Camera Video Output
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Monitoring using SDI
Blackmagic Cinema Camera supports 3G-SDI so it can be used to output uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 video
to routers, monitors, SDI capture devices, broadcast switchers and other SDI devices.
Production Camera 4K supports 6G-SDI, so it can be used to connect to any SDI monitor as well as 4K
switchers such as ATEM Production Studio 4K.
Connecting to Video Switchers
The SDI output allows you to use your camera as a television production camera. You can connect the SDI
output directly to production switchers for studio work or to ATEM Camera Converters to convert your
signal to optical so you can send it hundreds of meters to a broadcast truck for live production on location.
If you have selected to record in 25 fps or 29.97 fps on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and set the SDI
overlays to Off, the SDI output will be set to 1080i50 and 1080i59.94 respectively. This allows you to work with
most switchers, which only support interlaced high definition formats.
Connecting to Monitors
Although you can use the camera's LCD to monitor your image, SDI monitoring can be really handy if the
camera is mounted in a way where accessing the LCD is tricky or impractical, such as secured high up for a
bird's eye view shot, on a car mount or crane.
The SDI Overlays setting in the Display Settings menu lets you display useful information for monitoring,
such as frame guides, recording information and camera settings on your SDI feed.
Connect the SDI output to SDI monitors for full 10-bit uncompressed monitoring. You can also connect to
Blackmagic SmartScope Duo for live waveform monitoring.
Alternatively, you may simply want a clean SDI feed so you can just focus on getting the best cinematic
shots. To do this, set the SDI overlays to Off.
Connect a SDI cable from the BNC port of your Cinema Camera
or Production Camera 4K to any SDI device.
