Using Spectra with Blackmagic Hardware Input

Streambox Spectra can accept input from supported Blackmagic hardware devices, particularly those in the Decklink (which connect via PCIe) and Ultrastudio (which connect via Thunderbolt 3/USB-C) hardware lines. Using this method, Spectra can accept input via SDI or HDMI from a variety of sources such as cameras, video mixers, digital recorders, or computers running any video playing or editing platform.

Click here for a list of supported Blackmagic hardware devices.

Basic Hardware Input Workflow:

In this workflow, a computer running Streambox Spectra is connected to a supported Blackmagic hardware input device, and a supported input signal is connected from an outside source, such as a DVR, a camera, a video mixer, and so on.

To use Streambox Spectra with Blackmagic Hardware Input, follow the procedure below:

  1. Begin by obtaining a Spectra Blackmagic license. This license will unlock the ability for Spectra to accept Blackmagic Hardware Input. Check the Features page, accessible via the System tab, to be sure that the Blackmagic license is enabled.
  2. Close Spectra and connect any disconnected Blackmagic Hardware.
  3. Open Blackmagic Media Express, and select the "Log and Capture" tab. If your video source is displayed, then that confirms that Blackmagic video input is working. Once confirmed, close Media Express.
  4. Open Streambox Spectra. Go to the Source Tab.
    1. In the Capture Driver menu, select Blackmagic
    2. In the Capture Device menu, select the specific input on the Blackmagic input device.
      1. NOTE: If multiple inputs are found on the hardware, it may be necessary to try several choices if they have the same name in the list.
    3. In the Capture Input menu, select AUTO.
    4. Apply the settings. Go to the Info tab and confirm that video appears in the Preview area. (Make sure the Preview is not set to Off.)
  5. Enter your desired Streaming settings and start your stream.

Loopback Workflow:

It most cases, Spectra may run on the same machine as the video editing application, but it may require a second hardware output device (Blackmagic or not) to carry the output from the editor app out of the workstation, through a short cable, and loop back into the Blackmagic hardware device being used by Spectra.

Why do this? In some instances (and particularly with DaVinci Resolve) a plugin may not capture some desired output feature due to how the plugin is built. With DaVinci Resolve, the plug captures only the Resolve timeline, so it will miss anything not visible to the timeline, such as blanking frames or some transitions. (This is not a complete list.)

NOTE: In some cases, but not all, if the Blackmagic hardware device is able to simultaneously use its inputs and outputs, it may be possible send output and receive input using the same device. A loop of cable is still required. This workflow is known to work when the Editing app is Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve and the hardware is either the Ultrastudio 4K Mini, 4K Ultrastudio 4K, or Ultrastudio 4K Extreme. Some editing platforms will prevent Spectra from using the Blackmagic hardware at the same time as the Editing app, so separate output and input hardware are required.

To use Streambox Spectra with Blackmagic Hardware Input, follow the procedure below:

  1. Begin by obtaining a Spectra Blackmagic license. This license will unlock the ability for Spectra to accept Blackmagic Hardware Input. Check the Features page, accessible via the System tab, to be sure that the Blackmagic license is enabled.
  2. Close Spectra and connect any disconnected Blackmagic Hardware.
  3. If you are using Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, or Adobe Premiere, disable any settings that you may have set to use the Spectra plugin for those applications:
    1. Avid Media Composer: Unselect Streambox Spectra from the HW/SW switch.
    2. DaVinci Resolve: Delete the Spectra node from your color timeline.
    3. Adobe Premiere: Go to the Preferences, Playback section, and unselect Streambox Spectra from both Video Device and Audio Device.
  4. Follow your editor's for connecting hardware output for SDI or HDMI. Connect an appropriate cable to the hardware output you will be using.
  5. Loop the cable back and connect it to the input of the Blackmagic hardware device you will be using.
  6. Open Blackmagic Media Express, and select the "Log and Capture" tab. If your video source is displayed, then that confirms that Blackmagic video input is working. Once confirmed, close Media Express.
  7. Open Streambox Spectra. Go to the Source Tab.
    1. In the Capture Driver menu, select Blackmagic
    2. In the Capture Device menu, select the specific input on the Blackmagic input device.
      1. NOTE: If multiple inputs are found on the hardware, it may be necessary to try several choices if they have the same name in the list.
    3. In the Capture Input menu, select AUTO.
    4. Apply the settings. Go to the Info tab and confirm that video appears in the Preview area. (Make sure the Preview is not set to Off.)
  8. Enter your desired Streaming settings and start your stream.