FS7: SmallHD 502 leaking RF on SDI - radio mic killer

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bengiles

Well-known member
Dunno if anyone else has experienced this.

We borrowed a loaner 502 from the UK Distributor, Holden - we originally wanted to try the new SmallHD Focus model, but it hadn't arrived in the UK on time.

After 4 days of our Sony UWP D11 system on the SMAD adapter constantly crapping out and causing shot changes with booms etc, we had tried everything we could think of for stray RF interference - cellphones, trying different channels, even smart watches. We gave up, thinking it must be a faulty radio mic system, which has otherwise been bullet proof for 2 years. I reluctantly ordered a brand new system, in time for the next shoot on Monday, and sent the old one in for hopeful repair.

The second system did the same thing, so we kept looking for other sources. In the end, we found the culprit late on Friday evening - the SDI output of the 502, using the supplied Holden 20cm BNC cable. Unplug it and the noise/dropout on the radio mic vanishes. We now have one more radio mic system than we needed right now - but hopefully this may be useful info for anyone who experiences radio mic dropouts when using a SmallHD monitor.

Holden have been sympathetic, so hopefully we'll find a resolution.

Ben.
 
I had a similar thing occur shooting an interview in the middle of a desert, I didn't have time to trouble shoot the issue, but it could well have been my O7Q+.
 
Liam Hall said:
I had a similar thing occur shooting an interview in the middle of a desert, I didn't have time to trouble shoot the issue, but it could well have been my O7Q+.
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Been a alot of posts about this on the Sony Forum.. some have blamed the camera.. others say well if nothings connected and its fine.. then how can it be the camera.. and that its whats ever connected or the cable itself leaking the RF.. effects the digital receivers more it seems..
Phil Bloom also had a post about this same "problem"
 
> the SDI output of the 502, using the supplied Holden 20cm BNC cable.

In my experiences with crappy RFI coming from cameras and camera equipment made by reputable companies (and I include SmallHD in that group), the culprit is usually a faulty BNC cable, especially at the cable/connector junction. Once it was a loose/damaged BNC connector on a camera.

And it seems like these days there are some pretty crappy BNC cables floating around. But more commonly, even well-made BNC cables using good components can get damaged and become little evil antennas.

So were you able to borrow and try a known-good BNC cable?

And maybe drop a line to SmallHD...the one time I had to contact them, they were pretty responsive and knowledgable.

Let us know how this works out! Good luck!
 
I had RF problems with the Sony F3 SDI going out to a smallHD 502 and then later a Atomos Samurai blade. It was the smallHD bnc cable that madr it. I bought a teradeck cable and the trouble was gone.
 
Donny 123 said:
Been a alot of posts about this on the Sony Forum.. some have blamed the camera.. others say well if nothings connected and its fine.. then how can it be the camera.. and that its whats ever connected or the cable itself leaking the RF.. effects the digital receivers more it seems..
Phil Bloom also had a post about this same "problem"
Click to expand...

Donny, would you mind linking me to any of these - I'm not finding them via Google. SmallHD UK distributor Holdan have asked for some links. Thanks.
 
oh just noticed that ! maybe its not Philip Bloom.. but I think he posted something abut it on his site.. so I assumed it was him.. but might be not.. but the subject matter is this RF leaking interference ..

Sorry my mistake its not Philip Bloom .. must learn how to spell one of these days..
 
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Update - Holdan have been very supportive and CVP have very kindly taken back the second radio mic system and reimbursed us in full.

It has made me re-think the wisdom that SDI/BNC is an intrinsically "better" terminal than an HDMI plug.

While it might be physically more apparently robust, the ability to leak RF from what looked like a functioning cable assembly has got me wondering if the lowly BNC is not fit for purpose as a high rate data connector (ie 3G+ data rates.)
 
bengiles said:
Update - Holdan have been very supportive and CVP have very kindly taken back the second radio mic system and reimbursed us in full.

It has made me re-think the wisdom that SDI/BNC is an intrinsically "better" terminal than an HDMI plug.

While it might be physically more apparently robust, the ability to leak RF from what looked like a functioning cable assembly has got me wondering if the lowly BNC is not fit for purpose as a high rate data connector (ie 3G+ data rates.)
Click to expand...

I'll still take my chances with BNC over HDMI in a professional/production/broadcast setting ANY day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
I experienced the same problem and found out it was my BNC cable that caused it. Tossed it and used another one and the problem went away. Until I discovered where the problem was it was very frustrating and embarrassing during two shoots.
 
Yeah there seemed to be a bit of out cry from F5/55 owners there for a while.. demanding Sony fix the SDI outs.. but seems to be nearly all cable faults or 3rd party hang ones.. just get the expensive cable/ video link etc.. and you should be ok..
 
Run&Gun said:
I'll still take my chances with BNC over HDMI in a professional/production/broadcast setting ANY day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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Having been on a couple jobs where usually-sensible people went HDMI to try to save a few bucks, I totally agree.

Well-made BNC cables is still the way I like to roll.

Ben, great to hear about the strong support from Holden and CVP! Good dealers make our jobs so much easier...hell, they make them possible.
 
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