Doing some tests with the Blackmagic drivers and 10.0.4 and all is well. The only issues are the fact that it introduces a noticeable lag from hitting PLAY STOP etc. as well as a frame of black before playback starts. However I think this is because most of my footage is 1080p which isn't really supported by the BlackMagic Extreme as 1080i is the closest it can get. The frame of black does not occur when outputting 720p50 and everything is very smooth.

This lag always existed even with FCP 7 and it's for that reason I like to edit with Broadcast monitoring switched off and only use it when I get to the stage of production where I need it. Grading and Output.

Strange. I have DeckLink HD Extreme and it's more or less unusable with FCPX and 720p50.
Its always been smooth and rapid with FCP7 - still is.
Seanus wrote:

mjg wrote:
Not sure what your issue is as it sounds like we are running very similar systems.
Do you still have Final Cut Studio installed? Maybe there is some kind of conflict?

FWIW I'm playing an hour long clip that is 1280/720p 25fps and its smooth as silk.
My system is a 2007 MacPro with 12GB RAM and an ATi5770. I've got the Decklink Extreme HD installed and running component out to monitor.

If FC Studio is installed or not - but not running - is of course no problem. I use 720p50 - observe "50" fps (its Swedish and BBC HD broadcast standard) - so if it runs smooth with 25 fps in 45 hours is no good to me. I thought you tested with 720p50?.

The rig with DeckLink and FCPX cant play 50 fps in a way you can use professionally - thats the thing. Does it really run good in your machine? 50 fps?

Here's what I have successfully output to my monitor with no issues so far.

720p50 (1280x720 50fps)
720p25
720p29.97

1080 50i
1080 25p (some issues as this isn't a supported format)

All without any issues what so ever. Maybe I'm missing something?

I use 720p50 - observe "50" fps (its Swedish and BBC HD broadcast standard)


Please do not post incorrect information just to prove a point

We deliver content for BBC on a regular basis. These are the correct specifications for delivery to BBC as per the BBC technical guidelines of February 2012:

"All material delivered for UK HD TV transmission must be:
 1920 x 1080 pixels in an aspect ratio of 16:9
 25 frames per second (50 fields) interlaced - now known as 1080i/25.
 colour sub-sampled at a ratio of 4:2:2
The HD format is fully specified in ITU-R BT.709-5 Part 2."

BBC currently does not accept file based delivery, only delivery on HDCAM SR tape. However this will change in the near future. We have done several tests with file delivery in MXF OP1a/XML, based on the AVC-Intra 100 codec in 1080i format. This will also be the official file based delivery format for the BBC.

I have only done a few programs for Swedish television, but I do recall that the SVE delivery format for HD is HDCAM SR as well, using the 1080i format.

Best wishes,

Ronny

Sorry - didnt know that BBC left 720p50 as broadcast standard. Are you sure? What you can delgiver to them is another thing.
Anyway - SVT - Swedish Television - broadcast 720p50 like most public service companies within EBU. Thats what I have delivered for years now. Interlaced is stone dead here and in all of Scandinavia I think - as broadcast format.
Today I deliver most as ProResHQ or DVCproHD in QuickTime container trough FTP - my stuff is mostly short stuff . I dont think that they accept a feature or full lenght docu as a ProRes file - in that case its still the Sony tape s**t that rules - but its soon gone. Scandinavian countries are very prgressive when it comes to high tech in any aspect and often abandon old stuff before the rest of countries in the "west".

Edit: I know confermed that BBC use 1080i for broadcast. That surprises me when BBC and SVT - and many other EBU countries did all this research and concluded in favour to 720p50 and most EBU countries went 720p50. I wonder how BBC falled back on dead old interlace - whats the retorics behind that strange dessision? Any links?
Sattelite broadcast still do the interlace s**t - but thats another story. So is USA - they still run and produce some in 4:3 for gods sake
Sorry OT.


ronny courtens wrote:

At least in Finland even that some broadcasters are actually broadcasting in 720p50 they still require all source material as 1080i/25. I guess one good reason for this is that 1080i is much more common recording format than 720p and softwares usually aren't really good doing 1080i25 > 720p50 conversion (from interlaced 25 frames to progressive 50 frames) and that's why broadcasters are using tools (that cost fortunes) such as Snell & Wilcox Alchemist for conversions.

And going from 720p50 > 1080i25 is much more easier. So if you've already done your work in that format I think every edit program handles that conversion nicely.

Uninstalled all and reinstalled new 9.5 driver from BM - now it runs descent smooth - the only issue now is that the pictire have jagged edges now and then. Its like intelace s**t but nothing is interlace and my monitor is a TVlogic LVM-242W - shows no jagged edges with any other input - not when showing MacPro's graphic out eithe - only from DeckLink..

Edit: Ha! I had output in "Better Performance" - switched to "High Quality" and now everything seems fine . I havnt hard tested yet but the rig now is good - looks really fine