Aja LHe or Black Magic Multibridge Pro? at DVinfo.net

Chuck Spaulding · December 27th, 2006, 07:34 PM

Both of these cards are comparably priced and the Apple reseller I'm working with sells both. The sales person says that FCP works better with the Aja video card, is that true?

If so how? Is there a noticable difference?

Cale Rogers · December 28th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Hello,

I've never owned a Decklink product, but I've always experienced great support from the AJA people. I use an IO box for Beta SP capture (FCP 5) and the results are clean and the support team is knowledgeable with formats and workflow. There's a production company in town that we work with from time to time that uses the Decklink product. They're happy with the input (Beta SP) also, but I've never asked if they're satisfied with support questions. If it were my money, I'd go with the AJA LHe because of my experience with the company and the number of specific FCP capabilities the card was designed for.

Hope that helps,

John Jencks · December 29th, 2006, 09:18 AM

I personally use the BlackMajic Multibridge Extreme and after a bit of finagleing in the set up, (mostly because I was starting at the bottom of the learning curve) have found it to be a really marvelous device, especaially as I have it now, hooked up to an Apple 30" display.
I couldn't really compare it to an AJA not having used one to the same extent, however, what I have done, makes it seem as if there is not much in it. Although, I do like the fact that my Multibridge extreme is a breakout box as well, which is handy as otherwise I'd be spending a whole host of time on my hands and knees behind my desk moving cables around.

Shane Ross · December 29th, 2006, 12:20 PM

I have owned both and I lean towards AJA for a couple reasons:

1) Best tech support of the two, hands down

2) Designed to work with the Mac first and foremost. Decklink works on Mac and PC. AJA works closely with Apple to ensure that things run smoothly.

Tech support is important.

Robert Lane · December 29th, 2006, 01:20 PM

Ditto what Shane said; if you're on a Mac you want AJA.

Dave Perry · December 30th, 2006, 01:08 AM

We use an Io for Beta and Kona LHe for uncompressed HD. Both work great. We also use a Black Magic HDLink to run our 24" Samsung monitor in the field to get pixel for pixel 1920x1080 monitoring.

December 27th, 2006, 07:34 PM	#1
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,104	Aja LHe or Black Magic Multibridge Pro? Both of these cards are comparably priced and the Apple reseller I'm working with sells both. The sales person says that FCP works better with the Aja video card, is that true? If so how? Is there a noticable difference?

December 29th, 2006, 09:18 AM	#3
John Jencks Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 43	I personally use the BlackMajic Multibridge Extreme and after a bit of finagleing in the set up, (mostly because I was starting at the bottom of the learning curve) have found it to be a really marvelous device, especaially as I have it now, hooked up to an Apple 30" display. I couldn't really compare it to an AJA not having used one to the same extent, however, what I have done, makes it seem as if there is not much in it. Although, I do like the fact that my Multibridge extreme is a breakout box as well, which is handy as otherwise I'd be spending a whole host of time on my hands and knees behind my desk moving cables around. __________________ If any one knows a good on-line ordering facility for dunces caps; I'll take 20.

December 30th, 2006, 01:08 AM	#6
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	We use an Io for Beta and Kona LHe for uncompressed HD. Both work great. We also use a Black Magic HDLink to run our 24" Samsung monitor in the field to get pixel for pixel 1920x1080 monitoring. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

December 28th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#2
Cale Rogers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 63	Hello, I've never owned a Decklink product, but I've always experienced great support from the AJA people. I use an IO box for Beta SP capture (FCP 5) and the results are clean and the support team is knowledgeable with formats and workflow. There's a production company in town that we work with from time to time that uses the Decklink product. They're happy with the input (Beta SP) also, but I've never asked if they're satisfied with support questions. If it were my money, I'd go with the AJA LHe because of my experience with the company and the number of specific FCP capabilities the card was designed for. Hope that helps,

December 29th, 2006, 12:20 PM	#4
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	I have owned both and I lean towards AJA for a couple reasons: 1) Best tech support of the two, hands down 2) Designed to work with the Mac first and foremost. Decklink works on Mac and PC. AJA works closely with Apple to ensure that things run smoothly. Tech support is important.

December 29th, 2006, 01:20 PM	#5
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Ditto what Shane said; if you're on a Mac you want AJA.