Two video outputs from XL H1s

Andy Tejral · December 4th, 2009, 12:01 PM

I'll add another voice for SDI--its a professional format designed to travel long distances. I think it may be hard to get a camera's RGB to go that far, although this is just a guess on my part.

But check the prices of those AJA/Miranda/whatever adapters: they don't come cheap! Perhaps it might be cheaper to get an SDI capable monitor--unless you already have a good HD but non-SDI model.

Richard Sarkop · December 4th, 2009, 01:23 PM

Thanks Andy,

I agree... it seems like running SDI over 100 ft cable would be easier/safer/cheaper. And, if I can loop it to other devices, it's even better.

The SDI-component/HDMI adapters seem to be in the $500 range. I've only briefly looked for SDI-monitors. They seem to be in $2500 range. Vanilla HD monitors(HDMI/DVI inputs) seem to be a dime a dozen ($250 range). I'm sure there is an element of "you get what you pay for" here, but I'm not sure I need all of the features that the (initially found) SDI monitors provide (many input flavors, color bars, etc). So, I'll have to do some more research.

I remembered another related question: during data processing (after the experiment is complete) I'd like to be able to do the following:
- given that I've found a video frame of interest, can I read the SMPTE time via a computer? IOW, is the SMPTE time stored as metadata for each frame? Can I read the time from a Quicktime and/or .m2T video frame? How about if I record uncompressed?
- given that I have a GPS time of interest, are there software tools that will allow me to programmatically jump to the associated video frame?

December 4th, 2009, 12:01 PM	#16
Andy Tejral Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 523	I'll add another voice for SDI--its a professional format designed to travel long distances. I think it may be hard to get a camera's RGB to go that far, although this is just a guess on my part. But check the prices of those AJA/Miranda/whatever adapters: they don't come cheap! Perhaps it might be cheaper to get an SDI capable monitor--unless you already have a good HD but non-SDI model. __________________ Andy Tejral Railroad Videographer

December 4th, 2009, 01:23 PM	#17
Richard Sarkop New Boot Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Loudoun, Virginia Posts: 8	Thanks Andy, I agree... it seems like running SDI over 100 ft cable would be easier/safer/cheaper. And, if I can loop it to other devices, it's even better. The SDI-component/HDMI adapters seem to be in the $500 range. I've only briefly looked for SDI-monitors. They seem to be in $2500 range. Vanilla HD monitors(HDMI/DVI inputs) seem to be a dime a dozen ($250 range). I'm sure there is an element of "you get what you pay for" here, but I'm not sure I need all of the features that the (initially found) SDI monitors provide (many input flavors, color bars, etc). So, I'll have to do some more research. I remembered another related question: during data processing (after the experiment is complete) I'd like to be able to do the following: - given that I've found a video frame of interest, can I read the SMPTE time via a computer? IOW, is the SMPTE time stored as metadata for each frame? Can I read the time from a Quicktime and/or .m2T video frame? How about if I record uncompressed? - given that I have a GPS time of interest, are there software tools that will allow me to programmatically jump to the associated video frame?