Blackmagic Media Player 10G: Advanced Thunderbolt Playback for Live Production and Broadcast

Media Player designed for computers equipped with Thunderbolt ports, specifically designed to provide playout to switchers for live production or more complex broadcast systems. This device offers two 10-bit 12G-SDI fill and SDI key outputs. You can use these ports to transmit high-resolution, alpha-channel video signals for broadcast graphics. Blackmagic Media Player has an ultra-fast Thunderbolt connection.

Thunderbolt technology offers impressive speed to handle large 4:4:4:4 and 4:2:2:4 files with alpha channels, in all SD, HD and Ultra HD video standards up to 2160p 60. On the front panel, there is an LCD display that shows audio levels (selectable as VU or PPM), video status information including input, video standard and record / playback frame buffer depth, an independent Thunderbolt port to connect a laptop and a headphone jack. It can be placed on your desk or mounted on a rack using the Blackmagic UniversalRack Shelf. The 12G-SDI video connection allows you to monitor the input live on the switcher's multiview for replay. Furthermore, 10G Ethernet allows a fast connection to the shared archive to access ISO video files.

Finally, Blackmagic Media Player uses the same Desktop Video software used in the popular DeckLink and UltraStudio capture and playback solutions. This driver supports simultaneous, real-time bidirectional transfer of video data between Blackmagic Media Player and the connected computer, with extremely low latency. Software included: Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey, Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility and Blackmagic driver on Mac OS and Windows. Built in control panel: 6 buttons, spin knob and 2.2" color display for menu and settings.

Blackmagic Media Player is a capture and playback solution for Thunderbolt computers that's specifically designed for playout to live production switchers or large broadcast systems. However it does much more than just video in and out because you also get 10G Ethernet for high speed access to network storage and power delivery to your computer over a single Thunderbolt connection! It features dual 12G-SDI outputs for fill and key playback, 12G-SDI capture, plus both 12G-SDI and HDMI for extended desktop display and dedicated monitoring! There’s even balanced XLR audio out for external speakers.

The DaVinci Resolve cut page has exciting new media player, editing and replay features. DaVinci Resolve handles common video file formats, so you can play any files your client gives you! For broadcast graphics, DaVinci Resolve can play video files that have an alpha channel, and they will be output as a 10-bit SDI fill and key. Plus the new multi source viewer allows visual media browsing, then any clips that match in time will be displayed in a multiview. New "on air" controls allow the key output to enable the downstream keyer in a switcher, so a single button can automate the playout to air. DaVinci can even add an automatic stinger.

Blackmagic Media Player includes everything you need for broadcast playback! Place it on the desktop or it can be rack mounted using a Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf. The front panel has an LCD with video, audio meter status information that includes input, video standard, and the depth of the record/playback frame buffer. The audio meter can also be changed between VU and PPM. There's also a headphone socket, speaker, and a speaker enable button. To lock the speaker on, just double press the speaker enable button.

Blackmagic Media Player includes fast Thunderbolt with video capture and playback, as well as 10G Ethernet and laptop power all over a single cable. There are Thunderbolt connections on both the front and rear panels, so you can connect either rack mount or laptop computers. With Thunderbolt, you get lots of speed to handle large 4:4:4:4 and 4:2:2:4 files with alpha channels, in all SD, HD, and Ultra HD video standards up to 2160p60. Blackmagic Media Player uses the DeckLink API, so almost all video software works. Plus the Thunderbolt link is bidirectional, so you can capture, process, and output video in real time. The Blackmagic Media Player has lots of connections for monitoring, extended desktop and fast networking. All with a single Thunderbolt connection.

The program fill and key outputs can be muted so video won't key on a switcher until the replay has started. Then the dedicated 12G-SDI and HDMI monitoring outputs are always active so you can setup the next replay. There's even balanced audio out for powered speakers. 12G-SDI video in allows live input monitoring of the switcher multiview for replay. Plus the 10G Ethernet provides fast access to shared storage for accessing ISO video files. With dual 12G-SDI video outputs, Blackmagic Media Player can connect into live production switchers so broadcast graphics can be overlaid with transparency. Internally, there's hardware support for both RGBA and YUVA frame buffers.

With RGBA graphics, the Blackmagic Media Player will automatically transcode the RGB pixels to 10-bit YUV on the fill output and the alpha channel to the 10-bit key output. The two SDI outputs are then connected to a live production switcher where they can be keyed over video. The key output ensures you get smooth blending of the transparent elements in the images. Blackmagic Media Player uses the same Desktop Video software that's used in the popular DeckLink and UltraStudio capture and playback solutions. This driver supports simultaneous real time bidirectional transfer of video data to and from the computer. Plus the latency is extremely low. What this means is you can capture image data into the computer from the SDI input, while at the same time, send image data from the computer to the SDI outputs.

This lets you create some amazing solutions where the computer is a processing engine. Imagine using the computer as a keyer, or generating broadcast graphics over the live input. The high speed 10G Ethernet port means that the Blackmagic Media Player gives you access to network storage when your computer is connected to the Thunderbolt port. This means you don't need extra Ethernet adapters as you get video and network with a single cable. 10G Ethernet is 10 times faster than regular Ethernet so you get enough speed for lots of video streams, common when doing replay work. The 10G Ethernet port also features very low latency for fast access times.

Blackmagic Media Player is designed to support the highest quality video. You get support for capture and playback to popular video formats such as Apple ProRes, DNxHD or even 10-bit uncompressed, so you’re never locked into a single file format. 10-bit is the most commonly used television standard as colors can be represented with four times the precision of 8-bit video. Only working with 10-bit uncompressed video will ensure all images are a perfect pixel-for-pixel clone of the original source, so you're always working at the absolute highest quality possible. With support for all popular video software, the Blackmagic Media Player gives you the freedom to work with the tools you already know and love.

Blackmagic Media Player is perfect for using DaVinci Resolve for broadcast editing and color correction work. Because Blackmagic Media Player supports capture and playback at the same time, you can even use the live grading feature in DaVinci Resolve to capture video, apply color correction, and then output it all at the same time! Blackmagic Media Player also works with other editing software including Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, Premiere Pro and more. When creating broadcast graphics and titles, you will want to use the same tools graphic designers are already familiar with, so you get the most creativity, with no retraining required. Blackmagic Media Player works with Fusion, which is the visual effects software integrated into DaVinci Resolve, as well as Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. Fusion Studio is a powerful node based compositing VFX tool with 2D and 3D environments, hundreds of effects and more. Plus you can download and use Fusion free of charge in DaVinci Resolve.

Blackmagic Media Player supports the latest Ultra HD video standards on its 12G-SDI video connections. This means Blackmagic Media Player is the ideal solution for broadcasters, because it allows you to migrate to Ultra HD and 4K work now. Even though Blackmagic Media Player has 12G-SDI connections, they are multi-rate and support lower resolution SD for archive or HD for broadcast video use. The most popular control connection used on broadcast decks since the early 1980s is the RS-422 protocol. Originally developed by Sony, RS-422 is used on almost all broadcast gear. Blackmagic Media Player features an RS-422 deck control input connection so you can remote control software that supports the remote port using broadcast automation systems.

If you want to develop custom solutions for Blackmagic Media Player then simply download the Blackmagic Desktop Video SDK for macOS, Windows, and Linux free of charge. The developer SDK makes it easy to develop your own custom solutions for in house use, or to sell to other broadcasters. The Desktop Video SDK provides low level control of hardware when you need flexibility, as well as high level interfaces which are easier to use for more common tasks.

Informative diagram: dual 12G-SDI and 10G Ethernet wiring
  1. Capture and playback across 12G-SDI and HDMI monitoring outputs for extended desktop workflows.
  2. High-speed 10G Ethernet enables fast access to shared ISO video storage and laptop power over a single cable.
  3. Alpha-channel broadcast graphics via fill and key outputs with RGBA/YUVA handling.

Capture and play back broadcast video using your Thunderbolt computer with this Media Player 10G from Blackmagic Design. The media player features fast connections to play back and edit large, high-resolution files. Blackmagic Media Player is a capture and playback solution for Thunderbolt computers that's specifically designed for playout to live production switchers or large broadcast systems. However it does much more than just video in and out because you also get 10G Ethernet and power to your computer. You get dual 12G-SDI outputs for fill and key playback, 12G-SDI capture, and 10G Ethernet for accessing network storage and laptop power over a single Thunderbolt connection. There is also an independent Thunderbolt connection on the front so you can simply walk up and plug in your laptop.

4 DaVinci Resolve Cinematic Minimalist Motion Graphics Tutorial

The DaVinci Resolve 19/Cut page has exciting new media player, editing, and replay features. The DaVinci Resolve handles common video file formats, so you can play any files your client gives you. For broadcast graphics, Resolve can play video files that have an alpha channel, output as 10-bit SDI fill and key. The multi source viewer allows visual media browsing, then any clips that match in time will be displayed in a multiview. New "on air" controls enable the key output to downstream keyer in a switcher, so a single button can automate playout to air. Resolve can even add an automatic stinger.

Blackmagic Media Player includes everything you need for broadcast playback. Place it on the desktop or it can be rack mounted using a Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf. The front panel has an LCD with video, audio meter status information that includes input, video standard and the depth of the record/playback frame buffer. The audio meter can also be changed between VU and PPM. There's also a headphone socket, speaker, and a speaker enable button. To lock the speaker on, just double press the speaker enable button.

To summarize, Blackmagic Media Player combines fast Thunderbolt connectivity, dual 12G-SDI outputs, 10G Ethernet, broad software compatibility, and an integrated control surface to provide robust playout, live graphics support, and flexible networked workflows for modern broadcast environments.

tags: #blackmagic #media #player #10g