I need a Multi-Channel playback system and/or what is SDI?

[dix]

I'm looking to create a multi-channel playback system for a sound installation for a museum that's rock solid and idiot proof. Someone suggested repurposing a SDI video player/recorder such as this:

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/product ... techspecs/

It says it can output 16 channels via SDI. My question is, what the heck do I do with an SDI output? Is there a way to create 16 analog outs from an encoded SDI pipe? I've searched high and low for a decoder that would allow that, but I don't see any. Is there something I'm not understanding about SDI? …i'm not a video guy at all as you probably can tell. i'm hoping someone who frequents this forum can fill me in.

Thanks!

[MIDI Life Crisis]

How many channels do you actually need? Another option is to create a 5.1 or even a 7.1 Music DVD.

[dix]

How many channels do you actually need? Another option is to create a 5.1 or even a 7.1 Music DVD.

Thanks! 12 channels minimum for this project so DVD won't work. Plus, the outputs'd need be balanced. ...I have other projects that might make sense for DVD playback though. Is there an easy way to make audio DVDs for multichannel playback? I'll do some research, but if you have a quick answer MLC, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I think you can master them in Compressor (Apple). I'll have to check once my drive retooling is in order.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

And of course you master them in DP... ☺ I've created 5.1 production DVDs and now I recall I did use Compressor. If I can do it, it can't be all that complicated.

[dix]

I may be getting it wrong, but I think the SDI player can simply play back Quicktime files that have multiple audio tracks. …that could just be wishful thinking on my part.

[stephentayler]

You should take a look at the JoeCo Black Box Player

http://www.joeco.co.uk/main/BBP_introduction.html

It seems ideally suited to this kind of installation. There seem to be models available with analog or digital outs.

I know people who have used the Recorder versions very successfully for recording live shows.

No idea about the cost though!!

Cheers

Stephen

[dix]

Wow. That thing is indeed exactly what I need, but at $3000+ it won't be what I'll be using for this project . Maybe MOTU will make one for, say $800 one day.

Thanks!

[MIDI Life Crisis]

The trick is to build it into you proposal. It might even be worth talking to your client or approach the mfg for a loan in return for free PR. I had ensoniq do that back in 1989 and they loaned me 2 samplers and let me keep one. You never know.

[dix]

Good suggestion. The project is reaching out to other companies for donations etc. I'll put this on the list. You never know.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I only require 20%.

[dix]

D'oh, I just realized I can probably just do this with a laptop, Quicktime and an 828mk3 or similar.

The original project has retreated to a simpler 8 channel installation. I was looking into authoring a 7.1 DVD (aka 8-channel) that would loop, but then I noticed that when I had my 828 plugged in that a lot more output options appear in Audio Assignments in Quicktime. I can simply create an 8 channel Quicktime and assign each channel to, what's called, a "Discreet Out" in QT.

This seems way simpler than dealing with SDI or DVD playback and nearly idiot-proof. All the so-called idiot would need to do each day is turn on the computer and the 828 and hit Go. It seems like this could be solid for a few months. Can anyone see why this strategy wouldn't work in a museum installation?

Thanks!