Decklink devices

Products: Video Capture SDK .Net

Engines: VideoCaptureCore, VideoCaptureCoreX

DeckLink devices, developed by Blackmagic Design, are high-performance capture and playback cards used in video and television production.

They offer a range of features like high-resolution video support, multiple input and output connections, and compatibility with various software applications for video editing, visual effects, and broadcast design. DeckLink cards are renowned for their reliability and quality, making them a staple in professional video production environments.

Enumerate Decklink sources

The code samples below demonstrate how to enumerate Decklink devices and video sources using Video Capture SDK .Net.

Enumerate and add to combo box.

VideoCaptureCore

foreach (var device in (await VideoCapture1.Decklink_CaptureDevicesAsync()))
{   
    cbDecklinkCaptureDevice.Items.Add(device.Name);
}

VideoCaptureCoreX

Enumerate video sources.

var videoCaptureDevices = await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.DecklinkVideoSourcesAsync();
if (videoCaptureDevices.Length > 0)
{
    foreach (var item in videoCaptureDevices)
    {
        cbVideoInput.Items.Add(item.Name);
    }

    cbVideoInput.SelectedIndex = 0;
}

Enumerate audio sources.

var audioCaptureDevices = await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.DecklinkAudioSourcesAsync();
if (audioCaptureDevices.Length > 0)
{
    foreach (var item in audioCaptureDevices)
    {
        cbAudioInput.Items.Add(item.Name);
    }

    cbAudioInput.SelectedIndex = 0;
}

List video formats and frame rates

VideoCaptureCore

// Enumerate and filter by device name
var deviceItem = (await VideoCapture1.Decklink_CaptureDevicesAsync()).Find(device => device.Name == cbDecklinkCaptureDevice.Text);
if (deviceItem != null)
{
    // Read video formats and add to combobox
    foreach (var format in (await deviceItem.GetVideoFormatsAsync()))
    {
        cbDecklinkCaptureVideoFormat.Items.Add(format.Name);
    }

    // If format does not exist, add a message
    if (cbDecklinkCaptureVideoFormat.Items.Count == 0)
    {
        cbDecklinkCaptureVideoFormat.Items.Add("No input connected");
    }
}

If no formats are available, no input is connected to the device.

VideoCaptureCoreX

Get video source modes as a list. You can use it to populate a combo box.

var decklinkModes = Enum.GetValues(typeof(DecklinkMode));
foreach (var item in decklinkModes)
{
    cbVideoMode.Items.Add(item.ToString());
}

You will need to set up the video mode on your device.

Set Decklink device as a source

VideoCaptureCore

VideoCapture1.Decklink_Source = new DecklinkSourceSettings
{
    Name = cbDecklinkCaptureDevice.Text,
    VideoFormat = cbDecklinkCaptureVideoFormat.Text
};

Use DecklinkSourcePreview or DecklinkSourceCapture mode to preview or capture video from the device.

VideoCaptureCoreX

Set video source.

// Create settings for the video source
DecklinkVideoSourceSettings videoSourceSettings = null;

// Device name from the combo box
var deviceName = cbVideoInput.Text;

// Mode from the combobox
var mode = cbVideoMode.Text;
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(deviceName) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(mode))
{
    // Find device
    var device = (await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.DecklinkVideoSourcesAsync()).FirstOrDefault(x => x.Name == deviceName);
    if (device != null)
    {
        // Create video source settings using device and mode
        videoSourceSettings = new DecklinkVideoSourceSettings(device)
        {
            Mode = (DecklinkMode)Enum.Parse(typeof(DecklinkMode), mode, true)
        };
    }
}

// Set the video source to the VideoCaptureCoreX object
VideoCapture1.Video_Source = videoSourceSettings;

Set audio source.

// Create settings for the audio source
DecklinkAudioSourceSettings audioSourceSettings = null;

// Device name from the combobox
deviceName = cbAudioInput.Text;
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(deviceName))
{
    // Find device
    var device = (await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.DecklinkAudioSourcesAsync()).FirstOrDefault(x => x.Name == deviceName);
    if (device != null)
    {
        // Create settings for the audio source using device
        audioSourceSettings = new DecklinkAudioSourceSettings(device);
    }
}

// Set the audio source to the VideoCaptureCoreX object
VideoCapture1.Audio_Source = audioSourceSettings;

Sample applications that use the Decklink source

VideoCaptureCore

• Main sample with DeckLink input, video/audio processing and many output formats (WPF)
• Main sample for WinForms
• Simple sample with DeckLink input and many output formats (WinForms)

VideoCaptureCoreX

• Video preview and capture to MP4 or WebM file (WPF)

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Visit our GitHub page to get more code samples.