- Playback and Capture for Thunderbolt
- Dual 12G-SDI Fill/Key Playback Outputs
- 12G-SDI Capture Input, 12G-SDI Loop Out
- 10G Ethernet Storage/Power to Computer
- Supports DeckLink API Features
Capture and play back broadcast video using your Thunderbolt computer with this Media Player 10G from Blackmagic Design. The media player features fast connections to play back and edit large, high-resolution files. There are individual 12G-SDI outputs for playback, fill, and key elements, you can capture via 12G-SDI inputs, and there's a fast 10G Ethernet connection to a computer for power (PoE) and media access.
Use DaVinci Resolve for Media Player/Replay
Blackmagic Media Player is a capture and playback solution for Thunderbolt computers that's specifically designed for playout to live production switchers or large broadcast systems. However it does much more than just video in and out because you also get 10G Ethernet and power to your computer. You get dual 12G-SDI outputs for fill and key playback, 12G-SDI capture, and 10G Ethernet for accessing network storage and laptop power over a single Thunderbolt connection. There is also an independent Thunderbolt connection on the front so you can simply walk up and plug in your laptop. It also supports full DeckLink API features so most video software will just work.
News Editing
The DaVinci Resolve 19 cut page has exciting new media player, editing and replay features. DaVinci Resolve handles common video file formats, so you can play any files your client gives you. For broadcast graphics, DaVinci Resolve 19 can play video files that have an alpha channel, and they will be output as a 10-bit SDI fill and key. Plus the new multi source viewer allows visual media browsing, then any clips that match in time will be displayed in a multiview. New "on air" controls allow the key output to enable the downstream keyer in a switcher, so a single button can automate the playout to air. DaVinci can even add an automatic stinger. It's the perfect solution for news and replay.
Broadcast Design
Blackmagic Media Player includes everything you need for broadcast playback. Place it on the desktop or it can be rack mounted using a Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf. The front panel has an LCD with video, audio meter status information that includes input, video standard, and the depth of the record/playback frame buffer. The audio meter can also be changed between VU and PPM. There's also a headphone socket, speaker, and a speaker enable button. To lock the speaker on, just double press the speaker enable button. If Blackmagic Media Player is mounted in a control room, then the front Thunderbolt connection lets you walk up and plug your computer right into the front of the rack.
Fast Thunderbolt Connection
Blackmagic Media Player includes fast Thunderbolt with video capture and playback, as well as 10G Ethernet and laptop power all over a single cable. There are Thunderbolt connections on both the front and rear panels, so you can connect either rack mount or laptop computers. With Thunderbolt, you get lots of speed to handle large 4:4:4:4 and 4:2:2:4 files with alpha channels, in all SD, HD, and Ultra HD video standards up to 2160p60. Blackmagic Media Player uses the DeckLink API, so almost all video software works. Plus the Thunderbolt link is bidirectional, so you can capture, process, and output video in real time. Now you can use computers as a graphics processing engine.
Replay/Monitoring/Desktop Extension Connections
The Blackmagic Media Player has lots of connections for monitoring, extended desktop and fast networking. All with a single Thunderbolt connection. The program fill and key outputs can be muted so video won't key on a switcher until the replay has started. Then the dedicated 12G-SDI and HDMI monitoring outputs are always active so you can setup the next replay. There's even balanced audio out for powered speakers. 12G-SDI video in allows live input monitoring of the switcher multiview for replay. Plus the 10G Ethernet provides fast assess to shared storage for accessing ISO video files. There's even an extended desktop for the DaVinci UI and a USB expansion for a keyboard and mouse.
Independent Fill and Key Outputs
With dual 12G-SDI video outputs, Blackmagic Media Player can connect into live production switchers so broadcast graphics can be overlaid with transparency. Internally, there's hardware support for both RGBA and YUVA frame buffers. With RGBA graphics, the Blackmagic Media Player will automatically transcode the RGB pixels to 10-bit YUV on the fill output and the alpha channel to the 10-bit key output. The two SDI outputs are then connected to a live production switcher where they can be keyed over video. The key output ensures you get smooth blending of the transparent elements in the images. This all means that Blackmagic Media Player is ideal for broadcast graphics and stingers.
Simultaneous Capture and Playback
Blackmagic Media Player uses the same Desktop Video software that's used in the popular DeckLink and UltraStudio capture and playback solutions. This driver supports simultaneous real time bidirectional transfer of video data to and from the computer. Plus the latency is extremely low. What this means is you can capture image data into the computer from the SDI input, while at the same time, send image data from the computer to the SDI outputs. This lets you create some amazing solutions where the computer is a processing engine. Imagine using the computer as a keyer or generating broadcast graphics over the live input. Or even exciting new AI-based processing overlaid on live video.
10G Ethernet
The high speed 10G Ethernet port means that the Blackmagic Media Player gives you access to network storage when your computer is connected to the Thunderbolt port. This means you don't need extra Ethernet adapters as you get video and network with a single cable. 10G Ethernet is 10 times faster than regular Ethernet so you get enough speed for lots of video streams, common when doing replay work. The 10G Ethernet port also features very low latency for fast access times. Plus Blackmagic Cloud Stores have 10G Ethernet, which means you get the speed to access shared media and ISO recordings so you can have multiple editors all working together in DaVinci Resolve.
10-Bit Broadcast Video Quality
Blackmagic Media Player is designed to support the highest quality video. You get support for capture and playback to popular video formats such as Apple ProRes, DNxHD or even 10-bit uncompressed, so you're never locked into a single file format. 10-bit is the most commonly used television standard as colors can be represented with four times the precision of 8-bit video. Only working with 10-bit uncompressed video will ensure all images are a perfect pixel-for-pixel clone of the original source, so you're always working at the absolute highest quality possible. This means you get the sharpest green screen keying, seamless VFX compositions, and superior color correction.
Works with Popular Software
With support for all popular video software, the Blackmagic Media Player gives you the freedom to work with the tools you already know and love. Blackmagic Media Player is perfect for using DaVinci Resolve for broadcast editing and color correction work. Because Blackmagic Media Player supports capture and playback at the same time, you can even use the live grading feature in DaVinci Resolve to capture video, apply color correction, and then output it all at the same time. Blackmagic Media Player also works with other editing software including Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, Premiere Pro, and more. You can even create stunning visual effects with Fusion, After Effects, and Photoshop.
Broadcast Graphics Tools
When creating broadcast graphics and titles, you will want to use the same tools graphic designers are already familiar with, so you get the most creativity, with no retraining required. Blackmagic Media Player works with Fusion, which is the visual effects software integrated into DaVinci Resolve, as well as Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. Fusion Studio is a powerful node based compositing VFX tool with 2D and 3D environments, hundreds of effects and more. Plus you can download and use Fusion free of charge in DaVinci Resolve. You can use the included Blackmagic Media Express software to capture and play back video into files that can be loaded into Fusion, After Effects, or Photoshop.
Supports Numerous Resolutions and Formats
Blackmagic Media Player supports the latest Ultra HD video standards on it's 12G-SDI video connections. This means Blackmagic Media Player is the ideal solution for broadcasters, because it allows you to migrate to Ultra HD and 4K work now. Plus Blackmagic Media Player can be software updated to add new television standards later.
Even though Blackmagic Media Player has 12G-SDI connections, they are multi-rate and support lower resolution SD for archive or HD for broadcast video use. When connected to 3G-SDI sources, you can also switch between level A and B.
RS-422 for Broadcast Automation Control
The most popular control connection used on broadcast decks since the early 1980s is the RS-422 protocol. Originally developed by Sony, RS-422 is used on almost all broadcast gear. Blackmagic Media Player features an RS-422 deck control input connection so you can remote control software that supports the remote port using broadcast automation systems. The connection also supports extra commands for the Advanced Media Protocol for managing disk recorders.
Custom SDK Solutions
If you want to develop custom solutions for Blackmagic Media Player then simply download the Blackmagic Desktop Video SDK for macOS, Windows, and Linux free of charge. The developer SDK makes it easy to develop your own custom solutions for in house use, or to sell to other broadcasters. The Desktop Video SDK provides low level control of hardware when you need flexibility, as well as high level interfaces which are easier to use for more common tasks. Thousands of manufacturers and developers use Blackmagic DeckLink cards in their products, so you get the confidence that the Desktop Video SDK will provide a solid foundation for developing commercial quality broadcast solutions.
For more information on this or any other Blackmagic Design product, visit www.blackmagicdesign.com.