Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced a new family of powerful Mini Converters with innovative features and technologies. There are 5 models in the Mini Converter family, plus the new Broadcast Converter, a combination rack mount all-in-one model.

All Mini Converters are on display at NAB 2008 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10920.

Mini Converters include extremely powerful features such as 3 Gb/s SDI technology, redundant SDI inputs, balanced analog and AES/EBU switchable audio, standard ¼-inch jack audio connections and an international power supply which includes adapter plates for all international power sockets.

Unlike other converters on the market today, Mini Converters are designed to be easy to understand. All models have the same basic features, and there is only 1 model for each type of conversion for increased simplicity. This eliminates the dozens of confusing models that products of this type typically suffer from.

Also unlike other converters, Mini Converters have simple names that are easy to understand. Other converters on the market use strange numbers for product names, which make it impossible to tell what the converter actually does.

There are 5 models of Mini Converters: Mini Converter SDI to Analog, Mini Converter Analog to SDI, Mini Converter SDI to HDMI, and Mini Converter HDMI to SDI. All these models are priced at US$495. Mini Converter Sync Generator is a black burst and tri-sync sync generator model priced at US$295.

For anyone who needs a complete bi-directional conversion solution, then the new Broadcast Converter model allows simultaneous SDI to analog and analog to SDI conversion at the same time. Broadcast Converter retail at US$995.

To keep the Mini Converter product line incredibly simple to understand, there is only 1 model for each type of video conversion. This means each Mini Converter model has more features than found in other converters. Mini Converters have audio on standard 1/4 inch jack connectors, and the audio can be switched between balanced analog or AES/EBU audio. Jack connectors make it easy to use off the shelf cables and a wide range of audio products.

“When we developed the new Mini Converters, we approached the problem from a design point of view to solve one of the biggest issues with converters, and that’s making them much more accessible to creative people who need to install them personally,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We made only one premium model of each conversion type, and called them simple descriptive names that anyone can understand. Then we packed them with innovative technology and features! We hope this helps make it easy for anyone to grow their post production studio as large as their creative talents make possible!”

Redundant SDI inputs are designed to be used on live events where cables could be damaged by crowds so if video input is lost, the SDI inputs instantly change. Loop through SDI allows the SDI input to loop to other equipment. 3 Gb/s SDI allows Mini Converters to be upgraded via the built in USB connection to support new television formats in the future. Built in mini switches allow settings to be changed for audio types, audio de-embedding channels, analog video types and more.

Blackmagic Mini Converters are available now from Blackmagic Design resellers. All four models are only US$495 or €325, and the Sync Generator model is US$295 or €199. The Broadcast Converter model is US$995 or €675 and available in May.

Specific Models

Mini Converter SDI to Analog includes everything needed to convert from SDI to analog in HD/SD component, NTSC and PAL video, plus balanced AES/EBU and analog audio. Easily connect equipment such as Betacam SP, VHS, and analog video monitors to SDI based equipment.

Mini Converter Analog to SDI is perfect for converting from analog video in HD/SD component, NTSC, PAL or S-Video to SDI video with the choice to embed SDI audio from balanced AES/EBU or analog audio inputs. Convert analog devices such as Betacam SP, VHS, Set top boxes and HDV cameras to SDI video.

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI converts from SDI to HDMI video with embedded HDMI audio, plus balanced AES/EBU or analog audio. Imagine using big screen televisions and video projectors for broadcast video monitoring! Easily connect HDMI displays to SDI based equipment.

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI is ideal for converting from HDMI devices to SDI video with the choice to embed SDI audio from HDMI, AES/EBU or balanced analog audio inputs. Add SDI outputs to cameras with HDMI connections, or add SDI outputs to computers with HDMI compatibility.

Broadcast Converter combines all mini converters into a 1 rack unit chassis that allow bi-directional conversion. Convert SDI to analog/HDMI while at the same time converting analog to HDMI to SDI. Broadcast Converter is a complete solution for connecting analog decks such as Betacam SP to SDI based systems in a compact rack mount design.