Matrox MXO

Matrox MXO
Matrox MXO is a versatile, all-in-one monitoring, output, and scan conversion device for the Mac that you’ll use in many different ways. Because it’s small and portable, it makes your laptop a mobile editor. And because it’s hot swappable, you can easily move it to any workstation in your facility.
 
Matrox MXO is ideal for:
Inexpensive HD monitoring
Frame-accurate, broadcast-quality HD/SD output
Genlockable HD/SD scan conversion for flicker-free video output of your computer desktop
 
How does Matrox MXO work?
When Matrox MXO is used with QuickTime-based applications that support the V-out component including Final Cut Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, and Adobe After Effects, it operates in “Mastering Mode”. Matrox MXO patent-pending technology uses the DVI port on your Mac computer in a unique way to provide frame-accurate audio/video output for insert editing and print-to-tape with guaranteed a/v sync. Normally when previewing video from a QuickTime application, the native YCbCr video (sometimes inaccurately called "YUV" video) is converted to the RGB color space for output over the DVI connection. The frame rate of the RGB video does not match the standard for broadcast video. For example, it may be 75 Hz rather than the 59.94 Hz standard for NTSC. The frame sequence, therefore, inevitably includes dropped and/or repeat frames. Matrox MXO, on the other hand, takes the YCbCr video from the QuickTime application and sends it directly out over the DVI connection with time-stamping information that allows the MXO box to reconstruct the frame sequence at the broadcast standard frame rate. It also sends eight digital audio tracks that are then embedded in the SDI signal in perfect sync with the video.
 
Inexpensive HD monitoring
Matrox MXO turns your Apple Cinema Display or other DVI monitor into an artifact-free, true-color video display you can trust, even for color grading. It’s packed with features that make it the ideal monitoring solution for Final Cut Pro, Apple Color, Adobe After Effects, and other QuickTime-based applications. You won’t need to buy expensive HD monitoring equipment or the SDI-to-DVI converter required for preview with some I/O cards. In addition, MXO’s realtime downscaling feature also lets you view your HD projects on an SD monitor.
 
Interlacing artifact elimination
When scaling your video to full-screen to match the resolution of your display, MXO uses a special interpolation technique rather than simple line doubling to provide the best possible viewing experience without “jaggy” aliasing artifacts. If you preview interlaced video on your computer display, you’ve no doubt noticed tearing due to interlacing artifacts in the displayed image. The progressive display inherent in computer monitors is ideal for graphics, but when it comes to displaying interlaced video you see those annoying artifacts. Matrox MXO solves this problem, letting you enjoy artifact-free previews.
 
DVI monitor calibration
Matrox MXO lets you adjust and control your DVI monitor exactly like you would a broadcast HD/SD monitor. Controls for hue, chroma, contrast, brightness, and blue-only are provided. This unique control gives you completely accurate color representation so that you can use your ACD or DVI monitor even for color grading.
 
Super black and super white monitoring on the DVI display
Matrox MXO provides super black and super white monitoring, expanding your viewable color range.
 
Pixel-to-pixel mapping on the DVI display
Matrox MXO provides user-selectable 1:1 pixel mapping, providing accurate monitoring on your DVI display in the following resolutions:
 
720x486 (NTSC)      720x576 (PAL)      1920x1080       1280x720
 
Monitor HD projects on your SD monitor
Matrox MXO provides realtime HD to SD downscaling so that you can use your SD monitor to preview and/or record an SD master of your HD project in real time. MXO provides proper conversion of the HD color space to the SD color space and proper aspect ratio conversion to anamorphic, letterbox, and center cut. The scaling is done in hardware, placing no burden on the CPU and GPU, so you have more processing power available for your application.
 
Frame accurate output
Matrox MXO provides frame accurate output for all QuickTime-based applications that support the V-out component including Final Cut Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, and Adobe After Effects. It features genlockable HD/SD SDI with up to 8 channels of embedded audio, HD/SD analog component, Y/C, and composite outputs, and stereo audio monitoring. Genlock timing offset controls can be used to align your video output relative to your external genlock source to compensate for cable delays within your facility. Simultaneous SDI and analog outputs in HD or SD let you view your project on a broadcast video monitor and record to tape at the same time. A third-party RS-422 adapter is required for deck control.
 
Genlockable HD/SD scan conversion for flicker-free video output of your computer desktop
Matrox MXO is a high-quality scan converter that is genlockable, with timing offset controls. In "Presentation Mode", it mirrors the contents of your secondary desktop and displays it as high quality SDI and analog video simultaneously. This mode can be used, for example, to record, display, or broadcast Keynote and PowerPoint presentations or web browser sessions such as Google Earth. It can also be used to create software application training. A flicker reduction filter ensures solid, stable video output. The system’s audio playback will be routed to the analog audio outputs and to all stereo pairs in the embedded SDI signal.

One-to-one pixel mapping is provided in HD for optimal desktop recording. In SD, MXO lets you map from 640x480 to 720x486 (NTSC) and 800x600 to 720x576 (PAL).
 
Avid Media Composer 3.0 support
Matrox MXO gives Avid editors a very low-cost HD monitoring solution. In Presentation Mode you simply connect the HD component or SDI output of the MXO to an HD monitor. You also have the flexibility to print preview copies of your project to tape simultaneously.
 
Region of interest
MXO also lets you select a region of interest of any size within a larger resolution and have that window output for broadcast or recording. Presets for NTSC, PAL, 720p, and 1080i/PsF are provided.

"Virtual bezel" on the DVI display
Matrox MXO lets you select a pre-defined resolution to mimic the monitor bezel found on all TVs. For example, this feature can be used to simulate a safe title area so you can check title placement on your DVI monitor. You can create your own bezel or select from the following resolutions:
 
720x486 (NTSC)      720x576 (PAL)      1920x1080      1280x720