1080/60p camcorder output via HDMI into Mac

[Trilomac]

I have a challenge I'd like to make a stab at. I am getting a camcorder that can output 1080/60p through HDMI (v1.3). If you plug your HDMI cable from the camcorder to an HDTV that accepts 1080p via an HDMI cable you will see true real time 1080/60p live on screen. What I'd like to do is see this same 1080/60p live on my MacPro LCD screen. That is, take the camcorder output via HDMI and somehow get it on a Mac without loss of frame rate. This same camcorder (JVC Everio GZ-HD6) also has an i.Link port and a USB2 port, but these only output 1080i, which won't do.

Does anyone know of a third party black box that can take in 1080/60p via HDMI and output H.264 (MPEG 4) at 60 fps, or even 30 fps, via firewire or usb? That way I can possibly get it into my Mac and play it real time.

Any ideas at all on this challenge?

[jagabo]

HDMI -> DVI cable?

[Trilomac]

The Mac has a couple DVI ports, but for output to a monitor. I need , as part of a solution, a way to get input from HDMI, so I'm looking for some company's product that may do what I need.

[jagabo]

HDMI output from the camcorder directly to the DVI input on the monitor with a simple HDMI->DVI cable. The video portion of HDMI is the same as DVI. This won't include audio though.

[Trilomac]

Yes, this would work to display the picture, but I need it to go into the Mac so I can use it directly in something like iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

[jagabo]

I'm not aware of any 1080p60 capture devices. From what I've read, that camcorder does not record 1080p60. The 1080p60 output of the HDMI port is deinterlaced 1080i30.

[Trilomac]

You're right, it doesn't record 1080/60p but it will directly output it via HDMI. At least that's what their specification page at JVC says. An that's exactly what I need. Thanks for all your responses, BTW. I'm happy to get some feedback on this. It's very difficult to find a solution.

[jagabo]

You can capture 1080i and bob on the computer.

[Trilomac]

Who's bob??

[jagabo]

Bob deinterlace. The same thing the camcorder is doing.

[Trilomac]

As strictly a Mac software programmer, you're getting way beyond my comprehension level as a newbie Video guy. All I know at this point is that the camera will output 1080/60p, and I need to get h.264 (60 pfps or 30 fps) in thru the Mac's firewire or USB2 port. I've been trying to find the magic black somewhere out there for sale on a shelf that would go in between, but it's starting to look like it doesn't exist yet. That is, there doesn't seem to be a black box that can take in 1080/60p over HDMI and output H.264 (30 or 60 fps) via firewire or USB.

[edDV]

As strictly a Mac software programmer, you're getting way beyond my comprehension level as a newbie Video guy. All I know at this point is that the camera will output 1080/60p, and I need to get h.264 (60 pfps or 30 fps) in thru the Mac's firewire or USB2 port. I've been trying to find the magic black somewhere out there for sale on a shelf that would go in between, but it's starting to look like it doesn't exist yet. That is, there doesn't seem to be a black box that can take in 1080/60p over HDMI and output H.264 (30 or 60 fps) via firewire or USB.

I'm unaware of a 1080p HDMI input device for MAC. Pro cameras use SDI (SMPTE 292M) for high def input. The prosumer JVC cameras will output 720p/60 over analog component. The state of art for 60p is at 1280x720 resolutions. AJA and BlackMagic make devices that will cap analog component 720p/60.
http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101539

1080p is usually handled at 23.976fps. Low end cameras send this as 24F or 24pA. It gets complicated to process this input although FCP can import 24pA from certain cameras over IEEE-1394.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24p


PS: The JVC camera referenced above is supported for 1280x720p/60 transfer over IEEE-1394 by FCP and three PC edit software vendors (AVID, Canopus, Matrox).
http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/pro/prohd/concept/02.html

[Trilomac]

edDV, thanks for your response. I'm researching your links now.

[cyberspacesTV]

I'm looking for the same thing. I have a Nikon D90 that I want to output via HDMI to Final Cut. I found something that looks like it might work. Convergent Design. From their press release:

"When operating in live-camera mode, the user can enjoy the ultimate video quality attainable from a given camcorder, since this video stream has never been compressed (it’s straight off the CCD/CMOS sensor). Furthermore, green-screen applications are enhanced with the full 4:2:2 color resolution from the live-camera capture."

here's the link to the press release nearly a year ago
http://www.geekymac.com/?p=346

here's the link to the product page where there are links to product reviews
http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_Products_HDConnectMI.htm

The price has dropped $100 since it came out but it's still out of my budget for now ($595). Let me know what you think - especially if you pick one up.

[cyberspacesTV]

I posted too soon. It appears that Convergent Design requires the use of either Blackmagic or AJA cards. Looking at the Blackmagic card ($249) it looks like that might do the trick. It has both HDMI input and output.

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

I'll have to do some more research on my D90 to be sure that Live View is presented to the HDMI and not just output of recorded files.

[edDV]

I posted too soon. It appears that Convergent Design requires the use of either Blackmagic or AJA cards. Looking at the Blackmagic card ($249) it looks like that might do the trick. It has both HDMI input and output.

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

I'll have to do some more research on my D90 to be sure that Live View is presented to the HDMI and not just output of recorded files.

\

The Intensity Pro does 720p and 1080i but not 1080p.There are many discussion in the forums on the Intensity.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/techspecs/

Why not output via flash card?

[jagabo]

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

Instantly switch between HD and SD video standards including HDTV 1080i/59.94, 1080i/50, 720p/59.94, 720p/50

No 1080p60 like the OP was requesting.

[edDV]

And do you realize 1920x1080p@60hz will generate files larger than 850GB per hour?

Nikon D90 Specs.... No mention of 1080p only 720p@24 max. LCD Monitor is sub MegaPixel

"Movie
Image size (pixels) 1,280 x 720/24 fps, 640 x 424/24 fps, 320 x 216/24 fps
File format AVI
Compression format Motion-JPEG, with monaural sound

Monitor
LCD monitor 3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170° viewing
angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment


HDMI output Type C HDMI connector; camera monitor turns off when HDMI cable is connected"

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25446-Nikon-D90/PDF/25446_D90_brochure.pdf

[gtsorbo]

http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc-hd50
I think this is similar to what you are looking for. Pretty expensive though.