February 12, 2012

Preview: Two Thunderbolt Video Input and Output Devices from Blackmagic Design: Intensity Shuttle and Intensity Extreme

The sleek Blackmagic Design Intensity Extreme allows Thunderbolt-equipped computers to import ant export HDMI video

I was thrilled to see the announcement by Blackmagic Design of two Thunderbolt versions of their respected Intensity video input/output box. But which is the better choice, the Intensity Shuttle or Intensity Extreme?

Is the Sony NEX Camera System Excessively Proprietary?

How standard or proprietary a camera system is can attract or deter consumers.

Advanced interchangeable lens camera systems like the NEX from Sony are never entirely open or closed. Rather, they incorporate standards where they must and innovate everywhere else. Let’s consider the main components of interchangeable lens camera, and identify which generally are proprietary and which are standardized.

Light Peak + USB 3.0 = Awesome!

Connectors like this USB 3.0 mini plug meet the tight tolerances of an optical interconnect

Yesterday I talked about Light Peak, the new optical interconnect being developed by Apple, Intel, and others. Today I’m continuing that theme, suggesting a possible productization that would really take Light Peak to the next level: Integrating it with USB 3.0.

HDBaseT – Everything Over Ethernet!

Will consumers bite on an Ethernet-based converged home theater interconnect?

Those of us in the IT infrastructure world know all about the tectonic trend of convergence on Ethernet. Just about everything, from SCSI to RDMA to PCI, is heading there these days. But Ethernet is conquering other worlds, too. A case in point: HDBaseT, the new standard for HDTV interconnect that sends audio, video, power, data, and USB over standard Ethernet cables!

Turn Your 27″ iMac Into An Awesome Monitor

The Mini DisplayPort connector can turn a 27" iMac into an expensive monitor

The Mini DisplayPort connector on the 27″ iMac is bi-directional, so you can connect another device to its gorgeous monitor! I was eager to try this out, and sure enough my 2009 Mac Mini had no trouble taking over the iMac’s display using a $30 Belkin cable. But actually using the iMac in this configuration has not been pleasant.