HD-SDI splitter recommendations?

[David Cho]

It seems like something like this would have been posted before, but I did a search for it and couldn't find anything useful.

Do you have any recommendations on a small, lightweight, low power, HD-SDI splitter that does not degrade the signal when splitting?

 

[Harry Clark]

What about the AJA HD10M3 downconverter? It gives you two HD-SDI outputs, as well as an SD-SDI and one other SD output of your choice. Small and low power requirement.
You could split the HD signal with no degradation, plus send an SD signal to someone with a small monitor that does not need the highest quality (for instance the sound mixer or boom man)
I did just this on a recent job with a Sony F3 where we needed to loop the one non-Log S output to several monitoring stations (so everyone could see the same LUT)
http://www.aja.com/en/products/mini-converters/hd10md3/#overview
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

If you are just looking for an HDSDI distribution amp, I would (and do) use a different AJA product specifically designed for what you want to do:

AJA Model # HD5DA http://www.aja.com/en/products/mini-converters/hd5da/#overview

Top reasons:
1. Street price is just under $200 (The cost of the HD10MD3 downconverter w/DA is close to a thousand - 5X as much)

2. Power consumption of the HD5DA is only 2.5 watts, The HD10MD3 is 6.5 watts.
Note: you can easily power the HD5DA off of the new Switronix JetPack -


I do own both products - each have their own place in the production environment.

 

[David Cho]

Thank you. The HD5DA looks great! How do you usually mount your HD5DA on the camera?

If you are just looking for an HDSDI distribution amp, I would (and do) use a different AJA product specifically designed for what you want to do:

AJA Model # HD5DA http://www.aja.com/en/products/mini-converters/hd5da/#overview

Top reasons:
1. Street price is just under $200 (The cost of the HD10MD3 downconverter w/DA is close to a thousand - 5X as much)

2. Power consumption of the HD5DA is only 2.5 watts, The HD10MD3 is 6.5 watts.
Note: you can easily power the HD5DA off of the new Switronix JetPack -


I do own both products - each have their own place in the production environment.

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Depends on the setup.

95% of the time, I am working from a tripod or the clutch.
The head is a Cine30HD with 19mm rods on top of the dovetail. Using longer rods, I can locate an Anton Bauer matrix plate a few inches behind the camera rig - velcro or nylon tie wraps can be used to fasten the DA to the vertical plate.
The clutch has the ability to attach 19mm rods out the backside. Same mounting solution as just described.
Only downside: The DA stays with the clutch or tripod head if you use the RED quick release so you need to detach the cable first. So I orient the DA with the power connector and SDI input on top for an easy disconnect. This way the weight of up to (3) SDI cables for distribution is hanging straight down which translates to less stress and no bending.

A best practice is to add a stress relief tie down point to the distribution cables close to the camera but attached to a different piece of gear. That will prevent an accident that would rip the DA itself off of the rig. For some reason, if a cable is present, someone wants to trip on it.

If you need to mount and dismount often, just attach the DA to the camera with velcro squares - just like you would with a lock-it box.

If I'm working off a dolly, I keep it attached to a pin or taped to the deck. This way the nest of distributed cables is away from my operators position.

 

[David Cho]

Thanks for that explanation Brian. Pretty much sums it up!!!

Depends on the setup.

95% of the time, I am working from a tripod or the clutch.
The head is a Cine30HD with 19mm rods on top of the dovetail. Using longer rods, I can locate an Anton Bauer matrix plate a few inches behind the camera rig - velcro or nylon tie wraps can be used to fasten the DA to the vertical plate.
The clutch has the ability to attach 19mm rods out the backside. Same mounting solution as just described.
Only downside: The DA stays with the clutch or tripod head if you use the RED quick release so you need to detach the cable first. So I orient the DA with the power connector and SDI input on top for an easy disconnect. This way the weight of up to (3) SDI cables for distribution is hanging straight down which translates to less stress and no bending.

A best practice is to add a stress relief tie down point to the distribution cables close to the camera but attached to a different piece of gear. That will prevent an accident that would rip the DA itself off of the rig. For some reason, if a cable is present, someone wants to trip on it.

If you need to mount and dismount often, just attach the DA to the camera with velcro squares - just like you would with a lock-it box.

If I'm working off a dolly, I keep it attached to a pin or taped to the deck. This way the nest of distributed cables is away from my operators position.