Blackmagic Design on Friday released DeckLink 5.1, a free update to the driver software for use with the companyis DeckLink video capture cards. This upgrade includes the ability to play back high definition video on all DeckLink cards while down-converting in real-time to standard conversion.
This update also offers support for 720p and 1080i down-conversion on playback when used with all DeckLink SD and HD cards. This enables high definition video input to be captured to a standard definition file for editing at that resolution. DeckLink 5.1 also includes gamma corrected output from After Effects and updated Apple Uncompressed 422 v1.2 codecs.
Other changes include updates to the Blackmagic Deck Control application, which offers automated timecode capture and mastering to broadcast decks. Improvements there include a new user interface with a brushed metal look and a new timecode and frame count display. In addition, the Deck Control now display a Time Code Reader for any movie opened in it.
Blackmagic Design also said on Friday that it has lowered the prices of its DeckLink HD Plus, HD Pro 4:2:2 and HD Pro 4:2:2/4:4:4 Dual Link PCI capture cards. They now sell for US$695, $995 and $1,495, respectively.