Dumb Question but what is SDI output GenLock input Time Code input/output at DVinfo.net

Steven Rupert · October 7th, 2006, 04:17 PM

Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but what would someone need SDI output, GenLock input and Time Code input and output for???

Thanks in advance

Paul R Johnson · October 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM

the key is in sdi's common need to be synchonised to the device it feeds, so it needs a reference source to lock to - applied to the genlock in terminal. in pro gear, timecode is also fed in via discreet connector and out to other devices. On the back of my For-A video production unit there are more bncs carrying these kind of signals than conventional ins and outs. where you have a lot of kit chained together, proper sync also helps reduce the in-to-out delays that happen with digital kit that otherwise has to wait for a complete frame (or more) top pass to be able to lock to. Look on the back of most pro kit and you'll see the sync and other interconnects that the users demand.

If you have a specific example that's confusing you - let us know?

Chris Hurd · October 7th, 2006, 05:09 PM

SDI -- Serial Digital Interface -- is the primary digital format connection standard in the professional broadcast industry. It carries everything (video, audio, and time code) over one cable. Much better than FireWire, its bandwidth is nearly 1.5 gigabits per second, so you're getting raw HD output before any compression is applied. With SDI you can use it simply to cable out to an HDTV for monitoring your video image, or you can use it to record straight to a professional HD format VTR, such as an HDCAM deck or a DVCPRO HD deck.

Genlock input allows the camera to receive a sync signal from an external generator, the idea being that you can switch smoothly between multiple cameras in a live shooting environment since the Genlock insures that all cameras are running in lock-step with each other, fields and frames in perfect sync.

Timecode input or output allows you to slave an external device such as an digital audio recorder to your video camera, or slave your camera to some other device such as another camera . Both units get the same time code, which makes editing a lot easier. Hope this helps,

Steven Rupert · October 8th, 2006, 08:03 PM

Thank you guys. Yes the answers helped. For me the SDI would be beneficial but the other applications aren't relevant to what I do

Joseph Olesh · October 8th, 2006, 09:49 PM

thanks for askin steven. i've never known the exact answer either. and thanks to chris and the guys for such a complete answer.

Hugh Brownstone · October 8th, 2006, 10:01 PM

How would you actually share the genlock among four cameras in a large theatre? Wire? Wireless?

Thanks!

Sharyn Ferrick · October 8th, 2006, 11:52 PM

Typically you would run genloc cables to each camera

One thing is that typically in this enviromment you have CCU's (camera control units) for each camera, and you have a cable 26pin for instance that connects each camera to each ccu. One thing that is typically not mentioned is that you need to have the cables all the exact same length if you want the genloc and the video feed to be insync and you don't want to have a tbc on each input.

You have a sync source generator that feeds the entire system

Sharyn

Jay Stebbins · October 10th, 2006, 07:06 PM

I ask this dumb question as well... With the SDi output can you capture to a powerbook or a firestore in a DVCPRO HD codec?

I have been on the cusp of buying a HVX200 for some time now. I like the idea of recording to P2 or Disk. Well, anything other than tape. My reason for wanting to avoid tape is two fold. If you know a clip was not shot right, just delete it then. Why keep it around to clutter up things later. As well as I am under the impression that HDV is not really that MAC friendly as render times can be a little long. I have absolutely no interest in going back to windows. Just my opinion there... However, as I am interested in shooting landscape videography and my best light is around sunrise and sunset, I fear the HVX will fall short of my expectations. It seems to be an incredible camera, in a studio. Steven Dempsey and his work has blown me away. And keep bringing me back to the Canon cameras. I do plan on using the Brevis or Redrock M2 system with whatever it is that I buy.

But, can I use the SDI output to sidestep the Tape and HDV codec all-together, without recording pure HD and those associated costs?

Thanks,
Jay

October 7th, 2006, 04:17 PM	#1
Steven Rupert New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 19	Dumb Question but what is SDI output GenLock input Time Code input/output Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but what would someone need SDI output, GenLock input and Time Code input and output for??? Thanks in advance

October 7th, 2006, 05:09 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	SDI -- Serial Digital Interface -- is the primary digital format connection standard in the professional broadcast industry. It carries everything (video, audio, and time code) over one cable. Much better than FireWire, its bandwidth is nearly 1.5 gigabits per second, so you're getting raw HD output before any compression is applied. With SDI you can use it simply to cable out to an HDTV for monitoring your video image, or you can use it to record straight to a professional HD format VTR, such as an HDCAM deck or a DVCPRO HD deck. Genlock input allows the camera to receive a sync signal from an external generator, the idea being that you can switch smoothly between multiple cameras in a live shooting environment since the Genlock insures that all cameras are running in lock-step with each other, fields and frames in perfect sync. Timecode input or output allows you to slave an external device such as an digital audio recorder to your video camera, or slave your camera to some other device such as another camera . Both units get the same time code, which makes editing a lot easier. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 8th, 2006, 09:49 PM	#5
Joseph Olesh Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 33	thanks for askin steven. i've never known the exact answer either. and thanks to chris and the guys for such a complete answer. __________________ di bernardi productions. san luis obispo, ca.

October 8th, 2006, 10:01 PM	#6
Hugh Brownstone Tourist Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	A dumber question How would you actually share the genlock among four cameras in a large theatre? Wire? Wireless? Thanks!

October 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM	#2
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	the key is in sdi's common need to be synchonised to the device it feeds, so it needs a reference source to lock to - applied to the genlock in terminal. in pro gear, timecode is also fed in via discreet connector and out to other devices. On the back of my For-A video production unit there are more bncs carrying these kind of signals than conventional ins and outs. where you have a lot of kit chained together, proper sync also helps reduce the in-to-out delays that happen with digital kit that otherwise has to wait for a complete frame (or more) top pass to be able to lock to. Look on the back of most pro kit and you'll see the sync and other interconnects that the users demand. If you have a specific example that's confusing you - let us know?

October 8th, 2006, 08:03 PM	#4
Steven Rupert New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 19	Thank you guys. Yes the answers helped. For me the SDI would be beneficial but the other applications aren't relevant to what I do

October 8th, 2006, 11:52 PM	#7
Sharyn Ferrick Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 128	Typically you would run genloc cables to each camera One thing is that typically in this enviromment you have CCU's (camera control units) for each camera, and you have a cable 26pin for instance that connects each camera to each ccu. One thing that is typically not mentioned is that you need to have the cables all the exact same length if you want the genloc and the video feed to be insync and you don't want to have a tbc on each input. You have a sync source generator that feeds the entire system Sharyn

October 10th, 2006, 07:06 PM	#8
Jay Stebbins Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nantucket MA Posts: 82	I ask this dumb question as well... With the SDi output can you capture to a powerbook or a firestore in a DVCPRO HD codec? I have been on the cusp of buying a HVX200 for some time now. I like the idea of recording to P2 or Disk. Well, anything other than tape. My reason for wanting to avoid tape is two fold. If you know a clip was not shot right, just delete it then. Why keep it around to clutter up things later. As well as I am under the impression that HDV is not really that MAC friendly as render times can be a little long. I have absolutely no interest in going back to windows. Just my opinion there... However, as I am interested in shooting landscape videography and my best light is around sunrise and sunset, I fear the HVX will fall short of my expectations. It seems to be an incredible camera, in a studio. Steven Dempsey and his work has blown me away. And keep bringing me back to the Canon cameras. I do plan on using the Brevis or Redrock M2 system with whatever it is that I buy. But, can I use the SDI output to sidestep the Tape and HDV codec all-together, without recording pure HD and those associated costs? Thanks, Jay