Blackmagic Design Intensity PCI-Express HDMI Capture Card
You got $250 laying around and a need for an HDMI input on your HTPC? There is actually a cure for your pain and is called Blackmagic Intensity HDMI PCI-Express Editing Card. It's main purpose is to please the professional footage editors but we, amateurs of HTPC-land, can take advantage of it. Now there is one problem that must be resolved before the world is pink again - HDCP. Yep, there is no information whether $250 buys HDCP HDMI or just plain vanilla HDMI. For that reason I have sent an email to Blackmagic people. One thing on the spec that is notable - HDMI is capable of accepting 480i ( NTSC ) and 580i ( PAL ). This may not be of any benefit for home theater since there are not many source devices outputing standard definition video, but it is definitely a feature pro's will appreciate.
The card will be available in October 2006.
Source: BlackMagic Media
The card is HDCP compliant and according to the people at BlackMagic it will not record HDCP encrypted material. I was promised a sample sometimes in late October, early November. I will verify and update as soon as I get the card.
What are the hardware requirements for the card. I realize it will work with Mac Pro. How about G-5's and G-4"s ( 1.25 dual )? Will it ship with it's own record ( capture ) software or will you have to go through third party software ( FCP or others )? IE, can I connect a camera, set top box ( sat. or cable ) with hdmi out to the computer thru the card and record to a hard drive without opening third party software? How many gig's does 1 min. of uncompressed video consume?
I'd be interested to find out if you were indeed able to capture video for HTPC purposes. Thanks.
I was curious to know if you received any word back on weather the card is HDCP compliant. An update would be greatly appreciated.