Teradek - Why receiver needs to have 2nd SDI out?

emilian

emilian

Active member
Hi all, I just got a Teradek 500 XT unit - that is the newest model with both HDMI and SDI inputs and outputs.
I was rigging the Receiver to my monitor, and seeing how big the unit is, I was wondering about something.

While the Transmitter is relatively small, the Receiver unit is so BIG, because it needs to incorporate both SDI and HDMI + a 2nd SDI out.
Ok now I can see, how both of these inputs would be needed on the Transmitter, but why would you need a 2nd SDI on the Receiver? I cant recall a setup, that would've benefited from that.

Even more, I could work just fine with ONLY HDMI output for the Receiver, since all monitors have HDMI anyway...
A small HDMI Receiver for a light-weight setup will be convenient.

Yes, Teradek offers a "HDMI only Receiver" but that goes in a kit ONLY with the "HDMI only Transmitter" - which is crippling, since I do need the SDI on the Transmitter side.

So any thought will be appreciated, as to why I would need a 2nd SDI out for the Receiver?
 
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A lot of cameras only offer one or two SDI outputs. If you’re running both and EVF and an onboard monitor for your assistant you can very easily run out of outputs. Having the loop-through on the TX can be a godsend sometimes.
 
Ah yes, I agree that the Transmitter is better to have the loop output. But my question is about the Receiver - why would you need to have a 2nd SDI out on the receiver, its like, for a 2nd monitor that sits close by to the 1st monitor?

The idea is to prefer a smaller Receiver unit VS bigger unit with more outputs.
 
I have been on quite a few shoots where the RX is on a large monitor for the director, and the second output goes to a smaller focus monitor Right next to it, so the 1AC isn’t blocking the main monitor. It’s also handy if you only have the one Taradek in play but need to run a cable off to another monitor somewhere else on set... scripty, etc.
 
Alright thats about what I thought, but I have never been on a bigger set to check it out. Thanks for the info! :)
 
If a puller or 'head operator' is on the first recieving monitor you can be pretty assured that they will be blocking it from the view from others (client director etc)

I would see two remote monitors as pretty standard on all but the smallest shoots.
 
You may want to check out the Teradek Sidekick, II which is a much smaller receiver with one SDI out.

You've already made your purchase but for the benefit of those who may be shopping for a setup, worth looking at the Amimon Connex Mini. Same chipset as the Teradek 3000 for a fraction of the price (Amimon has made the boards for all of the Teradek and Paralinx units, as well as Nyrius and many other brands). Transmitter and receiver are tiny compared to Bolts. With the standard Mini receiver it is rated for 1600 ft., with the Fusion receiver for $300 more, 3300 ft. While they are HDMI only, there are kits available via Camera Motion Research to mate them with an SDI to HDMI converter. I had 3D printed housings made to do the same thing with cabling internally. I've been using these in place of Teradeks on multiple TV series for past 2 years with no issues.
 
Charles: I see a lot of references to UAV kit on the Amimom site, but when you follow the "cinematography" product link, it just dumps you onto the Teradek site. Is there a difference between the UAV and the ground camera transmitter/receiver sets?
 
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