• Broadcasting

  Why No Long 3G-SDI and 6G-SDI Cables

  Posted by Daniel Skrobowski on July 25, 2014 at 5:15 am

  Hi, I’m trying to figure out why no long (say, 100ft) 3G-SDI or 6G-SDI cables are being made. We run a long (100ft) HD-SDI broadcasting setup right now, and we’re looking into purchasing one of the Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers. However, without long 6G-SDI cables to replace the 100ft HD-SDI cables, the 6G-SDI capabilities of those switchers become less significant.

  I can’t figure out why no long 3G-SDI cables are in production since the standard has been SMPTE approved since 2006. The only 3G-SDI cables that you can buy are patch cables. Likewise, I don’t understand why 6G-SDI cables aren’t being introduced into the market yet.

  Can someone please explain why these things are so? Please feel free to provide technical specifics if the correct answer requires them. Actually, if the answer contains technical reasons that it’s not practical or possible to run 3G-SDI or 6G-SDI over COAX, please do share them. Also, please feel free to share this thread with someone who may know the answer.

  Thanks,

  Dan

  Tom Matthies replied 11 years, 9 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Denis Warburton

  July 28, 2014 at 1:50 am

  Hi Daniel,

  You’re asking quite a number of involved questions about what seems to be a specific application. It may be advisable to bring in a consultant about the specifics of your requirements now, as well as in the future.

  With respect to your questions about 3G-SDI over coaxial cable, it is certainly possible to run 3G-SDI over coax. There are a number of factors that influence achievable distance, of course. Belden’s blog entry about cable performance should help illuminate the issues:

  https://www.belden.com/blog/broadcastav/the-key-to-video-cable-performance.cfm

  As for single-link 6G, that’s a problematic format at the moment. Aside from being non-standardized format at the moment, the higher data rate of 6G suggests that you’re likely to have shorter safely achievable runs. Depending on your application, you may wish to go a different route.

  -Denis
• 

  Tom Matthies

  September 17, 2014 at 1:51 pm

  The very high data rate will limit the length of the cables.

  Not my monkeys. Not my circus.

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