F35 IF Box Embed Audio out via SDI

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ottowitz

Active member
Hello,

today i spent 3 hours getting my audio from a mic pre (VCP-M2 2, http://www.filmtontechnik.de/611.html) to work with my Odyssey 7q. As the odysseys analog input doesnt work yet (future update) the plan was:

VCP M2 Mic Pre (48v phantom power to Sennheiser MKH416) -> Sony F35 IF Box XLR Inputs (switched to line input) -> SDI Cable into Convergent Design 7q Sdi input.

The IF Box DC Input powers the F35 via D-Tap. 7Q gets perfect signal - even though Output A is not working properly Output B is and gives the signal to odyssey. A seems to have a connection problem which is related to the sdi connector in the interface box.

In the manual it says that the audio is embed. I also found a comment in another thread where someone stated that he got embed audio via SDI into his AJA Quad without problems.

Only the picture is coming in for me. I changed from IF Box XLR Input 1 to 2 and used SDI Output A while keeping my hand on the SDI-Connector to overcome the connection problem and no sound. The Odyssey only has one small menu to click the input channel which is activated to 1+2. There is no other option yet and convergent told me via Telephone they are working on the analog audio input activation.

So i am pretty clueless now after i spend my day at filmtontechnik to get this working...I even tested connecting the 48v mic directly to the f35 IF Box without any preamp and we tested with different preamps and microphones...Either my IF Box has major Problems or i do something wrong. Anyone with any help?
 
If I were in your shoes, I would try several strategies to pinpoint the problem. As possible, I would check alternate configurations - try running the mic directly to the IF box, try outputting to a different recorder, etc.

But, all of that aside, I find it interesting that your Output A doesn't work on your IF box. You might consider opening the IF box up, and if you can't spot a problem yourself, upload us some pictures. I've spent some time with the IF box. It has three circuit boards: the dock board, the audio board, and the main board for embedding audio onto video. Coax cables carry the video signals from the dock board to the main board, and a second pair of coax cables carry the video signals with audio embedded to the BNC connectors. If the A cable for either of these pairs is loose, damaged, or disconnected, it would explain the lack of output A. Keep in mind, if audio is not needed, you can reroute the video cables directly from the dock board to the BNC connectors.


Also, it may be the the IF box main board relies on the presence of video signal A to do it's embedding work, and if the signal is not present, it may simply refuse to embed audio to either cable. Or, it's possible, if unlikely, that someone has rewired your IF box, bypassing the audio embedding, and the A cable is loose.

Good luck!
 
Hey Viddo thanks for taking the time, much appreciated. MacGregor helped me via mail - my if box audio setting was set to channel 5/6 - hope thats the reason. Set it to 1/2 now and will see tomorrow when i get a mic in my hand to test it. Strange though my manual page 88 doesn't say anything about audio - its about menu settings. He found the info there...Seems there are different versions of the manual floating around.

Btw. everyone dealing with sound without field recorder here and then make sure to check out the VCP-M2 - very good preamp and super tiny light weight box. Only mic input with 48v and line out. Compared to sound devices and siemens v276 preamps and even though siemens is still king (ofc) the preamp quality is comparable to the sound devices 302 field mixer.

Will post some pictures soon - could easily attach it on the side of the f35 with velco. So for corporate work its fast detachable for sound guys and for interviews its easy accessible...

Regarding the IF SDI Output: The SDI socket seems loose. If i press the cable in a specific degree very briefly into the sdi socket the picture stays on the monitor. By releasing pressure it wents off...Just as normal cable break. I will do as you suggested and open the box to check the connections. The CVP M2 build into the IF Box with the gain switches installed would be PERFECT. Maybe next project :) You already wrote that there is a lot of space in the IF Box right...
 
ottowitz said:
Regarding the IF SDI Output: The SDI socket seems loose. If i press the cable in a specific degree very briefly into the sdi socket the picture stays on the monitor. By releasing pressure it wents off...Just as normal cable break. I will do as you suggested and open the box to check the connections. The CVP M2 build into the IF Box with the gain switches installed would be PERFECT. Maybe next project :) You already wrote that there is a lot of space in the IF Box right...
Click to expand...

Forgot about that 5/6 setting! Glad you got it fixed.

Not sure there's enough space in the box for such a mod, but I'd love to be proved wrong!

As for the connector, sounds like a physical issue either with the connector or the cable. Either way, you should be able to buy replacement parts from Sony and fix it fairly easily.
 
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