Realtime Multi-Layer HD/SD Workflows

Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE are designed primarily for realtime native HDV, DV, and Panasonic P2 720p and SD editing, but also provides a high-quality MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame codec so you can capture other HD and SD formats over the analog inputs, and mix all types of footage on an HD or SD timeline in real time.

Matrox RT.X2 SD is designed primarily for realtime DV editing, but also provides a high-quality MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame SD codec so you can capture other SD formats over the analog inputs, and mix the various types of footage on an SD timeline in real time.

Extensive camera support

Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE support a wide range of analog, DV, HDV, and P2 cameras from the world's leading manufacturers including most of the resolutions of these new models:

• JVC HD110, HD200, HD250

• Sony HVR-A1, HVR-Z1, HVR-V1, PDW-F330

• Panasonic HVX200, HDX900, HDC27H, HPX2000

• Canon XH A1, XH G1,
  XL H

Highest quality realtime effects

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms are designed to overcome the limitations of software-only editing by providing performance- and quality-optimized effects processing. Built on Matrox Power of X and Flex technologies, the Matrox RT.X2 platforms leverage CPU and GPU power to provide a tightly integrated, high performance editing environment for Adobe Premiere Pro. Matrox RT.X2 platforms’ broadcast quality effects are fully keyframeable and feature a high level of control for detailed work. Each effect has a series of parameters that can be fine tuned to get just the look you want. To save time you can use the preconfigured effects presets or create and save your own presets.

Most realtime video/graphics layers

Many editing systems compromise quality or effects refinement and complexity to increase the number of layers, whereas the Matrox RT.X2 platforms always deliver maximum realtime quality. Timelines with more layers and/or effects than can be processed in realtime can still benefit from hardware-accelerated previews. The Matrox RT.X2 platforms always play back the timeline at the best possible quality and if necessary, gracefully reduce the frame rate. You always get in-context feedback as you work.

The number of layers that can be processed in real time depends on your system CPU and GPU as well as the characteristics of your workflow – the video resolution you are working with, the frame rate, the codec, and the number and complexity of effects. System selection guidelines and lists of computers, motherboards, and GPUs validated for use with the RT.X2 cards are posted in the support section of the Matrox website.

Realtime native HDV editing workflow (does not apply to RT.X2 SD)

Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE provide the flexibility you need to get the most from your HDV editing experience.

Capture

You can transfer native HDV footage over 1394 to your RT.X2 system. Other HD footage with the same resolution and frame rate can be captured from analog HD sources using RT.X2’s high-quality MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame codec.

Edit

On a reasonably performing system, you can expect to edit at least two HD video layers with color correction plus multiple graphics layers in real time.

Native HDV material can be mixed in real time on your HD timeline with MPEG-2 I-frame clips. You can also place SD clips on your HD timeline and RT.X2 will upscale them in real time so you can mix NTSC material into a 1080i at 29.97 fps timeline or PAL material into a 1080i at 25 fps timeline. You can also mix 576p or 486p material into a 1080p timeline.

Monitor

Matrox RT.X2 provides full-resolution HD monitoring on an inexpensive flat panel display via its independent DVI output. You won't need to buy expensive HD monitoring equipment or the video-to-DVI converter required for monitoring with some I/O cards. In fact, RT.X2 provides better HD video definition, with pixel-to-pixel mapping on a flat panel (1920 x 1200), than you will get on a more expensive professional HD monitor which is typically limited to approximately 800 lines of resolution. RT.X2 LE and RT.X2 SD provide full-screen monitoring via the analog video outputs.

Deliver

When your edits are complete, you can record your project directly to tape using RT.X2's analog component HD output or export to HDV for playout over 1394.

Realtime native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p and SD files (does not apply to RT.X2 SD)

RT.X2 provides native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p files at 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, and 60 fps and SD files at 23.98p, 25i and 25p, 29.97i and 29.97p fps in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. You can use MXF files created by your Panasonic P2 camera directly in these applications without having to convert the files to the traditional AVI file format. In addition, the unique Matrox EZ-MXF utility is included with Matrox RT.X2 lets you use your native MXF files in animation, compositing, and motion graphics applications that support Video for Windows AVI files.

Matrox RT.X2 also supports the use of the popular Focus Enhancements FireStore drives allowing you to simply transfer P2 and HDV files to your RT.X2 system and edit them in real time.

RT.X2 supports Panasonic VariCam 24p and 25p workflows with the Panasonic HVX200 camera via MXF file transfers. The camera actually saves 60 or 50 frames in the P2 MXF file and tags the ones that should be used to playback at 23.98 or 25 fps. RT.X2 lets you play those MXF files in a 23.98 or 25 timeline without any additional processing. RT.X2 will detect and remove the repeated frames on the fly. The camera also features a “pN” native mode in which it will only save the required 23.98 or 25 frames on the P2 card. RT.X2 also supports realtime playback of those "pN" files.

Matrox RT.X2 extends Windows Explorer functionality to simplify AVI and MXF file management. Important details such as User Clip Name, Start Timecode, End Timecode, Duration, etc. are available in the Windows Explorer Details View. A clip icon can also be displayed in the Thumbnails View to let you more easily identify your clips.

Realtime downscaling of HD timelines to SD (does not apply to RT.X2 SD)

Matrox RT.X2 also downscales HD projects to broadcast-quality NTSC and PAL with proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space. You can print your HD edit to analog SD tape in real time and or use this feature to preview your HD projects on an inexpensive SD monitor.

Capture in HD, edit in SD for maximum realtime performance

If your goal is to deliver in SD, yet you want to take advantage of the superior image quality offered by your HDV camera, another way to work with HDV material on your RT.X2 platform is to capture HDV over 1394 then edit in SD using the original HDV clips. You maintain the quality of your original footage, yet benefit from maximum realtime performance during the editing process, similar to what you will experience when editing in native DV. When your edits are complete, you can output straight to SD. When you view the SD master you will see no significant difference in quality compared to a project that is edited in native HDV then downscaled to SD.

On RT.X2 or RT.X2 LE, if you need an HD master, you can open the same SD project in an HD timeline. No recapturing is necessary.

Realtime native DV editing workflow

All the RT.X2 cards provide amazing realtime editing performance in DV. On a reasonably performing system, you can expect to edit at least five native DV video layers plus six graphics layers and effects in real time.

Other SD clips captured from analog SD sources with the same resolution and frame rate can be mixed on your SD timeline in real time.

When the need arises, HDV clips can also be placed on your SD timeline. The RT.X2 cards will downscale them so you can mix 1080i at 29.97 fps material into an NTSC timeline or 1080i at 25 fps material into a PAL timeline in real time. With Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE, you can also mix MPEG-2 I-frame HD material on an SD timeline in real time.

Realtime editing using progressive formats

Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE provide realtime native editing of HDV and standard definition progressive formats that are popular with independent filmmakers. The supported formats are HDV 1080p, HDV 720p, SD 576p and SD 486p.

HDV 1080p clips can be mixed in realtime with SD material on a 576p or 486p timeline. As well, 576p or 486p SD material can be mixed in realtime with HD material on a HDV 1080p timeline.

Real-Time Flex CPU Effects

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms rely on the power of your CPU to perform a variety of realtime and accelerated effects.

The Matrox Flex CPU effects are also available in Adobe After Effects. If you have a timeline in Premiere Pro with any of the Matrox Flex CPU effects and you copy/paste the timeline into After Effects, the Matrox effects will remain intact. This is a huge time saver, given that these effects are realtime in Premiere Pro.

Realtime primary colour correction

Primary color correction is a critically important effect for all productions, whether to achieve continuity when cutting between shots, ensure broadcast safe levels, or establish and emphasize a “look”. The primary color corrector provides basic proc amp control; three-way color correction complete with master, shadows, midtones and highlights control; input/output level control; and RGB curves control.

Realtime proc amp controls

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you easily adjust four proc amp controls - hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast. Hue adjusts the tint of the colors in the image, saturation adjusts the vividness, contrast adjusts the difference in luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of the image, and brightness adjusts the level of black. You can also use these controls to create special effects, such as black and white, in real time.

Realtime colour match and colour balance

Colors can be corrected using nine parameters related to the black (shadow), midtone, and white (highlight) levels of your clips. You can easily match colors or balance blacks, whites, and grays against a reference shot in one simple step.

Realtime input/output level control

Using the histogram display and level controls, luminance levels can be remapped to maximize the dynamic range of a clip. For example, bright areas can be made brighter and dark areas can be made darker. Five parameters are available - black, white, and gamma levels on the input; and black and white levels on the output. Auto white and auto black controls are also provided.

Realtime RGB curves control

RGB curves control offers a fast, natural way to fine-tune the colors in your video. If, for example, you want to remove a blue tint from your video, you simply drag the blue curve down. With RGB curves you can also achieve wild color effects and other looks that are otherwise impossible.

Realtime secondary colour correction

The secondary color corrector is an advanced tool used for fine-tuning or dramatic effects creation. It offers all the controls found in the primary color correction filter with the added capability of limiting the effect to a specific range of pixels. Pixel selection can be done using color and/or brightness. Using the simple garbage matte tool, you can also limit the effect to a specific region. The pixel selection can also be inverted.

The secondary color corrector lets you achieve effects such as color pass and color replace. It can be used, for example, to change the color of a dress, deepen the background sky color, or to achieve an effect similar to the film Schindler’s List where only one object or person remains in color while the rest of the image becomes black and white.

Realtime chroma and luma keying

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms provide one of the finest realtime chroma keyers in the industry. Clean blue- and green-screen keys are easy to achieve, even with DV and HDV material shot in less than optimal lighting conditions. Your video is upsampled to 4:4:4:4 resolution and advanced noise reduction algorithms are used to ensure superior results. The auto key button intelligently adjusts the key with soft edges, spill removal, and shadow preservation. If needed, you can further refine the key with manual controls. You can key on any color, not just blue and green. You can also invert the selection and display the matte being generated to fine tune the key.

The realtime luma keyer gives you low clip, low gain, high clip, high gain, and transparency controls.

Other Effects & Transitions

Realtime speed changes

You can use speed changes to emphasize special moments, extend the duration of shots to match voiceover timing, or enhance the feeling of dramatic shots. You can apply smooth slow and fast motion with field or frame blending.

Realtime timecode

The RT.X2 platforms overwrite the Adobe Premiere Pro timecode filter so that it becomes realtime. The realtime time code effect lets you generate and overlay a time code counter on a video production. You can use it to make a dub of source tapes with time code "burn-in" then use these tapes to log scenes, create edit decision lists, or get client feedback on your finished production.

Realtime track matte

The realtime track matte effect lets you superimpose one clip onto another using an animated matte, sometimes called a traveling matte, to determine how the two clips are composited (keyed). You can use a grayscale video or graphics clip as your matte, or use a graphics clip or graphics sequence with an alpha channel as your matte. When using a grayscale clip as your matte, areas of black in the matte create transparent areas in your foreground clip, areas of white create opaque areas that prevent the underlying clip from showing through, and gray areas create semi-transparent areas in your foreground clip.

Realtime move & scale

This effect lets you apply multiple 2D DVEs simultaneously in real time to easily set up picture-in-picture effects. You can also use the move & scale effect to animate multiple titles in real time.

Realtime SD clip upscaling in an HD timeline

This effect is enabled by right-clicking on an SD clip in an HD timeline and selecting "scale to frame size". It provides realtime playback of SD clips upscaled to HD to let you mix NTSC material into a 1080i at 29.97 fps timeline or PAL material into a 1080i at 25 fps timeline. It also provides realtime playback of 576p or 486p SD clips upscaled to HD to mix into a 1080p timeline. (Does not apply to RT.X2 SD)

Native Adobe Premiere Pro effects

Some of Adobe Premiere Pro’s most popular native effects and transitions such as Opacity, Crop, Dip to Black, Black and White, Dissolve, and Additive Dissolve can be used in real time in SD. RT.X2 accelerates these effects and transitions in HD.

Realtime HD clip downscaling in an SD timeline

This effect is enabled by right-clicking on an HDV clip in an SD timeline and selecting “scale to frame size”. It provides realtime playback of HDV clips downscaled to SD to let you mix 1080i at 29.97 fps material into an NTSC timeline or 1080i at 25 fps material into a PAL timeline. On RT.X2, MPEG-2 I-frame HD clips can also be downscaled in an SD timeline. It also provides realtime playback of HDV 1080p clips downscaled to SD to mix into a 576p or 486p SD timeline. On RT.X2, MPEG-2 I-frame HD clips can also be downscaled in an SD timeline.

Realtime transitions

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms support standard dissolves, SMPTE wipes, and organic wipes with soft edges and color borders.

Real-Time Flex GPU Effects

Using the power of your system GPU, the Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you create a wide variety broadcast-quality 2D and 3D digital video effects.

Realtime Adobe Motion effect

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms overwrite the Adobe Premiere Pro fixed Motion effect (position, scale and rotation) so it becomes realtime.

Realtime advanced 2D/3D DVE

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms let you position your clips anywhere in 3D space while adding soft edges and rounded borders with color gradients in real time

Realtime shadow

Matrox Axio lets you project a realistic shadow from any source containing key information such as DVEs, titles, and keyed video. You can tint the shadow and position, scale, and rotate it to match the angle of the surface on which it is cast. Applying blur to the shadow can simulate the realistic look of diffused light being projected on the source..

Realtime blur/glow/soft focus

The blur/glow/soft focus effect lets you simulate camera defocus and create unique effects in real time.

Realtime page curl

Page curls are true 3D with full-motion video on the reverse side and realistic highlights. Page curls on graphics let you create great looking text effects. You control the position, rotation, scaling, and zooming of page curls in 3D space. You also have control over the softness of the edges.

Realtime surface finish

The surface finish effect gives metal, brick, wood, or granite textures to your video clips and titles with color spot lighting.

Realtime pan & scan

The realtime pan and scan filter lets you easily convert footage from any aspect ratio to any other. Tracking on-screen action to make accurate judgments is easy because you see the entire source clip and the section of it that will become the final result. For example, DV 16:9 footage is always captured anamorphically and therefore appears vertically stretched when viewed on a 4:3 monitor. To restore the proper aspect ratio, the realtime pan & scan filter lets you letterbox or pan & scan your footage, or use a combination.

Realtime mask

The mask effect lets you choose from dozens of soft-edged cutout shapes for your video clips. You can also create your own masks to meet your specific needs..

Realtime mask blur

The realtime mask blur effect lets you create a "region of interest" by adding a mask and applying blurring to it. You can either create your own custom made mask, or select one of the many pre-created masks included with the effect

Realtime mask mosaic

The realtime mask mosaic effect lets you create a "region of interest" by adding a mask and applying a mosaic effect to it. You can either create your own custom made mask, or select one of the many pre-created masks included with the effect.

Realtime Adobe garbage masks

The RT.X2 platforms overwrite the Adobe Premiere Pro 4-, 8-, and 16-point garbage mask effects so they become realtime in both HD and SD. A garbage mask is often used when compositing multiple layers. For example, when applying a key, it is often desirable to apply a garbage mask so that you can crop unwanted objects from the background.

Realtime four-corner pin

The realtime four-corner pin effect lets you anchor each corner of a video or graphics clip onto points in another clip, even if the underlying clip is angled or skewed. This effect is useful if you want to overlay a video clip onto an underlying clip of a television screen, for example.

Realtime crystallize

The crystallize effect lets you choose from many different patterns to make your image or text appear as if it is made of crystals.

Realtime lens flare

The lens flare effect lets you simulate the light refractions caused by shining a bright light into the lens of a camera when taking a photo. You can choose from many different lens flare patterns.

Realtime old movie effect

The old movie effect lets you create an old film look on your clips by adding scratches, flicker, jitter, and grain.

Realtime Accelerated shine

Shine is the shimmering light ray effect often seen on TV and film titles. There's no need to buy an expensive plug-in to get this look.

Realtime twirl

The twirl effect lets you create patterns that twist and rotate your video and graphics clips into spirals, coils, or whirlpools.

Realtime impressionist effect

The impressionist effect lets you choose from many different patterns that give your image the look of an Impressionist painting.

Realtime ripple

The ripple effect lets you create 3D patterns that simulate a flag waving, ripples in a pond, or a dream sequence.

Realtime sphere

The realtime sphere effect lets you morph your video into spheres with shadow and highlight. The degree of morphing, the radius of the sphere, and the location of your light source are all keyframeable.

Accelerated cube

The cube effect lets you map three different video, graphics, or solid colors to the faces of 3D cubes and slabs, then rotate them in 3D space (requires GPU with 512 MB).

Native Adobe Premiere Pro transitions

Most Adobe Premiere Pro native transition effects can be used in real time on Matrox RT.X2. The effects you've been accustomed to rendering in Premiere Pro can now be played back in real time in SD. They are accelerated in HD.