Symmetry workflow benefits and advantages .......................................................................................................... 9
Other Features ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Minimum System Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 10
Recommended System Hardware .......................................................................................................................... 11
Prepare your system ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Install 3rd party applications ................................................................................................................................... 14
Install the latest QuickTime player .......................................................................................................................... 14
New Installations ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
8. Other 3rd Party Software .................................................................................................................................... 18
Adobe Creative Suite 5 - Premiere Pro CS5 (Application Software not included) ................................................. 18
Setting Up Premiere Pro CS5 ................................................................................................................................. 19
Capturing with Bluefish444 ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Export to Tape ........................................................................................................................................................ 23
Adobe After Effects CS5 (Application Software not included) ................................................................................ 26
Adobe SoundBooth CS5 (Application Software not included) ................................................................................ 29
Photoshop CS4 (Application Software not included) .............................................................................................. 29
Eyeon Fusion (Application Software not included) ................................................................................................. 30
9. Bluefish444 Support ........................................................................................................................................... 32
Bluefish444 support questionnaire ......................................................................................................................... 32
Bluefish444 warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for
a period of three (3) years for category A products and two (2) years for category B products
from the date of purchase. This warranty is provided only to customers who register the
Bluefish444 serial number at the place nominated on the Bluefish444 homepage. If a product
proves to be defective during the warranty period, Bluefish444, at its option, will either repair the
defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange
for the defective product.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, the customer must notify Bluefish444 of the defect
before the expiration of the warranty period. The customer shall be responsible for packing and
shipping the defective product to a designated service centre nominated by Bluefish444 with
shipping charges prepaid. The customer will be responsible for shipping charges and duties
payable on return of the repaired or replaced product to the customer‟s address. The customer
must provide Bluefish444 with details of its nominated international courier company.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or
improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Bluefish444 shall not be obligated to furnish
service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel other than
Bluefish444 authorized resellers to install, repair or service the product, b) to repair damage
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment, c) to repair any damage
resulting or malfunction caused by the use of non Bluefish444 parts or supplies, d) to service a
product that has been modified or integrated with other products when the effect of such a
modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product, or e) to repair
or service a product that has been integrated and shipped as part of a workstation which may
increase the risk of damage caused to the Bluefish444 card within the workstation during transit.
This warranty specifically shall not apply to Bluefish444 products purchased second hand
This warranty is given by Bluefish444 in lieu of any other warranties, expressed or implied.
Bluefish444‟s responsibility to repair or replace defective products is the whole and exclusive
remedy provided to the customer for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages.
Category A:
Epoch range
Create range
SD|Greed& SD|Greed Express
SD|Dual Link Pro
SD|Lite Pro&SD|Lite Pro Express
Iridium AV Pro &Iridium AV Pro Express
SD|Single Link Pro & SD|Single Link Pro Express
SD|Ingest Pro&SD|Ingest Pro Express.
Category B:
SD|Fidelity, SD|Prime and SD|Focus
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Create Range Windows User Manual
3. Introduction
Every so often, the application of advanced technology, modern industrial design and
manufacturing processes yields a break-through that delivers real advantages over its
predecessors. Introducing Bluefish444's Create range of uncompressed HD and 2K capture
cards.
Bluefish444 I/O solutions deliver the highest standard in capture, playback and broadcast every
time. The perfectionist‟s choice in RGB and DI, Bluefish444 delivers superior results for
significantly less on all digital post and broadcast demands.
Renowned for their robust stability and seamless workflow, Bluefish444 are the card of choice
under the bonnet of many of the industry‟s leading OEM DI solutions. Support for the widest
range of industry standard formats of any I/O solution from 8-bit YUV to 16-bit RGB.
Absolutely No Compromise
Bluefsh444‟s Create cards enjoy the pedigree of a proven track record delivering absolutely „No
Compromise‟ professional results. Engineered using the highest quality components,
Bluefsh444 delivers its superior quality through the power of hardware based parallel
processing. Create boasts perfect signal processing delivering pristine image quality in 2K, HD
& SD resolutions. Extreme reliability in mission critical environments makes Create the
Professionals‟ Choice.
Extreme Reliability
1000‟s of customers attest to using our products in „mission critical‟ environments such as digital
intermediary post and live broadcast where they‟re running 24/7.
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Create Range Windows User Manual
Create|3D Ultra Features
12/10/8 bit 2K/HD/SD 3G-SDI I/O
Dual-link RGB I/O
3D Stereoscopic I/O
Video and Key Output
HANC Ancillary data & VANC Closed capturing
Genlock Bi, Tri and Cross Lock = Bi for HD, Tri for SD
Real time hardware overlay for internal keying
3 x 1D LUTs on all SDI Outputs
Built-in safe area, safe title and Letterbox generator
RGB <=> YUV 12 bit Hardware Color conversion
3:2 Pulldown
ISIM (Input Stream Integrity Management)
12 bit video processing throughout signal path for highest quality video
RS422 Port
4-lane PCI-Express (8 and 16 lane compatible)
6 channels of AES/EBU I/O (Balanced, XLR)
8 Channels of AES ID3 I/O (Unbalanced, BNC)
16 Channels of embedded audio per SDI I/O
2 analog OUT channels -10dBu (Unbalanced, RCA) OUT
Audio sample rate converters
16-bit and 24-bit capture
Symmetry software included
3 year warranty
Hardware Scaling Module
Up, down & cross conversion between 2K/HD/SDresolutions
12 bit scale processing
Sinc(x) video interpolation algorithm using 25 X 25 TAPS
1/128th sub pixel accuracy
Frame store for frame rate conversion
Hardware de-interlacing
3:2 Pulldown
DVI/HDMI Preview Module
Inbuilt Hardware Scaling Module for Up, Down, Cross Conversion of SD/HD/2K resolutions
2K/HD/SD resolutions previewed as DVI up to 1920 x 1200p 60Hz 4:4:4
2K/HD/SD resolutions previewed as HDMI up to 1920 x 1200p 60Hz 4:2:2 / 4:4:4 & 8 channels of
24bit embedded audio
3 x 1D LUTs for colour calibrating preview and log/linear conversion
Supported APIs:
DirectShow Filters API
Mac OS X QuickTime API
Compatible with popular retail applications:
Adobe Creative Suite™ (Including Cineform 3D plugins)
Autodesk 3D Studio Max™
Apple Final Cut Studio ™ (Including Cineform 3D plugins)
Bluefish444 Symmetry™
Assimilate Scratch™
Eyeon Digital Fusion™
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Create Range Windows User Manual
Create|HD
DCC HD/SD 4:2:2 workflows
Create|HD is targeted at the uncompressed HD/SD digital content creation workflow. It is ideal
for creative artists looking to connect digital VTR‟s, cameras and monitors working in either HD
or SD SDI.
Create|HD allows for hardware based real-time up, down or cross-conversion during capture or
playback. The same hardware based scaler intuitively accelerates real time effects within
supported NLE and compositing software. Additionally, dual SDI outputs allow for original and
converted signals to be output simultaneously.
Create|3D
File based digital intermediary 4:4:4 & 4:2:2 3D workflows
Create|3D is targeted at the file based workflow of independent film making. Ingested files are
edited and previewed from within Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Studio as part of an offline
workflow.
The offline project can then be used to re-conform color corrected material and mastered to SD,
HD or 2K resolutions in single link, dual link or 3D stereoscopic output modes.
Create|3Dhas 3 X 1D LUT‟s on all outputs allowing for calibration of the display device and
log/linear conversion. Create|3D‟s DVI/HDMI preview output contains a high quality hardware
based scaler. This converts the selected input or output to the LCD/Plasma‟s native resolution
and frame rate, bypassing the lower quality internal scaler of the LCD/Plasma. This provides for
low cost and flexible monitoring within the workflow as a wide range of TFT, Plasma and
projectors can be used.
Create|3D incorporates the Create|HD feature set and builds upon it by having dual link and 3D
stereoscopic output and a high quality DVI/HDMI preview output.
Create|3D Ultra
For all digital Intermediary dual link 4:4:4 & 3D I/O workflows
Bluefsh444 has built its reputation on RGB workflows and Create|3D Ultra brings together our
10 years of expertise in a cost-effective product integrated tightly with Symmetry for windows DI
& 3D acquisition, preview and playback software.
Create|3D Ultra incorporates the Create|HD and Create|3D feature sets and builds upon them
by having a dual link and 3D stereoscopic input.
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Create Range Windows User Manual
Create|HD
Create|3D
Create|3D Ultra
Video Modes
720x486i
@ 59.94 Hz NTSC
Yes
Yes
Yes
720x576i
@ 50.00 Hz PAL
Yes
Yes
Yes
1280 x 720p
@ 23.976Hz, 24Hz, 50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
Yes
Yes
Yes
1920x1080i
@ 50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
Yes
Yes
Yes
1920x1080PsF
@ 23.976Hz, 24Hz
Yes
Yes
Yes
1920x1080p
@ 23.976Hz, 24Hz, 25Hz, 29.97Hz,30Hz
Yes
Yes
Yes
2048X1080p
@ 23.976Hz, 24Hz
Yes*
Yes*
Yes*
2048X1080i
@ 47.96Hz, 48Hz
Yes*
Yes*
Yes*
2048x1556PsF
@ 14.98Hz, 15Hz
No
Yes*
Yes*
Digital Video Input Signal Formats
3G-SDI capable
Yes
Yes
Yes
12 bit Input & internal processing
Yes
Yes
Yes
1 x 2K/HD/SD 4:2:2 SDI
Yes
Yes
Yes
2 x 2K/HD/SD 4:2:2 SDI
No
No
Yes
2 x 2K/HD/SD 4:4:4, 4:4:4:4
(RGBA/YUVA)
No
No
Yes
HD/SD 4:2:2:4 Video and Key
(YUVA)
No
No
Yes
Digital Video Output Signal Formats
3G-SDI capable
Yes
Yes
Yes
12 bit Output & internal processing
Yes
Yes
Yes
2 x 2K/HD/SD 4:2:2 SDI
Yes
Yes
Yes
2 x 2K/HD/SD 4:4:4, 4:4:4:4
(RGBA/YUVA)
No
Yes
Yes
HD/SD 4:2:2:4 Video and Key
(YUVA)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Hardware Scaling Module
Yes
No
No
DVI/HDMI Preview (including hardware scaling)
No
Yes
Yes
Feature Comparison
* Not supported by Adobe CS5
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Create Range Windows User Manual
4. Bluefish444‟s Symmetry Application Overview
Symmetry is Bluefish444's integrated 3D & DI acquisition, review and playback software for
Windows OS and is bundled FREE with all I/O cards in the Epoch and Create ranges.
The perfect balance between features and usability, Symmetry captures Cineon, DPX, Targa,
QuickTime and AVI files allowing creative professionals to use footage on multiple applications
across multiple platforms; eliminating the acute pain of re-rendering between tools.
Symmetry dispenses with any loss issues associated with color conversion by giving the user
the choice of which color space best suits their needs from 8-bit YUV up to 16-bit RGB. With
complete frame accurate VTR control, Symmetry frees up the creative process to design and
create rather than waste countless hours managing complex NLE systems just to get media in
and out of a workstation.
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Equally comfortable as a digital intermediary or as a review and payout solution for digital
content creators, compositors and editors; Symmetry‟s interface, to quote one customer is “monkey simple” with the capabilities of much more expensive systems.
Do away with third party converters forever and utilize Symmetry as a standards converter for
SDI between 2K/HD/SD and preview SDI as DVI/HDMI.
Please refer to Symmetry manual for detail information, instructions and features at:
Desktop and SDI/DVI/HDMI preview of capture and playback.
Batch capture, EDL capture, playback and playlist master to tape from/to various SDI
devices such as HD VTR‟s, SDI equipped cameras, film scanners and dual link 4:4:4
devices.
Capture to the highest image quality of 10-bit RGB sequential DPX and Cineon file formats
to preserve all the data and metadata on file.
Support for SMPTE and CGR capture and playback.
Seamless integration with the leading Digital Intermediate solutions through the common
use of 10-bit RGB DPX and Cineon file formats.
Choose between multiple video file formats to capture, preview and playback such as DPX,
Cineon, QuickTime, TARGA, AVI, and R3D(Native Red Footage).
Support for 16 channels of embedded audio and 5.1 / 7.1 surround sound monitoring.
Frame accurate RS422 control from/to the industry‟s leading VTR‟s, single link and dual link
devices.
Capture and playback DLL API available for developers.
Software/hardware engineering integration from the same manufacturer providing reliability
and stability.
Capture and playback dual 3D SDI to any file format supported by Symmetry as left & right
eye, side by side, top and bottom and others.
Continued support and development in evolving formats including 3G Video modes e.g.
1080/50/59.94/60P and 2k 10bit 4:4:4.
Avoid third party converters and utilise Symmetry presets for SDI standards conversion
between 2K/HD/SD and preview SDI as DVI/HDMI.
Supported File Formats
10 bit YUV QuickTime v210
8 bit YUV QuickTime 2VUY
10 bit RGB Cineon Sequential file format with options for: SMPTE/CGR
10 bit RGB DPX Sequential file format with options for: SMPTE/CGR
8 bit RGBA TARGA Sequential file format with options for: SMPTE/CGR
8 bit RGB TARGA Sequential file format with options for: SMPTE/CGR
8 bit YUV AVI
R3D (Native Red Footage) - Playback
New file formats added via software upgrades
Supported Audio Features
Uncompressed PCM WAV audio format in 16-bits or 24-bits at 48Khz sampling rate
Embed audio into video file (for supported file formats)
Single WAV file
Multiple stereo WAV file
Multiple mono WAV file
Up to 16 embedded audio channels in video file (QuickTime & AVI)
Broadcast wave info (BWF) option
Support for RF64
5.1 & 7.1 surround sound monitoring of AES/EBU and AES ID3
Audio level monitoring
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Create Range Windows User Manual
Other Features
Desktop and SDI/DVI/HDMI preview of playback and capture of all supported video modes,
For supported HDMI/DVI monitoring solutions refer to Support Resources P51
Support for single link and dual link video modes
SDI/DVI/HDMI preview of hardware signal format conversion between 2K/HD/SD including
3:2 pulldown
Single frame grab capture
Assemble and insert to tape
Playlist and clip assembly for preview and mastering to tape
EDL CMX 3600 support
Media bin and loop playback
Trim clip mode
Audio and Video linking and unlink ability to create Sym files
Keyboard shortcuts
Save and load projects in XML format for versatile 3rd party application support and project
archiving
Drop frame error reporting on capture and playback reporting
Restart capture when drop-frame occurs
Built in system bench marking and logging feature
Preview DPX files as logarithmic or linear
4:3 and 16:9 preview for SD widescreen footage
Pre create option to avoid drop frame during long capture
1D LUT SDI/DVI/DHMI preview
Command line interface for 3rd party developers
5. Hardware Details
Minimum System Requirements
The following system requirements are for capturing, playback and export/master to tape using
Symmetry.
Sequential file formats (Targa, DPX and Cineon) are far more intensive than clip based formats
(AVI & QuickTime) due to the need for the disk array to read and write files at a rapid rate.
Fragmentation is a common side effect and most apparent cause of performance regardless of
free space available especially for sequential file formats. This issue can be resolved using
Symmetry Pre Create Files option from the General Settings.
Please ensure your storage solution is certified to support sequential file format in HD and 2K
resolutions.
For further information and an updated list of tested storage solutions go to the Bluefish444
website at:
HP XW9300,
HP XW 8200,
HP XW 8400 ( Dual Core),
HP 8600, HP Z800,
Apple MacPro.
Additional self certified system integrators from:
Globalstor, 1 Beyond, Boxx
Memory
2GB minimum ( Application dependant)
Direct X
Direct X 9C
QuickTime
7.4.5 or above
OS
Windows XP SP2 32-bit, server 2003, Vista 64-bit & Windows 7 64-bit
The requirements below are given as a guide, performance vary for each system configuration.
It is recommended to use certified and tested hardware configuration which available at: