HD-SDI vs HDMI at DVinfo.net

Mark Donnell · July 26th, 2012, 12:08 AM

With regards to the nanoflash (or even other recorders), what are the advantages or disadvantages to recording from the HD-SDI output rather than the HDMI output of a camcorder ? I am familiar with the data rate of HD-SDI, but have no idea what the HDMI output looks like.

Frank Glencairn · July 26th, 2012, 03:14 AM

The advantage of SDI is the locking connector and that most of the pro gear can be plugged in.

In most every other aspect - from bandwidth to features - HDMI blows SDI out of the water.

Frank

Alister Chapman · July 26th, 2012, 05:19 AM

Timecode is not standard with HDMI :-( You can run HDSDi up to 100m with good quality cables, not that you'd normally put a recorder that far away. HDMI tends to exhibit more lag and signal delay than HDSDi.

Jacques Mersereau · July 26th, 2012, 08:10 AM

It depends on what you're doing. I love HDSDI and our switcher and capture computer are well over 100' away from any camera in our studio, but there have been no issues even up to 300 ft. A BNC with two wires (shield and conductor) either works or not and carries component digital video, multi track audio (16 vs HDMI's 8 channels) and timecode.

If the coax cable does not work or is intermittent, I can cut the end off and put a new BNC on it in under 5 minutes. Try that with HDMI.

HDMI copper cable length goes 50' (some claim 100 ft.) with heavy duty cables, but then you've got a thick cable, that can produce a lot of torque, inserted into a weak - sometimes motherboard-mounted connector with lots of pins. Lots of people have had their gear's HDMI's connectors go bad and their shoot shot. The HDMI connector is not locking - really bad. Did I mention how many pins are inside there that may be needed to pass signal or you've got a problem? 19 or even as many as 29! One word - yuck.

If the HDMI connector gets mangled, that expensive thick cable is close to toast because very few want to take on the horrid task of re-connectorizing it - not me brothers.

Don't get me wrong. HDMI is great for a lot of stuff, and 1.4 can carry 4K,
but imo, I would avoid it if possible for use on set.

As always, YMMV.

July 26th, 2012, 12:08 AM	#1
Mark Donnell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 385	HD-SDI vs HDMI With regards to the nanoflash (or even other recorders), what are the advantages or disadvantages to recording from the HD-SDI output rather than the HDMI output of a camcorder ? I am familiar with the data rate of HD-SDI, but have no idea what the HDMI output looks like.

July 26th, 2012, 03:14 AM	#2
Frank Glencairn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 176	Re: HD-SDI vs HDMI The advantage of SDI is the locking connector and that most of the pro gear can be plugged in. In most every other aspect - from bandwidth to features - HDMI blows SDI out of the water. Frank

July 26th, 2012, 05:19 AM	#3
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: HD-SDI vs HDMI Timecode is not standard with HDMI :-( You can run HDSDi up to 100m with good quality cables, not that you'd normally put a recorder that far away. HDMI tends to exhibit more lag and signal delay than HDSDi. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

July 26th, 2012, 08:10 AM	#4
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Re: HD-SDI vs HDMI It depends on what you're doing. I love HDSDI and our switcher and capture computer are well over 100' away from any camera in our studio, but there have been no issues even up to 300 ft. A BNC with two wires (shield and conductor) either works or not and carries component digital video, multi track audio (16 vs HDMI's 8 channels) and timecode. If the coax cable does not work or is intermittent, I can cut the end off and put a new BNC on it in under 5 minutes. Try that with HDMI. HDMI copper cable length goes 50' (some claim 100 ft.) with heavy duty cables, but then you've got a thick cable, that can produce a lot of torque, inserted into a weak - sometimes motherboard-mounted connector with lots of pins. Lots of people have had their gear's HDMI's connectors go bad and their shoot shot. The HDMI connector is not locking - really bad. Did I mention how many pins are inside there that may be needed to pass signal or you've got a problem? 19 or even as many as 29! One word - yuck. If the HDMI connector gets mangled, that expensive thick cable is close to toast because very few want to take on the horrid task of re-connectorizing it - not me brothers. Don't get me wrong. HDMI is great for a lot of stuff, and 1.4 can carry 4K, but imo, I would avoid it if possible for use on set. As always, YMMV. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager