Eliminate the high cost of HDTV monitoring with HDLink - the world's most advanced full HDTV resolution monitoring converter for DVI and HDMI monitors. Includes the quality of 4:4:4 SDI video, lookup tables via USB and analog audio outputs. HDLink will solve all your monitoring needs from only $445.

Full Resolution HD Monitoring

HDLink and HDLink Pro connect SDI video directly to any supported DVI-D based LCD computer monitor for incredible true HDTV resolution video monitoring. The new HDLink Pro model introduces 3 Gb/s SDI for high resolution 2K film monitoring when connected to a large 30 inch DVI 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! Even large 23 inch CRT based monitors can?t display the full resolution of the HD-SDI signal, but with HDLink you see every pixel in the HD signal, so you'll always see a perfect image. You'll be amazed at the quality of High Definition or 2K video when you monitor via HDLink for the first time. There?s simply no higher resolution HDTV monitoring possible!

Supports both DVI and HDMI

HDLink supports all DVI-D based digital computer displays and now also includes HDMI video support. HDMI supports video at 1080i/50, 1080i/59.94 and 720p/59.94 on any HDMI device. DVI-D 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 2x oversize the displayed image 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 Dual Link HD-SDI 4:4:4 for full resolution color monitoring. Dual Link HD-SDI 4:4:4 uses two HD-SDI video cables for 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.

Standard Definition, HDTV or 2K

HDLink and HDLink Pro support all SDI based formats from standard definition NTSC/PAL to HD-SDI 1080 and 720 when used with DVI displays. HDLink Pro features 3 Gb/s SDI, so also works with real time 2K monitoring as used on Blackmagic Design's new Multibridge Eclipse. 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 includes 1D RGB lookup tables, while the 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 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 2x oversize the displayed image 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 2 channels of audio out, while HDLink Pro 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.

Mac OS X™ and Windows™ Support

Connect to HDLink via USB on for all settings, lookup table downloads, and for software updates on Mac OS X™ or Windows™ computers. When running on OS X™, HDLink Utility software is Universal Binary, so you can run on Intel or PowerPC based Macs.

Already own HDLink?

If you already own HDLink and want to connect a HDMI display, then simply download the latest HDLink Utility software and update your firmware for HDMI support. You'll also need a DVI-D male to HDMI female adaptor available from your local your Blackmagic Design reseller.

Perfect with an Apple Cinema Display

Connect HDLink to the amazing Apple 23" Cinema Display as an ideal monitoring solution for your edit suite. In combination with uncompressed broadcast capture cards such as DeckLink, uncompressed HD images have never looked so good.

Configure and Update via USB

Included free, HDLink Utility lets you configure advanced features such as lookup tables, color settings and blue only mode. Control software is available for both Mac OS X™ and Windows™ with USB 2.0 connectivity allowing firmware upgrades via internet downloadable updates.

The Aviator

Recreating the Manhattan skyline for Scorsese’s motion picture, The Aviator was no easy task. DNA's realism can be seen in the view atop the Chrysler Building and Hughes' XF11 test flight crashing into Beverly Hills - all using HDLink.

Digital to Screen

HDLink connects SDI video direct to your display using DVI-D or HDMI, so you get a fully digital connection to the screen. This totally eliminates noise and other analog limitations to your monitoring.

Use any Display

Although most LCD computer displays support the EDID display status from the monitor, some monitors and projectors may not. In that rare case HDLink Utility lets you manually override settings so you can find a custom rate that allows your monitor to display.

Ideal Monitoring with DeckLink

DeckLink cards are the industry leading uncompressed broadcast video card and when combined with HDLink, you have an unbeatable combination. DeckLink has helped thousands of creative people edit uncompressed - now HDLink doing the same for HD monitoring.

Heads or Tails

Mike Curtis, founder of the popular website hdforindies.com, is doing his part by evangelizing HD production on the desktop. Mike explains how he used his own HD system on a client’s short called Heads or Tails.

No Switches

Unlike any other converter, HDLink is incredibly easy to setup. Using HDLink Utility connected via USB you can change lift, gain and gamma settings for each color channel as well as upload gamma tables. Settings are saved between power cycles, until changed.