Hello guys and big thank you for this great software :))

We recently did a live football sport production using vMix 16 on ROC Asus laptop. We were using 2 HDMI out camcorders and HDMI USB.3 capture card XI100DUSB from Magewell and Ultra Studio via Thunderbolt. One of the cameras was with 20 meters HDMI cable. All was good with HDMI connections, but I had problems with HDMI-SDI converter or SDI cable for long runs. I have XI100DUSB SDI capture card too, one HDMI-SDI converter from Blackmagic, and two of these: Oxford Street New MINI 3G HDMI to SDI Converter from Amazon.

When I was using SDI workflow, very often (not all the time), video signal was blinking and getting lost for some seconds. I red a lot in the forums, but still can't find out what is the problem. The thing is that not all the time the signal is getting lost and when I am testing indoors all is fine for even 2-3h. But when I am outdoor I have these problems. I tested 576p and 720p and looks iike 576p is giving me less problems, but sometime again signal is getting lost.

Is it possible to be the converters? I tested with both of them, mixed results. Or maybe it is this video cable witch is made for video surveillance and we put BNC connectors on it, because of budget limitations. Or maybe BNC connectors are not good when attaching to capture card? This XI100DUSB SDI capture card have small SDI cable adapter, as the card don't have normal BNC in and using 5 cm cable to connect my 40 meter SDI cable. What do you thing is the problem, maybe bandwidth of the cable is not enough? I tested two 40 m cables and 80 meters one. Again mixed results.

I got lost of this problem and looking for your help. Thanks in advance.

Peter

@ sobx

Unfortunately, Peter, with so many 'links in your chain', it may take a while and some patience to isolate the problem.
I suspect it is a bad connection or cable problem from your description more than a bandwidth or signal issue, but until you are able to 'replicate' the issue repeatedly, it won't be easy to identify.
Was it always the same camera, cable or connectors having the issue?
Was there a precursor or action that triggered the signal to be lost or return (camera movement or cable disruption)?
Could weather be a factor (wet/cold)?
How are you powering your converters? Is it possible power was lost or disrupted at the venue?
As you can see, there are many things to consider and test, and you will likely have to be very meticulous until you can cause the problem to show itself again.


Ice

Hi sobx,

I heared from more experienced colleague that blackmagic converters are quite sensitive in term of cable lenght, but with 40 meter cable it should be OK.

One question: Did you notice issues when connecting converter -> 40 meter cable -> blackmagic ultrastudio? If not, maybe its this tiny Magewell SDI to MCX cable or MCX socket problem. This cable is quite sensitive, I had issues with it.

Don't save to much on cables. The video surveillance cables are OK only if you install them once. Unwrapping, unwinding, folding... - it damages the cable. And not every surveillance cable can be used outside, they can be not moisture and high/low temperature resist.

Ah, one more thing. Avoid too long hdmi cables (from camera to converter).

But you will have extenders. And CAT5 plugs/sockets. Don't use it.
Long HDMI cables are usually thick and rigid. I would not use it too.

From my experience BNC connectors were always the most stable. The biggest issue (not to mention this BNC/MCX cable again) were with mini-hdmi connector (mini-hdmi camera socket). Try to make sure it doesn't move during camera movement. I mounted my HDMI-SDI converter to the camera, so the HDMI camera doesn't move relative to the camera and converter.

80m? that's a very long run. If you happen to "borrow" a Belden 1505 RG59 cable, i would check that first and run some tests. Also shorten your HDMI cable to the SDI converter. I am running 65m or 200ft using RG59 SDI Siamese Cable. The RG59 cable so far is working well with my SDI signal. At the camera side, I am using an HDMI to SDI converter (HDMI cable is 1m) to the converter. I then use the power side of the RG59 Siamese cable to run power to my camera. One cable run which is providing a digital signal and power

I always test at the office, using longer or connected sdi cables, so i dont get suprised at a gig.

problems with long cables and sdi can be anything with my tp 4: connectors 1 cable quality 2 break in cable 3 and extraterrestrials playing around with me #4

use good cable when over 50 meters and or use a repeater. also a good qualit hdmi to sdi is needed.

720 p25 seems more reliable than 1080i50 over longer runs. and better for sports maybe...

anyway: test test test and treat your cables as a 1.000.000 dollar lottery ticket.
stefan