HD Capture - Any way to convert from 1080p60 to 1080p24?

[Corvius]

My HD Capture card, the DeckLink HD Extreme PCIe, can capture a maximum of 1080p24 via component input.

I am using a HDFury2 to convert HDMI video with HDCP to analog component.

I have been on a (so far) fruitless search to find some way to downscale the 1080p60 video output by the HDFury2 to 1080p24, which can then be captured by the DeckLink HD Extreme.

Every major brand scaler... Gefen, DVDO, Crystalio, Radiance... the MAXIMUM they accept via analog (component) or even RGBHV is 720p. Is the industry bullying these companies to not allow 1080p input via analog? If so, I think that's illegal... they have NO right to control analog inputs.

So far, the only options I see are:

1) Wait for a capture card that can do 1080p60 via analog, or

2) Live with 720p60 as a maximum resolution for capture

Any further input would be much appreciated.

[jagabo]

So far, the only options I see are:

1) Wait for a capture card that can do 1080p60 via analog, or

If the AACS has it's way, you won't ever see that. Analog HD video is scheduled to be done away with in 2011 (no new AACS devices will come with it). Analog SD will disappear a few years after that. Read about AACS's analog sunset:

http://www.aacsla.com/support/AACS_Interim_Adopter_Agrmt_080626.pdf

Given that no devices will output analog HD there will be no market for devices that can record it.

You could capture analog 1080i with a Hauppauge HD PVR and then IVTC back to 24 fps. I've done this a few times.

[Corvius]

My card already handles 1080i.

You also mean to say "no new devices". There will still be tons of analog devices in use.

Anyway, what is really needed is a HDCP stripper, which people always used to say, "Don't worry, you'll see tons of them," and so far, I haven't seen one, except for that Spatz DVIMAGIC device that is impossible to find used nowadays.

[Bleep Boop]

You didn't look quite close enough.

The Gefen scalers will accept 1080p60 input to the component connectors:


http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4174

According to the manual, they do not have a USER SELECTABLE 1080p24 output, however, they have a "Native" selection, that will set the output to match whatever the HDMI connection is attached to if that device sends the correct EDID (extended display identification data). According to Gefen, 1080p24 output is supported:

http://forum.gefen.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1673&SearchTerms=1080p24

They say the reason 1080p24 isn't user selectable is because most customers are going to hook it up to a consumer display, and there are no consumer displays that support 1080p24 as a native rate.

I've never used a DeckLink HD Extreme, so I don't know if it uses EDID. I would suggest e-mailing their support and asking them. You want to know if you connect a scaler to the DeckLink's HDMI input, will it send EDID to the scaler for 1080p24. Since you can have multiple resolutions via HDMI, I would guess that the DeckLink software would have a user selectable option for this, then that would be sent via EDID to the Gefen scaler. Again, I would e-mail Blackmagic support to be sure about it.

Your connection would therefore be:

1080p60 output -> HDFury2 : Component 1080p60 output -> Gefen Home Theater Scaler : "Native" output -> DeckLink HD Extreme w/ "1080p24" option selected for EDID (if supported)

If the DeckLink doesn't send the correct EDID for 1080p24, I honestly don't see why a user selectable option for 1080p24 couldn't be incorporated into the Gefen firmware. Try e-mailing Gefen support and explain your needs. They MAY write you a custom firmware. I wouldn't count on that, but I have actually had companies write me custom drivers before when I asked very nicely, explained my needs, and they were straightforward enough to implement (which they pretty much are here... 1080p24 as a user selectable option).

One thing you should keep in mind... the HDFury2's JUST started shipping. Some people have reported some problems when using 1080p60. Things like wavy lines and such. They've also reported that the HDFury2 heats up and runs very hot in 1080p60 mode. I don't know if that's fixable through a firmware update or not, so be wary of that. Make sure you use the EXTERNAL POWER for the HDFury2.

Good luck, and if you don't mind me asking, if you DO get 1080p60 capture to work with the DeckLink at 1080p24, could you please post back? I (and others I am sure) would be quite interested to know the results.

I'm also curious... what are you planning on capturing? You do realize that Blu-Ray's and HD-DVD's can be decrypted now with AnyDVD, right?

AFAIK, there isn't any HD material being broadcast at 1080p anything, YET.

[jagabo]

The Gefen scalers will accept 1080p60 input to the component connectors:...

According to the manual, they do not have a USER SELECTABLE 1080p24 output, however, they have a "Native" selection, that will set the output to match whatever the HDMI connection is attached to if that device sends the correct EDID (extended display identification data).

Let's hope it's smart about how it decimates. You could end up getting pairs from the same film frame, effectively 12 fps.