HDLink Pro Displayport 3D and Stereo 3D Toolbox??

Bruce Schultz · July 27th, 2010, 05:43 PM

My understanding through a Blackmagic-Designs re-seller is that the displayport hardware units are in their New Jersey warehouse and available for shipping. As of yesterday, Monday July 26 the west coast office was unaware of this as well as unaware that the software was also available for download.

As of today, everyone at BM is on the same page and dealers should be able to order the unit now. Mine is due to arrive on Friday.

It's great news that it will do all the 3D HDTV modes and it does flip/flop for mirror rig monitoring. Glad I didn't spring for $5K for the Inition or 3ality boxes.

Tim Dashwood · July 27th, 2010, 07:15 PM

Yes. I ordered a "HDLink Displayport" a couple weeks ago and when it arrived it was in a "HDLink DisplayPort 3D" box even though "3D" isn't printed on the unit itself. That doesn't really matter though since a quick firmware update turns it into the "HDLink Displayport 3D."

Bruce Schultz · August 9th, 2010, 08:08 PM

I got my BlackMagic HDLink 3D DisplayPort unit today. I hooked it up to the 3D camera rig and was able to output the display to my 40" Samsung monitor through a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable. I can now make even more precise alignments than I was able to do on an 8" 3D monitor. What's really nice though, is that the HDSDI output also outputs a muxed (side-by-side, over/under/ or line by line) signal so that in side by side mode I can see both cameras now simultaneously on my Leader Waveform/Vectorscope for exposure and color adjustments. It will also serve me well when later this month I am slated to do a 3D live satellite feed from Los Angeles to London and the satellite truck needs to have that HDSDI muxed output signal to transmit.

The only thing I'm not sure about is that the Samsung 40" display looks like it's interlaced - I'll have to check out whether that's the case or not coming out of the DisplayPort and into the monitor. The Leader is saying that the HDSDI output though is a pure 23.98 PSF which is good.

Nice unit and at a great cost too. Before the B-M HDLink 3D was available the alternative solutions were in the $5000 range - my cost for this unit: $470 USD.

Alister Chapman · August 10th, 2010, 12:31 AM

I just took delivery of one of the newer Zalman M215 passive polarised 1920x1080 DVI LCD displays. I am planning on getting a HD-Link to connect to this, I believe it should work and would make a nice monitor option to compliment my Transvideo 3D monitor. Like Bruce I think a bigger on set monitor is needed for some of my shoots.

Petri Teittinen · August 16th, 2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Schultz

I got my BlackMagic HDLink 3D DisplayPort unit today. I hooked it up to the 3D camera rig and was able to output the display to my 40" Samsung monitor through a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable.

Bruce, could you elaborate a bit more on the equipment you're using and how everything is connected together? I'm wondering if I could use the HDLink 3D in my set-up. Thanks.

Bruce Schultz · August 16th, 2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petri Teittinen

Bruce, could you elaborate a bit more on the equipment you're using and how everything is connected together? I'm wondering if I could use the HDLink 3D in my set-up. Thanks.

The BlackMagic HDLink 3D has 2 separate BNC inputs for Left/Right Eye data steams, and a single BNC HDSDI output for either side-by-side, over/under or Line by Line or a single-stream output of one of the Left/Right data streams. There is a DisplayPort adapter which is also active for conversion with an small inexpensive adapter to HDMI to feed a 3D HDTV set's input.

That's about the extent of it. You have to connect the HDLink 3D through it's USB port to a computer Mac or PC and using the HDLink V3.4 software download set up the HDLink to display in the ways you need. Once it is connected to the 3D HDTV you then need to set the input parameters on the HDTV and you are then watching stereo images on a 3D display.

As a side note, the BlackMagic HDLink 3D unit that I received appears to be having intermittent problems on both the DisplayPort and HDSDI outputs with one channel flashing a green screen and the DisplayPort intermittently sending signals out to the 3D HDTV. After about 10 minutes of being powered up it appears to stabilize, but none of what I have describes above bodes well for on location monitoring - especially with clients watching the big screen. Some sparklies are in the DisplayPort signal also that don't seem to go away and appear in different places on the screen. Power cycling the unit usually gets it to settle down eventually, but I fear that this particular unit is going back for replacement soon. I'll talk to B-M tech support first and report for other users what solutions if any they recommend.

Petri Teittinen · August 17th, 2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

The BlackMagic HDLink 3D has 2 separate BNC inputs for Left/Right Eye data steams, and a single BNC HDSDI output for either side-by-side, over/under or Line by Line or a single-stream output of one of the Left/Right data streams. There is a DisplayPort adapter which is also active for conversion with an small inexpensive adapter to HDMI to feed a 3D HDTV set's input.

I read your post, then squinted at the specs found on BM's site... BNC SDI/HD-SDI input only, right? Way too fancy and hi-tech for my needs in that case. Since my camcorders have only HDMI and composite video outputs, I'd require additional HDMI-to-HD-SDI converters as well, unless I'm mistaken.

Jeff Cools · October 21st, 2010, 06:52 PM

I used the 3D HDlink with a 40" Samsung LED 3D monitor on set the other week. It works well. Here's the set-up I used.
2 Sony EX3's (genlocked and TC synced) took the dual HD/Sdi signals and put them into the BM Design 3D HD link. Used a Display port to HDMI adaptor and a 1.4 HDMI cable to connect to the 40" 3D monitor with 3 pairs of active shutter glasses (also Samsung). Connected the BM box using USB to my Mac book pro. Confirmed that I had the latest firmware update from BM design. V3.5. We had live 3D monitoring on set. Hope that helps.

Jeff Cools

Bruce Schultz · October 24th, 2010, 02:48 PM

Jeff, did you have any audio sync issues with the BM 3D to Samsung? I'm still trying to sort out if there's an audio delay issue with the SDI muxed output, but the HDMI output seems to be in sync.

Richard Needham · November 1st, 2010, 02:18 PM

Just wondering if anyone had used the HdLink 3D fed by L+R HD-SDIs at 1080i59.94 (29.97fps) to a HDMI 1.4 3DTV? Thanks,

July 27th, 2010, 07:15 PM	#17
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	Yes. I ordered a "HDLink Displayport" a couple weeks ago and when it arrived it was in a "HDLink DisplayPort 3D" box even though "3D" isn't printed on the unit itself. That doesn't really matter though since a quick firmware update turns it into the "HDLink Displayport 3D." __________________ Tim Dashwood

August 10th, 2010, 12:31 AM	#19
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I just took delivery of one of the newer Zalman M215 passive polarised 1920x1080 DVI LCD displays. I am planning on getting a HD-Link to connect to this, I believe it should work and would make a nice monitor option to compliment my Transvideo 3D monitor. Like Bruce I think a bigger on set monitor is needed for some of my shoots. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

October 21st, 2010, 06:52 PM	#23
Jeff Cools Tourist Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 3	B-M 3D HDlink V3.5 I used the 3D HDlink with a 40" Samsung LED 3D monitor on set the other week. It works well. Here's the set-up I used. 2 Sony EX3's (genlocked and TC synced) took the dual HD/Sdi signals and put them into the BM Design 3D HD link. Used a Display port to HDMI adaptor and a 1.4 HDMI cable to connect to the 40" 3D monitor with 3 pairs of active shutter glasses (also Samsung). Connected the BM box using USB to my Mac book pro. Confirmed that I had the latest firmware update from BM design. V3.5. We had live 3D monitoring on set. Hope that helps. Jeff Cools __________________ http://www.jeffcools.com, http://www.stereoscopic.webs.com Jeff Cools

November 1st, 2010, 02:18 PM	#25
Richard Needham New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, CANADA Posts: 9	Anyone tried 29.97fps/59.94i sources? Just wondering if anyone had used the HdLink 3D fed by L+R HD-SDIs at 1080i59.94 (29.97fps) to a HDMI 1.4 3DTV? Thanks,

July 27th, 2010, 05:43 PM	#16
Bruce Schultz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 480	My understanding through a Blackmagic-Designs re-seller is that the displayport hardware units are in their New Jersey warehouse and available for shipping. As of yesterday, Monday July 26 the west coast office was unaware of this as well as unaware that the software was also available for download. As of today, everyone at BM is on the same page and dealers should be able to order the unit now. Mine is due to arrive on Friday. It's great news that it will do all the 3D HDTV modes and it does flip/flop for mirror rig monitoring. Glad I didn't spring for $5K for the Inition or 3ality boxes.

August 9th, 2010, 08:08 PM	#18
Bruce Schultz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 480	I got my BlackMagic HDLink 3D DisplayPort unit today. I hooked it up to the 3D camera rig and was able to output the display to my 40" Samsung monitor through a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable. I can now make even more precise alignments than I was able to do on an 8" 3D monitor. What's really nice though, is that the HDSDI output also outputs a muxed (side-by-side, over/under/ or line by line) signal so that in side by side mode I can see both cameras now simultaneously on my Leader Waveform/Vectorscope for exposure and color adjustments. It will also serve me well when later this month I am slated to do a 3D live satellite feed from Los Angeles to London and the satellite truck needs to have that HDSDI muxed output signal to transmit. The only thing I'm not sure about is that the Samsung 40" display looks like it's interlaced - I'll have to check out whether that's the case or not coming out of the DisplayPort and into the monitor. The Leader is saying that the HDSDI output though is a pure 23.98 PSF which is good. Nice unit and at a great cost too. Before the B-M HDLink 3D was available the alternative solutions were in the $5000 range - my cost for this unit: $470 USD.

October 24th, 2010, 02:48 PM	#24
Bruce Schultz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 480	Jeff, did you have any audio sync issues with the BM 3D to Samsung? I'm still trying to sort out if there's an audio delay issue with the SDI muxed output, but the HDMI output seems to be in sync.