Signature User Manual
March 23, 2014
Signature User Manual
Page 10
HD-SDI
Serial digital interface (SDI) is a family of digital video interfaces first standardized
by SMPTE (The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) and is used
for broadcast-grade video. High-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI), was also
standardized in SMPTE; this provides a nominal data rate of 1.485 Gbit/s.
The display and capture of a HD-SDI signal requires the use of a specialized BNC
ended cable that meets the SMPTE standards and a HD-SDI capture device.
A Google search can find various lengths of specific HD-SDI cable from many
broadcasting vendors. I purchased mine form Markertek.com.
To capture or display the HD-SDI video signal requires the use of both a HD-SDI capture
device and a very fast computer. Since the signal standard is about 1.5 Gbit/s the
capture devices will either be an internal computer card, or a box that connects to the
computer using either a USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt connection. One of the major players in
this arena is a company called Blackmagic. They provide a variety of capture/display
devices which will match your requirements.
