Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad 2 – 8-Channel 3G-SDI Card

Product Overview

The Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad 2 is an 8-channel 3G-SDI capture and playback card on an 8-lane PCIe interface, with eight independently configurable bidirectional Micro-BNC connectors. Each channel can be set as capture or playback at up to 1080p60, supporting uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 as well as ProRes and DNxHD. As a multi-channel SDI ingest card for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it suits live broadcast and post-production systems handling many simultaneous SDI streams.

Product Description

The DeckLink Quad 2 provides eight 12-bit SD/HD/3G-SDI Micro-BNC connectors that are each independently switchable between input and output, so a single card can run any mix of up to eight capture or playback channels — and each can be a different video standard at once. It handles uncompressed 8/10/12-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 (RGB/YUV) plus a wide range of codecs including Apple ProRes (4444 through 422 Proxy), DNxHR/DNxHD, AVC-Intra, XDCAM, and more, with 16 channels of embedded audio per channel. A reference input supports blackburst and tri-level sync, and the card performs SD up-conversion and 720p/1080p cross-conversion on capture. As a PCIe SDI capture and playback card it is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux and a broad list of professional software — DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, vMix, Wirecast, OBS, ProPresenter, and many others — and Blackmagic's Media Express, Desktop Video Utility, and drivers are included for capture with applications that don't ingest on their own.

Key Features

• 8 bidirectional 3G-SDI channels — Micro-BNC connectors independently set as capture or playback.
• Up to 1080p60 — SD, HD, and 3G-SDI standards, each channel independently configurable.
• Uncompressed and compressed — 8/10/12-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 plus ProRes, DNxHR/DNxHD, and more.
• 16-channel embedded audio — Per input/output, for full multi-channel workflows.
• 8-lane PCIe — High-bandwidth PCIe 2.0 x8 interface for eight simultaneous inputs.
• Reference and conversion — Blackburst/tri-level sync input; SD up-conversion and 720p/1080p cross-conversion.
• Broad software support — Works with Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, vMix, OBS, and more.
• Media Express included — Capture and management software for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio — Multi-channel SDI ingest and playout from a single workstation or server.
• Training room — Lecture- and event-capture systems recording several SDI feeds at once.
• Government space — Chamber and proceedings capture/playback within an SDI workstation.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How many channels can it capture or play at once?
Up to eight, with each of the eight Micro-BNC connectors independently set as a capture or playback channel.

What resolutions and color formats does it support?
SD, HD, and 3G-SDI up to 1080p60 in uncompressed 8/10/12-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4, plus ProRes and DNxHR/DNxHD.

Which operating systems and software work with it?
macOS, Windows, and Linux, with support across Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, vMix, OBS, and many more; Media Express is included.

Can each connector run a different video standard?
Yes. The inputs and outputs are independent, so each can run a different standard simultaneously.