Matrox MXO2 Mini HDMI and Analog I/O Device for Laptops (MXO2-MINI-L)

We use this for streaming on Ustream from a HD camera that does not have firewire, etc. We output from HDMI on the camera to this badboy, then to our MacBookPro. On the Mac is works great, but the same cannot be said for it on the PC. We actually have not been able to get it functioning on a PC, which is disappointing because the Ustream app on the PC is significantly better than the Mac version.Better PC driver support and this thing would get 2 more stars. At this time - I could not recommend buying this product for PC folks since we can't get it functioning.

The title says it all. Although this device sometimes work well, the software is non intuitive, buggy and crashes (a lot). Often crashes result in the need for a full system reboot. Other times it will force a complete memory dump resulting in the infamous "blue screen of death". It is an Express Card but does not work with an ExpressCard to PCMCIA adapter. Neither does it work on all HDMI sources. I still have not figured out why. Component is more reliable but no more stable. In general, not an enjoyable experience.

This cost effective little device is a savior for anyone working in HD on a laptop. Using the ExpressCard/34 Adapter slot - you can monitor your HD video on any TV with an HDMI or COMPONENT input. You can even send out a digital and analog signal at the same time. You can even send to tape!Drawbacks? You can edit in a 23.98 environment and you can view out your video on any TV monitoe - but it gets converted to 59.94 on the way out - so if you want to go to TAPE in 23.98 - you can't. It would record in 59.94.But for color correction and checking frame rates - and just plain viewing your video on something other than an interlaced computer monitor - it is awesome.Ease of use? Easy to install and get working - it gets a little tricky when trying to figure out what resolution for viewing - the phonebook list of frame rates and resolutions can be overwhelming - but once you get it right, it's great.The best part is that it's really the only solution for cost effective HD monitoring out of a laptop AND it's a good one.Love it.