Will the MX02 work as a convertor?

[Pedwards]

Hi. Forgive my newbie lack of knowledge - I have tried to search for this answer, maybe it's too simple..

If I input say an HDMI video feed, will it appear on all the output connectors (i.e. component etc) is just pas through to HDMI out. And if I in put a component signal, will I see that on HDMI out?

If it will, does the MX02 have to be connected to a host computer or will it work on its own? The unit will be used via Thunderbolt to iMac running Media Composer 6. Many thanks.

[Andrew Smith]

Hi Pedwards,

The MXO2 does a stunning job as a formats converter between HD and SD. I haven't tried using it for live feed conversion - Jeff Pulera may be able to assist you on this one. Else, the Matrox guys when they return from Easter.

One thing is for sure: you will need to have it hooked up to a computer via the host cable as the MXO2 drivers are required in order to instruct and control the MXO2 device.

Andrew

[autumn]

Hi Pedwards,

Andrew is absolutely correct that MXO2 will not function in any stand-alone capacity, must be used with Mac or PC and appropriate driver software.

As for captures, pretty certain MXO2 will pass-thru input signal to all outputs, not just matching the input connection type, but would need to verify this by trying it, perhaps tonight.

Please note that the up-down-cross capabilities of MXO2 do NOT apply to the pass-thru during capture, output during capture always matches input format.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Pedwards]

Many thanks for the swift replies. People on this forum obviously bought the MX02. Anybody offer any thoughts on why you chose it against Black Magic Design Intensity shuttle/pro devices?

Thanks, Paul

[autumn]

Hi Paul,

I do work for a dealer, but have been a videographer for 20 years and have personally used Matrox hardware myself for about the last 10 years.

First, MX02 is a nice external aluminum box, with convenient connections provided on my desktop, while Intensity Pro uses a "snake cable" behind the computer. Intensity Shuttle has a breakout box (plastic), but there has been a lot of compatibility issues with the USB 3.0 interface. Fought with one the last few days on brand new workstation and just not working, USB 3.0 incompatibility again (on new ASUS X79 board).

MXO2 and Intensity devices both offer up and down conversions, but I think Matrox goes further with cross-conversions, and also changing frame rates for playback as well. Also allows HD and SD output at the same time (HDMI and analog outputs can have different settings, like 1080i and NTSC).

MXO2 provides several Matrox realtime effects, incl. color correction, keying, and wipes plugins.

MXO2 offers the MAX option for realtime capture to H.264 formats and hardware-accelerated H.264 exports.

MXO2 can be used with desktop, laptop, or Thunderbolt.

And then there's the support provided by Matrox

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Andrew Smith]

Jeff and myself are exclusive to Matrox.

Andrew

[Matrox_Presales]

Hello Paul and thank you for your interest in Matrox products. As always thank you Jeff and Andrew for all of your help. I did enjoy my Easter holiday and thought that your answers were so thorough that I missed the through put question that was not completely answered. Basically all of the Matrox MXO2 outputs are live, so on the MXO2 you can provide video to 5 different monitors at the same time, you can choose to use SD or HD on the Component and SDI outs. As Jeff said we perform Realtime hardware up/down/cross conversion for capture, monitoring, and output http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mxo2_max/scaling/.

regards,

JD
Customer Care

[Pedwards]

Great, thanks all for your time.