I am a developmentally disabled child that doesn't understand HD-SDI I/O. Help.

Z

Zillax0rz

Member
I have spent hours trying to figure this out on my own, but it simply isn't working out. If anyone out there can be so generous, help this complete idiot noob understand why HD-SDI I/O is import for HD editing, what devices I should look at, etc.

I just don't understand the exact purpose and why it's so damn important. I don't understand the differences between such devices, such as Blackmagic's Intensity , DeckLink, and HDLink.

I have cookies for those willing to enlighten my ignorant self.
 
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It's only important if you have other equipment that utilizes HD-SDI. HD-SDI is an uncompressed high-def transfer system. If you have an HDCAM deck, for example, the only way to get the best-quality video off it is through HD-SDI.

Very few low-cost cameras offer HD-SDI; none under $7,000. The JVC HD200/HD250 and the Canon XHG1/XLH1 have it, and many 2/3" cameras have it.

So what are you shooting on and editing with? You may need it, you may not. Since you posted this in the HVX section I'll say that the HVX200 doesn't have it, so if that's what you're working with, you probably don't need it.
 
Well, take a look at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_SDI

Put simply it is the highest possible quality output you can get out from a deck or camera. The next best thing is COMPONENT, which is the signal broken up into 3 primary colors, Red, Blue and Green...then there is S-Video and finally Composite. Composite is the lowest end.

Look them all up in the Wiki...
 
Well, I'm working with HVR-V1U and HVX200. I'm seeing stuff saying that to properly calibrate the color and see the footage on an HDTV, you can use some sort of HD-SDI solution.
 
To see what the cameras are REALLY producing in terms of color and picture, you'd need to view the footage on an HD production monitor (CRT or LCD), and to do so via HD SDI would be best. Component is also very good. But production level HD monitors are very price restrictive. $4000 to $35,000. Consumer HDTVs won't get you a TRUE image...but the will be fine. If your target is DVD or HD TV, then this is a "decent" way to monitor your colors. However, it would be best on an HD monitor with a capture card via HD SDI.

There is a low cost solution, however. The Matrox MXO and Apple 23" LCD get you very close to what a broadcast monitor gets...close enough for most occasions. And not too expensive. $999 for the MXO and $899 for the Apple Monitor. And the MXO connects to your computer via DVI, and to the monitor via DVI. However, it also had HD SDI, in case you get a real HD LCD or CRT.
 
Not to hijack this thread, but I wonder about the new Panasonic Plasmas for 2007. The PZ750U series is supposed to have a studio reference mode. That may be a way to get a TV and reference monitor all in one. Since they are not out yet, there's not much to go on but I can dream. It will still cost more than the MXO/Apple combo, but you do potentially gain a kick ass TV in the deal. I think 50" is the smallest one, so that may be an issue for some. Also, I've read that the SD up conversion is not as good as it should be. We'll see.
 
Nice PC move, ZillaxOrz, changing "retard" to "developmentally disabled" in the thread title. However, "disabled" still carries some pejorative weight, so for maximum PC coverage you might want to edit it yet again to: "developmentally challenged", which would remove even the slightest hint of un-PC-ness.

That should make everyone happy. Except of course, the retards.

..........just kidding...........!!!!! :Drogar-Dolar(DBG):
 
Barry_Green said:
It's only important if you have other equipment that utilizes HD-SDI. HD-SDI is an uncompressed high-def transfer system. If you have an HDCAM deck, for example, the only way to get the best-quality video off it is through HD-SDI.

Very few low-cost cameras offer HD-SDI; none under $7,000. The JVC HD200/HD250 and the Canon XHG1/XLH1 have it, and many 2/3" cameras have it.

So what are you shooting on and editing with? You may need it, you may not. Since you posted this in the HVX section I'll say that the HVX200 doesn't have it, so if that's what you're working with, you probably don't need it.
Click to expand...

...so if you have a cameria with HD-SDI and you record first to the media that the camera uses and then are going to ingest to your NLE... would you potentially get a better result going through HD-SDI verus Firewire? Remember, I'm not talking about recording straight out over HD-SDI, but capturing that way. Thanks for the insight.
 
No. Once it's recorded to the internal media, firewire is a direct digital transfer of that data. Can't get better than that.

Uncompressing and transferring via HD-SDI will mean a much bigger file, but no better (unless the conversion to HD-SDI involves some sort of chroma up-res or something, but you could always just do that in your NLE too).
 
Not to hijack, but just a scenic detour of this therad:

if you watched 2 versions, HDV and HD-SDI, of the same video side-by-side on a consumer HD monitor, what major differences would you see?
 
Barry_Green said:
No. Once it's recorded to the internal media, firewire is a direct digital transfer of that data. Can't get better than that.

Uncompressing and transferring via HD-SDI will mean a much bigger file, but no better (unless the conversion to HD-SDI involves some sort of chroma up-res or something, but you could always just do that in your NLE too).
Click to expand...

Thanks Barry, that's what I thought but wanted to check.
 
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