HD Link

Full Resolution HD Monitoring

HDLink connects SDI video directly to any supported DVI-D and DisplayPort based computer monitor for true HDTV resolution video monitoring.  HDLink includes 3Gb/s SDI for high resolution 2K film monitoring when connected to a large 30 inch DVI or DisplayPort display.  With every individual pixel in the HD or 2K SDI connection digitally mapped directly to the pixels of the LCD display, you get a perfect digital-to-screen pixel for pixel HDTV or 2K display.  Connect any HDMI television or video projector to HDLink for cinema style monitoring.

Supports both DVI and HDMI

HDLink supports all DVI-D and DisplayPort based digital computer displays and also includes HDMI video support.  HDMI supports video at 1080i/50, 1080i/59.94 and 720p/59.94 on any HDMI device.  DVI-D and DisplayPort supports displays at 1920 x 1200 (16:10) resolution for all 1080 HDTV formats. When working in 720 HDTV formats you can even use lower cost 1280 x 800 resolution display for pixel for pixel 720p viewing. When working in NTSC or PAL, HDLink can scale to fill the screen making viewing easier. Because most computer displays are limited to approximately a 60 Hz refresh rate, HDLink will automatically apply pull-down to allow video frame rates to be displayed. HDLink includes a built-in Power PC processor allowing automatic adjustment of native display resolutions using VESA E-EDID1.3.

World's Highest Quality 3 Gb/s SDI in 4:4:4

HDLink introduced the world’s first full HDTV resolution 4:4:4 monitoring solution that supports both standard definition SDI, HD-SDI and HD-SDI 4:4:4 for full resolution color monitoring. HD-SDI 4:4:4 features twice the color resolution. Conventional SD and HD video is 4:2:2 based, which limits color detail while 4:4:4 HD video preserves the full color detail which is important for critical keying and feature film work.

HDLink Pro is the first solution for the new high speed 3 Gb/s SDI standard for 4:4:4 RGB and 2K film monitoring. 3 Gb/s SDI runs twice the data rate of normal HD-SDI video, allowing 4:4:4 RGB video to be connected using a single SDI connection. 3 Gb/s SDI also allows full resolution 2K feature film quality 2048 x 1556 video to be connected via SDI.

Affordable 3D SDI Monitoring

Now HDLink Pro supports 3D monitoring for the latest 3D production workflows! HDLink Pro 3D lets you display both dual stream as well as interleaved 3D inputs and then display them on any compatible 3D DVI display or HDMI television. When used with a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, HDLink Pro 3D DisplayPort also supports HDMI 1.4 for compatibility with the latest full resolution 3D televisions!


Built in Optical Fiber

The HDLink Optical Fiber model is the world's first broadcast monitoring solution with built in optical fiber SDI connections. Optical fiber easily handles long distances, is low cost, and optical fiber cables last virtually forever because you can keep plugging them into faster equipment in the future, and the same cables will go much faster. Optical fiber cables can be installed by your local electrician, and the cables can be purchased from your local electrical wholesaler. That's because optical fiber is used all the time in computer networking, so it's low cost and commonly available! Now you can build a native optical fiber facility!

Standard Definition, HDTV or 2K

HDLink supports all SDI based formats from standard definition NTSC/PAL to HD-SDI 1080 and 720 and even 2K film resolution when used with DVI displays. HDLink features 3 Gb/s SDI, so also works with real time 2K monitoring as used on Blackmagic Design's Multibridge Eclipse, Multibridge Pro and DeckLink HD Extreme. With HDLink you'll get the best image quality possible with format compatibility guaranteed years into the future. HDLink's SDI video input automatically switches between SD, HD and 2K. Unlike CRT based monitors, HDLink also supports all HDTV frame rates and formats including progressive HD formats.

SMPTE 352M video payload identification ancillary data is used for automatic input format recognition and RGB/YUV color space detection. Color precision is at an incredible 10 bit in both SD and HD formats. Video data is automatically rounded down to the bit depth of the connected LCD display for superior viewing quality.

Color Management via 3D Lookup Tables

For matching LCD display colorimetry and simulating various types of film stocks, HDLink Pro model features more advanced 3D lookup tables. Advanced 3D lookup tables increase color control because a blend of red, green and blue video can be output to each primary color on the connected display. Only advanced 3D lookup tables can give full color control for accurate simulation of almost any feature film stock. Lookup tables are fully adjustable via a high speed USB 2.0 host computer connection using the included HDLink Utility software for Windows and Mac OS X. Custom lookup tables also allow film industry log video to be converted to linear for monitoring when used for feature film work. Preset gamma tables for Panasonic™ and Grass Valley Thomson Viper cine-gamma are included.

Supports LCD Displays

HDLink supports DVI-D and DisplayPort based digital computer displays. For 1080 and 720 HDTV formats, a 1920 x 1200 (16:10) resolution display is recommended. However, if you’re working in 720 HDTV formats only, then a lower cost 1280 x 800 resolution display is recommended. When working in NTSC or PAL, HDLink can scale up the displayed image to fill the display making viewing easier. Because most computer displays are limited to approximately a 60 Hz refresh rate, HDLink will automatically apply pull-down to allow video frame rates to be displayed. HDLink includes a built-in Power PC processor allowing automatic adjustment of native display resolutions using VESA E-EDID1.3.

Analog Audio Monitoring Output

Audio outputs are de embedded from the SDI input and then converted to analog at an incredible 24 bit. HDLink supports 6 channels out allowing easy monitoring of 5.1 surround sound audio. Audio is output on RCA connectors so you can easily connect to standard HiFi systems. If the connected display requires pull-down processing then HDLink will apply a variable audio delay ensuring perfect audio to video sync. To protect speakers and eliminate loud pops and other audio glitches, HDLink gently mutes the audio if video formats change or when SDI signals are connected and disconnected.

Three Fantastic Models

HDLink is available in three models to match your workflow needs. If you need Dual Link 4:4:4 monitoring then HDLink Pro DVI or HDLink Pro 3D DisplayPort models are ideal at only $495. If you don't need Dual Link 4:4:4, as you're running a 3 Gb/s SDI facility, and you need optical fiber SDI built in, then HDLink Optical Fiber is perfect at only $795.