[Mark Walleman]

Being that the same pc works while connected locally to the switcher. Process of elimination dictates that you swap out your HDMI converters with another make/model. I haven’t used any in the ethernet realm being that my experience revolves mainly around fiber optic converters.

Could you try changing your switcher, as well as your PC output to 720p and try it that way?

Another test could be to try your same setup but locally, with a 10-20ft ethernet cable between your converters. While the signal output may be enough for your monitor, it might not be for your switcher input.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

First thing is to confirm your resolution. What format is your switcher in and what format is your source set as?

It may also be your frame rate setting on your pc. I have the HS-410 and have noted that the switcher can be rather picky in that regard as well.

Does your monitor indicate the video resolution and frame rate when you test with it?

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

We don’t use Kramer too much in the field, but I’ve never been burned by them. That said however, I’m a huge fan of Telecast and AJA. I have a pile of blackmagic optical converters that I don’t trust anymore (I’ve had 3 out of 8 go bad = never again).

If the problem followed when you changed strands then that throws the converters back in to mix as a possible culprit. The problem though may very well be dust inside the optical I/O. Try shooting a little duster in the fiber ports to try to clean them out. The slightest little speck of dust can cause what you’re experiencing.

If that still doesn’t work then swap them out. If you have to purchase a set, I’d recommend the AJA Fido R/T-ST optical converters or Telecast Rattlers. Although, most optical converters “should” be fine for your purpose. Get a short fiber jumper (3ft, etc) and bench test your Kramer converters.

One more thing: How did you test your SDI feeding your optical transmitter?

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

Gotcha. Alright,(you may have already done this), have you attempted using your exact setup – but on a different fiber strand? That will seal the deal to confirm what you already suspect. If your setup works on the other 3 strands then it’s one of two problems: A dirty connector or a bad connector.

You can try to clean both fiber ends with some lint-free/lens disposable wipes with some isopropyl alcohol wipes. Or just dampen some of the lint-free wipes with the alcohol (99% isopropyl – not the 70% pharmacy grade rubbing alcohol). Do not use any type of cloth or regular paper towel. Either take the pre-saturated wipe or the dampened dry wipe and fold it up in a small-padded square. Take the ST connector and lightly press the end of the ferrule (the tip of the white part) to the wipe. Move the tip across the wipe in a circular – “Figure 8” pattern about 10-15 times. Dry it with a clean-dry lint-free wipe. Test your signal after cleaning the first connector before cleaning the second.

I’d also recommend that you acquire some ST/SC fiber cleaning pens. Every house big or small should have the ability to clean their own fiber.

Good luck!

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I’ve used my HS410 for several larger shows, feeding various make/model projectors, with the frame syncs enabled, and doing some up-conversion from SD to HD on a couple inputs. Some of the experts on the most recent crew figured 3-4 frames of delay; by just standing in the middle of the arena and eyeballing the screens. I can’t remember if they bothered delaying the audio, but if they did it was minor.

Edit: Oh yea. We use HPX-370 cams and no genlocking. Used some older scan converters on the up-converter inputs for some roll ins.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I have the HS410 as well. I store it on a fixed shelf when not in use. But you should be able to fit it on one of these. However, you’ll likely have to cut the back plate down for the bottom row of BNCs, being that they sit pretty low on the back side. The side edges have about a 1/2″ space between the mounting rails.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I’m slightly confused by your explanation of your usage. When you say “channels” are you talking about actual strands of glass (fiber) or embedded channels over 1 strand of glass?

Typically, if you’re just pushing SDI video with two channels of audio, the audio is embedded in the SDI stream, therefore only requiring one strand of glass.

If that’s what you’re doing, then what make/model fiber optic converter are you using? That’s important to know being that some converters are better than others (some more problematic than others).

However, that being said, your symptoms can be attributed to a bend or kink in your fiber line between rooms. When explaining this problem I like to ask people to think of their garden hose at home. What happens when you kink your hose or bend it sharply? It reduces the flow of water through the hose of course. Fiber optic cable is very similar, where as the light traveling through the optical cable is like the water. Asking your installation company to come in and test it with an OTDR will immediately resolve that possibility.

Dirty connectors are also a possible cause. Like the garden hose, if your nozzle/valve is somewhat closed, it will also restrict flow causing reduced signal.

Additionally, check your SDI signal input going into your converter. Make sure the your feed is not dirty going in. Saying goes: put crap in, get crap out.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

I’ve built and worked at a few news stations. Currently, my work is all real time sports and news. In all, over 15 years of experience.

If your station standard is 1080@60i (likely 59.94 in most cases), then keep your shooting format in 1080i. There is no reason to justify using 720 and upconverting. That just adds another step to the workflow.

You DO need to shoot your live shots in 60i. Otherwise you will get jitter in the video, regardless if you’re in 1080i or 720p… 60fps for live shots… Period. However, for recorded content to be edited, yes, you can shoot in 30 or 25. This makes editing much easier.

What camera are you using? Some have the ability to output the video at 60i (59.94), but record in 25 or 30 (29.97).

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

Go thought the menus on the HPG20 and make sure the external interface parameters are set correctly. Your deck might be in HOST mode on both the USB and the 1394. The manual is a rather simple read: ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/business/provideo/op_manuals/AG-HPG20_oi.pdf

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.

[Mark Walleman]

When you attempt to change the system format, does it just remain flickering? Or does it automatically switch back to 480i?

If it just remains flickering, have you tried cycling the power? While the HS410 lets you change format on the fly, some switchers require a reboot to complete the system format change (just guessing here).

If it switches back to 480i, I’d recommend an “initialization” to completely reset the switcher.

Mark D. Walleman
Relay House Inc.