HDLink connects SDI video directly to any supported DVI-D and DisplayPort based LCD computer monitor for incredible true HDTV resolution video monitoring. HDLink includes 3 Gb/s SDI for high resolution 2K film monitoring when connected to a large 30 inch DVI display. With every individual pixel in the HD or 2K SDI connection digitally mapped directly to the pixels of the LCD display, you get a perfect digital-to-screen pixel for pixel HDTV or 2K display. Connect any HDMI television or video projector to HDLink for cinema style monitoring! Even large 23 inch CRT based monitors can’t display the full resolution of the HD-SDI signal, but with HDLink you see every pixel in the HD signal, so you'll always see a perfect image. You'll be amazed at the quality of High Definition or 2K video when you monitor via HDLink for the first time. There’s simply no higher resolution HDTV monitoring possible!

Supports both DVI and HDMI

HDLink supports all DVI-D based digital computer displays and now also includes HDMI video support. HDMI supports video at 1080i/50, 1080i/59.94 and 720p/59.94 on any HDMI device. DVI-D supports displays at 1920 x 1200 (16:10) resolution for all 1080 HDTV formats. When working in 720 HDTV formats you can even use lower cost 1280 x 800 resolution display for pixel for pixel 720p viewing. When working in NTSC or PAL, HDLink can 2x oversize the displayed image making viewing easier. Because most computer displays are limited to approximately a 60 Hz refresh rate, HDLink will automatically apply pull-down to allow video frame rates to be displayed. HDLink includes a built-in Power PC processor allowing automatic adjustment of native display resolutions using VESA E-EDID1.3.

World's Highest Quality 3 Gb/s SDI in 4:4:4

HDLink introduced the world’s first full HDTV resolution 4:4:4 monitoring solution that supports both standard definition SDI, HD-SDI and HD-SDI 4:4:4 for full resolution color monitoring. HD-SDI 4:4:4 features twice the color resolution. Conventional SD and HD video is 4:2:2 based, which limits color detail while 4:4:4 HD video preserves the full color detail which is important for critical keying and feature film work.

HDLink Pro is the first solution for the new high speed 3 Gb/s SDI standard for 4:4:4 RGB and 2K film monitoring. 3 Gb/s SDI runs twice the data rate of normal HD-SDI video, allowing 4:4:4 RGB video to be connected using a single SDI connection. 3 Gb/s SDI also allows full resolution 2K feature film quality 2048 x 1556 video to be connected via SDI.

Built in Optical Fiber

The HDLink Optical Fiber model is the world's first broadcast monitoring solution with built in optical fiber SDI connections. Optical fiber easily handles long distances, is low cost, and optical fiber cables last virtually forever because you can keep plugging them into faster equipment in the future, and the same cables will go much faster. Optical fiber cables can be installed by your local electrician, and the cables can be purchased from your local electrical wholesaler. That's because optical fiber is used all the time in computer networking, so it's low cost and commonly available! Now you can build a native optical fiber facility!

Standard Definition, HDTV or 2K

HDLink supports all SDI based formats from standard definition NTSC/PAL to HD-SDI 1080 and 720 and even 2K film resolution when used with DVI displays. HDLink features 3 Gb/s SDI, so also works with real time 2K monitoring as used on Blackmagic Design's Multibridge Eclipse, Multibridge Pro and DeckLink HD Extreme. With HDLink you'll get the best image quality possible with format compatibility guaranteed years into the future. HDLink's SDI video input automatically switches between SD, HD and 2K. Unlike CRT based monitors, HDLink also supports all HDTV frame rates and formats including progressive HD formats.

SMPTE 352M video payload identification ancillary data is used for automatic input format recognition and RGB/YUV color space detection. Color precision is at an incredible 10 bit in both SD and HD formats. Video data is automatically rounded down to the bit depth of the connected LCD display for superior viewing quality.

Color Management via 3D Lookup Tables

For matching LCD display colorimetry and simulating various types of film stocks, HDLink Pro model features more advanced 3D lookup tables. Advanced 3D lookup tables increase color control because a blend of red, green and blue video can be output to each primary color on the connected display. Only advanced 3D lookup tables can give full color control for accurate simulation of almost any feature film stock. Lookup tables are fully adjustable via a high speed USB 2.0 host computer connection using the included HDLink Utility software for Windows and Mac OS X. Custom lookup tables also allow film industry log video to be converted to linear for monitoring when used for feature film work. Preset gamma tables for Panasonic™ and Grass Valley Thomson Viper cine-gamma are included.

Supports LCD Displays

HDLink supports DVI-D based digital computer displays. For 1080 and 720 HDTV formats, a 1920 x 1200 (16:10) resolution display is recommended. However, if you’re working in 720 HDTV formats only, then a lower cost 1280 x 800 resolution display is recommended. When working in NTSC or PAL, HDLink can scale up the displayed image to fill the display making viewing easier. Because most computer displays are limited to approximately a 60 Hz refresh rate, HDLink will automatically apply pull-down to allow video frame rates to be displayed. HDLink includes a built-in Power PC processor allowing automatic adjustment of native display resolutions using VESA E-EDID1.3.

Analog Audio Monitoring Output

Audio outputs are de embedded from the SDI input and then converted to analog at an incredible 24 bit. HDLink supports 6 channels out allowing easy monitoring of 5.1 surround sound audio. Audio is output on RCA connectors so you can easily connect to standard HiFi systems. If the connected display requires pull-down processing then HDLink will apply a variable audio delay ensuring perfect audio to video sync. To protect speakers and eliminate loud pops and other audio glitches, HDLink gently mutes the audio if video formats change or when SDI signals are connected and disconnected.

Three Fantastic Models

HDLink is available in three models to match your workflow needs. If you need Dual Link 4:4:4 monitoring then HDLink Pro or HDLink Pro DisplayPort models are ideal at only $495. If you don't need Dual Link 4:4:4, as you're running a 3 Gb/s SDI facility, and you need optical fiber SDI built in, then HDLink Optical Fiber is perfect at only $795.

HDLink is incredibly flexible, whether it's used in edit suites or out on location. LCD monitoring has the advantage of being lightweight, full HD resolution and absolutely no noise because it’s digital-to-screen.

Ideal Edit Suite Monitoring

Need the ideal HD monitoring solution for edit suites, design workstations or broadcast graphics? HDLink is perfect because it’s digital direct to the LCD screen for full resolution HD display, that’s much better than a CRT! Unlike SDI input cards on CRT monitors, HDLink will let you change between standard definition and HD instantly. Now you change your edit suite over without delay, so your clients aren't kept waiting!

Big Screen Cinema Style Monitoring

Clients love good quality monitoring and HDLink is ideal for client monitoring because of its new HDMI support. HDLink's HDMI support allows you to digitally connect to a wide range of consumer televisions, large screen plasmas and video projectors for incredible quality monitoring.

LCD televisions are brighter and larger than computer monitors, so your clients get a full cinema experience using HDLink. You can even use the custom lookup tables to calibrate for accurate color. HD video with an all digital connection to a large screen TV, looks incredible!

Because HDMI video connections are limited to shorter lengths, HDLink is ideal when you need to connect to video projectors with digital quality. Run SDI connections up to your ceiling mounted video projector, and use HDLink to convert to HDMI locally.

2K Feature Film Monitoring

HDLink supports the new 3 Gb/s SDI so you can connect to any device that supports 2K via SDI playback such as Blackmagic Design's Multibridge Eclipse. 2K via SDI brings the workflow advantages of SDI video to feature film production. Imagine being able to pipe around 2K film resolution video throughout your facility and using the same connections that normally handle SD and HD video. HDLink also includes 3D lookup tables so you can load your custom developed tables for matching film stocks. HDLink also allows 3D lookup tables to be output on the loop through SDI output, so you can use it as in line SDI processing. 6 channel audio outputs are included so monitoring in 5.1 surround sound is easy and low cost.

Video Assist on Location

A large 23" LCD panel makes the perfect viewing environment on-set. If you're doing the highest budget feature film, or a quick corporate video shoot your crew will love viewing on a large monitor.

Because you get full resolution you can check framing as well as camera focus. If you're using Panasonic™ or Grass Valley Viper™ cameras, then HDLink includes lookup tables for viewing direct output from the camera with gamma encoding removed. HDLink's new advanced 3D lookup tables allow simulation of film stocks so you can see what your images will look like when projected on the big screen!.

A Perfect Match for the Telecine Suite

Telecine suites are one of the most demanding monitoring environments, and have been the exclusive domain of large grade-1 CRT monitors. While most post production telecine colorists would argue that for critical monitoring only a CRT can give you a good indication of field movement. When combined with HDLink and a good LCD monitor, telecine monitoring is greatly enhanced because LCD monitors don’t suffer from afterglow, noise, analog losses or interference. That means telecine chain alignment is much more accurate.

Because HDLink displays full resolution HD video, telecine colorists can set focus to unprecedented accuracy, and with the Blue Only feature, film grain and telecine noise can be easily seen. Because HDLink is fully digital from SDI onto the DVI LCD screen, no noise can be introduced onto the LCD display environment, making a perfect noise free monitoring solution.

Each HDLink includes Blackmagic Design’s custom HDLink Utility software for settings, alignments and firmware updates. HDLink Utility means you get much more than a simple monitoring converter.

Cross Platform Configuration

If you're a broadcast engineer running Windows™ or a creative designer and editor running Mac OS X™, you can still run your favorite computing platform. HDLink Utility runs on both Windows™ and Mac OS X™ connecting via USB 2.0, so you don’t have the complexity of little switches for setup. HDLink Utility automatically finds your USB connected HDLink, and features a standard application interface with settings via simple pop-up menus.

Upload Lookup Tables

HDLink Utility allows you to upload gamma lookup tables in simple tab-separated text format, which can then be loaded into HDLink via USB. Settings and look up tables stay saved in non volatile memory, so every time you power cycle your HDLink the settings stay the same. Factory defaults can easily be restored and gamma tables copied and saved as files. Although HDLink comes color calibrated, lift, gain and gamma adjustments are provided to allow color matching of LCD panels. Lookup tables for Panasonic™ cine-gamma are also provided which are perfect for on-location film shoots.

Special Settings Make Life Easer

Just because you're using a low cost LCD computer monitor doesn't exclude you from some of the great CRT features you've had in the past. HDLink Utility now features an exciting Blue Only settings that lets you check chroma phase and see noise in the blue channel. Simply select on and off as you need it. For users that need a 'CRT look', HDLink Utility now includes a customizable field emulator. Because LCD monitors use progressive display, a field emulator processes video to emulate the effect of field based scanning on CRT monitors. That helps display field movement that can normally only be seen on CRT monitors.

One Minute Firmware Updates

HDLink Utility lets you update firmware in a snap. Whenever you download new software releases from the Blackmagic Design website, HDLink automatically checks your firmware and asks if you would like to update to the newer version. Blackmagic Design’s engineering team are constantly working on new updates and features, so you won’t want to miss the latest updates. Exciting updates such as HDMI support have allowed older HDLink's to gain exciting new features, all at no cost!