Any experience with MOTU's HDX-SDI??? at DVinfo.net

Federico Palma · March 28th, 2010, 09:49 AM

Hi everybody. Has anyone used or owns an HDX-SDI?

I'm shoppinf for an HD I/O device, and this seems competitive against the Matrox MXO2 LE...

So far the two downs I can see is the lack of battery operation and the use of TRS instead of XLR for audio input. Oh, and I forgot RT scaling!!!

I like the more "open" capture format capabilities, tough I know either Matrox's MPEG2-I or ProRes are quite solid.

Well, just thoughts on the vaccum... Any hands-on experience???

Steve Oakley · March 28th, 2010, 11:02 AM

the matrox MXO2's can capture to just about any codec. DVCproHD, ProRes, *uncompressed*, photojpeg, ect. in fact the MXO2's DON"T capture to iFrame Mpeg2, thats the Axio series which does this and on PC.

the mxo2's are uncompressed video data to and from the host computer, any device using FW for a video connection is using compressed video for HD, adding extra compression hits going back and forth.

the RT scaling is also important for format conversions SD->HD during capture, HD->SD during output.

also you can get the MAX option for accelerated h.264 video encoding. big deal if you do a lot of encoding because of how much faster it is, especially on a laptop. not much of a comparison when you really look at it, and what you are getting ( or not getting ! )

Federico Palma · March 28th, 2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks Steve.

When I've posted in the first place I was forgetting the RT scaling thinkg so I added that later. And is true, that is almost a no-brainer!!!

Of course, there might be many more ups and downs that might be pointed. MXO2's have been in the field for some time, and the HDX is kind of new.

About the I-Frame, it's on the specs on the Matrox site.

I think MAX is a future-proof value, but out of my budget so far.

Cheers!

Steve Oakley · March 28th, 2010, 12:18 PM

ok, had to look. the mpeg2 iframe is PC only. I use the units on mac where there isn't this codec from matrox. however, it might well work ok using one of the XDcam codecs instead. haven't tried it. probably would work ok on a quad core or better. it would be interesting to test out.

Federico Palma · March 28th, 2010, 12:38 PM

Oh, I'm sorry Steve!!!! I wasn't aware this was the FCS forum!!! I have posted in both mac and windows post forums. I received your reply on my mailbox and replied inmediately.

Well, this are interesting yet very confusing times.

Cheers!

Shaun Roemich · March 28th, 2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federico Palma

I have posted in both mac and windows post forums.

Hi Federico. It's Forum policy to post only once and in the MOST applicable Sub Forum. I have asked a moderator to intervene and close the other thread down.

And yes, as Steve points out, the tether between the MOTU unit and similar units from AJA are via Firewire which limits data rate transfer. The Matrox unit is a marvel and is on my Must Buy list once I purchase a new Mac Pro.

Federico Palma · March 28th, 2010, 02:14 PM

Sorry again, didn't know that!!! After a coupe years touring this are my firsts threads.

By the way, don't you feel there are too many sub-forums by make-brand and the general issues are left aside??? Is kind of difficult to have a good perspective of some topics and reaching to the right people.

Would like to see a Full Postproduction Sub-Forum and then the many others in the next level. But well, I know what a mess driving such a huge and dynamic forum about such a huge and dynamic bussiness might be.

Coming back to topic, the MOTU HDX-SDI is and PCIe or ExpressCard/34 device (not like the V4HD). Some kind of MXO2 LE "follower", as it seems, that is why appeared so interesting... Check it out.

Anyway, I still prefer the Matrox, so far...

Shaun Roemich · March 28th, 2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federico Palma

Sorry again, didn't know that!!!

No problem, just thought you should know.

Cross platform information is generally shared here: High Definition Video Editing Solutions Forum at DVinfo.net

There ARE a lot of Subforums but it does help to "keep things straight". And there was a lot of good-natured (and some NOT SO good-natured) "fighting" going on between the PC and Mac camps so "keeping 'em separated" isn't such a bad thing either...

Federico Palma · March 28th, 2010, 02:37 PM

I totally agree.

Robert Lane · March 28th, 2010, 09:45 PM

Federico,

Matrox has been in the digital imaging business for decades, MOTU is a relative newcomer to the video industry with their core strength being pro audio - of which they make amazing devices that I'd swear by.

However for anything IO for video my preference would always reside with Maxtrox, hands down - no contest.

In fact their "AXIO LE" and "RT X2" hardware packages for Premiere Pro prove the point; it's just damned sad they don't make that package for FCP. At least not yet.

Stick with Matrox in this arena, you'll not only be pleasantly surprised at the capabilities but also the customer support.

Federico Palma · March 29th, 2010, 10:45 AM

I agree Robert.

I've been using Matrox products since the Digisuites, and I own myself a RT2000 system I've built myself, 'though I'm not using it pretty much this days for editing (gosh is 10 years old!), It proved to be a real workhorse for a long time.

I can still use it if a need to, although Service Pack 3 of Win2000 kind of messed the always difficult relationship of the MTX soft with Premiere 6. I don't know if it was plain luck or the extensive study of components I've made back then, but I've never -I mean, never- had any of those nightmarish issues reported with the RT2000. I've invested in a Medea VideoRAID then, it was crazy for third world standards and budgets, but made the work perfectly... Still does.

I just want to know if anybody had a hands on experience with the HDX, to make the comparison in a more practical manner. Just curious...

Anyway, MOTU has no dealers of their video equipment in Argentina.

Cheers!

March 28th, 2010, 09:49 AM	#1
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	Any experience with MOTU's HDX-SDI??? Hi everybody. Has anyone used or owns an HDX-SDI? I'm shoppinf for an HD I/O device, and this seems competitive against the Matrox MXO2 LE... So far the two downs I can see is the lack of battery operation and the use of TRS instead of XLR for audio input. Oh, and I forgot RT scaling!!! I like the more "open" capture format capabilities, tough I know either Matrox's MPEG2-I or ProRes are quite solid. Well, just thoughts on the vaccum... Any hands-on experience???

March 28th, 2010, 11:02 AM	#2
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	the matrox MXO2's can capture to just about any codec. DVCproHD, ProRes, uncompressed, photojpeg, ect. in fact the MXO2's DON"T capture to iFrame Mpeg2, thats the Axio series which does this and on PC. the mxo2's are uncompressed video data to and from the host computer, any device using FW for a video connection is using compressed video for HD, adding extra compression hits going back and forth. the RT scaling is also important for format conversions SD->HD during capture, HD->SD during output. also you can get the MAX option for accelerated h.264 video encoding. big deal if you do a lot of encoding because of how much faster it is, especially on a laptop. not much of a comparison when you really look at it, and what you are getting ( or not getting ! )

March 28th, 2010, 11:38 AM	#3
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	Thanks Steve. When I've posted in the first place I was forgetting the RT scaling thinkg so I added that later. And is true, that is almost a no-brainer!!! Of course, there might be many more ups and downs that might be pointed. MXO2's have been in the field for some time, and the HDX is kind of new. About the I-Frame, it's on the specs on the Matrox site. I think MAX is a future-proof value, but out of my budget so far. Cheers!

March 28th, 2010, 12:18 PM	#4
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	ok, had to look. the mpeg2 iframe is PC only. I use the units on mac where there isn't this codec from matrox. however, it might well work ok using one of the XDcam codecs instead. haven't tried it. probably would work ok on a quad core or better. it would be interesting to test out.

March 28th, 2010, 12:38 PM	#5
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	Oh, I'm sorry Steve!!!! I wasn't aware this was the FCS forum!!! I have posted in both mac and windows post forums. I received your reply on my mailbox and replied inmediately. Well, this are interesting yet very confusing times. Cheers!

March 28th, 2010, 02:14 PM	#7
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	Sorry again, didn't know that!!! After a coupe years touring this are my firsts threads. By the way, don't you feel there are too many sub-forums by make-brand and the general issues are left aside??? Is kind of difficult to have a good perspective of some topics and reaching to the right people. Would like to see a Full Postproduction Sub-Forum and then the many others in the next level. But well, I know what a mess driving such a huge and dynamic forum about such a huge and dynamic bussiness might be. Coming back to topic, the MOTU HDX-SDI is and PCIe or ExpressCard/34 device (not like the V4HD). Some kind of MXO2 LE "follower", as it seems, that is why appeared so interesting... Check it out. Anyway, I still prefer the Matrox, so far...

March 28th, 2010, 02:37 PM	#9
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	I totally agree.

March 28th, 2010, 09:45 PM	#10
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Federico, Matrox has been in the digital imaging business for decades, MOTU is a relative newcomer to the video industry with their core strength being pro audio - of which they make amazing devices that I'd swear by. However for anything IO for video my preference would always reside with Maxtrox, hands down - no contest. In fact their "AXIO LE" and "RT X2" hardware packages for Premiere Pro prove the point; it's just damned sad they don't make that package for FCP. At least not yet. Stick with Matrox in this arena, you'll not only be pleasantly surprised at the capabilities but also the customer support.

March 29th, 2010, 10:45 AM	#11
Federico Palma New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bariloche (Patagonia Argentina) Posts: 16	I agree Robert. I've been using Matrox products since the Digisuites, and I own myself a RT2000 system I've built myself, 'though I'm not using it pretty much this days for editing (gosh is 10 years old!), It proved to be a real workhorse for a long time. I can still use it if a need to, although Service Pack 3 of Win2000 kind of messed the always difficult relationship of the MTX soft with Premiere 6. I don't know if it was plain luck or the extensive study of components I've made back then, but I've never -I mean, never- had any of those nightmarish issues reported with the RT2000. I've invested in a Medea VideoRAID then, it was crazy for third world standards and budgets, but made the work perfectly... Still does. I just want to know if anybody had a hands on experience with the HDX, to make the comparison in a more practical manner. Just curious... Anyway, MOTU has no dealers of their video equipment in Argentina. Cheers!