The CG-350 and CG-300 are Windows-based character generators designed for live production and post production. Different functions are assigned to different sub-programs. Both sets will work with a Blackmagic Design Decklink or AJA Kona card, as a downstream keyer or as key and fill sources (depending on the card). Please note: Key and fill is only available via SDI or HD-SDI.

The CG-300 is a smaller version of the CG-350, without the Banner Crawl (continuously scrolling text) and Snyper (corner graphics, station IDs, "coming up next" animations, etc.) functions, which run independently from the character generator software. Please note: The CG-300 is available for sale in the U.S. only.

FREE DEMO DOWNLOAD

A full-featured demo version is available for download so you may try the software for yourself. Click here to download.

Decklink HD Extreme Connections

NOTE: Blackmagic Design does not support the use of Decklink cards on Dell computers, due to past incompatibilities.  However, the CG-300/350 software can also be used with an AJA Kona LHi card or AJA Kona LHe card, if you intend to use a Dell computer.

The CG-350 and CG-300 have all of the features that are mentioned below and much more. Please download the manuals for a full list of available features.

Features and Specifications

• The CG-350 features Banner Crawl for continuously-rolling text crawls and Snyper for corner graphics and animations (station IDs, "coming up next" animations, etc.) over your outgoing program, both running independent from the CG software
• Support for resolutions from 320x240 to 1080i HD
• Supports both downstream keying (DSK) and key & fill. Please note: Key and fill is only available via SDI or HDSDI.
• Anti-aliased characters with leading, kerning and tracking, with two edge and three shadow styles for each character.
• 32-bit color support (with transparency). Color can be selected by adjusting RGB or HLS levels.
• Create smooth gradients between any 2 colors in the characters, edges, shadows, and shapes.
• Character attributes can be drawn with custom textures (marble, wood grain, etc). As many as 16 different textures can be used on each page.
• Up to 32 shapes per page. Each shape can be set to a solid color, semi-transparent color, a color gradient, or a texture. The shapes can be edged, colored, sized, italicized, and rotated just like text characters.
• Up to 16 full-color logos can fine-positioned, overlapped, sized, etc. just like characters.
• 1,000 Layers - Text, logos, and shapes can be placed on multiple layers, each independent of the others. Layers can be named.
• Support for BMP, JPG, GIF, PCX, TIF and TGA images.
• Text Style Gallery - One button access to your 64 user-defined text styles.
• Typefaces - each page can use up to 25 Truetype different typefaces.
• Character height, width, angle and rotation all customizable, and independent from letter to letter.
• Variable character and edge blurs, independent of each other.

The CG-300 and CG-350 have SDK’s which allow you to create a direct interface to the software, such as:

1. Text and Logo Substitution
2. Page Control Interface
3. Banner Crawl Control
4. Snype Control

CG-300/CG-350 SUB PROGRAMS

Display List Editor
Used to create and edit the list of images. Drag and drop your pages from the Title, Animation or Graphic Catalogs onto the Display List and create your playback sequence with ease.

• Preview Window - next screen preview allows you to preview any particular page without going live with it.
• Media Catalogs - information is organized into Title, Animations, and Graphic Catalogs.
  • The Title Catalog shows all your static text pages
  • The Animation Catalog shows pre-rendered text and shape animations
  • The Graphic Catalog shows non-CG graphic images

Title Composer
Create static and animated title pages using editable text, layers, graphic placements and shapes.

Samples:

Dynamic Lower Thirds and Logos	32-bit color and Animated Text Layers
Auto-updating text fields, live time clock and program-independent banner crawls (CG-350 only)

Blackmagic Decklink HD Extreme Specifications

• Video Inputs & Outputs: SD/HD-SDI (10-bit), SD/HD component, S-Video, HDMI
• Audio Inputs & Outputs: AES/EBU unbalanced 2 channel, up to 16 channels via HD-SDI, up to 8 channels via SD-SDI, 2 channels balanced XLR, 2 channels via HDMI
• Supported Formats: NTSC, PAL, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• For more details, please visit Blackmagic Design's HD Extreme Specs page.

Recommended Hardware for Datavideo CG Software

• Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2 (32bit OS), Windows Vista Business SP1 (32bit OS)
• Processor: Intel Pentium (2.0 GHz) or higher
• Memory: 2 GB or higher for Windows XP or 4 GB or higher for Windows Vista Business
• VGA Resolution: 32-bit color recommended VGA, XGA or higher
• Motherboard/Slots: High speed PCI-E 1 lane connection for maximum real time effects. Compatible with 1, 4, 8, 16 lane slots.
• USB Ports: Computer needs 1 free USB 2.0 port for CG-100 USB Dongle

System specifications may change, without notice, depending upon the card used. Please consult your dealer for the latest advice.

For the latest information on Blackmagic Design Cards, please visit: Blackmagic Design website

Q: When using a text crawl or scroll, the text is poorly interlaced. How can I fix this?
A: Checking on "Reverse Fields" under "Hardware Settings" should fix this. If not, please contact us for technical support.

Q: Can I see the outgoing program with the text overlay in the preview window?
A: If you are using an AJA Kona card, yes you can. Unfortunately due to the way the Decklink HD Xtreme cards work, it is not possible to output AND preview at the same time.

Q: Can I do right-to-left text with the CG-300/350?
A: Yes, if your computer supports right-to-left languages (Arabic, Hebrew, etc.), so will the CG-300/350.

Q: Can I create the video clip using the trial software as this is done in production on a different computer, and then bring it to the machine, which actually has the licensed version to play it back live so that it does not have the water mark?
A: No, the trial version embeds the water mark into the file.

Q: Is there a way to import a .tga sequence in title composer to convert it to video clip?
A: Yes, but you must use the "On Air" program, which is part of the CG software.

Q: Will all Decklink cards work with the CG-300/350?
A: Yes; however, each Decklink card model provides more or less functionality. Please keep this in mind when selecting a different card. The Decklink cards we specify will yield the most functionality from the software.

Q: I do live corporate conventions and need to be able to import a huge list of names/titles that are provided to me in either a Word or RTF file. Will CG-300/350 allow me to load all the names from the list with each name/title being assigned a page or file number then instantly be able to recall the page by typing in their badge number?
A: If you can supply the information in a spread sheet format, you can use the spread sheet importer. That way you only need to create one page then each time you move from row to row, the text will change. Otherwise you would need to cut & paste the information into each page.

Q: Does the CG-300/350 include a clock?
A: Yes, CG-300 and CG-350 character generators include a built in clock.

Q: Is there a way to advance a page with a keyboard shortcut?
A: Yes, there is. On the 10 key pad "Enter" advances pages, "+" turns keyer on, "-" turns keyer off.

• Product Manual (for On-air and Title Composer)
• Demo Download
• Connecting CG-100 & CG300/350 Character Generators to the SE-800/900 SD Switchers

• CG-300/CG-350 - Software with USB Dongle only
• CG-300 Kit/CG-350 Kit - Software with USB Dongle and Blackmagic DECKLINK HD Extreme card