Decklink Duo

[Mr_P]

Thanks for everyones posts.
Something you all should know is that we always ensure the Video PPU and and the Catalyst servers are on the same supply,

According to Erlwin - they are not!...

I am a qualified electrician and I am fully aware of Potential Difference created between 2 different power supplies and the damage it can cause.

Have you measured the voltages between earth and the SDI ground?

I would like Active Silicone to be more proactive in getting to the bottom of this with us.

We have been awaiting more detailed information from the tour to ascertain what is causing this issuse. Until very recently, information has been lacking

They know that we have 5 servers with 2 cards in each.
For the record.... a rogue machine has to be ruled out as we have suffered failures on a number of the machines.

I refer to my previous comment:
Hundreds of these cards are operating sucessfully in servers around the world - it seems strange that the cards on your show are having a unique problem - does this not point to a problem with your setup?

I agree that opto isolation would help the cause in insuring a voltage free ground, but I'm sure in this case we have other issues. XL video are looking into this, but of course they see this as protecting someone else's kit.

HD-SDI Isolating transpformers cost £165 each
4way HD-SDI 3G opto isolators are more expensive at £2498 a pair...
(if anyone knows of any cheaper - do get in touch!!!)

How do we explain the intermittent comings and goings of the card and driver recognition for example. How come the Decklink HD3 worked straight from the box with no change of mains powers supply, and therefor the same possible potential difference as suffered by the AS cards, are they more hardy to it?

To top this off we suffered for the final time when after installing and jigging cards into new slots, somehow it worked up until the point we moved the BNC connections on the MAC

When your solution to fixing the problem includes 'wiggling' the card in the PCI express slot - and 'wiggling' the bnc cables connected to it - im not surprised it failed!

Whatever the resolution from AS, there hardware must be as durable as that from Kona or Decklink, we all agree on this right? I know that there is some flakiness with drivers sometimes from both of these manufacturers....

Have you actually tried either of these cards in your setup to qualify this statement?

You may get frustrated that things dont work as expected - these things are highly complicated. Don't blame that manufacturers until you have ruled out all of your own potential problems...

Simon