Product Overview The Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo 2 is a four-channel SD/HD/3G-SDI capture and playback card with four independently configurable BNC interfaces. Because each SDI connection can be set as an input or an output, one card can serve as a multi-channel capture system, a media play-out or digital-signage server, a live keyer, or any combination. A reference input keeps it locked to other studio equipment, making this PCIe SDI I/O card a flexible foundation for professional video workflows. Product Description The DeckLink Duo 2 provides four bi-directional SD/HD/3G-SDI BNC connectors on a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface, each independently switchable between capture and playback so the card adapts to the task at hand — real-time multi-channel capture, multi-screen play-out, or live keying. It supports 8/10/12-bit 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 (RGB/YUV) up to 1080p60, with 1080p 4:4:4 over single-link 3G-SDI and 16 channels of embedded SDI audio. Hardware real-time color-space conversion plus built-in up, down, and cross conversion let you adapt formats on input and output (letterbox/anamorphic/center-cut on down-conversion; pillarbox/zoom options on up-conversion; 720↔1080 cross-conversion on playback). A blackburst/tri-level sync reference input supports genlocked operation. As a PCIe SDI capture and playback card it is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, and integrates with DaVinci Resolve, Fusion, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Composer, and more, with support for real-time effects in major NLEs. Key Features Four bi-directional 3G-SDI — Each BNC independently set as capture or playback. Flexible roles — Multi-channel capture, play-out/digital-signage server, or live keyer. Up to 1080p60 — 8/10/12-bit 4:4:4 / 4:2:2; 1080p 4:4:4 over single-link 3G-SDI. 16-channel embedded audio — Per SDI connection. Up/down/cross conversion — Hardware and software conversion on input and output. Reference input — Blackburst/tri-level sync for studio lock. Real-time NLE effects — Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro Mercury, and Media Composer effects. Cross-platform — macOS, Windows, and Linux compatible. Typical Applications Broadcast studio — Multi-channel SDI capture and playout from one workstation. Commercial meeting space — Digital-signage play-out server feeding multiple SDI displays. Multi-purpose room — Flexible capture or playback for varied event setups. Technical Specifications Model BDLKDUO2 System Connection PCIe 2.0 x4 Connectors 4× BNC SD/HD/3G-SDI, bidirectional Reference 1× BNC blackburst / tri-level sync Max Format 1080p60; 1080p 4:4:4 single-link 3G-SDI Color 8/10/12-bit 4:4:4 / 4:2:2 (RGB, YUV) Embedded Audio 16-channel SDI Conversion Up / down / cross (hardware + software) Standards SMPTE 259M/292M/296M/372M/425M; ITU-R BT.601/656 OS Compatibility Windows 8.1/10+, macOS 10.14+, Linux Power 10 W Dimensions 3.7" / 9.4 cm Frequently Asked Questions Can the connectors be inputs or outputs?Yes. All four SDI BNCs are independently configurable as capture or playback, in any combination. What's the maximum format?Up to 1080p60, including 1080p 4:4:4 over single-link 3G-SDI, in 8/10/12-bit. Does it convert between formats?Yes — built-in up, down, and cross conversion with selectable aspect-ratio handling on input and output. Which OSes and software are supported?macOS, Windows, and Linux, with Resolve, Fusion, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Media Composer among supported applications.
