Matrox MXO

Hey all,
Just saw this demo'd yesterday at the LAFCPUG Meeting. Pretty cool stuff. I wasn't able to ask the questions I wanted to (meeting was packed with topics and ran late), so I thought I'd ask here.
I ran a search for this, but came up with only 10 or so hits; understandable since it was only just released at NAB06.
I was wondering if I might be able to get some opinions on this product in regards to the broadcast quality preview. From what I saw during the demo (well, the demo was botched, but in the lobby it was working), the quality is amazing. It is frame accurate and has gamma correction. Would this mean that you could color correct on a HD computer display with this tool? Would it work in conjunction to a HD card (Black Magic or Kona) or is it mainly a portable version of these cards for the new MacBook Pro's?
The brochure states "you don't have to buy an expensive HD monitor", however I find that a little hard to believe simply because I don't think it can properly calibrate or even transform your display into a broadcast monitor. I have been wrong before, though, and the demo looked very smooth.
Any help is, of course, much appreciated!
~Athen

Let's hope it's not the new RTMac. Although I
wasn't one of them, quite a few colleagues were
really badly burned by the RTMac experience, a prior
Matrox product.
I keep hearing and reading about that. Makes me a little apprehensive about the MXO.

Similar Messages

Final Cut Studio 2 and Matrox MXO

HI, anybody
Always no problem with prewiew on ACD 23" and broadcast monitor JVC.
From now I see only black on monitors.
Motion 3 works perfectly. There must by some mistake in my settings FCP.
The project is PAL, and for output is setting as Matrox MXO PAL - YUV.
Any help?

Problem resolved. Reinstaling Matrox MXO drivers.

1080i/29.97 timeline to Matrox MXO 2.0 to Dell 2407

Just wondering if any problems monitoring with the Matrox MXO --> Dell 2407 were universal or isolated.
Just when I was about to hit the final "Give Us Your Money Now" button on the Dell shopping cart I started finding posts (mostly in the MXO forum) about refresh rate incompatibilities with the two items. So 1:1 pixel viewing is out (?).
Is anyone having success with this setup? Is "banding" still a problem?
I believe Shane was happy with his Dell 24" but I don't know if he has a 2407 or a (discontinued) 2405, and I don't know if he's taken a second look since installing the MXO's 2.0 software.
I'm a stubborn photographer and I'm already growling at the idea of using an LCD to do color-corrections (even the best ones change contrast every time I move my head one inch). I was considering the Dell over the ACD because I heard is had much better contrast (and price), but if it's a hassle I'd just as well have the MXO downconvert to my trusty 14" SD monitor at least to do the colors.
(I'm okay with an occasional flicker)
Thanks,
B.

I don't think the frame rate matters (although I hear that 1080/50 PAL is trouble); it's more about the 60 refresh rate of the Dell vs. the 59.94 rate of the MXO. Is this creating a big enough problem that the 2407 can't be used reliably to color-correct 1080 footage 1:1 with a comparable image to the ACD.
The Bare Feats guy thinks it's a better monitor, but I think he just used it as a desktop monitor, not with FCP and the MXO:
http://www.barefeats.com/lcd.html
This guy in the MXO forum seems to feel he got burned trying to use the 2407 with the MXO in Mastering mode:
http://forum.matrox.com/mxo/viewtopic.php?t=416&highlight=2407
I wanted to see if your 2407 had the same shortcomings or if the problem was small.

New Video Card for G5 dual 2.3 PCIex running Matrox MXO box

Greetings. I have an HDV project and purchased an MXO to allow viewing
on external monitor. The MXO did not work with my GeForce 7800 video card
and I spent over an hour with Matrox tech support and they also sent me
a second MXO box. The CPU does not appear to see the MXO and we were unable to see any signal (i.e. color bars during set up)
My question: Has anyone found a way to integrate
MXO into a FCP set-up like mine? I'm running a G5 2.3 late, 6 gig ram,
FCP 6.04 and this video card mentioned above. The second part of question:
If I need to replace video card, has anyone done this with my particular G5 and had good success? I have found on the Matrox site that one user has put an
ATI 1900x into his G5 and they also support a lesser card GeForce 6600. I do not
want to take a step back with any modification and want to make sure my system which funs very smoothly now is not compromised. Thanks for any experience and insight into this.
G5 dual 2.3 GeForce7800 Mac OS X (10.4.11)
Go Back

Thanks for this post/response. The 7800GT card I currently have was a build to order option and I assume was not flashed. I'd love to figure out if there is a
way to get my current card to like the MXO box, or to install a new, equally fast video card that would allow me to use MXO. I may install an x1900 Mac Edition and see how it works but do want to hear from other late edition G5 owners that they have been happy with this card (running OS 10.4.11, Final Cut Pro).
K

Matrox MXO or Blackmagic Intensity Pro?

I just bought the Dell 2408 monitor, which I like thus far, and am looking to use it as both a second computer monitor and also an NTSC preview monitor in conjunction with FCP. Playing via S-video on my DSR-11 looks positively terrible- so what's the best solution? Intensity Pro? Matrox?

are you suggesting that this is counterproductive?
The MXO/ACD combination isn't recommended for standard definition monitoring. It is only recommended for high definition. For SD ou can use the MXO in combination with an SD broadcast monitor...but the MXO/ACD is not a good solution for standard definition viewing.
Per the Vortex EX-1 video, they suggest editing in SD and then rendering later.
Rendering? You mean upconverting? I don't know how viable that workflow is when it comes to tapeless formats. Because they tend to only be importable at full resolution. The extra steps needed to make low res...edit...then reconnect to the full res, plus the drives you need to have both the low res and high res available is counter productive, IMHO.
Do what the others suggest...import and work at FULL HD resolution (XDCAM doesn't take up a lot of space, it is compressed HD). This way you can use your MXO and ACD to see a GREAT picture...and downconvert when you are done. The MXO does that on the fly.
The Spyder is unnecessary in combination with the MXO. The MXO has a utility to set your monitor up to bars, with a proper BLUE ONLY option. You can see how that is done in my review.
Shane

Matrox MXO versus MXO 2

Can somebody outline the differences between the MXO and the MXO2? I ordered one, and they sent me an MXO 2 instead of an MXO. Noticed the MXO 2 does not have a DVI out. I want to use it to set up a color grading station, but wasn't thinking of having to set up three screens, but use the the 2 ACD's we currently have.
Should I keep it or send it back and get the MXO instead?
Any suggestions?
cheers
-j-

Jokke
The MXO is an *output only* device that connects to the Mac via its DVI port and allows realtime output from the FCP timeline to HD SDI (if applicable) or SD SDI and Component, Y/C and Composite outputs ... it also provides color critical output to a suitable DVI monitor which can then be used as a reliable broadcast reference monitor.
The MXO2 offers all of those same functions except in that it connects to the Mac through the ExpressCard/34 expansion slot and does NOT provide color critical output to a suitable DVI monitor but instead it provides that same feature to a suitable HDMI connected monitor .... the other enormous difference is that the MXO2 is not an outut only device, it is a *full I/O device* (input and output) and its like having a Blackmagic Decklink HD card in an external box.
If you do not want or need both input and output functionality but you do want or need color critical DVI monitoring then the original MXO is the box you want ... otherwise I would say that the MXO2 is clearly functionally superior.
Caveat : I've only ever personally used the original MXO (we've got more than 40 of them), I've not used the MXO2 .. but i know i'd sooner buy the latter if it were a personal purchase for my own in-studio or on the road needs.
You can download Matrox's own MXO product description here which try's to help you decide which one is more suitable to your needs:
http://www.matrox.com/video/media/pdf/products/mxo/enproductselection.pdf
From your description, it sounds like you really wanted the original MXO ... however if you do not already have the I/O capabilities provided by the MXO2 I might consider counting my lucky stars and keeping it, especially if you have a suitable HDMI monitor available for use as a calibrated reference monitor ((3 screens are so much better than 2) ... if not, then contact Matrox and let them know about the shipping error.
Cheers
Andy

Calling "PAL" (OK: 50Hz) 1080i users of Matrox MXO...

I see that neither the Apple 23" ACD (nor the Dell 2407) truly supports 50Hz at 1920x1200 (1080); which means monitoring 1080/50i is not stricly correct.
Apparently there is nothing that can be done about this, but the effects of trying to monitor 1080/50i with the MXO according to Matrox is "minor", or maybe even "not noticeable". Occasional repeated frames, I understand.
Can any real users give me an idea of their experience please?
TIA.

Your understanding is correct. Here is what Matrox has to say about this issue:
"Since the majority of DVI monitors do not accept 50Hz, they don't lock to it; we decided to drive the DVI out @ 60Hz when working in PAL. If we were to send 50Hz to a monitor that did not accept a 50Hz signal, the result would be a black screen, and the client would not know why (We did a lot of testing with 50Hz). We decide to go with the lesser of the two evils, so to speak. I am looking at a software option to turn on and off a 50Hz output in a future release of our software, leave the decision up to the client."
The anomolies you see on the monitor when editing are a result of this 50Hz signal on a 60Hz monitor...and ONLY appear when looking at the footage on that monitor. They will not appear when you export to tape, or view on a PAL HD monitor. Only the LCDs.
Shane

Has somebody worked with Color and The matrox mxo ???

So,
i have digital postproduction in hamburg germany.
We have two 5D Cyborg Online Systems, 3d Workstations with xsi,
and an Mediacomposer.
So last Year we started to do onlinening on Set for digital shooted
highspeed tv commercials (With the Weinberger Sppedcam).
We do this with on of our mobile 5D Cyborgs Systems.
Which i think, is one of the best Online systems still on the Highend market.
But Colorcorrection is more and more Important specially with digital shooted footage.
So the ColorCorrection tools in the Cyborg a pretty nice.
But I wanted a portable Colorcorrection Tool/system for deficile Corrections.
So i heard about Silicon Color.
So now I´ve bouht FCS 2, and i already had a AJA Io La Box.
Color don´t give me a Videoout over this to my Sony Class A.
So how ist the Quality from the MXO on a Apple Cinema , like a Sony BVM Class A ? is it a reference Picture ?
Second Question
How is the Workflow, because with a mac book pro, a calldigit raid and color, you need a secondary displa for the scopes and the workpicture ( masking etc).
Is the Presenationmodus from the MXO in the same Quality of the Mastering Mode.
And is it ease and fast to switch between them.
Thanks to all
mario
Hamburg

check out this thread on a nother forum:
http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/newreadthread.cgi?forumid=223&postid=1519&univpostid=1519

Matrox MXO or Black Magic Design Intensity Pro

Need a little guidance on this, I need to be able to monitor my video out for color grading and going with the DV>camera>component cable>monitor combination isn't working anymore. I work with a mix of both HD from the HVX and DV so I need something that I can use to view both on an external production monitor. I've seen a lot of great reviews on the MXO and I'm leaning towards that way, but I have a dual monitor set up and don't want to lose that, which is why I started looking at the Intensity Pro. If anyone has/is using one or both of these devices, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

Well, I have used the MXO (wrote an extensive review on it too) and find it to be great. A good low cost HD monitoring solution. The good thing about it is that you can balance your Apple display to color bars, with the BLUE ONLY option. The Intensity doesn't allow for that. Unless you connected it to a production monitor that allows it to be set up to bars.
When I color correct, I typically only use one monitor. But I know what you mean.
Shane

Can i shoot 720p30 on the ex1 but have it as 29.97 for the matrox mxo mini?

so i noticed the new mxo mini can only do 29.97 frame rates, so can i shoot 720p30 or 720p24 and overcrank and do all the magic on the ex1 but have it record as 29.97 so it goes native through the mxo to my hdtv for true acurate viewing?
THANK YOU!

so i noticed the new mxo mini can only do 29.97 frame rates
It does 29.97, 59.94 and 23.98. 720p 23.98, 1080p23.98...1080i29.97...720p59.94. 720p30 at 29.97 is a very non-standard video format.
Why are you shooting 720p 29.97? To overcrank for 23.98? Then your sequence settings are going to be 23.98.
Shane

What does a Matrox MXO do?

(Or equivalent.) Does it speed things up. Capturing? Rendering? Outputing? Thanks.

The MXO is an output device. It doesn't speed up capturing, rendering or outputing. It simply provides your computer with industry standard video spigots to which you can connect your video monitoring / recording device. The MXO's particular claim to fame is that rather unusually it connects to the host via the DVI port, it provides onboard downconversion of HD input signals to SD for monitoring or output to SD displays or devices, and that it can be used to calibrate a suitable DVI display (such as a 23" Apple Cinema Display) so it can be used as a color critical reference monitor. For many its that latter function that seals the deal as typically a professional HD reference monitor is much more expensive than an MXO/ACD combo.

I can't afford an MXO for a monitor, what to do?

I am color correcting my short film using Apple's Color on my iMac. I can't afford a Matrox MXO for accurately balancing my color. How can I best set up my monitor to get as close as possible to a broadcast display?
Thanks,
cja

I tried the Apple Calibrator tool. I couldn't make it work out. I set up the profile to RGB. I balance using the scopes and I balance the skin tones. My only other option is to finish, send to FCP, use my attached CRT Monitor and then go back to Color with changes.
that's what a budget does to you.

MXO & Quartz Extreme

Hi Folks,
Wonder if anyone can help with this.
Below is my GPU detail from system info showing no Quartz Extreme support through the MXO (attached to DVI port 2). I found this link:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/detail.asp?techID=184
from back in '07 seemingly demonstrating a problem with port 2 -no GPU mentioned-& Quartz Extreme. My Mac will not open iMovie as it says no QE support, I'm guessing it's detecting the unsupported MXO & saying 'no way baby'. It can't be a common problem with all GPUs can it?
I have not as yet switched the monitors around to test, (nest of vipers cable-wise), but have searched about to no avail so far in Forum land.
Is there a workaround or command line insert to get around this?
Cheers,
Nick
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT:
Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 512 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0602
Revision ID: 0x00a2
ROM Revision: 3233
Displays:
Cinema:
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Depth: 32-Bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Rotation: Supported
Matrox MXO:
Resolution: 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-Bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
*Quartz Extreme: Not Supported*
Rotation: Supported

Hi fellow Nick.
I saw another thread that suggested re-applying the 10.5.7 *Combo Updater*.
Here:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9524601&#9524601
No idea if it worked -the OP never replied. 10.5.8 is out now anyway, so the 10.5.7 updater might be no longer available.

Veescope Live on Macbook Pro via Matrox IO?

Hope you've all been doing well
Question: Green Screen and live keying and viewing
Camera: Sony A65
Viewing Devices: 2011 Macbook Pro 15 inch (System Unit), Sony Bravia (HDTV)
About to do my first green screen movie and wondering what devices would be needed to get HDMI signal input for live viewing and keying in Veescope Live.
I keep reading ' Capture directly to PRO RES 4:4:4 using a Quicktime compatible capture card', what brand and model and devices is/has 'Quicktime Compatible Capture'? And what does it mean?

Matrox MXO series, AJA Kona series, Decklink series, Motu.
If your laptop has an expresscard 34 slot, the MXO2 mini may be your best choice.
I believe Matrox has released a thunderbolt version as well.
x

Premiere 7.1 + Matrox MXO2 crashes

Hi everybody !
I've updated Premiere Pro to 7.1, but i can't launch my old projects ... until i switch off my matrox mxo from the preferences.
After reading this blog post : http://forums.adobe.com/message/5810852#5810852, i've uninstalled all my creative cloud softwares using the CC Cleaner tool, and reinstalled all my drivers (Blackmagic intensity pro + Matrox MXO 2 mini Max).
Unfortunately, the problem remains the same. Premiere crashes on startup or while enabling the Matrox.
Note : the problem does not happen if I uncheck the "Enable CC overlays on input" option.
In the crash log i can see this line :
-> Crashed Thread: 12 Dispatch queue: com.matrox.vpg.AdobeTransmitVideo
Is somebody aware of this problem ?
My configuration is :
Mac Pro 2008 2x Quad core 2,8Ghz
12Gb of ram
OS 10.7.5
Matrox MXO2 mini with MAX, and latest driver (4.0)
Thanks for the help.

I would not recommend using WMVs as source files for Premiere Elements projects. There are two many varations of WMV files, and not all are compatible with the program.
To give the program a real test drive, us DV-AVIs as your source files.
You can use Windows MovieMaker to convert WMVs to DV-AVIs, per the FAQs to the right of this forum.
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/415317?tstart=0

Matrox MXO

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