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matrox axio

The Matrox Axio family of HD and SD platforms provides a complete post-production solution that lets you get the best from the Adobe CS3 Production Premium software. The Axio platforms are designed to give you the most comprehensive realtime feature set, the highest quality native codec technology, and complete file-based workflows – totally integrated with the Adobe software.

There are three Matrox Axio platforms to choose from, Matrox Axio HD, Matrox Axio SD, and Matrox Axio LE. All offer ultra high performance editing in HD and SD formats. They differ only in terms of the editing codecs supported, the method of performing Matrox Flex GPU effects, and the audio and video inputs and outputs provided on the breakout boxes.

 

Much more than software alone

Matrox Axio goes far beyond the capabilities of systems that combine Premiere Pro with a simple I/O card. The additional benefits you get with the Axio platforms include:

 

Key features

 

matro axio le

Realtime HD and SD editing for broadcast and post

 

Matrox Axio LE

 

 

Realtime HD and SD editing with HD I/O for broadcast and post

 

Matrox Axio SD

 

 

Realtime HD and SD editing with SD I/O for broadcast and post

Product Selection

 

Most powerful realtime engine for HD and SD editing

The Matrox Axio platforms let you work at the highest finishing quality with the most realtime video/graphic layers and the most comprehensive realtime tool set of any platform in their class.

Matrox Axio is 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, Matrox Axio leverages CPU and GPU power to provide a tightly integrated, ultra high performance SD and HD editing environment for Adobe Premiere Pro.

Highest quality realtime effects

Matrox has invested heavily to develop the expertise in code optimization for both AMD and Intel processors that enables us to deliver the most powerful realtime effects at the highest quality. Matrox Axio 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/graphic layers

Many editing systems compromise quality or effects refinement and complexity to increase the number of layers, whereas Matrox Axio always delivers maximum realtime quality. Timelines with more layers and/or effects than can be processed in realtime can still benefit from hardware-accelerated previews. Matrox Axio will 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, the GPU that is performing the effects processing, and 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 validated computers, motherboards, and GPUs are posted in the support section of the Matrox website.

Most comprehensive realtime tool set

The combination of realtime Matrox Flex CPU effects and realtime Matrox Flex GPU effects gives you all the realtime features you need to finish your projects in record time.

Realtime Flex CPU effects

Advanced realtime editing workflow

Matrox Axio supports traditional offline-online tape-based workflows and the new tapeless workflows, as well as a mix of both. There is no need to choose one or the other – you have complete flexibility to work with whatever formats your clients throw at you. Matrox Axio offers a full range of performance- and quality-optimized codecs that are critical for efficient collaborative workflow. Axio’s versatile architecture and native codec support let you mix the full range of video formats on your timeline without time-consuming and quality-compromising transcoding.

You can mix all file formats and all codecs on your timeline in real time. In many cases you can also mix resolutions in real time. Mixing interlaced formats with progressive formats will require rendering of the clips that do not match the timeline format. Clips within a timeline that do not have the same frame rate as the timeline format will also require rendering.

This versatility simplifies integration with various broadcast equipment and eases file management, as there is no need to maintain multiple versions of your clips. You simply capture your footage using the appropriate codec for your source material and then combine clips in their native formats as needed.

Please click here for the full list of supported video resolutions, frame rates, and codecs.

Matrox Axio also completes a PC-based workflow for customers seeking end-to-end solutions using MXF file formats with Omneon MediaDeck and Spectrum media servers, and MediaGrid active storage systems.

Tape-based HD workflows
Tapeless workflows
Collaborative workflow using centralized storage
Support for Omneon media servers via native MXF file transfers

Tape-based HD workflows

Matrox Axio provides the full range of analog and digital inputs to let you work with tape-based source material. Please click here for the full list of supported I/Os.

Tapeless workflows

matrox axio

The new "tapeless workflows" offered by Panasonic P2 and Sony XDCAM and XDCAM HD are truly revolutionary. They simplify acquisition, transport, archiving, asset management, etc. At the heart of these tapeless workflows is MXF. MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a standardized (by SMPTE) file exchange format that assures interoperability among devices and systems. P2 and XDCAM use .mxf files rather than .mov, .avi, or .mpg files, for example. MXF provides a common way of packaging video and audio along with metadata so that information about the content is maintained as it flows through the production process.

Matrox Axio natively supports the MXF file format in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. This allows Axio users to use MXF files – created by their Panasonic P2, Sony XDCAM, or Sony XDCAM HD cameras – directly in these applications without having to convert the files to the traditional AVI file format.

Matrox Axio also includes the unique Matrox EZ-MXF utility to let you use your native MXF files in animation, compositing, and motion graphics applications that support Video for Windows AVI files.

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

For more information about Matrox EZ-MXF click here.

For more information about tapeless workflow with Matrox Axio and Panasonic P2 click here.

For more information about tapeless workflow with Matrox Axio and Sony XDCAM and XDCAM HD click here.

Collaborative workflow using centralized storage

Realtime nonlinear editing gives you the creative freedom to experiment and make changes to your projects on the fly. In facilities where multiple artists collaborate on common projects, the next level of productivity gain comes from true file sharing using centralized storage. Where tasks are sub-divided, with everyone working from their own computer and storage; special effects scenes, graphics, sound tracks, and animations are transferred back and forth between editing stations and the other creation stations. All these file transfers cause delays, interfere with creativity, lead to versioning errors, and make back-ups more difficult.

Matrox Axio takes advantage of recent advances in compression, data storage, and high-speed networking technologies to enable realtime editing of HD projects across your entire facility. Media files reside on central storage and are accessed using a high-speed network so the most recent changes are immediately available to everyone working on a project. Access rights can be managed to prevent accidental or unauthorized modification or deletion of files.

The optional Matrox M.Key/100 USB device lets you implement this workflow even in compressed HD. It unlocks the Matrox MPEG-2 I-frame HD, DVCPROHD, HDV, and 32-bit VFW codecs on systems without Matrox editing cards, so any system can use these AVI files captured on Matrox Axio and create these AVI files for use on Matrox Axio. This flexibility lets you use any machine to do a rough cut, then copy the project and assets to an Axio system to finish the job. There is no need for time consuming recapturing. In addition, digital content creators can use VFW applications such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Combustion and 3ds Max, eyeon Fusion, and NewTek LightWave 3D to render finished elements that will playback in real time on an Axio system. By using compressed HD, bandwidth and space pressures on the storage system are minimized.

Support for Omneon media servers via native MXF file transfers

Support for Omneon media servers via native MXF file transfers Matrox Axio completes a PC-based workflow for customers seeking end-to-end solutions using MXF file formats with Omneon MediaDeck and Spectrum media servers, and MediaGrid active storage systems. Using Matrox Axio and Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, you can edit files natively from Omneon Spectrum or MediaGrid servers. After editing, the resulting MXF OP1a (IBP and I-frame) and XDCAM HD/SD files can be sent back to the Omneon MediaDeck or Spectrum media servers for playout. This workflow provides a huge productivity advantage over other methods involving conversion or transcoding before and after editing.

Supported formats include:

Advanced productivity features

Matrox Axio offers many productivity features that streamline your workflow.

Editing HD material on Matrox Axio SD
Downscaling HD projects for SD delivery
Panasonic VariCam support
WYSIWYG for compositing and graphics applications
WYSIWYG video output for Adobe Bridge and Windows Media Player
Efficient management of AVI and MXF files
Support for 32-bit AVI with alpha
Matrox EZ-MXF utility
Matrox M.Key/100
Voiceover recording in the timeline
Realtime mixed-format multi-cam
Closed captioning support in NTSC
Cross-platform compatibility

Editing HD material on Matrox Axio SD

The ability to edit HD material on an Axio SD system makes the collaborative workflow even more flexible and affordable. Projects can be shared seamlessly between systems – projects created on Axio HD can be opened on Axio SD and vice versa. The high quality downscaling also lets you save on the cost of HD monitors. Your SD broadcast monitors can be used to monitor your HD edits.

Downscaling HD projects for SD delivery

Matrox Axio features broadcast-quality NTSC and PAL output of downscaled HD projects with proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space. You can print your HD edit to SD tape in real time. On Axio LE, HD and SD outputs are simultaneous.

Panasonic VariCam support

Axio supports Panasonic VariCam 24p and 25p workflows. When capturing a VariCam tape, Axio will detect the real 24 or 25 frames (from the transmitted 60) and create a 23.98 or 25 fps file for editing. Axio supports detection over 1394 in a 720p at 23.98 or 25 fps project. The VariCam feature on a P2 camera works similarly to the VariCam feature on tape. 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. Axio lets you play those MXF files in a 23.98 or 25 timeline without any additional processing. Axio 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. Axio also supports realtime playback of those "pN" files.

Note: When capturing from a VariCam source using Matrox Axio, only video can be captured. However, you can add a voiceover or separate audio clips to your VariCam clips on the timeline. Axio supports playback of both video and audio in MXF files that you’ve recorded on your Panasonic VariCam camera.

WYSIWYG for compositing and graphics applications

Matrox Axio includes a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) video output plug-in for Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop that lets you see your work directly on a broadcast video monitor. The Adobe Dynamic Link feature is supported so you can work in After Effects, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro simultaneously and Alt-Tab between the applications. The video output will change to show the output of the active application.

The WYSIWYG plug-in also supports Autodesk Combustion and 3ds Max, eyeon Fusion, and NewTek LightWave 3D. This feature lets you ensure proper 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio in NTSC or PAL, and check for exact color temperature, safe-title area, and any interlace artifacts that may be present in your images. You can also view the alpha channel of your output on the video monitor to check for defects.

WYSIWYG video output for Adobe Bridge and Windows Media Player

You get instant output of video files such as MPEG, DivX, and AVI on your broadcast monitor using Adobe Bridge, Windows Media Player or other DirectShow-based applications. You can use this feature to show different versions of your work to clients on a broadcast monitor without having to open Adobe Premiere Pro. You simply double click on the file in Windows Explorer.

Efficient management of AVI and MXF files

Matrox Axio 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 be 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.

Support for 32-bit AVI with alpha

Axio includes 32-bit uncompressed and MPEG-2 I-frame VFW codecs that you can use to render your animations or other compositions containing alpha. The 32-bit AVI files will playback in real time on an Axio system. This support enables many workflow possibilities. For example, an editor creating broadcast graphics in After Effects or using a stock animation package such as Digital Juice or Artbeats can export one 32-bit file instead of rendering out two separate AVI + MATTE files. Having only one file simplifies management and makes it easy to include the composition in the final edit.

The optional Matrox M.Key/100 USB device unlocks the 32-bit Matrox MPEG-2 I-frame VFW codecs on systems without Matrox editing cards.

Matrox EZ-MXF utility

Matrox Axio includes the unique Matrox EZ-MXF utility to let you use native MXF files in animation, compositing, and motion graphics applications that support Video for Windows (AVI) files.

For more information about Matrox EZ-MXF click here.

Matrox M.Key/100

Matrox M.Key

The optional Matrox M.Key/100 USB device unlocks the Matrox MPEG-2 I-frame HD, DVCPRO HD, HDV, and 32-bit VFW codecs on systems without Matrox editing cards.

With Matrox M.Key/100 attached, any system can use these AVI files captured on Matrox Axio and create these AVI files for use on Matrox Axio. This flexibility lets you use any machine to do a rough cut, then copy the project and assets to an Axio system to finish the job. There is no need for time consuming recapturing. In addition, Matrox M.Key/100 lets dedicated compositing or animation workstations render finished elements that will playback in real time on an Axio system. Popular VFW digital content creation applications include Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Combustion and 3ds Max, eyeon Fusion, and NewTek LightWave 3D.

Voiceover recording in the timeline

Asio

The voiceover feature of Premiere Pro is supported to let you record audio directly in the timeline. It is based on ASIO driver technology, which provides low latency. ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

Realtime mixed-format multi-cam

Matrox Axio supports the multi-cam feature of Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 and goes further to let you view four cameras simultaneously in real time, even in HD, even if the formats are mixed, provided your Axio system has the proper storage and system speed. For example, in a multi-cam sequence you could use one DV stream, one HDV stream, one DVCPRO HD stream, and one uncompressed stream and switch among them in real time.

Closed captioning support in NTSC

Your Axio system can be used to edit NTSC video clips that contain closed captioning information on line 21 of active video. You save time, because there is no need to re-create closed captioning information when you deliver your project.

Captioning information is maintained when capturing uncompressed video. It is also maintained when acquiring DV, DVCPRO, and DV50 material over 1394. When capturing to DV using Axio’s analog and SDI inputs, it is encoded in the DV stream according to the blue book specification. When capturing to Axio’s MPEG-2 I-frame codec, the captioning information is encoded into the MPEG stream according to the ATSC standard.

You can see the closed captioning on your broadcast monitor as you play and scrub the timeline to accurately make your edit decisions. You can even apply some effects such as color correction and fades while maintaining the closed captioning information. Other effects such as cross dissolves and 3D DVEs, however, do affect the closed captioning information so care must be taken when applying effects.

Because Axio maintains the captioning information according to the blue book and ATSC specifications, playout servers that support these specifications, such as the Grass Valley iVDR, can be used to playout Axio files.

Cross-platform compatibility

If your post-production process involves the use of different offline and/or online suites, you can depend on Adobe Premiere Pro for industry-standard EDL input and output, as well as more advanced exchange formats such as AAF.

All files and projects created on Axio HD, Axio SD, and Axio LE are compatible with all Matrox Axio platforms.

Matrox RT.X2 files and projects are compatible with Matrox Axio.

Multi-format support from DV to 10-bit uncompressed HD

In an increasingly complex post-production environment, editors need to be able to work in various video formats. All Matrox Axio platforms support a full range of SD and HD editing resolutions, frame rates and industry-standard codecs for compatibility with broadcast and professional equipment.

Matrox's industry-leading expertise in codec development has been fully exploited in the Matrox Axio platforms to provide the most highly optimized quality.

Standard definition (SD) resolutions and codecs
High definition (HD) resolutions and codecs
Flexible AVI and WAV file formats
Legacy support for Matrox DigiSuite and RT.X100
Accelerated export to DVD, all multimedia formats, and Adobe Clip Notes

 

Standard definition (SD) resolutions and codecs

SD resolutions and frame rates

SD codecs

High definition (HD) resolutions and codecs

HD resolutions and frame rates

HD codecs

Flexible AVI and WAV file formats

Matrox Axio captures video in Windows-standard AVI and WAV files for complete compatibility with other multimedia applications. Interleaved audio is the industry standard and allows for maximum compatibility with applications that expect the audio to be contained within the AVI file. File management is simplified because there is only one file to keep track of. However, integration with audio workstations and DVD authoring is simplified by using separate WAV audio files. Matrox Axio supports up to eight channels of audio where the first stereo pair is interleaved and the other channels are always separate WAV files.

Matrox Axio provides maximum flexibility by allowing AVI files to be mixed in real time with MPEG (Adobe native HDV), M2T (FireStore), and MXF files.

Legacy support for Matrox DigiSuite and RT.X100

Matrox Axio supports playback of legacy Matrox DigiSuite and RT.X100 AVI files within the editing environment. This allows you to reuse archived footage, network existing platforms with new Matrox Axio workstations, and maintain compatibility with the thousands of broadcast facilities that continue to use Matrox products daily.

Accelerated export to DVD, all multimedia formats, and Adobe Clip Notes

Matrox Axio significantly accelerates exports to all the formats included in Adobe Premiere Pro. Adobe Premiere Pro export formats include:

Transcode settings
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Full range of analog and digital
audio and video I/O support

Matrox Axio supports a complete set of industry standard audio and video inputs and outputs via breakout boxes for maximum quality, flexibility, and ease of connection. Matrox Axio breakout boxes can be rack mounted or used on the desktop.

Matrox Axio can genlock to any type of video input. Alternatively, Matrox Axio can genlock to house sync along with other SD or HD equipment through bi-level and tri-level sync so it can easily be timed into your facility's switcher or remote production truck.

Genlock
Click on image for a closer look (28 KB)

When capturing video, you see the footage that is going onto your hard drive on your console display and your broadcast monitor, even in HDV. VU meters are provided to monitor audio levels when capturing video.

VU meter
Click on image for a closer look (97 KB)

Matrox Axio supports standard RS-422 and FireWire device control protocols with frame accurate capture and print-to-tape.There is no need to purchase third-party device control software for use with Adobe Premiere Pro.

All Matrox Axio platforms provide a full complement of audio I/Os, perfectly synched with video. All audio inputs and outputs support up to 24-bit sampling to ensure very high quality and superior dynamic range during capture, mixing, and output.

Audio monitoring
Click on image for a closer look (32 KB)

Axio LE breakout box

Axio LE breakout box

Axio HD breakout box

Axio HD breakout box

Axio SD breakout box

Axio SD breaktout box