By site editor Dan Chung:
For many professionals SDI is the only video connection that they trust. It is found on practically every ENG camera and every equipment rack used in broadcast news. HDMI on the other hand was seen as a consumer connector which originally implemented didn’t send timecode or record start/stop commands. HDMI connectors are also notoriously frail compared to SDI.
With the dawn of DSLR video and the subsequent move to large sensor cameras many cameras have been launched that only feature a HDMI connector. These range from the infamous Canon 5D mkII to the latest Sony a7S and GH4. Even ‘professional’ video cameras like the Sony F55 and Canon C300 now feature HDMI alongside their SDI connectors. This is useful if you want to hook up to a big TV but if you want to record this signal externally a video professional also wants the timecode and trigger options.
Thankfully external recorder manufacturer Atomos have addressed this by working directly with manufacturers to create and implement a protocol that offers these functions over HDMI. This started with the Sony FS100 and then Canon added it for the 5D Mark III, 1DC and C100. Now the latest cameras like the Sony a7S also have this.
Now Atomos have gone further and offered their protocol as an open, free and available standard that other manufacturers can use. Hopefully it won’t be long before every new camera has the ability to output timecode and start/stop commands via HDMI.
Jeromy Young, CEO of Atomos said “we are very proud to be defining a new standard in such an established market place. We love HDMI, but as it gets more popular on the camera side we need to help make it work in the pro world. Historically this has only been achieved in the tech industry by creating an open standard… which is what we’ve done”
To address the issue of durability Atomos have introduced a new range of HDMI connecting cables that have firmer, tighter fitting connections than most competitors. They are also coiled to prevent cable strain. While still not quite the same as a SDI connector these cables look like a vast improvement over regular HDMI cables.
The range includes a right angled HDMI micro to micro/mini in lengths of 30cm (45cm extended). HDMI mini to full and full HDMI to full HDMI connections in lengths of 30cm to 50cms (65cms extended). Prices range from $19.95 to $29.95. Go to the Atomos website for more details.
In separate news Lockcircle have announced new LockPort A7 and Lockport GH4 HDMI port protectors for the Sony a7S and GH4 that aim to protect the camera end of the fragile micro HDMI connectors. They turn this into a larger full size HDMI connector and attach via a bracket. There are several other port protection solutions out there but the advantage of the LockPorts is that they don’t require a full cage around the camera. You can find out more on the LockCircle website.
