The Intensity is an extremely useful device for those producing HD content. Seeing the output of your project in final HD form on a monitor is invaluable. While it's not quite as practical for capturing as FireWire, the option to take in the highest-quality uncompressed video is there if you need it. At just $249, Intensity could become an essential part of your HD arsenal.

Platform: PC and Mac
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Mac OSX 10.4 or higher
RAM: At least 2GB recommended for SD and HD (4GB for HD on Mac)
PCI Express Slot: x1 lane or greater PCIe
Connectors: HDMI In, HDMI Out
HDMI Audio in/Out: 2 channels
HD Format Support: 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 720p50, 720p59.94
SD Format Support: 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC
HDMI Video Sampling: 4:2:2
HDMI Color Precision: 4:2:2
HDMI Color Space YUV: 4:2:2
HDMI Audio Sampling: 48kHz, 24-bit
Real-time Processing: Mac OSX only HD down conversion, HD cross conversion
Real-time Effects: Final Cut Pro internal effects, Adobe Premiere Pro 2 internal effects in DV, MJPEG and uncompressed edit modes (system dependent)

• Easy install
• Relatively inexpensive
• Some real time processing

• Demands high performance systems

The inexpensive Intensity fills the gap for a much-needed device to interface your computer with HDTVs and camcorders touting the HDMI interface.

John Burkhart is Videomaker:'s Editor-in-Chief.

$250
Blackmagic Design
1551 McCarthy Blvd., Ste. 106
Milpitas, CA 95035