Adobe has introduced a totally new playback engine in Premiere Pro CS6. What does that mean to the end user? It means no more AJA, Blackmagic, Matrox, etc. sequences needed for third party playback to your broadcast monitors. You still need the cards obviously, just not a branded sequence to play back with them. It also hopefully means an end to playback issues seen in previous versions.
I’m not an engineer and can’t speak to the technical aspects of this new feature. What I can say, is that in theory, it should finally put an end to the audio and video playback issues that have plagued many users in Premiere Pro CS 5.5 and earlier. I say in theory, because, 1. The third party providers are still working on their drivers. 2. It is a new product and there is bound to be a few kinks to work out in the first few weeks or months after release.
I can also say that, in my tests, it is much much better than what was in CS 5.5. Because each card maker is using a uniform playback engine, there are no longer the need for brand specific sequences. Meaning, you can make whatever sequence you like and your card will play it back. Also, there is no fiddling with easy setups to switch from HD to SD or between different frame rate sequences or clips. Just switch sequences and your card will adjust accordingly. (I’m not sure about how this works with tape support just yet. See point #1 above.)
The feature also allows you to play back from the source monitor and more impressively from the thumbnails in your project panel or media browser. As an added bonus, Encore and Prelude will support playback through your third party cards.
As for overall tape support, I will update you guys when I know more. I know it will be there, but I can’t attest to its quality just yet as I haven’t tested it.
Update: One thing I didn’t mention about all of this. You can use your CUDA accelerated cards in conjunction with your 3rd party output card. Meaning, it isn’t one or the other! Get super fast effects and play them directly out to your broadcast monitor!
Credits: Thanks to John Gumaer for doing the intro sound design.