With the blazing speed of PCI Express, the HDX-SDI video interface turns your Mac or PC desktop or laptop computer into a powerful HD/SD video production workstation equipped with all the I/O you need.

Connect any source, from SD camcorders to today’s latest professional HD cameras, then log and capture HD or SD clips directly into your video editing software.

For the best-possible image quality, capture uncompressed video via HD-SDI or HDMI with 4:2:2 10-bit color depth and full-raster 1920x1080 HD resolution. Many cameras feed their uncompressed SDI, HDMI or component output directly from the camera’s optics and imager, before compression, for absolutely pristine picture quality during capture with the HDX-SDI.

If you prefer to edit more conveniently at a lower data rate, use Apple ProRes, ProRes HQ or the codec of your choice in Apple Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro. Because the HDX-SDI delivers 10-bit uncompressed video to the computer, you are not limited to a particular codec and are instead free to go with the host-based workflow of your choice, including many popular file-based formats now supported by today’s video editing software.

By using a codec directly supported by your editing software, you eliminate unnecessary extra stages of compression and decompression for maximum CPU efficiency and smooth editing.

As you edit, monitor your timeline with pixel-for-pixel accuracy on a large plasma screen via digital HDMI output, with color-corrected balance on an LCD reference monitor via HD-SDI output, or with the real-world look of a consumer display via analog HD or SD component, composite or S-Video output.

Capture and monitor up to 16 channels of audio (analog, AES/EBU or embedded) at sample rates up to 96 kHz. Employ Sony 9-pin machine control for advanced Batch Capture and Edit to Tape operations. Keep everything frame-accurate using time code and video reference.

For high-performance desktop operation, the HDX-SDI provides PCI Express card connectivity for today’s ultra-fast, multi-core Mac and PC towers. Need to go mobile? The HDX-SDI is also available with an ExpressCard adapter for any current-generation Mac or Windows laptop equipped with an ExpressCard slot.

From initial capture to final finishing, the HDX-SDI delivers exceptional video I/O performance and quality.

Feature highlights

• HD/SD PCI Express video interface for Mac and Windows — provides HD and SD capture and playback for any current-generation PCI- or ExpressCard-equipped computer.
• Tower or laptop operation — connects to a Mac or PC tower via PCI Express for ultra-fast operation, or connects to a laptop via ExpressCard connectivity for mobile operation.
• Comprehensive video capture & monitoring — supports all standard SD and HD video formats up to and including 1080p30 (720p, 1080i, 1080p & 1080PsF).
• Cross-platform software support — supports Apple Final Cut Pro on the Mac and Adobe Premiere Pro on Windows.

• Captures and plays uncompressed HD and SD — 10-bit 4:2:2 color depth and 1920x1080 resolution.
• Support for ProRes and other popular codecs — capture and monitor full-raster (1920x1080 or 1280x720) Apple ProRes, ProRes HQ or other popular host-based codecs supported by Apple Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Support for file-based workflows — lets you capture, edit and monitor in any codec supported natively in Final Cut or Premiere, with no transcoding needed.
• Broadcast quality — 10-bit 4:2:2 signal path throughout.
• ASC CDL color grading — provides flexible, industry-standard color adjustment with separate settings for capture and playback.
• HDMI® capture and monitoring — provides both HDMI in and out.
• Sync and machine control — advanced sync features include time code, large front panel time code display, video ref input and 9-pin machine control.
• Comprehensive audio — capture or monitor up to 16 channels of audio via any two 8-channel banks of TRS analog, AES/EBU digital or embedded (SDI or HDMI) at sample rates up to 96kHz.
• Single rack space form factor — professional rack-mount operation, or remove the rack-mount brackets for convenient desktop use.
• International operation — auto-switching internal power supply with powersave mode.

Video I/O

The HDX-SDI provides comprehensive video input and output connectivity.

The SDI section supplies two mirrored outputs so that you can connect both a deck and a monitor simultaneously.

The front panel provides convenient inputs for legacy SD capture and full 10-bit uncompressed HDMI capture from today's latest HD camcorders.

The component section provides both RGB and YPbPr, but they can alternatively serve as CVBS (composite) in/out or even Y/C (S-Video) in/out.

• 1 x HD/SD-SDI in and out (4:2:2 10-bit) on BNC connectors
• 1 x extra HD/SD-SDI output BNC connector
• 1 x HDMI® in and out (4:2:2 10-bit, YCbCr or RGB)
• Support for DVI output with HDMI-to-DVI adapter (sold separately)
• 1 x HD/SD component in and out (10-bit, YPbPr or RGB) on BNCs
• 1 x composite in (10-bit) on RCA
• 1 x S-Video in (10-bit) on 4-pin mini-DIN
• 1 x composite in and out (10-bit CVBS) on shared BNC
• 1 x S-Video in and out (10-bit Y/C) on shared BNC

Video formats

The HDX-SDI supports the following SD and HD video formats:

SD

576i25 (PAL)

486i29.97 (NTSC)

HD

720p23.976

720p24

720p25

720p29.97

720p30

720p50

720p59.94

720p60

1080p23.976

1080p24

1080p25

1080p29.97

1080p30

1080PsF23.976

1080PsF24

1080PsF25

1080PsF29.97

1080PsF30

1080i25

1080i29.97

1080i30

Color grading

Apply industry standard color adjustments to your video signal during either capture or monitoring.

The HDX-SDI video console software provides separate color grading controls for capture and monitoring.

In each case, ten parameters are provided and together determine the color transfer function, as defined by the American Society of Cinematographers Color Decision List (ASC CDL) specification (version 1.2).

Here is an informative Avid white paper on the benefits of this new cinematic workflow standard.

Sync

The HDX-SDI provides comprehensive video and audio synchronization features, including time code I/O, video ref with loop through, large front panel time code readout and RS-422 (Sony 9-pin) machine control.

Synchronize your HDX-SDI system with reliable performance and fast lock-up times. Perform batch capture and edit/export to tape operations in Final Cut or Premiere with a 9-pin compatible camera or deck connected to the HDX-SDI.

• Video reference in / thru — resolve to blackburst, composite or HD Tri-level sync.
• Time code in and out — generate and resolve to time code in all formats, including LTC, VITC (SD analog), D-VITC (SD-SDI) and embedded (SD/HD-SDI).
• RS-422 machine control — control the transports of a connected camera or video deck from Final Cut or Premiere via standard 9-pin protocol.
• Front panel time code display — provides frame-accurate time code readout when converting or generating time code, or during playback from host software.

• Direct Digital Synthesis — DSP-driven phase lock engine provides ultra-low jitter.

Audio I/O

The HDX-SDI delivers comprehensive audio capture and monitoring in stereo or full surround with support for both 5.1 or 7.1 configurations.

The HDX-SDI provides four 8-channel banks of audio input and output: analog, AES/EBU digital, SDI embedded and HDMI embedded. Up to two banks can be active at a time, giving you 16 channels of simultaneous audio input and output. The front panel provides comprehensive audio activity LEDs, plus eight channels of assignable 4-segment input metering.

The HDX-SDI's unique bank of quarter-inch analog TRS connectors makes it a snap to connect cameras and a wide range of video and audio gear up to eight channels at a time. No other interface offers professional analog audio connectivity with this much convenience.

The HDX-SDI's stereo (BNC) AES/EBU digital audio input and output are continuously sample-rate converted. This means trouble-free digital audio transfers, regardless of clock source. Say goodbye to clicks, pops and headaches due to digital audio clocking issues.

• 16 channels of simultaneous audio input and output
• Supports all standard audio sample rates from 44.1 to 96kHz
• 8 x quarter-inch TRS analog in and out via direct connection (no breakout cable)
• 2 x RCA analog input on the front panel for SD Composite/S-Video capture
• 2 x AES/EBU digital in and out on BNC connectors with sample rate conversion (SRC)
• 8 x AES/EBU digital in and out on standard DB25 breakout cable (purchased separately)
• 8 x HD/SD-SDI embedded audio in and out
• 8 x HDMI embedded audio in and out
• Front panel headphone jack with dedicated volume control

• Front panel audio channel metering — two 8-channel banks of status LEDs assignable to any 8-channel audio bank (analog, AES/EBU, or embedded) in or out

Specifications

• Cross-platform operation (Mac OS X, Windows 7/Vista)
• Supports Final Cut Pro 6.0.5 or later on Mac OS X
• Supports Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 or later on Windows 7/Vista
• Supports Core Audio, Wave, and ASIO drivers
• Chassis dimensions, excluding rack ears and front and back panel knobs and connectors: 19 × 7 × 1.75 inches (48.26 × 17.78 × 4.45 cm). Knobs and connectors extend up to 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) from front and back panels, adding 1 inch (2.54 cm) to depth. With rack ears attached, fits standard 19 inch (48.26 cm) rack at 1U high.