Matrox DigiSuite MAX vs. Matrox RT2500: The $5000 Difference
Is it Worth It? Why?
 By Charlie White
 Page 1 of 5

Matrox DigiSuite MAX -- Is It Worth ItYou might have seen our review of lower-priced DV capture cards, a shootout-style article that saw the Matrox RT2500 emerge as the victor. RT2500 has a big brother, DigiSuite MAX, now available in its newest version 7.0, and it's the big gun compared to the RT2500. Intended for professional applications, Matrox's DigiSuite line has been a favorite of post production houses and higher-end corporate production facilities for the past few years. It costs about $5000 more than the RT2500 and its roughly equivalent competitors, Canopus DVStorm and Pinnacle Pro-ONE. Let's take a look at who needs to spend the extra $5000 on this digital video editing card set and software combination, and who would be better off saving their money and going with the a lower-cost DV card.

The big drawing card of DigiSuite MAX over systems like the Matrox RT2500, Pinnacle Pro-ONE and Canopus DVStorm is its ability to input and output just about any kind of video you'll ever need -- that's what's meant by professional I/O. For example, if your acquisition format is DigiBeta (Digital Betacam), a low end card like the RT2500 isn't going to do you any good. You'll need the SDI (Serial Digital Interface -- the digital output of DigiBeta) option that's available on DigiSuite MAX for an extra $2000. TV stations that use only Betacam SP as their acquisition format are looking for the quality of component inputs, and that's not available on the RT2500, either. Sure, if their Betacam SP machines have an SVideo output, they could get video into the RT2500 via the analog SVideo-in jack, but that's not as appealing to many TV stations for broadcast video. In the opinion of many seasoned engineers, if you're a Betacam SP shop, component I/O will mean a noticeable quality difference for you. [an error occurred while processing this directive] Another important difference is the ability to capture and edit in higher quality compression formats than DV (25Mbps). Matrox DigiSuite MAX is actually a family of three products. DigiSuite LX MAX works in native-DV and MPEG-2 I-frame (up to 50 Mbps); DigiSuite DTV MAX works in native-DV, DV50, and MPEG-2 I-frame (up to 50 Mbps); and DigiSuite LE MAX offers image quality that rivals uncompressed. It features variable M-JPEG data rates up to 15 MB/sec (120Mbps).

Click graphic for enlargement -- Here are the two breakout boxes stacked on top of each other.
(Click graphic for enlargement) Here are the two breakout boxes stacked on top of each other.
Also, running through most TV stations are balanced audio connectors, not available unless you step up to the DigiSuite MAX's level of I/O. Beyond that, many engineering staffs at higher-end production facilities insist on a rack-mounted breakout box along with balanced XLR audio connectors, thus interfacing into a pro facility much better than RCA plugs for audio and SVideo. In order to rack-mount the inputs and outputs for DigiSuite, Matrox offers optional breakout boxes, which cost $450 for the audio version with those pro-quality balanced XLR connectors, and $550 for the video version with component, composite and SVideo ins and outs. Some good news: Until the end of March, Matrox is running a special promotion in the Americas that gets you both breakout boxes free with the purchase of any of the DigiSuite MAX platforms. These boxes are impressive-looking, and can be used as rack mounted units or have feet that allow you to place them on a desk near your editing equipment for quick ‘n' easy access.
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