3G-SDI level of X200? at DVinfo.net

Jack Zhang · March 30th, 2015, 10:13 PM

For those working with ATEMs, this is one of the most critical pieces of information to know at the moment.

I'm willing to bet people are planning to setup X200s at 1080p60 to do a live 1080p60 production with something like the ATEM Production Studio 4K.

HOWEVER, the ATEM Production Studio 4K only accepts 3G-SDI at Level B. There has been a ton of flac to Blackmagic for them not supporting Level A, what's more commonly used.

Is anyone with an ATEM 4K and X200 able to test if they're compatible? If you see no picture, it means it's transmitting Level A and the Blackmagic cannot accept anything but Level B over a single SDI link.

This would also apply to the PMW-RX50.

If for some reason Sony also decided to strictly work with Level B, then there is no problem except if you use converters like the Datavideo DAC-70 or the Decimator MD-HX.

Edit: I am stupid... It's in the manuals for both camera and VTR. By default it outputs Level B with Level A support coming in later firmware updates. I guess it will have no issues with the ATEM. Page 94 for the X200, Page 51 for the RX50.

Jack Zhang · August 10th, 2015, 09:18 AM

Bumping this thread to continue the discussion solely because of the 3G-SDI levels issue with Blackmagic and their reluctance to fix the issue. (STILL)

The only solution at the moment for converting levels is the AJA 3GM but that's $800 per port, and on a ATEM 4K 1 M/E, that adds up to $8000 of converters.

People have been petitioning for Blackmagic to change their ways but they sure as hell won't change from Level B.

I've also contacted major converter manufacturers only to have gotten no response as to supporting Level B in their own converters. NOT HELPING.

This seems to be an unsolvable (if you're avoiding 10x 3GMs) problem that has no clear solution.

Rob Hargreaves · August 14th, 2015, 03:31 AM

Zack I haven't had a chance to test the X200 with my ATEM 2 M/E 4k, but the X200 does now offer level A or B when shooting in 50/60p mode.

Jack Zhang · September 8th, 2015, 11:41 AM

ATEM OWNERS.

Decimator Design has pushed out a firmware update to the Decimator Converters that will enable cross conversion of 3G-SDI levels. You can now get a MD-HX for about $295USD to convert from Level A to Level B for Blackmagic equipment! It can also convert HDMI to 3G-SDI Level B and frame rate convert and scale!

MD-HX HDMI / SDI Cross Converter

March 30th, 2015, 10:13 PM	#1
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	3G-SDI level of X200? For those working with ATEMs, this is one of the most critical pieces of information to know at the moment. I'm willing to bet people are planning to setup X200s at 1080p60 to do a live 1080p60 production with something like the ATEM Production Studio 4K. HOWEVER, the ATEM Production Studio 4K only accepts 3G-SDI at Level B. There has been a ton of flac to Blackmagic for them not supporting Level A, what's more commonly used. Is anyone with an ATEM 4K and X200 able to test if they're compatible? If you see no picture, it means it's transmitting Level A and the Blackmagic cannot accept anything but Level B over a single SDI link. This would also apply to the PMW-RX50. If for some reason Sony also decided to strictly work with Level B, then there is no problem except if you use converters like the Datavideo DAC-70 or the Decimator MD-HX. Edit: I am stupid... It's in the manuals for both camera and VTR. By default it outputs Level B with Level A support coming in later firmware updates. I guess it will have no issues with the ATEM. Page 94 for the X200, Page 51 for the RX50. Last edited by Jack Zhang; March 31st, 2015 at 03:08 PM.

August 10th, 2015, 09:18 AM	#2
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: 3G-SDI level of X200? Bumping this thread to continue the discussion solely because of the 3G-SDI levels issue with Blackmagic and their reluctance to fix the issue. (STILL) The only solution at the moment for converting levels is the AJA 3GM but that's $800 per port, and on a ATEM 4K 1 M/E, that adds up to $8000 of converters. People have been petitioning for Blackmagic to change their ways but they sure as hell won't change from Level B. I've also contacted major converter manufacturers only to have gotten no response as to supporting Level B in their own converters. NOT HELPING. This seems to be an unsolvable (if you're avoiding 10x 3GMs) problem that has no clear solution.

August 14th, 2015, 03:31 AM	#3
Rob Hargreaves Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London Posts: 96	Re: 3G-SDI level of X200? Zack I haven't had a chance to test the X200 with my ATEM 2 M/E 4k, but the X200 does now offer level A or B when shooting in 50/60p mode.

September 8th, 2015, 11:41 AM	#4
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: 3G-SDI level of X200? ATEM OWNERS. Decimator Design has pushed out a firmware update to the Decimator Converters that will enable cross conversion of 3G-SDI levels. You can now get a MD-HX for about $295USD to convert from Level A to Level B for Blackmagic equipment! It can also convert HDMI to 3G-SDI Level B and frame rate convert and scale! MD-HX HDMI / SDI Cross Converter