
• Waveform and vectorscope monitors
• User customizable keyboard
• Multiple nestable timelines
• WYSIWYG for compositing and graphics applications
• Real-time mixed-format multi-cam

Audio editing

• Support for multi-channel 5.1 surround sound mixing and monitoring
• Sub-frame audio editing
• Audio sweetening with VST plug-in support
• Voiceover recording in the timeline
• VU meters on capture

Video inputs and outputs

• Real-time downscaling of HD timelines to analog SD
• DVI-D preview output
• SD
  • 1394
  • Composite
  • Y/C
  • Analog component
• HD
  • 1394
  • Analog YPbPr component

Supported editing resolutions

• 720p @ 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• HDV 1080i (1440 x 1080) @ 25, 29.97
• HDV 1080p (1440 x 1080) @ 23.98, 25, 29.97
• XDCAM EX 1080i (1920 x 1080) @ 50, 59.94
• XDCAM EX 1080p (1920 x 1080) @ 23.98, 25, 29.97
• XDCAM EX 1080i (1440 x 1080) @ 50, 59.94
• XDCAM EX 720p (1280 x 720) @ 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• NTSC
• PAL
• 486p @ 23.98, 29.97
• 576p @ 25

General

• PCIe 1x card requirements: full-length

REQUIREMENTS
System selection guidelines and lists of computers, motherboards, and GPUs validated for use with RT.X2 are posted here.

Matrox RT.X2 Revealed 4.0 Tutorial

Jeff Pulera, acclaimed professional videographer and industry guru, unveils techniques and tricks that will help you realize the full potential of your RT.X2 system with Adobe CS3 and CS4. Includes bonus content disc! 

DESCRIPTION
A must-have training tutorial for RT.X2 users!

Learn from a master at work as Jeff unlocks the power in RT.X2. He works step-by-step, showing you the necessary settings for just the right look, resulting in a production that is SURE to impress your clients. This CD provides more than three hours of valuable instruction in over 40 easy-to-access, individual segments, each about 5 minutes in length. The CD-ROM plays on your PC and requires Windows Media Player and at least 1024x768 screen resolution.

This tutorial is aimed at all skill levels of  RT.X2 users, from beginner to advanced, although familiarity with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 or CS4 is recommended. Both Adobe CS3 and CS4 are utilized in this instruction, but all content applies to any RT.X2 user.

Get ready to learn how to:

• Properly configure the A/V connections and software settings
• Incorporate and utilize the supported formats, inputs, outputs and capabilities of RT.X2
• Choose project settings and capture video with RT.X2
• Select and use all of the Matrox real-time effects, with a walk-through of settings and examples of using each
• Incorporate effective techniques, such as creating your own mask images, alpha channel AVI overlays, combining effects and more
• Utilize export options for tape, DVD, Blu-Ray, IPod, and more!

Chapter List:

• Introduction/CS4 Updates
• Matrox X.info Tool
• Input/Output Connections
• CS3 Project Presets
• CS4 Project Presets
• CS3 Preferences
• CS4 Preferences Update
• CS4 Sequence Settings
• Capture
• Matrox Wipe Transitions
• Creating Custom Wipes
• Matrox AVI with Alpha
• Matrox Move and Scale
• Matrox 3D DVE
• Matrox Shadow
• Matrox Color Correction Primary
• Matrox Color Correction Primary Advanced
• Matrox Color Correction Secondary
• Matrox Speed Change
• Matrox Shine
• Matrox 4-Corner Pin
• Matrox Blur/Soft Focus
• Matrox Chroma Key/Chroma Key Shadow
• Matrox Luma Key
• Matrox Mask
• Custom Masks
• Matrox Track Matte
• Matrox Garbage Matte
• Matrox Page Curl
• Matrox Ripple
• Matrox Twirl
• Matrox Crystallize
• Matrox Cube
• Matrox Impressionist
• Matrox Lens Flare
• Matrox Old Movie
• Matrox Pan and Scan
• Matrox Sphere
• Matrox Surface Finish
• Timecode
• CS3 WYSIWYG
• CS4 WYSIWYG
• Matrox EZ-HDV
• Export to Tape
• CS3 Matrox Media Encoder
• CS4 Adobe Media Encoder

Notes:

Over 4 hours of invaluable training

About the Instructor
Jeff Pulera has been a professional videographer for over 15 years. He owns Digital Vision Productions, a Milwaukee-based company that specializes in corporate, event and wedding videography. The author of many tech reviews and articles, Jeff is widely known throughout the industry as the "Matrox guru."

"I have to say that I quite like it!! Jeff did a real nice job, love some of the techniques, and I actually learned a few things from it."- Wayne Andrews, Matrox RT Product Manager.

Read the review by Steven Gotz.

REQUIREMENTS

• Viewer should be familiar with the features of Premiere Pro CS3 or CS4
• Requires Windows Media Player
• Requires 1024 x 768 screen resolution