Review: Blackmagic Design Teranex 2D Media Processor

De-interlacing

One final set of tests we ran dealt with de-interlacing.

We captured interlaced content from an old BetaSP deck into Adobe Premiere Pro, using Adobe Media Encoder to convert the content for progressive playback. The AME step is important because Teranex does not include de-interlacing on the Thunderbolt capture if Premiere’s settings are for interlaced capture.

We then compared de-interlacing from the Teranex via standalone format conversion, playing out to an HDMI device. The results were impressive, with the Teranex yielding high-quality de-interlacing, high enough that we may consider the unit for inclusion in a legacy format rig we’re building.

Price Is Right

Which brings us around to price. Blackmagic Design has always provided quality, broadcast-capable products at a reasonable price, and pricing for the Teranex 2D is no exception. List pricing is $1995 but I’ve seen for around $100 less on Amazon [http://amzn.to/1fhp2Bg] and other resellers. This puts the Teranex 2D at about half the price of the Teranex 3D, which itself has a list price of $3995.

Bottom Line

My test team and I really like the Teranex 2D. It’s robust, offers a number of features, and fits well into standard workflows. We are concerned about the information overload presented by the sheer number of buttons and status lights on the front of the Teranex—55 total buttons, 1 knob, and 24 additional status lights—but the core media processing product is solid. Teranex can rise to the level of excellence with advancements on the user interface front as well as dual Thunderbolt connectors, potentially gaining an indispensable place in portable encoding rigs that are used in both analog and digital workflows.