Having used a Decklink Duo and now a Decklink Quad, I can confirm that the Media Express application does what BMD says, however it is possible to run multiple instances of Media Express, if you intall the second instance on another disk.
After that you still have to carefully select which channel is activated by which instance and where it saves the files under what name.

At the moment I am using the Quad and have seen no problems, using for instance 2x Sony EX-3, 1 x Red Epic-X and 1x Arri Alexa at the same time.
If there is any problem with the input in vMix, you has to go back to the Media Express application and check the settings there. If those are not conform the input signal, the capture screen will be black. If there is an image in ME, then there is an image in vMix.

Rob

I thought I would add the following information and clarify a couple of things:

1. I can verify using 3 intensity pros in vMix works fine. I have heard reports of 4 and 5 working as well.
The biggest limitation here is the number of *dedicated* PCI Express slots available as many motherboards manufacturers
combine or share these slots with various other on board devices which can cause problems.
This is less of an issue with the latest 7 series intel motherboards but still something to keep in mind.

2. I am currently using a DeckLink Quad for vMix testing in the lab. This requires a single PCI-Express x4 and as a result
avoids the issues above and is therefore the recommended option if you can afford it.

3. Media Express can only use a single card at a time. This applies to both Intensity Pro or DeckLink.
This is based on the intended function of Media Express and has nothing to do with limitations in the hardware itself.

What I think Steadirob has suggested is you can use Media Express on each camera input one by one to make sure the picture is working
from each camera, once you know all the connections are working and the format worked out then you can begin using them in vMix all at once.

I hope this all makes sense!

Regards,

Martin
vMix

François, I think I did not make it clear enough in my explanation and you misunderstood:

When opening the Media Express program, you will see in the top menu the choice between the available inputs, for the Duo 2 inputs, for the Quad 4 inputs.
You have then to choose which input to activate, meaning you can only record 1 input at a time. The corresponding output will then also work ( loop-through during recording or as play-back output.

If you require 2 ( or more) inputs to record simultanuosly, you need to start a second version of the Media Express, one that you have installed on a different disk ( not the c-drive) and select there that 2nd input.

There is a problem however: unlike say VLC, the ME windows are not scalable so you cannot have 2 ME windows open on 1 desktop.
The second ME must go to another screen (extended desktop) and you have to mouse from screen to screen to work them.....
Annoying. I have never tried 3 or 4 ME windows at the same time, too much hassle.

VMix is the only program that I tested that opens all inputs at the same time without problem.

I hope this explanation is clear.

Rob

When is say vMix is the best trust me vMix is the best

Hi all!
I'm wondering how did you got this working?
As right now I'm trying to set this up on Windows 8.
First I've installed Intensity Pro and later I tried to install DeckLink SDI, but only one would work and get recognized by windows. I tried everything but only one would show in BlackMagic's Control Panel...
Any idea how can I get both cards working in the same time?
Thank you! Plz help ASAP! :)

hi francois,

just to add t o the discussion.

if it is about budget, just notice bm will have a cheaper input card only out soon. about 100 us... furthermore there are alternaives like avermedia card that are not as demanding as the bm and also work ok.

i have two bm intensity in one computer and as martin pointed out i can not use the two pci e 1x slots together, they only work on the x16 and one of the x1 slots. i can use them together with two bm shuttles on two separate usb ports ( back and front port - because of the same sharing limitation).

if you use separate cards it is easier to combine and exchange on different machines.

last point: also have enough power installed in the computer you pick.

good luck
stefan

hello macjaeger, it's called the decklink mini recorder (hdmi and hd sdi input only) listed as 145 us on the site of bm design.com.

in holland it is priced 139 euro inc 21% vat. see http://www.videobewerken...kLink-Mini-Recorder.html

it is a small card so it fits in a low profile casing.

it will be available soon and i will check it out. presumably it has the same hign demand on resources as comparable bm cards, which requires you to have a good look at the board and pci slots you are planning to use if you want to install more than 2.

especially the option to use hd sdi input, in combination with a hdmi sdi converter gives more options using a high end consumer camera in combination with long distances using standard cables and keep budgets in control. this combination is cheaper tha a cube.

if you know of any afordable camera with sdi out please let me know.
greetings
stefan