Oddysey - Data cable reccommendation ?

[Mat Thompson]

Hi guys
What is a good BNC > BNC data cable to use on the Odyssey?

Edit - sorry for the dodgy spelling!

Cheers
Mat

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Mat,

Here is what is required for the HD-SDI cable.

I am specifying a HD-SDI 3G Cable, since some, if not many, cameras use HD-SDI 3G to send their images and audio to the Odyssey7Q.

The Sony FS700 and the Canon C500 demand the use of a HD-SDI 3G Cable.

1. The Cable must be rated for 3G, and have a 75 Ohm impedance.

2. The BNC Connectors must also be rated for 3G, and have a 75 Ohm impedance.

Our company builds very thin, but very high performance HD-SDI 3G cables. They typically cost around $20 from our dealers.

Of course, other high quality HD-SDI 3G cables will work.


When we are troubleshooting with those using an Odyssey7Q and we are troubleshooting modes which use 3G, and the images are not appearing on our OLED Monitor, here is the order in which we attempt to solve the problem.

1. We check the setup of the camera, to see if it is in the correct mode, and if the HD-SDI outputs are enabled.

2. We check the setup of the Odyssey7Q to see if it is in the correct mode.

3. Then we suspect the cable.

If the user does not know if it is a 3G Rated Cable or not, then we do wonder if it is a qualified cable.

Then we backup and switch to a mode that only uses 1.5G, such as HD for most cameras (up to 1080p30).

If we can't get this to work, then we will ask to try another cable.

If this works, and the 3G mode does not work, then we have it narrowed down to the cable being not 3D, or the camera not outputting a good signal in this mode, or the Odyssey7Q does not work in this mode.

The quickest and easiest thing to then test, is a replacement, known good, HD-SDI 3G cable.

We recommend every user purchase at least two HD-SDI 3G Cables.

If a second cable is on hand, and a problem occurs on-set, then switching to a second cable can sometimes say the day.


If one will never use HD-SDI 3G, and only use HD-SDI 1.5G, then standard HD-SDI cables are fine.


Please note, that at short distances, say under two feet, some HD-SDI 1.5G cables will work at 3G.

But, if there is trouble, then the cable has to be replaced during the troubleshooting process.

Respectfully,

[Maxwell Bingham]

Hey Mat,

This is what I use and I find it to work perfectly for most of my setups. It has enough reach on my shoulder mount once you stretch the coil out (The coil isn't as springy as you think, but has a lot of memory, so when you stretch it out it maintains that length and won't put any unwanted pull on your connectors). Of course it also works mounted on a tripod. Obviously if you plan on using a jib or anything else, your going to want to get a much longer cable, but this is a good cable for most setups.

http://www.amazon.com/CineCoil-10-Co...G79WK0CWDF3636

--Max

[Mat Thompson]

Now look at that for a definitive response !! Thanks Dan this sort of info is good to know!

Maxwell - Thanks for the link.

[Dave Allen]

Dan, I had no idea C.D. sold a slim 3G SDFI cable. I have the Cinecoil and it is, well, bulky and heavy.

Care to post a photo and a link to your cable. And what is the gauge of the main wire?

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Dave,

Our Convergent Design HD-SDI cable is fully 3G Rated, and individually tested.

We normally make these in 36" lengths. Theses photos are of a shorter, 18" one that I had on hand.

They are extremely light and flexible.

(By flexible, I mean that these cables can easily be wound around one's little finger.

The thickness is around 1/8 of an inch, or less than the thickness of a normal CompactFlash card.

The second photo shows CompactFlash card, on edge, so that you can visualize the thickness of the cable.

Respectfully,

[Sami Sanpakkila]

Is it ok to use 90 degree BNC adapters?

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Sami,

There are very high quality true 75 Ohm 90 Degree BNC Adapters available that do work well.

But, there are others that are not true 75 Ohm, and work less well.

And some are certainly of lessor quality that fail.

If you use one, and there are problems, this is the first item to remove from your signal chain.

Thus, you may want to use good ones, and keep spares on hand if they are critical.

Respectfully,