On the same day both AJA and Blackmagic Design published new drivers for their video I/O devices. Just a tweak for BMD, but a new unified driver across products for AJA.
Not the biggest headline news, but good to see that development keeps rolling on with new software for existing products. This time video I/O drivers from AJA Video Systems and Blackmagic Design.
AJA has announced version 12.1 which is available for download from here. (Click on any video product.) Finding the right driver for a product by scrolling through the download section of a website is always a pain, so we're pleased that they have now adopted a 'single driver' approach.
"AJA today released new v12.1 software for Mac and Windows, for the first time providing a single unified all-in-one device driver and Plug-in installer per platform for all currently shipping AJA edit and streaming hardware. The new software supports a broad range of AJA products including KONA 4, KONA 3G, KONA LHi, KONA LHe Plus, Io 4K, Io XT, Io Express and T-TAP(TM)."
The AJA v12.1 driver is compatible with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (64-bit) and Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) and OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks). Aside from being a unified all-in-one device driver across multiple AJA products, new features add support for 4K and UltraHD resolution capture with the Open I/O Plug-in for Avid Media Composer 8.3, along with a new Wirecast capture Plug-in for support for Telestream Wirecast version 5.x and 6.x. The unified installer includes all of the following:
- Device drivers for all currently shipping AJA hardware including KONA 4, KONA 3G, KONA LHi, KONA LHe Plus, Io 4K, Io XT, Io Express and T-TAP
- AJA Control Room capture/playback software
- AJA Control Panel configuration software
- Adobe Creative Cloud Plug-ins
- Avid Open I/O Plug-in
- Telestream Wirecast Plug-in
Blackmagic Design has published Desktop Video 10.3.5
Already a unified driver for the range of Blackmagic devices, the new version adds a few features and fixes a few bugs.
- Adds support for output clock adjustment on DeckLink Duo and DeckLink Quad
- Adds support for RP188 timecode output on DeckLink Duo and DeckLink Quad
- A/V sync improvements for DeckLink Duo and DeckLink Quad
- Improved compatibility for DeckLink Quad and DeckLink Duo with Magma Thunderbolt chassis
- Fixes a rare subdevice lockup on DeckLink Duo and DeckLink Quad
- General performance and stability improvements for all models
Just one word of warning, if you are the middle of an important project, it's probably not a good idea to rush into installing these updates. Both companies don't test every possible hardware & software combination, so don't be the person who finds a problem. Both sites do have access to previous driver versions.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
