Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

HD-SDI to HDMI Downconverters: Post Your Reviews

D

Dan Kanes

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
5,496
Reaction score
12
Points
38
Hi!

I'm looking for a high quality, reliable and stable solution to use an HDMI or DVI monitor connected to my Red through the HD-SDI port (for client monitoring).

Please post your Results with Different converters and what do you recommend?

I'll start:

Datavideo DAC-8 - brand new in the box, bought from Markertek - 100% failure out of the box. Returned as incompatible.
 
Yeah, it's not that it's that expensive either - monoprice.com has it cheap -but it just falls out, or breaks too easily, and is not really an industry standard for production. BNC is easy to crimp and can run further.
 
HDbaseT

Its a new proposed standard from LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Valens Semiconductor that essentially proposes to run the HDMI protocol over CAT 6 cable.

Here is an article from EE Times

It isn't BNC, but it runs further, is cheaper and more secure to connect than HDMI.

Frankly... I'm excited.
 
but the converter is close to $700?... in that light, the hdmi isn't expensive. Agree with the falling out but,
 
No HDbaseT devices exist yet, probably at least a year away and would still require a converter to get the image from a RED One. Another solution if you don't want to use the AJA converter is to use CAT-6 HDMI baluns. Will cost less and some can run HDMI over a single cable up to 300ft for 720p. However, like many HDMI monitors, not all are compatible with the outputs on the RED One.
 
Dan Kanes,

I suggest you to get AJA HDP2, the software allow you to switch between HDMI or DVI, altho the output is DVI port, you can get by using DVI to HDMI cable and you are set if you want to use HDMI monitor.

So you have DVI and HDMI at the same time.

It is HDMI 1.3a supporting Deep Color. It's a little expensive but worth it. This is the only one i recommended. I'm using it without any problem :)

Rivai
 
RivaiC said:
Dan Kanes,

I suggest you to get AJA HDP2, the software allow you to switch between HDMI or DVI, altho the output is DVI port, you can get by using DVI to HDMI cable and you are set if you want to use HDMI monitor.

So you have DVI and HDMI at the same time.

It is HDMI 1.3a supporting Deep Color. It's a little expensive but worth it. This is the only one i recommended. I'm using it without any problem :)

Rivai
Click to expand...

Thank you Rivai - That looks great. I'm trying to figure out now which is better - the aja hi-5 3G or the aja HDp2... Right now I'm leaning towards the HDP2 because DVI is a more robust connection than HDMI...and I could always throw a converter in line if I need HDMI.

Both look to support deep color, but the HDP2 says it has really good scaling/1:1 built in so that I don't have to worry about some eff'd up compatibility issues.

Does anyone Like the Black Magic Products? I was using a Black Magic HDMi to HD-SDI converter (reverse of what I want now) and found it to be only about 50% reliable...
 
Last edited:
Dan, if i'm you, i will go to HDP2 anytime. I owned Hi-5 too, but i still prefer HDP2, it's the latest generation from AJA. It doesnt have switch like first generation HDP or Hi-5, everything is software driven. I used Macbook Pro on set, so it's not a problem for us to set the setting.

I havent try HDLink pro from Blackmagic as it's reported here from reduser that on 24P there's a occasional blink and 23.98 doesnt give any picture at all. I dont have any unit to try it out personally, it's cheaper tho. But i dont push my luck on this unit. The HDP2 gives you VESA compatible refresh rate, so any computer monitor will works just fine with its native refresh rate.

But i do love Blackmagic SDI-Analog downconverter, it's fantastic, works with RED too, never had problem with it. The alternate SDI input makes it more production proof unit.

Why do you have to use HDMI to HD-SDI ? doesnt make any sense with RED.
 
Splendid response. I had to use the hdmi to hdsdi to provide client monitoring on an HDSLR shoot... What a pain in the rear that was LOL.

Looks like there is an hdp2 in my future. Thanks again!




RivaiC said:
Dan, if i'm you, i will go to HDP2 anytime. I owned Hi-5 too, but i still prefer HDP2, it's the latest generation from AJA. It doesnt have switch like first generation HDP or Hi-5, everything is software driven. I used Macbook Pro on set, so it's not a problem for us to set the setting.

I havent try HDLink pro from Blackmagic as it's reported here from reduser that on 24P there's a occasional blink and 23.98 doesnt give any picture at all. I dont have any unit to try it out personally, it's cheaper tho. But i dont push my luck on this unit. The HDP2 gives you VESA compatible refresh rate, so any computer monitor will works just fine with its native refresh rate.

But i do love Blackmagic SDI-Analog downconverter, it's fantastic, works with RED too, never had problem with it. The alternate SDI input makes it more production proof unit.

Why do you have to use HDMI to HD-SDI ? doesnt make any sense with RED.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top