Great video. I have a Panasonic AG-1980 VHS and it has an svideo connector and 2 video out BNC connectors. I am trying to get the best capture. I tried connecting the BNC out to the SDI Connector on a Decklink mini recorder 4k. It does not work. I can capture using a DV FireWire device Canopus ADVC110. Perhaps it would be better to get something that will convert an output VHS svideo signal to the input 4k port on the Decklink HDMI input. Any suggestions on the best way to capture a VHS
SDI is a digital signal, but your VHS player is analog. So if you want to use SDI you'll need something to convert the analog composite or S-Video signal to SDI. If you choose to go that route, the Blackmagic Design Analog-to-SDI Mini Converter will take care of that for you. Unless you have a very specific need to convert to SDI first, though, there are easier and less expensive ways to capture analog video on a computer. A quick search on Amazon will find a bunch for you. One like this one should work: amzn.to/37B89rI
The reverse version of this would work for that. You’d need to convert HDMI to SDI. The 3G Micro Converters from Blackmagic can handle that and are much more cost effective than this 6G Mini version.
Hey Doug, thanks for this review. This answers a couple of questions I had. What would you recommand for this two scenarios: (1) deembbed audio from SDI to route it to an audio mixer. Would you use the the SDI2Analog converter or for example this converter that would provide a HDMI out addionally. (2) I have to SDI signals. SDI1 without audio, SDI2 with audio. How would you use the SDI2 signal for video and embbed the audio from SDI1? looking forward to your answers. Have a nice weekend. Cheers -Rob
For the first scenario, if you don't need the video portion, you could use the SDI-to-HDMI, SDI-to-Audio, or SDI-to-Analog converter, but since the SDI-to-HDMI is cheapest, that may be the best solution. The SDI-to-Audio would give you four channels instead of two, if that is at all useful. For scenario two, again you could use any of the three listed above to deembed the audio from SDI2, then use one of their Audio-to-SDI converters to embed audio into the SDI1 signal. In this configuration I'd probably use AES/EBU instead of analog to keep the signals in the digital domain.
Hey Doug, I have an Atem Mini Pro and want to get audio to an audio mixer and have the video go to a projector or large classroom television (for live events, lessons etc). Will it work to run from the HDMI out of the Atem Mini into an HDMI to SDI 6g ,connect the audio outs to the audio mixer via TRS, then go to an SDI to HDMI 6G and into the projector or TV display?
Our organisation purchased an Atem 2 M/E production studio 4k and after connecting my wireless tranmitter (CW - HDMI) to Micro Blackmagic converter (HDMI TO SDI) 6G no signal is displayed on my screen. Kindly help me on this.
What would be the right cable and battery to get this battery-powered? I was hoping to use a Talentcell battery from Amazon. I know there's a battery-operated version of this product but I don't think it's 6G, plus I already have this converter, so just trying to make the most of converting my DSLR to have SDI output.
From reading forums it seems that the 6G converter doesnt convert the timecodw, only the 3G does. Do you know what HDMI to SDI converter that carries timecode over?
Hi, is it possible to apply LUT 1 to the HDMI output only and LUT 2 to the sdi loop out only ? For example to calibrate two different monitors with two different luts simultaneously in a grading suite : the colorist's sdi screen with his LUT and the client's hdmi with a different LUT (both screens been fed by the same sdi input in the converter). Thank you very much for your feedback
Hi Doug. I used this device for Projector HDMI (with LUT) and audio output to house, during an event and got a nasty surprise everyone should know about. During switching resolutions/inputs from two laptops on stage > to a Decimator Multiview 6 > via BMD TVS > to SDI-HDMI 6G, the audio portion died (yet video to projector still worked). Took an embarrassing amount of time to trace the problem down to this device (power cycle fixed it). Next time I'll wire two parallel units of different model (and maybe different brand) as a backup (and test audio AGAIN right before the show). Do you recommend a Teranex Mini SDI to HDMI 12G (overpowered, but maybe won't get overwhelmed by the same problem), a Mini SDI-to-Audio (remove video from the equation), or another brand... maybe Decimator/AJA? Thanks.
I'd do everything in my power to eliminate the resolution/frame rate changes rather than trying to cover up their effects downstream. When I'm working in a similar situation, laptops get connected to a Decimator MD-HX and are immediately converted to the resolution and frame rate I'm using for the cameras and switcher. That way the signals coming from the switcher are always consistent, reliable, and stable, and aren't being interrupted by the connection or disconnection of any devices. In your situation that means going to a MD-HX (or similar product) before going into the Multiview. Every SDI to HDMI converter out there is going to have at least some brief hiccup in the audio output if the input signal is disrupted or its resolution/frame rate changed, no matter the brand. Losing audio until a reboot certainly isn't normal, but if you can eliminate the trigger that caused the dropout you'd be better off.
If I may please ask when I'm trying to connect my Sony a7S2 to my steadicam zephyr rig, I need a HDMI to SDI converter, may I please ask if the most basic model will be suffice already or like if I shoot in UHD thats the time it won't manage to send the signal through to the rig? Thank you in advance P.S I'm digging into a lot of your videos, they're very informative and I highly appreciate it.
If you need Ultra HD the cheapest converter I'm aware of is the Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI 6G. But it will only do UHD up to 30fps. If you need 60 and something portable I'm not even sure of what else may be out there.
Doug Johnson Productions Hi! Can you suggest setup of those converters, Idea is to connect hdmi 4k signal to blackmagic visual assist 4k via sdi (hdmi 4k->sdi6g) then take loop from VA4k and connect to blackmagic viewfinder (3g sdi) ? Like I need converter + sdi downscaler or something?
You can indeed use the SDI-to-HDMI 6G converter to get a 1080p signal (only on its HDMI output), but to get that signal into the viewfinder you'd need to convert it back to SDI again. The HDMI-to-SDI Micro Converter would work fine for that.
Doug Johnson Productions em, maybe hdmi>sdi 6g? I read about them And thought I can loop hdmi through VA then use switchers on HDMI>6g to force 4K to 1080p on that converter and connect viewfinder to it, guys on forum says viewfinder needs a 3g 10/12 bit 4.2.2 video signal. I have 4.2.0 8 bit, so there is where I don’t know will it work (transcode/adopt) pixelformat also. Maybe you know?
The HDMI-to-SDI 6G converters don't scale. Only the SDI-to-HDMI 6G does. I can't say whether that chain will convert 4:2:0 to 4:2:2 or not. You'd have to consult with Blackmagic Design or just try it. SDI is 10-bit, so that part shouldn't matter.
I should mention that the DIP switches on the HDMI-to-SDI don't actually force a particular format; they just tell the connected device what format it prefers. The device can still send whatever format it wants. I've had several situations where I set it to 'Force HD' and I still get and Ultra HD signal.
Hey Doug! I'm considering using these units for converting a 12 bit 2K signal from a Canon C300 mark II's REC OUT SDI connection. I need to feed it into a teradek 1000, which isn't a 6G device. Do you know if this would work? Thanks for the great video. :)
I'm actually not 100% sure on this one. I've never used a 12-bit SDI device before -- SDI is normally 10-bit. The other bugaboo is that you're using a 2K instead of an HD signal. I don't know if the Teradek devices will accept 2K or not.
@@djp_video it should handle 2k just fine, so long as it is 10 bit. So what I'm wondering is if this converter will convert a 12 bit signal to 10 bit... The only solution I've found, is a pix e5. But it's a bit of a mess in a portable/handheld setup :)
@@djp_video One appreciable difference I've found between the HDMI Micro to SDI and the 6G version of the same, is that if you're displaying computer graphics at 1080p25, the 6G image is superior and you get out pretty-much what you put in. The BMD Micro version has dithering/aliasing on fine detail, so I've ditched them in favour of the 6G versions. The Micro Converter is no so good either if you're using it for DSK text overlay, compared to the keying quality via the 6G.
Satinder Dhindsa It was done with one of the upstream keys. It requires a DVE to do it, so it can be done on the 1 M/E switcher as well as the 2 or 4 M/E versions.
Yes. DVE stands for Digital Video Effects and it is a unit within these switchers that allows you to scale a video source so it can be overlaid on top of the program feed. The switchers that have a DVE (1 M/E, 2 M/E, 4 M/E) can use that DVE for an upstream key (like Picture-in-Picture, or Picture-by-Picture, for example), or for a transition (in which the outgoing or incoming video is scaled, such as if it is shrunk down into a corner of the screen). All of these switchers only have one DVE so you can only overlay one (resized) video source at a time OR use the DVE for your transition, but not both. The Super Source feature is unique to the 2 M/E and 4 M/E switchers and allows you to put up to four scaled video sources over another video source (a background). The Super Source itself is a video source, i.e. you can select it instead of selecting Camera 1 or whatever, whereas the DVE is always used as an overlay on top of your regular program feed and not as a source itself. For what I did here I set the first Upstream Key to use the DVE, then set my main camera as the video source. I then scaled it down to 30% of normal size, masked off some of the left and right, added a border, and placed it in the upper right. I then put the tight shot on the preview bus and turned on Upstream Key 1 Next so it would come on whenever I cut to that shot. Having it as an upstream key allowed me to (1) bring it on and off screen simultaneously with the transition between the main camera and the tighter shot, and (2) change the video source underneath it by just switching the video source on the program bus. I could have done something similar with the Super Source, but switching the background video behind the inset is a little harder to do on the fly.
Thanks for this great review. We are looking to purchase this for remote fuel inspection; this helped determine if the product was a good fit.
That red cable looks like a decimator design usb connect cable :D
Great video. I have a Panasonic AG-1980 VHS and it has an svideo connector and 2 video out BNC connectors. I am trying to get the best capture. I tried connecting the BNC out to the SDI Connector on a Decklink mini recorder 4k. It does not work. I can capture using a DV FireWire device Canopus ADVC110. Perhaps it would be better to get something that will convert an output VHS svideo signal to the input 4k port on the Decklink HDMI input. Any suggestions on the best way to capture a VHS
SDI is a digital signal, but your VHS player is analog. So if you want to use SDI you'll need something to convert the analog composite or S-Video signal to SDI. If you choose to go that route, the Blackmagic Design Analog-to-SDI Mini Converter will take care of that for you.
Unless you have a very specific need to convert to SDI first, though, there are easier and less expensive ways to capture analog video on a computer. A quick search on Amazon will find a bunch for you. One like this one should work: amzn.to/37B89rI
@@djp_video yes thanks I used this one Tendak 3RCA AV-069-BK CVBS Composite & S-Video R/L Audio to HDMI Converter Adapter
Works great
After the UK plug and you mention 'that style' that is an Australian plug :)
Thanks. :)
Ahaha, no worries. Plug types all around the world are interesting to look at.
Thanks for the great content you have been putting out too!
Hey mate how are you?
I was just wondering if this converter will allow the ursa viewfinder to work with any hdmi out camera.
Thanks
The reverse version of this would work for that. You’d need to convert HDMI to SDI. The 3G Micro Converters from Blackmagic can handle that and are much more cost effective than this 6G Mini version.
Hey Doug, thanks for this review. This answers a couple of questions I had. What would you recommand for this two scenarios: (1) deembbed audio from SDI to route it to an audio mixer. Would you use the the SDI2Analog converter or for example this converter that would provide a HDMI out addionally. (2) I have to SDI signals. SDI1 without audio, SDI2 with audio. How would you use the SDI2 signal for video and embbed the audio from SDI1? looking forward to your answers. Have a nice weekend. Cheers -Rob
For the first scenario, if you don't need the video portion, you could use the SDI-to-HDMI, SDI-to-Audio, or SDI-to-Analog converter, but since the SDI-to-HDMI is cheapest, that may be the best solution. The SDI-to-Audio would give you four channels instead of two, if that is at all useful.
For scenario two, again you could use any of the three listed above to deembed the audio from SDI2, then use one of their Audio-to-SDI converters to embed audio into the SDI1 signal. In this configuration I'd probably use AES/EBU instead of analog to keep the signals in the digital domain.
Hey Doug, I have an Atem Mini Pro and want to get audio to an audio mixer and have the video go to a projector or large classroom television (for live events, lessons etc). Will it work to run from the HDMI out of the Atem Mini into an HDMI to SDI 6g ,connect the audio outs to the audio mixer via TRS, then go to an SDI to HDMI 6G and into the projector or TV display?
Our organisation purchased an Atem 2 M/E production studio 4k and after connecting my wireless tranmitter (CW - HDMI) to Micro Blackmagic converter (HDMI TO SDI) 6G no signal is displayed on my screen. Kindly help me on this.
Make sure your wireless system is working properly and outputting a signal. Connect it to a monitor/TV in place of the Blackmagic converter.
What would be the right cable and battery to get this battery-powered? I was hoping to use a Talentcell battery from Amazon. I know there's a battery-operated version of this product but I don't think it's 6G, plus I already have this converter, so just trying to make the most of converting my DSLR to have SDI output.
It runs on 12V, so any 12V power pack will work. The power input is a barrel-type 5.5/2.5mm, which are easy enough to find.
From reading forums it seems that the 6G converter doesnt convert the timecodw, only the 3G does. Do you know what HDMI to SDI converter that carries timecode over?
I'm not sure. I've never investigated that.
Hi, is it possible to apply LUT 1 to the HDMI output only and LUT 2 to the sdi loop out only ? For example to calibrate two different monitors with two different luts simultaneously in a grading suite : the colorist's sdi screen with his LUT and the client's hdmi with a different LUT (both screens been fed by the same sdi input in the converter). Thank you very much for your feedback
No; you’d need two separate converters
@@djp_video thanks, i couldn't find the information online.
Hi Doug. I used this device for Projector HDMI (with LUT) and audio output to house, during an event and got a nasty surprise everyone should know about. During switching resolutions/inputs from two laptops on stage > to a Decimator Multiview 6 > via BMD TVS > to SDI-HDMI 6G, the audio portion died (yet video to projector still worked). Took an embarrassing amount of time to trace the problem down to this device (power cycle fixed it). Next time I'll wire two parallel units of different model (and maybe different brand) as a backup (and test audio AGAIN right before the show). Do you recommend a Teranex Mini SDI to HDMI 12G (overpowered, but maybe won't get overwhelmed by the same problem), a Mini SDI-to-Audio (remove video from the equation), or another brand... maybe Decimator/AJA? Thanks.
I'd do everything in my power to eliminate the resolution/frame rate changes rather than trying to cover up their effects downstream.
When I'm working in a similar situation, laptops get connected to a Decimator MD-HX and are immediately converted to the resolution and frame rate I'm using for the cameras and switcher. That way the signals coming from the switcher are always consistent, reliable, and stable, and aren't being interrupted by the connection or disconnection of any devices. In your situation that means going to a MD-HX (or similar product) before going into the Multiview.
Every SDI to HDMI converter out there is going to have at least some brief hiccup in the audio output if the input signal is disrupted or its resolution/frame rate changed, no matter the brand. Losing audio until a reboot certainly isn't normal, but if you can eliminate the trigger that caused the dropout you'd be better off.
@@djp_video Makes sense. Thanks for that input.
If I may please ask when I'm trying to connect my Sony a7S2 to my steadicam zephyr rig, I need a HDMI to SDI converter, may I please ask if the most basic model will be suffice already or like if I shoot in UHD thats the time it won't manage to send the signal through to the rig?
Thank you in advance
P.S I'm digging into a lot of your videos, they're very informative and I highly appreciate it.
If you need Ultra HD the cheapest converter I'm aware of is the Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI 6G. But it will only do UHD up to 30fps. If you need 60 and something portable I'm not even sure of what else may be out there.
Doug Johnson Productions Hi! Can you suggest setup of those converters, Idea is to connect hdmi 4k signal to blackmagic visual assist 4k via sdi (hdmi 4k->sdi6g) then take loop from VA4k and connect to blackmagic viewfinder (3g sdi) ? Like I need converter + sdi downscaler or something?
You can indeed use the SDI-to-HDMI 6G converter to get a 1080p signal (only on its HDMI output), but to get that signal into the viewfinder you'd need to convert it back to SDI again. The HDMI-to-SDI Micro Converter would work fine for that.
Doug Johnson Productions em, maybe hdmi>sdi 6g? I read about them And thought I can loop hdmi through VA then use switchers on HDMI>6g to force 4K to 1080p on that converter and connect viewfinder to it, guys on forum says viewfinder needs a 3g 10/12 bit 4.2.2 video signal. I have 4.2.0 8 bit, so there is where I don’t know will it work (transcode/adopt) pixelformat also. Maybe you know?
The HDMI-to-SDI 6G converters don't scale. Only the SDI-to-HDMI 6G does.
I can't say whether that chain will convert 4:2:0 to 4:2:2 or not. You'd have to consult with Blackmagic Design or just try it. SDI is 10-bit, so that part shouldn't matter.
@@djp_video Ok, I will try. But in this video I see option Force HD on HDMI to SDI ruclips.net/video/glHqyMSF1-c/видео.html
I should mention that the DIP switches on the HDMI-to-SDI don't actually force a particular format; they just tell the connected device what format it prefers. The device can still send whatever format it wants. I've had several situations where I set it to 'Force HD' and I still get and Ultra HD signal.
are the LUTs stored on the device? or do you need to keep the USB plugged in?
They're stored on-device. Once they've been uploaded they'll persist, even after disconnecting power.
Hey Doug! I'm considering using these units for converting a 12 bit 2K signal from a Canon C300 mark II's REC OUT SDI connection. I need to feed it into a teradek 1000, which isn't a 6G device. Do you know if this would work? Thanks for the great video. :)
I'm actually not 100% sure on this one. I've never used a 12-bit SDI device before -- SDI is normally 10-bit. The other bugaboo is that you're using a 2K instead of an HD signal. I don't know if the Teradek devices will accept 2K or not.
@@djp_video it should handle 2k just fine, so long as it is 10 bit. So what I'm wondering is if this converter will convert a 12 bit signal to 10 bit... The only solution I've found, is a pix e5. But it's a bit of a mess in a portable/handheld setup :)
I believe that 12-bit signal is proprietary and won't be recognized by any Blackmagic products.
Can the Blackmagic Design SDI to HDMI 6G Mini Converter be used to feed the atem mini?
It could be, but the SDI to HDMI Micro Converter is much more cost effective.
@@djp_video One appreciable difference I've found between the HDMI Micro to SDI and the 6G version of the same, is that if you're displaying computer graphics at 1080p25, the 6G image is superior and you get out pretty-much what you put in. The BMD Micro version has dithering/aliasing on fine detail, so I've ditched them in favour of the 6G versions. The Micro Converter is no so good either if you're using it for DSK text overlay, compared to the keying quality via the 6G.
How did you setup the PIP for the close up shots? Is it only possible in the 2 m/e?
Satinder Dhindsa It was done with one of the upstream keys. It requires a DVE to do it, so it can be done on the 1 M/E switcher as well as the 2 or 4 M/E versions.
Doug Johnson Productions Is this different from a “supersource”?
Yes. DVE stands for Digital Video Effects and it is a unit within these switchers that allows you to scale a video source so it can be overlaid on top of the program feed. The switchers that have a DVE (1 M/E, 2 M/E, 4 M/E) can use that DVE for an upstream key (like Picture-in-Picture, or Picture-by-Picture, for example), or for a transition (in which the outgoing or incoming video is scaled, such as if it is shrunk down into a corner of the screen). All of these switchers only have one DVE so you can only overlay one (resized) video source at a time OR use the DVE for your transition, but not both.
The Super Source feature is unique to the 2 M/E and 4 M/E switchers and allows you to put up to four scaled video sources over another video source (a background). The Super Source itself is a video source, i.e. you can select it instead of selecting Camera 1 or whatever, whereas the DVE is always used as an overlay on top of your regular program feed and not as a source itself.
For what I did here I set the first Upstream Key to use the DVE, then set my main camera as the video source. I then scaled it down to 30% of normal size, masked off some of the left and right, added a border, and placed it in the upper right. I then put the tight shot on the preview bus and turned on Upstream Key 1 Next so it would come on whenever I cut to that shot. Having it as an upstream key allowed me to (1) bring it on and off screen simultaneously with the transition between the main camera and the tighter shot, and (2) change the video source underneath it by just switching the video source on the program bus. I could have done something similar with the Super Source, but switching the background video behind the inset is a little harder to do on the fly.
Doug Johnson Productions Thank you!! I will try this today