MXO 2 or something else

Denis OKeefe · June 10th, 2009, 09:38 AM

On occasion I need to send an SD composite feed from the EX cameras so I was about to buy a small converter and have some suggestions from this forum which to look at.
I've been looking at the Matrox MXO 2 or the AJA IO to bring various formats into my Mac laptop for editing and to output to various formats.
Does it make sense to spend the extra money on the Matrox instead of a cheaper SDI-composite converter since it can be used for many more tasks?
Will the Matrox operate as a stand alone converter in the field without the laptop attached ( for SDI-composite feeds)?
I have a current macbook pro so I'm good for a couple years use but will I get stuck connecting the Matrox to the laptop when there are no more expresscard ports if my current laptop goes toes up?
Suggestions will be appreciated.

Olof Ekbergh · June 10th, 2009, 12:32 PM

The EX3 (and EX1 I believe) has composite S and component out, it will down convert on output.

Are you talking about feeding it into a MBP? Then the cheapest way may be to get an old AJA IOla, I have one and I use it to run scopes (Scopebox) on location. I bet you can find one cheap on Ebay.

Denis OKeefe · June 10th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Once in a while I have to feed NTSC and don't trust the little plugs and wires. It is a shame they monitor out is so crappy, it would save me some money. I've been about to buy an SDI-composite downconverter but keep putting it off. NTSC has to go away sometime, just not soon enough.
I figured the Matrox could be used as a stand alone convert but it turns out it does need to be hooked to a computer so I'm back to looking at two devices I guess.

Olof Ekbergh · June 11th, 2009, 07:14 AM

I am a little confused. I have an EX3 and it has a BNC monitor out.

Is it the audio you are concerned with?

Denis OKeefe · June 11th, 2009, 07:46 AM

Yes, the EX3 has a monitor out but the picture quality is terrible. The small plug and wires coming out of the composite jack are an accident waiting to happen, so I don't care to use them either.
I've used the EX cameras on liveshots and to feed video; sending HDSDI or SDI is perfect, absolutely the way to go. Once in a while I'll encounter a facility or truck that can't take SDI in any form and I'm stuck with composite, but don't care to trust the existing connections so I want an SDI-composite converter.
My hope was to kill two birds with one big check, so to speak, but the MXO2 can't be used as a stand alone adapter. I've already had some excellent suggestions for small converters, I'll get one of them and keep the Matrox on my shopping list for the near future.

Mitchell Lewis · June 12th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Black Magic just released a bunch of new mini converters. How about going from SDI to HDMI? Would that help?

AJA also makes a bunch of mini converters, even more than Black Magic. Of course they also make the Io HD and now the new mini Io HD.

Lots of options here. Unfortunately, none of them are battery powered that I know of. (if I'm wrong about that statement, please let me know) :)

Bill Ravens · June 12th, 2009, 08:03 AM

I've had my eye on an AJA IO Express ever since it was announced at NAB. Unlike the MXO2 mini, the IO Express has HD-SDI as well as HDMI I/O. It works on 12vDC and has an optional ExpressCard for laptop interface. The only thing I would want from the IO Express is native encoding to Cineform DI.

Dennis Dillon · June 12th, 2009, 09:21 AM

Dennis,
I have had an AJA D10CE that converts SDI SD to Composite and Component out. It runs on an AC 110/ 5v out

Dennis Dillon · June 12th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Dennis,
Correction. I still have it.

Dennis Dillon · June 12th, 2009, 09:26 AM

Dennis, Correction. I still have it.

Denis OKeefe · June 12th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Hello Dennis! I was hoping one bigger box would do two or three jobs - composite 4x3 HAS to go away soon (doesn't it?).
Guess I'll get a mini converter to keep in the bag, the issue has come up 3 or 4 times now. I have an old and real expensive hdsdi to component Miranda adapter sitting on the shelf, wish it had composite.
Then again, maybe I should chuck the cameras and put my money into a big sailboat.

Andrew Stone · June 15th, 2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ravens

I've had my eye on an AJA IO Express ever since it was announced at NAB. Unlike the MXO2 mini, the IO Express has HD-SDI as well as HDMI I/O. It works on 12vDC and has an optional ExpressCard for laptop interface.

Bill thanks for mentioning this. Completely missed this one. I've been gloaming over the Aja's "Ki Pro" but here is a solution that offers a good many of the features of the Ki Pro but at a fraction of the price.

June 10th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#1
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	MXO 2 or something else - suggestions please On occasion I need to send an SD composite feed from the EX cameras so I was about to buy a small converter and have some suggestions from this forum which to look at. I've been looking at the Matrox MXO 2 or the AJA IO to bring various formats into my Mac laptop for editing and to output to various formats. Does it make sense to spend the extra money on the Matrox instead of a cheaper SDI-composite converter since it can be used for many more tasks? Will the Matrox operate as a stand alone converter in the field without the laptop attached ( for SDI-composite feeds)? I have a current macbook pro so I'm good for a couple years use but will I get stuck connecting the Matrox to the laptop when there are no more expresscard ports if my current laptop goes toes up? Suggestions will be appreciated.

June 11th, 2009, 07:46 AM	#5
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	Yes, the EX3 has a monitor out but the picture quality is terrible. The small plug and wires coming out of the composite jack are an accident waiting to happen, so I don't care to use them either. I've used the EX cameras on liveshots and to feed video; sending HDSDI or SDI is perfect, absolutely the way to go. Once in a while I'll encounter a facility or truck that can't take SDI in any form and I'm stuck with composite, but don't care to trust the existing connections so I want an SDI-composite converter. My hope was to kill two birds with one big check, so to speak, but the MXO2 can't be used as a stand alone adapter. I've already had some excellent suggestions for small converters, I'll get one of them and keep the Matrox on my shopping list for the near future. Last edited by Denis OKeefe; June 11th, 2009 at 07:51 AM. Reason: added sentence

June 12th, 2009, 07:56 AM	#6
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	Black Magic just released a bunch of new mini converters. How about going from SDI to HDMI? Would that help? AJA also makes a bunch of mini converters, even more than Black Magic. Of course they also make the Io HD and now the new mini Io HD. Lots of options here. Unfortunately, none of them are battery powered that I know of. (if I'm wrong about that statement, please let me know) :) __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

June 10th, 2009, 12:32 PM	#2
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	The EX3 (and EX1 I believe) has composite S and component out, it will down convert on output. Are you talking about feeding it into a MBP? Then the cheapest way may be to get an old AJA IOla, I have one and I use it to run scopes (Scopebox) on location. I bet you can find one cheap on Ebay.

June 10th, 2009, 02:22 PM	#3
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	Once in a while I have to feed NTSC and don't trust the little plugs and wires. It is a shame they monitor out is so crappy, it would save me some money. I've been about to buy an SDI-composite downconverter but keep putting it off. NTSC has to go away sometime, just not soon enough. I figured the Matrox could be used as a stand alone convert but it turns out it does need to be hooked to a computer so I'm back to looking at two devices I guess.

June 11th, 2009, 07:14 AM	#4
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I am a little confused. I have an EX3 and it has a BNC monitor out. Is it the audio you are concerned with?

June 12th, 2009, 08:03 AM	#7
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I've had my eye on an AJA IO Express ever since it was announced at NAB. Unlike the MXO2 mini, the IO Express has HD-SDI as well as HDMI I/O. It works on 12vDC and has an optional ExpressCard for laptop interface. The only thing I would want from the IO Express is native encoding to Cineform DI.

June 12th, 2009, 09:21 AM	#8
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Dennis, I have had an AJA D10CE that converts SDI SD to Composite and Component out. It runs on an AC 110/ 5v out

June 12th, 2009, 09:23 AM	#9
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Dennis, Correction. I still have it.

June 12th, 2009, 09:26 AM	#10
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Dennis, Correction. I still have it.

June 12th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#11
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	Hello Dennis! I was hoping one bigger box would do two or three jobs - composite 4x3 HAS to go away soon (doesn't it?). Guess I'll get a mini converter to keep in the bag, the issue has come up 3 or 4 times now. I have an old and real expensive hdsdi to component Miranda adapter sitting on the shelf, wish it had composite. Then again, maybe I should chuck the cameras and put my money into a big sailboat.