New update increases compatibility and performance with the latest H.265 playback devices!
26 July 2016 — Blackmagic Design today announced the new Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update which dramatically increases the performance of H.265 files on the latest playback devices. Since the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K was launched in April, new H.265 playback devices have been released and customers have also been providing feedback on the playback performance of the H.265 files. This feedback has been used to improve the codec in the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K, and this software update provides these improvements to all Blackmagic Duplicator 4K customers.
Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update is available now and can be downloaded free of charge from the Blackmagic Design website.
The customer response to the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K since its launch has been overwhelming because it finally gives them an easy way to generate revenue from live events. This new update has been designed based on their direct feedback and features many improvements to the H.265 hardware codec to create incredible looking video at even lower bit rates, as well as making the mp4 files compatible with even more playback devices than ever before. These improvements allow customers to use slower computers and a wider range of 4K televisions to play back high frame rate Ultra HD H.265 files.
In addition, Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update improves A/V synchronization on all recordings, especially with long recordings and when recording multiple files with the append record feature. Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 also reduces the delay when detecting a new video input signal so recording can start quicker. Customers also get improved communication between duplicators when multiple duplicators are connected together for a large daisy chained set that are used in combination for recording more than 25 copies at once.
Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update makes it easier than ever for video producers to record, duplicate, distribute and sell Ultra HD content direct to customers at live events.
“Customers love the new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K and have been providing feedback directly to Blackmagic Design engineers,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update is so exciting because it lets customers create mp4 files that are compatible with even more big screen televisions, computers and other playback devices. The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K gives videographers a way to create and package video content that they can sell immediately after any event, whether it’s a school play, a wedding, a band performance, conference, or anything else. Now there’s a way to live duplicate recordings at the event in either HD or Ultra HD and sell it to eager parents, fans and attendees the moment the show is over! It’s a truly fantastic win-win solution for customers and program creators!”
About the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K
The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K allows delivery of Ultra HD content to consumers by recording files onto inexpensive SD cards that can be distributed to customers the moment an event is finished. Featuring 25 built in SD card recorders, multi rate 12G-SDI connections and a realtime H.265 encoder, Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is the best way to deliver Ultra HD content that customers can actually view on their 4K televisions and Windows 10 computers today.
The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K lets content creators dramatically increase revenue because it gives them a way to sell content right after a live event, while attendees are still excited about the performance before they walk out the door. Now customers can sell concert videos to fans as they leave the venue, to parents after their children’s latest performance or recital, after sporting events, conferences, sales seminars and more.
The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K encodes video using H.265, which is the new standard for Ultra HD delivery, and saves files in an open file format on to standard SD cards. The built in realtime H.265 hardware encoder gives customers incredible looking Ultra HD video, even at high frame rates up to 2160p60. The H.265 video looks better than the older H.264 standard, and the files are small with data rates low so content can play back from standard SD card media. With H.265, Ultra HD content is not much larger in file size than a HD file would be in the older H.264 standard.
Featuring 25 SD card recorders miniaturized into a single rack unit, the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K uses standard, common SD cards that are readily available, super thin, inexpensive and very fast. Cards can be used for SD, HD and Ultra HD video up to 2160p60 and are compatible with Windows 10 computers. With the addition of a USB adapter, SD cards can even be plugged directly into most consumer Ultra HD televisions for immediate playback of the video.
The built in H.265 encoder is so efficient that a one hour Ultra HD program can easily fit onto a very inexpensive 8GB SD card. SD cards are also easy to label and completely re-usable so customers can reformat unsold cards and record over them again at their next event. Unlike proprietary disc based formats like Blu-Ray, customers don’t have to buy a slow and expensive player. Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is the easiest, most compatible and cost effective way to distribute Ultra HD content to consumers today.
The front panel controls are designed to make duplicating content as easy as possible and feature 6 large illuminated buttons for record, stop, lock, append, menu and remote. The lock button prevents accidental interruption of recording during an event, and the append record button seamlessly combines recordings from different parts of an event into a single file.
This revolutionary new append recording feature is perfect for events that have natural breaks, like weddings with a ceremony and reception in different locations. Append recording makes it easier for consumers to watch the final program because they only have to play back a single movie file.
The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K features advanced, multi rate 12G-SDI connections that can record all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60. For larger events, multiple duplicators can be stacked using the SDI loop thru and RS-422 deck control. This lets customers encode and duplicate to an unlimited number of SD cards in realtime. When recording is started or stopped on the first duplicator, the others automatically follow. There is also an optical fiber SFP socket for adding an optional SMPTE compatible optical fiber SDI module when working in larger venues with long distances between equipment. Adding optical fiber SDI directly into the duplicators could be very useful when duplicators are set up close to the merchandising stands away from the production area so that cards can be handed to customers for quick sale.
Blackmagic Duplicator 4K Key Features
- 25 SD card recorders for simultaneously recording onto multiple cards at once.
- Realtime H.265 encoding technology which is the standard for Ultra HD.
- 12G-SDI input and loop thru output, along with RS-422 control.
- Uses open standard file formats that are compatible with computers and Ultra HD televisions.
- Records all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60.
- Append feature puts multiple recordings into a single file for easier playback.
- Record unlimited cards by daisy chaining multiple duplicators together.
- Easy to use front panel controls with lock, record, append, stop and remote buttons.
- Built in universal 110V – 240V AC power supply.
Availability and Price
Blackmagic Duplicator 1.0.2 update is available now free of charge from the support page of the Blackmagic Design website.
About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.
