April 19, 2009

Bluefish444 3G SDI Video Capture Cards

Bluefish444 has introduced and announced the immediate availability of its cross-platform Create range of 2K/HD/SD 3G SDI uncompressed video cards at NAB 2009. The PCIe cards are bundled with the Bluefish444 Symmetry acquisition, preview, and playout software, and support Apple Final Cut Studio 2, Adobe Creative Suite 4, Autodesk Combustion and 3D Studio Max, and Eyeon Digital Fusion for use in DCC.
What differentiates the Create range is the onboard 12-bit video processing and Sinc(x) hardware scaling that combine to enable real-time format conversion at roughly four times the quality of traditional 10-bit pixel depth video processing. 

Footage can be ingested and stored in the graphic/compositing software’s native RGB file formats, which removes the need for CPU-intensive YUV-to-RGB conversion of source material when previewing and rendering. The 12-bit RGB-to-YUV color space conversion allows projects to be previewed in the high-quality YUV broadcast color space without rendering a YUV version of the project.

The hardware-based 25X25 tap Sinc(x) scaling algorithm provides for 1/128th sub pixel scaling accuracy. This, combined with the 12 bit-processing, enables the Create scaling module to up, down, and cross convert between 2K, HD, and SD video resolutions in real-time at high quality. 

Three different models are available: Create | HD, Create | 2K, and Create 2K | Ultra. Each targets a specific workflow within the digital content creation market. 

All Create products include free plug-ins for Apple Final Cut Studio 2, Adobe Creative Suite 4, Autodesk Combustion and 3D Studio Max, and Eyeon Digital Fusion. The Create range of products will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2009 and start at $1795.