How Good is Matrox RTX2 at DVinfo.net

Deniz Ahmet · March 31st, 2008, 03:26 AM

Is it worth the money. I'm considering Cineform instead becuase they focus on quality.

Anyone have experience of both?

Is RTX2 a stable solution in the past I've had a very bad time with fussy Matrox boards.

Chris Coulson · March 31st, 2008, 04:29 AM

Matrox is fussy, but if you build the computer according to their recommended HW specs it's rock solid.

Jiri Fiala · March 31st, 2008, 07:03 AM

RTX2 was extremely picky and unstable with Premiere Pro 2. With CS3, it's much, much better, but be ready for some quirks (even on turnkey systems certified by matrox). ANY HW based product has some.

It's invaluable when you do broadcast stuff and lots of quick-n-dirty editing. Color corrections, effects, fades, it's all really realtime. Its monitoring capabilities and analog component I/O are great.

It DOES NOT accelerate rendering (to WMV, DV, MPEG, whatever) itself in any way, as would Matrox like you to believe.

Be aware though, that Matrox AVIs could be incompatible with other apps than Premiere. While this seems to be fixed in latest drivers, there are problems still.

The Bottom Line is: buy RTX2 for quick jobs, weddings, corporate stuff or local broadcast. Buy Cineform for anything else - compositing, advanced CC, filmmaking, music videos and creative stuff.

March 31st, 2008, 03:26 AM	#1
Deniz Ahmet Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LONDON Posts: 178	How Good is Matrox RTX2 Is it worth the money. I'm considering Cineform instead becuase they focus on quality. Anyone have experience of both? Is RTX2 a stable solution in the past I've had a very bad time with fussy Matrox boards.

March 31st, 2008, 04:29 AM	#2
Chris Coulson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 101	Matrox is fussy, but if you build the computer according to their recommended HW specs it's rock solid.

March 31st, 2008, 07:03 AM	#3
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	RTX2 was extremely picky and unstable with Premiere Pro 2. With CS3, it's much, much better, but be ready for some quirks (even on turnkey systems certified by matrox). ANY HW based product has some. It's invaluable when you do broadcast stuff and lots of quick-n-dirty editing. Color corrections, effects, fades, it's all really realtime. Its monitoring capabilities and analog component I/O are great. It DOES NOT accelerate rendering (to WMV, DV, MPEG, whatever) itself in any way, as would Matrox like you to believe. Be aware though, that Matrox AVIs could be incompatible with other apps than Premiere. While this seems to be fixed in latest drivers, there are problems still. The Bottom Line is: buy RTX2 for quick jobs, weddings, corporate stuff or local broadcast. Buy Cineform for anything else - compositing, advanced CC, filmmaking, music videos and creative stuff.