Software vs Hardware video scopes

Hi All,

Got a question, was thinking about buying a Blackmagic Design SmartScope Duo 4K to use for my video scopes. Was just wondering if the scopes that come built into DaVinci are really enough or if I should use better hardware ones. Does it really make that much of a difference these days with software scopes supposedly being really good?

it can make a diffrence, depending on your needs and workflow

if you;
- have mutiple machines
- have mutiple i/o cards in single machine
- use software other than Resolve that needs scopes
- use error logging
- need to verify something through software other than the software that created it ie; levels on a export, checked on another software to verify the file for a client after they winge about it being dark/bright/saturated etc etc etc...

and i'd look at scopebox or ultrascope long before i would consider the smartscope

Hi All,

Got a question, was thinking about buying a Blackmagic Design SmartScope Duo 4K to use for my video scopes. Was just wondering if the scopes that come built into DaVinci are really enough or if I should use better hardware ones. Does it really make that much of a difference these days with software scopes supposedly being really good?

Hi Jonathan.

I agree with Dermot. also prefer Ultrascope over SmartScope.

And I'll add to his list that:
Software scopes take up some processing power, which you save with ext.
Its noticeable when things get heavy.

External scopes can be placed next to your grading monitor where they should be, and not in the narrow confined strip they get in a Resolve 2 monitor set up.

Maybe I'm a purist.. but something about analyzing the actual video signal from SDI seems more accurate and right to me.

That said... after so long using Ultrascope, I'd really like for it to get a software update...

hector.

I'm a huge fan of Scopebox, and after comparing to the UltraScope (and several other competing products), opted to go for that because of its flexibility. Check it out here:

http://www.divergentmedia.com/scopebox