SDI Interfaces - Are they all Expensive

[NevBull]

Hi All

Does anyone know of an SDI interface I could use with Catalyst that doesn't cost a small fortune. I know they are not cheap, but.........

Nev.

[samsc]

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Added mar05:
for newcomers to this thread the only one we can find at mar05 is the gefen bi-directional HD-SDI to DVI convertor

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2566
$2000

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this company claimed to have a device that converts the dvi output to sdi.

http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=205&highlight=dvi2tv
but this company never delivered.

[abbewest]

Hi

As long as you can use just one of the outputs you can do as we did:
Use the S-Video (Y/C) output on the GraphicsCard.

S-Video - Adaptor MiniDin to Coax - S-Video to SDI Interface AJA D5D.

(You might have to start the G5 with a 75Ohm conected to the output, otherwise the G5 doesnt start the Y/C out.)

Works well for simpler purposes.

All the best

Abbe Westerlundh

[samsc]

I use the 6590 from Cobalt digital to do the exact same thing.

http://www.cobaltdigital.com/products.htm

[samsc]

Apple actually makes a dvi to s-video convertor that works with g5 dvi outputs.

I bought one at frys in las vegas.

they dont seem to have stock at the apple store.

I dont know how it works.

It called the

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Searching the apple store for this works.

Its in the apple store on the cable accessory page about halfway down,
Cant get a direct link

[rosswill]

All those I have looked at recently are around the $1000 mark. I'm planning to bring back a few from NAB this April.

[samsc]

$1000 for sdi is pretty reasonable,

which ones do you use?

[rosswill]

I've used a few. I will evaluate them all at NAB and let you know which I go for. The main choices are:

http://www.aja.com/d10a.htm
http://www.vtx.co.uk/video/digiboxa2d.htm
http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/be3.pdf
http://www.kramerelectronics.com/indexes/pic.asp?p=FC-7501
http://www.shootview.com/video_digital_converters.htm#ADC272
http://www.bal.co.uk/bboxalthome.html#ASVC

[samsc]

http://www.aja.com/d10a.htm


does this work with rgbhv, how do you connect it up with a vga source?



http://www.vtx.co.uk/video/digiboxa2d.htm


this is only component?

do any of these cheap ones convert dvi or vga directly to sdi?

I know the expensive scan converters do this.

[rosswill]

I dont know but I doubt it.

This box does dvi to sdi and sdi to dvi but its $2,000 http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2566

I presumed that the signal would be scan converted. I can't think of many sdi input devices which would take Catalyst RGBHV.

Extron make an sdi scanconverter all in one.
http://www.extron.com/product/product.asp?id=vsc700&subtype=39

[samsc]

This box does dvi to sdi and sdi to dvi but its $2,000 http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2566



this box is the holy grail. dvi to sdi straight off.

thanks ross.


The ex?tend?it HD-SDI Conversion Box is a sophisticated, cost-effective tool that works both ways, converting high definition from SDI sources to DVI displays and in reverse from DVI sources to SDI displays. This unique attribute provides extreme flexibility and usability for broadcasters operating amongst varied equipment. High quality, high resolution video is maintained, multiple formats (NTSC and PAL) are supported and HDTV resolutions are guaranteed up to 1080i.

[samsc]

Extron make an sdi scanconverter all in one.
http://www.extron.com/product/product.asp?id=vsc700&subtype=39

I knew about the extron one.
there is a VSC 500D as well.

what price are these?

[abbewest]

Hi I just wanted to share my opinion.

The Catalyst gives us 2 x 1600x1200 high res RGBHV signal through one DVI-I connector and one Dsub HD15 VGA connector. Theres also a S-Video out for one of the outputs witch will only give you a max res of 1024x768.
This is a much "better" signal than the classic video signal witch only holds 720x576 (PAL and similar for NTSC) divided by two interlaced pictures, based on how the picture is drawn on a TelevisionScreen.

So do we really want to convert the 1600x1200 RGBHV (three colors and two sync signals) to a 720x576 Composit or Y/C (S-Video) or SDI (Digital signal for longer runs than the Composit or Y/C)?

Well yes, sometimes because we want to please.
Apple has made the RGBHV DVI to S-Video interface and sells it for 19US! With this weapon you can supply the VideoWall guys with both outputs in SDI by the relatively cheap S-Video to SDI converter from AJA or other brands.
Remember that most videowalls are low res so you dont even need the 10Bit converter, you could easily settle for the cheaper 8Bit converter.

Just my 5cents
Abbe Westerlundh

[samsc]

Abbe,

new things have arisen because the native resolution of video projectors has increased.

clients have started to want to use the full native resolution of projectors....
most professional projectors can at least work at 1280x1024.

so people have started to ask how can i use the full resolution of the projector - and will it give me something more for my trouble? ( it is quite a lot of trouble ... )

So converting 1600x1200 back down to pal or ntsc is what people are used to - and its not entirely sensible as you say.

But maybe soon we might be able to playback native hidef movies - directly at 720p or 1080p into projectors. ( we can already... )

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[abbewest]

Hi

I really hope that we can get the video guys inspiration enough to go beyond the PAL and NTSC resolution barrier as soon as possible.
I think that i will try to promote and use CAT5/Fiber RGBHV extenders as distribution since most projectors and ledscreens has a RGBHV input.
The cable is cheap and is widely available compared to SDI Coax.
The extenders that can handle 1600x1200 at 75hz is fair priced.

Regarding the use of resolution...

As i get most discutions here, we would rather work in the Catalyst´s full resolution and thus make it easier to make new stuff in the design language.
I´m sure that you are aware of Dataton´s WatchOut system. That system makes entirely new things possible in the resolution arena.
I have been working with a projekt where i use the resolution 3072 x 768 and making media for it in A|W Maya. Very interesting things happen when the format goes way beond 4:3 or 16:9.

Have you maybe been thinking of talking to Dataton? In my opinion it might be interessting to use the catalyst to drive the Watchout system in resolutions impossible to make with projectors and screens.

All the best /Abbe

[tharding]

You can use Catalyst to do exactly the same thing as Watchout with the only limitation being the 2048 limit of Quicktime.

Cheers

Toby

[samsc]

Catalyst was used this way on the Eurovision song contest last year.

There was a continuous curved screen with many projectors at the back of the stage.

Three images i took:

1. Stage from stalls the image at the back of the stage is from catalyst
2. Images from stage on multiple catalyst monitors.
3. Auditorium.

The total screen image was around 5000x768 i think.
cant remember.
It was as seemless as possible, some content files did playback with one continuous moving image across the entire backdrop.
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This stuff is hard to do -irrespective of technology.
Requires fantastic content people to make it work, and great technicians to align and set everything up.
And as far as software is concerned - you have to operate very conservatively - doing only 2 or 3 layers at a time -