Blackmagicdesign H.264 Pro User manual

Operation Manual
H.264 Pro Recorder
Windows™
June 2011
Mac OS X™

Contents
H.264 Pro Recorder Operation Manual
How to Install
Installation 5
H.264 Pro Recorder product diagram 5
Pre-installation overview and planning 6
Installing the software on Mac OS X 7
Installing the software on Windows 8
Updating the firmware 9
Software
Blackmagic Media Express 11
Media Express overview 11
Device Menu 13
Preferences 14
Media List 15
Capture 16
Playback 19
Helpful Information
Support 22
Which connections should I use for best quality video? 22
Consumer Level Analog Audio Signals 24
RS-422 remote device control 25
Help 26
04
10
Connection Diagrams
Component Analog Video Connections 28
S-Video Analog Connections 29
Composite Analog Video Connection 30
Betacam SP analog deck 31
SDI digital deck 32
Sony HDCAM SR deck in 4:2:2 33
HDMI camera 34
Warranty
Warranty Terms and Conditions 36
27
35
21

Welcome
3
Welcome to Blackmagic H.264 Pro Recorder!
Thank you for purchasing H.264 Pro Recorder. Now you can easily convert your videos to H.264 in real time
for the web, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, YouTube and more!
Previously, H.264 encoding was either a very slow software process or required fast, expensive computer
hardware. H.264 Pro Recorder has a built-in high quality H.264 hardware-encoding engine and image
processor so you get amazing quality H.264 video in real time.
H.264 Pro Recorder produces stunning quality digital video from the highest quality SDI, HDMI and
component analog video as well as regular composite analog video. It can even work with S-Video via a
third party S-Video breakout cable (not included) and supports 2 channels of professional balanced audio
input. With all these connections supported, you can encode from practically any device out there. It even
has an RS-422 remote control port so you can batch capture H.264 video from your decks just as you would
with normal video!
We think it should take you approximately 5 minutes to complete the installation. Before you install H.264
Pro Recorder, please check our website at www.blackmagic-design.com/support/ and click the support
page to download the latest updates to this manual and H.264 Pro Recorder software.
Lastly, please register your H.264 Pro Recorder when downloading software updates. We would love
to keep you updated on new software updates and new features for your H.264 Pro Recorder. We are
constantly working on new features and improvements, so we would love to hear your suggestions for
improvements to the software!
Grant Petty
CEO Blackmagic Design

How to Install
4

Installation
5
Blackmagic H.264 Pro Recorder
Audio Left
Audio Right
Y or NTSC/PAL
Analog video input
Analog audio input
on 1/4” TRS jacks
B-Y or S-VIDEO Y
R-Y or S-VIDEO C
RS-422 Deck Control
3G/HD/SD-SDI Input
USB 2.0 Connection
Power

Installation
6
Pre-installation overview and planning
H.264 Pro Recorder features an SD/HD-SDI input with a BNC input for connection to broadcast and
professional, digital video sources. An HDMI input is also included for use with professional and consumer
video sources with HDMI output, such as modern video cameras. Three BNC ports provide analog video
input which can be switched between component, S-Video and composite analog video. These BNC
ports are designed for connecting to legacy broadcast and professional, analog video sources such as
a Sony Betacam SP™ deck. Consumer video sources can easily use these same connections by adding
inexpensive BNC to RCA adapters or a dual-BNC to S-Video adapter cable. Two channels of professional,
balanced, analog audio input is also supported using 1/4 inch jack connections. Remote control of video
decks is also supported by the built-in RS-422 port. A USB 2.0 port and Media Express capture software for
Mac OS X and Windows is also included.
The SDI, HDMI and component input connections are switchable between SD and HD video. S-Video and
composite analog video are standard definition formats which only support NTSC and PAL video.
H.264 Pro Recorder requires QuickTime™ be installed for Mac OS X or Windows. QuickTime can be
downloaded from Apple’s website at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
Blackmagic Media Express capture software requires a computer display resolution of 1280 x 800 or higher,
and preferably 1920 x 1080 or 1920 x 1200.
Blackmagic Media Express software must be used to record video with the H.264 Pro Recorder hardware.
Third party software applications cannot currently be used to record video with the H.264 Pro Recorder
hardware. Once you have recorded your video to MP4 files with H.264 Pro Recorder, you should be able to
play back your H.264 movies with almost any software which supports QuickTime.
Blackmagic Media Express software runs on Mac OS X and Windows computers and uses a USB 2.0
connection to H.264 Pro Recorder. You will need to provide a USB 2.0 type A to mini B male cable. This
same USB cable can be used for applying occasional firmware updates downloaded from the Blackmagic
Design website. Programmable firmware can provide new features, compatibility with new hardware and
support for new formats.
H.264 Pro Recorder requires mains power and includes a universal power supply with international power
socket adapters for all countries. To stop power from being accidentally disconnected, a cable tie point is
included next to the power socket to lock down the power connection. You will need to provide a mains
power socket for the universal power supply.

Installation
7
Installing the software for Mac OS X
Contents
The Desktop Video software installer will install the following components which are used by H.264 Pro
Recorder:
Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers
Blackmagic Media Express
The Desktop Video software installer will also install the following components which are used by other
Blackmagic Design capture products when installed on the same computer:
Blackmagic Design system preference
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Blackmagic LiveKey
Blackmagic Multibridge Utility
Adobe®presets and plug-ins
Apple Final Cut Pro™ Easy Setups, presets and enablers
QuickTime™ codecs
Note: Before installing any software or hardware you will need administrator privileges.
Desktop Video software
1. The CD supplied with the H.264 Pro Recorder contains the Desktop Video software. Before you
install, ensure you have the very latest driver. Visit www.blackmagic-design.com/support
2. Open the “Desktop Video Installer” folder and launch the “Desktop Video Installer”.
3. Click Continue,Agree and Install buttons and the drivers will be installed on your system.
4. Now restart your machine to enable the new software drivers.
Follow the Desktop Video installer prompts.

Installation
8
Installing the software for Windows
Contents
The Desktop Video software installer will install the following components which are used by H.264 Pro
Recorder:
Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers
Blackmagic Media Express
The Desktop Video software installer will also install the following components which are used by other
Blackmagic Design capture products when installed on the same computer:
Blackmagic Design Control Panel
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Blackmagic LiveKey
Blackmagic Multibridge Utility
Blackmagic AVI and QuickTime™codecs
Adobe® presets and plug-ins
Desktop Video software
1. The CD supplied with the H.264 Pro Recorder contains the Desktop Video software. Before you
install, ensure you have the very latest driver. Visit www.blackmagic-design.com/support
2. Open the “Desktop Video” folder and launch the “Desktop Video” installer.
3. The drivers will now be installed on your system. An alert will appear: “Do you want to allow
the following program from an unknown publisher to make changes to this computer?”
Click Yes to continue.
4. You will see a dialog bubble saying “found new hardware” and the hardware wizard will appear.
Select “install automatically” and the system will find the required Desktop Video drivers. You will
then receive another dialog bubble saying “your new hardware is ready for use.”
5. Now restart your machine to enable the new software drivers.
Click “Yes”.
Follow the Desktop Video Setup Wizard prompts
Restart your PC!

Installation
9
How to update the H.264 Pro Recorder software!
Blackmagic Design will release new software for your H.264 Pro Recorder with new features, bug fixes and
increase compatibility with third party software and devices.
To update your H.264 Pro Recorder with new software, simply connect it to your computer via USB and your
computer will let you know if a new software update for your H.264 Pro Recorder is available.
Once the software installation has been completed and H.264 Pro Recorder is powered on, connect it to a
USB 2.0 port on your computer. The Desktop Video driver software will automatically check the H.264 Pro
Recorder software if it is up to date. Software updates can provide new features, compatibility with new
hardware and support for new formats.
If the software version does not match, the software will offer to update the firmware. This is
automatic and all you need to do is click Update now to start the process. The update will take about
1 minute to complete. If no software update is required, no message will appear. Please skip the rest of the
steps in this section as your H.264 Pro Recorder is already up to date.
The following message should appear at completion of the update: “Software Update Complete. The
firmware on your H.264 Pro Recorder was updated successfully. Please unplug both power and USB cables
to restart it.” Click OK to dismiss the message and then unplug the power and USB cables from H.264 Pro
Recorder and then reconnect them again.
H.264 Pro Recorder is now ready to be used.
This message will appear if a software update is required.
The update will take about 1 minute to complete.
When the update has completed, unplug the power and
USB cables from H.264 Pro Recorder and then reconnect
them again.

Software
10

Welcome
11 Blackmagic Media Express 11
Media Express overview
Blackmagic Media Express is a sophisticated software application which enables H.264 Pro Recorder users to
capture video and audio to industry standard MP4 files with frame accurate RS-422 device control. It automatically
detects whether the video source is HD1080, HD720, NTSC or PAL and also automatically detects the frame rate.
Capture from progressive and interlaced video sources is supported and the captured file is stored in a progressive
format for maximum compatibility with media player software on Mac OS X, Windows and portable video players.
Media Express has an intuitive interface and requires a 1920 x 1200, 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 800 pixel computer
display to compliment its uncluttered appearance. The capture view is the main view used with H.264 Pro
Recorder. The master view is not used by H.264 Pro Recorder but may be used with other Blackmagic Design
capture and playback products. The capture, playback and master views are color-coded so you will know at a
glance which mode is being used.
Media Express uses many of the same keyboard shortcuts which are standard in the video industry so there is
little to learn. Use j, k, l to shuttle backwards, pause and shuttle forwards, or use i and oto mark in and
out points when batch capturing. Hold down the control and shift keys to reveal a jog wheel and then use your
mouse, with the jog wheel, for precision control of your video deck.
VITC timecode is supported via RS-422 and RP188 timecode is supported via SDI.
H.264 Pro Recorder users can use the Media List feature to log multiple clips for batch capture.
Blackmagic Media Express is not NLE software and does not have a timeline. It is a great tool when you don’t
need the complexity of NLE software but simply want to capture old or new programming content into the same
file format used on the web, iPad™, iPod™, iPhone™, Apple TV™, YouTube™ and more.

Welcome
12 Blackmagic Media Express 12
Device Menu
Media List
Search field
Remote indicator
VTR / deck timecode
Video Preview
Transport Control
Mark In / Mark Out
Track enable/disable
Project name, video format
and frame rate
Blackmagic Media Express 2 Interface

Welcome
13 Blackmagic Media Express – Device Menu 13
Blackmagic Media Express can be used with all professional capture products from Blackmagic Design. If you
have more than one Blackmagic capture product installed, it is necessary to select which one will be used by
Media Express. If H.264 Pro Recorder is the only Blackmagic capture device connected to your computer, then
you can safely skip the rest of this section.
If you have more than one Blackmagic capture product installed, go to the Device menu in Media Express
and select H.264 Pro Recorder. In the example pictured on this page, a DeckLink card and a H.264 Pro
Recorder are both installed in the same computer. Selecting H.264 Pro Recorder will change the preferences
displayed in Media Express, so you can choose suitable H.264 settings for your project.
The Device menu in Media Express is used to select the
desired Blackmagic capture device. Choose H.264 Pro
Recorder.

Welcome
14 Blackmagic Media Express – Preferences 14
Media Express preferences are accessed from Media Express>Preferences on Mac OS X or
Edit>Preferences on Windows. Any settings which are grayed out are only used with other Blackmagic
Design capture products and are not required by H.264 Pro Recorder.
Project Video Format
Project Video Format defines the frame size of the current H.264 project. Choose “Native (Progressive)” for
full resolution encoding of your video or select from a number of popular device presets including iPad and
YouTube. H.264 Pro Recorder automatically detects the frame rate of your video.
Capture File Format
The Capture File Format always sets the video codec to H.264, and the file format to MP4, when using H.264 Pro
Recorder. Other choices appear in this menu when using other Blackmagic Design capture products.
The Quality button provides access to the H.264 encoding settings and is only available when H.264 Pro
Recorder has detected a valid video input signal. We recommend leaving the maximum bit rate unchanged from
the default setting.
Other preferences
Other preferences for H.264 Pro Recorder include defining the storage location for your video and still frame
captures, stopping the capture if dropped frames are detected, setting widescreen standard definition to
anamorphic, and also pre-roll and timecode offset settings for tape decks with an RS-422 connection.
Preferences in Mac OS X
Video formats are provided for popular devices as well as full
resolution, Native (Progressive) video.
The Quality button provides access to the H.264 encoding
settings.

Welcome
15 Blackmagic Media Express – Media List 15
The Media List holds a list of clips used in a project. When in Capture view, the Media List can be a list of clips to
be batch-captured. Media List becomes a playlist when used in Playback view. These views are explained later
in the manual.
The Media List is a project which can contain clips of the same frame size and frame rate.
The list can be sorted by each column heading. Columns can be rearranged and widened if desired.
The order of the clips in the list can be sorted manually by dragging and dropping within the list. Single or
multiple clips can be dragged and dropped together.
The film strip icon on the left of the list shows whether a clip has linked media. If a clip has no linked media,
the film strip icon displays a red “X” and selecting the clip will show a “Media Offline” message in the Video
Preview Window.
Clips can be added to the list by:
double-clicking on an empty area in the list
selecting File > Import > Media Files
right-clicking on the list and selecting ‘Import Media Files’
capturing a clip from tape, camera, disk recorder some other video source.
Right-clicking in the Media List will open a contextual menu to perform operations such as “Batch Capture”.
Depending upon the menu item chosen, Media Express will switch to the appropriate Capture or Playback view
that fits the operation.
Media List showing an untitled clip which is not linked to any media. Right-clicking on the missing media icon will reveal a
contextual menu from where Batch Capture can be selected.
Contextual menu

Welcome
16 Blackmagic Media Express – Capture 16
Capture View showing the contextual menu, in the Media List, can be used to start a Batch Capture. This performs the same function as clicking the Get Clip button.

Welcome
17 Blackmagic Media Express – Capture 17
Capture operations are performed in the Capture view (ctrl-1, cmd-1)
Capturing on the fly with H.264 Pro Recorder.
Ensure the Project Video Format is set to the format of video you wish to capture.
Connect a video source to an input of the H.264 Pro Recorder. Only connect one video source to H.264 Pro
Recorder so that it can auto-detect which source to use, e.g. SDI, HDMI, component, S-Video or composite
analog video.
If deck control is required, ensure an RS-422 serial cable is connected and “remote” has been selected on the
deck. If an RS-422 cable is not connected, or “remote” is not selected on the deck, the transport controls will be
grayed out and “No Remote” will be displayed in the top right corner of the Video Preview Window.
Enter Reel and Name information into the information area. The Name will be applied to the clip(s) which are
about to be captured.
Before capturing, the audio channels to be captured can be switched on or off via the track enable/disable
buttons. The video track cannot be turned off.
Click on the gray “Capture” button to commence capturing. The button will highlight in red.
To end capture, click on the “Capture” button again. Alternatively, if you decide you don’t wish to save the
captured clip, press the “Esc” key and a message will appear with an option to delete the clip.
Logging Clips for future batch capture with H.264 Pro Recorder.
Click the Mark In button to mark the In point, or use the shortcut key i.
Click the Mark Out button to mark the Out point, or use the shortcut key o.
Click the Log Clip button to log the clip, or use the shortcut key p. The entry should now appear in the Media
List window.
Continue logging other clips.
When logging is completed, select the clips in the Media List and either:
Click on the ‘Get Clip(s)’ button.
Right-click on the selection and select ‘Batch Capture’.

Welcome
18 Blackmagic Media Express – Capture 18
Capturing a clip with precise In and Out timecode with H.264 Pro Recorder.
Click on the Mark In button to mark the In point or use the shortcut key i.
Click on the Mark Out button to mark the Out point or use the shortcut key o.
Click on the Get Clip button.
Media Express will cue the tape and precisely capture the clip from the In to the Out timecode points, including
any handles specified in the application preferences.
While capturing, if the file name (Name) of a clip already exists on the selected capture drive, the user will be
prompted if they want to over-write the file or not. If ‘No’ is selected, the file name will be auto-incremented
with a number.

Welcome
19 Capture 19 Blackmagic Media Express – Playback 19
Playback View

Welcome
20 Capture 20 Blackmagic Media Express – Playback 20
Playback operations are performed in the Playback tab (ctrl-2, cmd-2)
Playing back captured clips
You can play back H.264 files in the Video Preview Window of Media Express, and monitor audio via the default
sound output of your computer. Alternatively QuickTime Player, iTunes, Windows Media Player and VLC can all
be used to play back your H.264 files in full screen.
Importing clips into the Media List
Import media into the Media List using one of the following methods:
Double-click on an empty area of the list.
Select File > Import > Media Files.
Right-click on the list and select ‘Import Media Files’.
Capture a clip from a video source such as camera or tape.
Any of these actions will reveal an Open Video Clip window where one or more files can be selected.
If the files being imported match the frame rate and size of those in the Media List, the import will be successful.
If the files being imported do not match the frame rate and size of existing clips in the Media List, the user will be
prompted to create a new project and to save the current project.
If the current project has had no changes, and has already been saved, the user will only be prompted to start a
new project as there is no need to save the existing project.
Playing back a single clip
Selecting a clip (single click) on the list will load it into the Video Preview Window.
To play back a single clip in the Media List, double click the clip and it will start playing in the Video Preview Window.
To loop the playback of the clip, click on the loop button in the transport control. The selected clip will now play
back and loop until the user clicks on the pause button or presses the spacebar.
Playing back multiple clips
To play back multiple clips, select the clips in the Media Library and click the Play button or press the spacebar.
Selected clips in the playlist will be played back in sequence. Unselected clips will not be played.
If no clips are selected, the whole playlist is played back, starting from the last-played clip.
Clicking on the loop button will cause the playback to loop.
During playback, the audio channels being monitored can be switched on or off via the track enable/disable
buttons. The video track cannot be turned off.