multiple Live Video Camera Capture Cards

[chicagodop]

Hey Guys , are you able to add more than one capture card?   My Director wants 4 live cameras...  How would I do this?

[jfk]

Hey Guys , are you able to add more than one capture card?  

 

Certainly. If you search this forum, you will find more than one thread on that.

 

My Director wants 4 live cameras...  How would I do this?

 

Depends on the signal type.

For HD-SDI 720p / 1080i or lower resolutions, the most cost effective way is with a single BMD Decklink Quad.

For higher SDI resolutions, two DataPath VisionSDI2 would do the trick as well.

[Jonas Dannert]

My answer from your question, simultaneously asked at support@dataton.com:

 

Hi Terry,

Please see my inline comments below. 

 

Best Regards 

Dataton Support/jonas

tisdag 5 augusti 2014 skrev Terry Harper <tharper@chicagooperatheater.org>:

 

Hello,

 

Will Watchout support multiple Live capture Cards?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

 

  If so, how many will it support?  

 

 

WATCHOUT supports up to 12 Live input channels.

How many one can actually use, depends type of computer hardware and type of capture card available.

Free PCI Express slots and their size/speed, on the motherboard will limit what's possible.

 

 

 

My Director wants 4 live cameras...how can I do this?

 

By using a 4 inputs Blackmagic Design Decklink Quad HDSDI capture card (PCIE x8 slot needed)

Or by using 2 Blackmagic Design Decklink Duo HDSDI capture cards (2 PCIE x4 slots needed)

 

For 3G-SDI resolutions, ie 1080p50/59.94/60, a Datapath VisionSDI2 will be needed.

 

Please work with your computer supplier to verifiy and test this setup, for a stable system.

[screenshaper]

@Jonas and JFK

Why do you state that Datapath is needed for 3G-SDI (1080p50 or 1080p59.97)?

Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme can do the same with half the cost.

And the Blacmagic is not limited at FullHD as the Datapath, being able to deal with 4K resolution too (up to 4096x2160p25 and p30), altough it seems nobody here tested if 4K capture is working inside Watchout.

[Jonas Dannert]

@Jonas and JFK

Why do you state that Datapath is needed for 3G-SDI (1080p50 or 1080p59.97)?

Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme can do the same with half the cost.

 

Yes, you're correct, it can do that, for one input, not two as the VisionSDI2 does. Per input, the cost is approx the same.

Will be hard to fit 4 of those in a chassie, though...which was the question at hand here.

 

And the Blacmagic is not limited at FullHD as the Datapath, being able to deal with 4K resolution too (up to 4096x2160p25 and p30), altough it seems nobody here tested if 4K capture is working inside Watchout.

 

It's preliminary tested, but 4K input from this card does not work yet with WATCHOUT, as of now.

We are looking into this, it should be possible. 

Stay tuned.

 

/jonas

 

DeckLink 4K Extreme Technical Specifications 

HD Format Support  

720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080i59.94, 1080p59.94, 1080i60, and 1080p60.

2K Format Support  

2048 x 1556PsF23.98, 2048 x 1556PsF24, 2048 x 1556PsF25, 2048 x 1556p23.98, 2048 x 1556p24, 2048 x 1556p25 and 2048 x 1080p23.98, 2048 x 1080p24, 2048 x 1080p25.

4K Format Support

3840x2160p23.98, 3840x2160p24, 3840x2160p25, 3840x2160p29.97, 3840x2160p30, 4096x2160p23.98, 4096x2160p24, 4096x2160p25, 4096x2160p29.97, 4096 x 2160p30.

[Vollmers]

We use the Decklink Quad, but we do sometime experience some issues, regarding to switching inputs. Nothing that can't be solved, but it's only related to the BM configuration.

So the question is, which solution is Datatons preferred, the Blackmagic, or the Datapath solution?

 

Cheers Christian 

[jfk]

Yes, you're correct, it can do that, for one input, not two as the VisionSDI2 does. Per input, the cost is approx the same.

Will be hard to fit 4 of those in a chassie, though...which was the question at hand here.

 

Also, the DataPath driver is far less finicky than the BMD drivers.

i.e. DataPath is far more forgiving regarding signal settings than BMD,

resulting in higher success rates when setting it up. 

 

It's preliminary tested, but 4K input from this card does not work yet with WATCHOUT, as of now.

We are looking into this, it should be possible. 

Stay tuned.

 

/jonas

 

DeckLink 4K Extreme Technical Specifications 

HD Format Support  

720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080i59.94, 1080p59.94, 1080i60, and 1080p60.

2K Format Support  

2048 x 1556PsF23.98, 2048 x 1556PsF24, 2048 x 1556PsF25, 2048 x 1556p23.98, 2048 x 1556p24, 2048 x 1556p25 and 2048 x 1080p23.98, 2048 x 1080p24, 2048 x 1080p25.

4K Format Support

3840x2160p23.98, 3840x2160p24, 3840x2160p25, 3840x2160p29.97, 3840x2160p30, 4096x2160p23.98, 4096x2160p24, 4096x2160p25, 4096x2160p29.97, 4096 x 2160p30.

 

We have not tried the DeckLink 4k card,

but we have successfully used the DataPath DL-DVI card to capture

3940x2160@30p.

 

We use the Decklink Quad, but we do sometime experience some issues, regarding to switching inputs. Nothing that can't be solved, but it's only related to the BM configuration.

 

May also be related to WATCHOUT itself. That issue is the same for BMD and DataPath.

The workaround is to open the input once and keep it open.

reference: DataPath input freeze

 

So the question is, which solution is Datatons preferred, the Blackmagic, or the Datapath solution?

 

Cheers Christian 

 

Dataton preferred would indicate Dataton takes some responsibility

for something completely out of its control.

Don't see them doing that.

 

Motherboard, driver configs, other options all interact to determine that success.

That responsibility lies with the hardware vendor.

 

That said, as a hardware vendor who does support these things,

hands down, I would choose DataPath over BlackMagic Design every time,

if budget is not a consideration.

[chicagodop]

 

My answer from your question, simultaneously asked at support@dataton.com:

 

Hi Terry,

Please see my inline comments below. 

 

Best Regards 

Dataton Support/jonas

tisdag 5 augusti 2014 skrev Terry Harper <tharper@chicagooperatheater.org>:

 

Hello,

 

Will Watchout support multiple Live capture Cards?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

> 

  If so, how many will it support?  

 

 

WATCHOUT supports up to 12 Live input channels.

How many one can actually use, depends type of computer hardware and type of capture card available.

Free PCI Express slots and their size/speed, on the motherboard will limit what's possible.

 

 

 

My Director wants 4 live cameras...how can I do this?

 

By using a 4 inputs Blackmagic Design Decklink Quad HDSDI capture card (PCIE x8 slot needed)

Or by using 2 Blackmagic Design Decklink Duo HDSDI capture cards (2 PCIE x4 slots needed)

 

For 3G-SDI resolutions, ie 1080p50/59.94/60, a Datapath VisionSDI2 will be needed.

 

Please work with your computer supplier to verifiy and test this setup, for a stable system.

 

 

Thanks Jonas,

 

So if I connect 4 different live cameras to a BlackMagic Quad Capture Card, will I be able to place all 4 different live feeds to the output of the main Watchout display?  My Director wants to see all 4 different camers on the screen at one time.

[jfk]

 

Thanks Jonas,

So if I connect 4 different live cameras to a BlackMagic Quad Capture Card, will I be able to place all 4 different live feeds to the output of the main Watchout display?  My Director wants to see all 4 different camers on the screen at one time.

 

Yes, all four outputs can be displayed simultaneously on any and / or all displays connected to the computer containing the card.

[christopherav]

Hi guys, we are using DATAPATH Vison RGB-E2S capture card in our servers. Now we need 3rd input, may be VGA or DVI or SDI,   which capture card do u suggest? (multi-display servers with Processor- AMD FX 8 CORE PROCESSOR. BLACK EDITION  (FX9590), 5Ghz.

                MOTHER BOARD- ASUS CROSSHAIR, V FORMULA Z.

                GRAPHIC CARD- AMD FIRE PRO W-7000.)

[jfk]

 

Hi guys, we are using DATAPATH Vison RGB-E2S capture card in our servers. Now we need 3rd input, may be VGA or DVI or SDI,   which capture card do u suggest? (multi-display servers with Processor- AMD FX 8 CORE PROCESSOR. BLACK EDITION  (FX9590), 5Ghz.

                MOTHER BOARD- ASUS CROSSHAIR, V FORMULA Z.

                GRAPHIC CARD- AMD FIRE PRO W-7000.)

 

 

I know  nothing about AMD processors and motherboards,

but first you must be sure that the processor and motherboard

provide enough PCIe lanes to support all of the capture cards and GPU.

 

Assuming this, your best bet: DataPath VisionAV-SDI Capture Card

With the correct motherboard and processor,

it should be possible to get three of these cards working at the same time

(and yes, we have successfully tested three of their two input cards at the same time. ymmv).

[Andrew]

i Agree too.

 

BMD configuration is finicky more than Datapath.

 

But, cost is very good.

[simeon]

Yes, you're correct, it can do that, for one input, not two as the VisionSDI2 does. Per input, the cost is approx the same.

Will be hard to fit 4 of those in a chassie, though...which was the question at hand here.

 

 

It's preliminary tested, but 4K input from this card does not work yet with WATCHOUT, as of now.

We are looking into this, it should be possible. 

Stay tuned.

 

/jonas

 

DeckLink 4K Extreme Technical Specifications 

HD Format Support  

720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080i59.94, 1080p59.94, 1080i60, and 1080p60.

2K Format Support  

2048 x 1556PsF23.98, 2048 x 1556PsF24, 2048 x 1556PsF25, 2048 x 1556p23.98, 2048 x 1556p24, 2048 x 1556p25 and 2048 x 1080p23.98, 2048 x 1080p24, 2048 x 1080p25.

4K Format Support

3840x2160p23.98, 3840x2160p24, 3840x2160p25, 3840x2160p29.97, 3840x2160p30, 4096x2160p23.98, 4096x2160p24, 4096x2160p25, 4096x2160p29.97, 4096 x 2160p30.

Hi Jonas Dannert does the 4K capture works now with Watchout 6? Does the Blackmagic Design DeckLink 4K Pro 12G-SDI Video Capture & Playback Card compatible witch watchout 6?

[jfk]

Hi Jonas Dannert does the 4K capture works now with Watchout 6? Does the Blackmagic Design DeckLink 4K Pro 12G-SDI Video Capture & Playback Card compatible witch watchout 6?

 

3840x2160  capture works with WATCHOUT 5 and there is no reason to believe any different with WATCHOUT 6.

We used DataPath capture cards when testing this with WATCHOUT 5,

DataPath VisionSC-DP2 at up to 3840x2160 60p via DisplayPort 1.2 and

the DataPath VisionDVI-DL up to 3840x2160 30p via DL-DVI-D.

There are a few WATCHOUT 5 systems in regular use

for the purpose of accepting a 4K signal and delivering it as four 1080p outputs.

 

Do not know about the BMD product.

[simeon]

3840x2160  capture works with WATCHOUT 5 and there is no reason to believe any different with WATCHOUT 6.

We used DataPath capture cards when testing this with WATCHOUT 5,

DataPath VisionSC-DP2 at up to 3840x2160 60p via DisplayPort 1.2 and

the DataPath VisionDVI-DL up to 3840x2160 30p via DL-DVI-D.

There are a few WATCHOUT 5 systems in regular use

for the purpose of accepting a 4K signal and delivering it as four 1080p outputs.

 

Do not know about the BMD product.

thanks JFK for the insight

[jfk]

Could you be more specific?

As a display output card for watchout - no.

As a media drive interface - probably (DirectX compliant DMA support required).

As a WDM capture source (WATCHOUT Live Video),

the term WDM does not appear on their overview or specifications pages,

so I can only guess - Not.

[Sasami]

Hello, we use Mac Pro Cylinder with bootcamp as display computers. 

We actually use BlackMagic UltraStudio Express TB to capture live video. We use up to 3 capture cards for multiple live video inputs. The thing is that we loose 1 video output for each capture card we use because the TB port can be a video output or a TB port for the capture card.

 

Does anybody knows if the UltraStudio 4k Extreme (TB 2.0) can be used as the Declink QUAD for 4 simultaneous live SDI inputs?

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/ultrastudiothunderbolt/techspecs/W-DLUS-08

 

Thanks in advance.