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  • 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 :)

The SDI issues

If I may jump in here, the B&H P/N CAL33CUHD002 is a 12G cable made of Canare's L-3.3CHUD. It is not, repeat not, recommended for mobile applications where repeated twisting and bending is involved. It may initially work but will fail due to the foil construction that is used on cables intended only for fixed installations. Therefore I stick by my recommendations for the use of L-2.5CHWS as initially posted, it has been designed for MOBILE 12G applications. You can get the full specs online or go directly to the latest Canare catalogue here and read the notes about the cable on page 67 of the catalogue under Note 1.
https://tinyurl.com/4emjcr9w
 
An update from Jarred over at Komodo Filmmakers FB group:

Two different issues. The warranty fix for the splayed port was a warranty fix, as some early komodos had a problem when you used non spec 3g cables with a fat internal conductor they could splay the port and not spring back. The black elastic helps keep that back and we fix that under warranty even though it’s from user error. The 12g sensitivity issue that all cameras that use the 12g ports require responsible protocol and it is not a RED design issue . We do however still fix under warranty for some at our discretion depending on attitude and situation.. threats and hostility probably won’t get you the results you are after. This isn’t a “ your holding it wrong “ issue… this issue is much like yanking a hard drive out of the port in the middle of it writing and being mad that you lost all your footage and corrupted your media. Bad protocol that doesn’t matter who made the hardrive just like it doesn’t matter who made the camera. The isolation devices people are selling seem to be good protection, although some of them do break 12g compliance which probably will not mean anything to most of you .
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This underscores the importance of following procedure and/or using an isolator. I'm happy that at least there is some sort of confirmation from Red that the isolators do work, but concerned that they may not fix under warranty. The percentage of Komodos with fried ports seems to be really high. This may come down to users not knowing that there is a protocol to follow (it certainly was not very clearly communicated), or it may be a result of the fact that the single SDI is the only video output on this camera - so when it blows your camera is pretty much useless until it is repaired.

While I understand that this is a "12G issue", I would assume that components of different quality can be used, or isolators can be incorporated into the design, to make cameras less susceptible to this problem?
 
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To me this is certainly a 12G issue not a RED issue. Though I do understand the plight of a single 12G SDI non POGO (or other video out) camera owner. With the understanding the camera would be more expensive with these additional’s.

Ironically, RED probably should have only offered the older 3G SDI out to align with their “cheaper crash cam”.

And don’t get me started on how 12G was thought of as industry standard with an open door to such vulnerabilities.

I think RED could support the issue with RED approved isolators listed, even sold, on their website. Though it’s still not their responsibility to begin with.
 
Brody_B said:
To me this is certainly a 12G issue not a RED issue. Though I do understand the plight of a single 12G SDI non POGO (or other video out) camera owner. With the understanding the camera would be more expensive with these additional’s.

Ironically, RED probably should have only offered the older 3G SDI out to align with their “cheaper crash cam”.

And don’t get me started on how 12G was thought of as industry standard with an open door to such vulnerabilities.

I think RED could support the issue with RED approved isolators listed, even sold, on their website. Though it’s still not their responsibility to begin with.
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Yeah. I guess the other important factor with the Komodo is that there is no power out on the camera, so people are using all sorts of methods to power their monitors. I do understand the choice of 12G for a crash cam - if the camera is in a situation from which it may not return, you can still record in 4K on an external recorder - but I'm guessing a very low percentage of users are using the 12G-SDI to it's full capability. I'm using an isolator that does not even pass a 4K signal, so I may as well be using a 3G-SDI port. I would jump at the chance to downgrade my SDI port to a more reliable 3G one. Maybe Red can look into giving us that option - it might save them a lot of hassle and bad press.
 
Robert Hofmeyr said:
I do understand the choice of 12G for a crash cam - if the camera is in a situation from which it may not return, you can still record in 4K on an external recorder - but I'm guessing a very low percentage of users are using the 12G-SDI to it's full capability.
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That’s a good point. That choice definitely leans to the high end productions that have a handful of them on deck already.
 
Robert Hofmeyr said:
I'm using an isolator that does not even pass a 4K signal, so I may as well be using a 3G-SDI port."

Hi and thanks for all the informations. I order a komodo and a Galvanic isolator from B&H. Do you still have to follow sdi- red cable procedure now that you have install the isolator?
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Jøhan Gass said:
Robert Hofmeyr said:
I'm using an isolator that does not even pass a 4K signal, so I may as well be using a 3G-SDI port."

Hi and thanks for all the informations. I order a komodo and a Galvanic isolator from B&H. Do you still have to follow sdi- red cable procedure now that you have install the isolator?
Click to expand...

When I have the isolator attached, I follow procedure when I have time, and I don't follow procedure when I am in a rush. The isolator should protect your port very well.
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