Multibridge’s leading quality, flexibility and affordable low cost has revolutionized the television industry into a truly creative industry. Designers, editors, matte painters and effects artists are no longer limited creatively because they need high cost machines hired by the hour. See how Multibridge has changed the industry and helped turn it from an equipment hire industry into a large and exciting creative community.

Quality

Software such as Final Cut Pro™ and Premiere Pro® are resolution and quality independent, so even though they're used with DV video, they're not limited to DV quality. So whether you need DV, uncompressed standard definition or high definition quality, it’s all determined by the video card installed in your system, and not the software. By connecting Multibridge to your system, you're replacing all the video rendering and files with true uncompressed 10 bit quality.

10 bit uncompressed is of such high quality, its actually better than Digital Betacam™ decks because there's no video compression at all. This means all of your editing and design work is higher quality than other pre-built and incredibly expensive systems! That’s why DeckLink cards have been used by thousands of high end customers for leading edge TVC’s, episodic program production and feature films worldwide. You simply can't get better quality standard definition video than DeckLink's 10 bit uncompressed SDI video.

Speed

Multibridge PCI Express systems are much lower cost than other solutions so you can have more people working on the same job. In the past a single operator used an expensive system to complete a job as fast as possible. Because the system was expensive, it created a bottleneck as most companies could only afford one system. Because Multibridge systems are lower in cost, you can do the same quality work but with more specialized people working on various parts of the job. For example, you might have a graphic designer with no knowledge of television working on graphics in Photoshop®, and then feeding those graphics to a video editor running Final Cut Pro™ or Premiere Pro. The designer doesn't need to know anything about television as Photoshop is the same tool they use for print, web and now television, it’s really the designer's creative skills you need!

This leaves the editor free to focus on the edit, and not the titles and graphics, so their time is better utilized. You have two tasks for the job being completed at the same time, and with specialists who are better qualified for each specific part of the job. That’s a much faster workflow.

Choose your Software

With Multibridge you can choose any software for the job. If you're editing, then suddenly need a new kind of complex effect, you can simply move to another application better suited to the task. For example, you can move from Final Cut Pro™ to Shake™, or After Effects®, and then move media back instantly. All media are standard QuickTime™ files, so you don’t need to render imported files, they just drop directly into each application for direct use.

Once your edit is finished, instantly move to DVD Studio Pro or Encore DVD® to author a DVD with uncompressed files for maximum quality. If a new software tool is released into the market with exciting new features, if it supports QuickTime™ or DirectShow™, you can use it immediately.

More People Know the Tools

The software used with Multibridge is used on lower quality but higher volume solutions such as DV editing. So you know that thousands of people are using the same tools everyday and can be hired to complete high-end work without any retraining. Operators can move from DV to uncompressed standard definition, or even HD without retraining as the software still operates the same way, independent of quality or television standard. Talented graphic designers can be called in to add an extra creative boost to work and as they know applications such as Photoshop well, you can integrate their talent into your workflow without retraining for television. Eliminating complex custom training lowers your costs and also means you can immediately bring in extra creative talent, such as matte painters and graphic designers to work on complex jobs, taking your creativity to much higher levels.

Online or Offline Editing

Do your offline editing and then move to online editing using the same tool! Multibridge supports uncompressed online quality and on Mac OS X™, Multibridge also supports DV, ProRes 422 and JPEG compression modes for offline work.

A faster alternative to offline is using Multibridge for uncompressed 10 bit capture and playback. You can do all of your work in uncompressed and when your job is finished you won't need to do online at all. That’s great when deadlines are tight as you can work right up to the deadline before outputting to tape. Eliminating the offline process can really save time and lowers costs.

Stay with the Latest Technology

You can take advantage of the latest technology with Multibridge based systems. The problem with low volume expensive pre-built systems based on SGI or other expensive computers, is that they cost so much. You need to run them for a long time to pay off the purchase price. This means it might be 5 years or more before you can throw away the computer and get the latest model. Multibridge uses standard fast Mac™ or Windows™ based PCI Express PC’s, so after about a year you can get the latest model for higher speeds. The older model doesn't need to go to waste either, as it can be moved to paint and other non speed critical tasks so you retain value in your previous computer purchase. Because you can add any new operating system or application updates, we are constantly ensuring our drivers are upgraded for latest compatibility.

Customize your Systems

You can build your Multibridge system exactly how you need it. You can mix and match system components, such as Multibridge models and software applications any way you like. For example, if you're only doing DVD authoring on Mac OS X™, then simply add a DeckLink card and DVD Studio Pro™ to get up and running immediately. Multibridge also includes deck control so you can capture clips direct from tape. If you're editing on Windows™, then simply add Multibridge and Premiere Pro for a fantastic high quality editing solution. Talk with your local Blackmagic dealer about your workflow needs. Your dealer can customize a solution that's perfect for you, or do it yourself!

Multibridge is faster, better quality and massively lower in cost so you can afford to get everyone in your facility a custom built workstation. Now everyone can work together - that’s truly revolutionary!