Blackmagic Pyxis 6K will blow up unless you do this!! 12G SDI protocol made easy

[@JasonMorrisphotocinema]

Thanks for keeping this protocol knowledge out there

[@Sam-higgins]

@@JasonMorrisphotocinema thanks dude 😎 would hate people to have to experience an SDI failure especially whilst on a shoot. Thanks for sharing too!! 🤙🤙

[@whengrapespop5728]

I know you’ve said that you don’t like being in front of the camera (in your previous video); however, I’d like to say that you have a great presence. While you might not be the typical “flashy” KZbinr, I think your personality greatly attracts industry people rather than aspiring KZbin creators. Although I’m still quite fresh in the industry, my entry was not through KZbin, but rather through people working in the industry, and it’s refreshing to hear someone speaking that “language”; a practical, straight-to-the-point guy who’s not too interested in creating a bubbly persona for the audience, but rather focuses on experience and knowledge. I appreciate that, and I’ll be subscribing.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@whengrapespop5728 I don’t know what to say 😊 that’s such a lovely thing to read & for you to say!! You are obviously an amazing person & I think you’ll go very far!! Please do feel free to reach out for a convo elsewhere. I will always do my best to avoid the flashy nonsense & am always to hand if I can help with your industry journey 😎 Thank you again, that’s made my week 🤙🤙

[@elarrioguajardo208]

You certainly have a new subscriber and viewer from me! Really insightful and spectacular advice you gave! Keep up the work you're doing at a rate that doesn't feel too debilitating, treat yourself! Thank you for the video!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@elarrioguajardo208 amazing thank you & thank you for the incredible feedback 🤩

[@Mike-vr7mb]

Hey I highly appreciate you sharing your professional knowledge! Means a lot! Thank you indeed. 👊

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Mike-vr7mb great to hear thank you, wayyy too many gate keepers in this industry & I love helping where I can 😊

[@aTADtoofar]

I just subscribed - always thirsty for genuine industry experience and knowledge. Nice!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@aTADtoofar thanks for the lovely feedback 😊 in just one week I’ll be attending a media theatrical media release & the marketing team provided a teaser trailer I hope to share soon 😎 lots of BTS to talk through on that. Thank you again for your kind words & joining along 🤙🤙

[@bbrunorocha]

I feel you when you said youtube is hard, when working in the industry, i have a couple videos that i've shot and couldn't edit yet. Your video was great, it's super helpful for more people to learn about it. I have the 6k ff and the image is amazing, you will love this camera for sure

[@Sam-higgins]

@@bbrunorocha you’re channel looks great! Looking forward to watching some of your visuals 😊 I’ve had the intention of uploading more but there literally isn’t enough hours in the day. I was very tempted by the 6k FF but knew the Pyxis wasn’t far away. Thank you for the awesome words 🤙🤙

[@formatthitech]

Really great advice & a great way to remember this super important protocol 🎉❤

[@Sam-higgins]

@@formatthitech glad you guys approve, great feedback thank you 🙏

[@BorrachoTarot]

You have a lot of valuable knowledge with a large audience with 0 patience. Try to make a 1 minute short explaining the steps. I'm sure it will get thousands of views. New subscriber.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@BorrachoTarot that’s great to hear thank you & also a really great idea! I had intended on doing some shorts yesterday but got called away to a shoot at short notice. Thank you for the kind words & awesome suggestion 😎

[@frankenstein2735]

his video is great as it is. watch it or get lost, just because YOU dont have patience you loser

[@StMediaNL]

@@Sam-higgins I’m happy you take the time to inform and explain people instead of rushing info for social media junks. If this info is so important, people should learn to take the time to watch a mere 9 min of useful info. It is absolutely absurd people these days have the attention span of a goldfish that suffers from dementia. If they don’t want to learn and just want to rush things, then let them have their gear explode in their face. Thanks for the effort man!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@StMediaNL that’s a really great thing to hear thanks dude!! 😎 Everyone learns differently & I’ve tried to cover that because I’d hate for someone to wait as long as we have, get a cinema camera then accidentally destroy it…that would be a crap day! I can’t please everyone but I’m really happy to hear some of us are on the same wavelength….appreciate you 🤩🤩

[@bmefilms6879]

Power up your camera, then power up your montor, then connect you SDI cable. When you are changing the battery: Disconnect your SDI cable from the camera FIRST while every thing is powered on, then do what you need to do!

[@madhousedmi6047]

Great information thanks for sharing this helps us out a lot and keep up the great work Pyxis Rocks 🎬🎥

[@Sam-higgins]

@@madhousedmi6047 thank you for the wonderful feedback & super happy to hear it’s useful 😎 It is an awesome camera 🎥🤙

[@stjiro]

looking forward to seeing the work you produce!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@stjiro thank you 🙏 I’ve popped a trailer on the channel from a recent film doing the film circuits I shot. This unit is going on a documentary over the next few months to be launched in March 2025 so hopefully you enjoy that too 😊 Thank you again for the lovely feedback

[@ErikPelyukhno]

What’s frustrating to me as a technically apt person is this whole groundloop issue feels very counterintuitive to how I understand power works, thank you for sharing this valuable information. Do you know if this ground loop through SDI issue applies to other cameras?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ErikPelyukhno No probs 😊 The most commonly known other cam for blowing is the Komodo, but anything outputting 12G bandwidth has the potential to pop unfortunately. Thanks for the question 😎

[@CineDailies]

Great stuff man!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@CineDailies thanks dude 🤙 loved watching your channel over the last couple of years 😎

[@extraordinary_ordinary]

You don't need to turn the power on to the devices before you connect the SDI cables. As long as the power cable is hooked up then you're good to connect the SDI. Same in reverse. It's perfectly find to turn the devices off, then disconnect the SDI and then disconnect the power cables.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@extraordinary_ordinary providing they are receiving power & grounded…that’s a really important caveat superseded by powering on. For me personally being safe is better than sorry especially if being safe only takes 30 seconds.

[@JesusPursuit]

So I don't unplug any power cables, I have the cables running into IO adapter, so when I am adding power or disconnecting power it is via the Vmount battery....is that still safe

[@Sam-higgins]

@@JesusPursuit if it’s still a single power source it’s essentially the same when it fails but I would need to see your configuration to properly understand sorry.

[@JesusPursuit]

@@Sam-higgins no worries. Basically... Am on the Komodo X, have a power cable plugged into the IO adapter and that stays plugged in always...I attach the Vmount battery and everything then has power...then I turn on the monitor and camera, then connect SDI cable. I turn off monitor, camera and unplug SDI end from camera, I don't unplug both ends. Idk..works so far lol, this is what RED Tech has advised...so who knows

[@Sam-higgins]

@@JesusPursuit that’s quite a common way of doing things but not the safest. So long as all devices have power when plugging or unplugging which is what you are doing then you should be fine. The main safety issue is having one power source as if this fails you will most likely create a ground loop & blow something. Just make sure your batteries are in good serviceable working order.

[@kylestutz4386]

Great video, thanks so much! Just out of curiosity - what v-mount plate and D-tap splitter do you run on your rig?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@kylestutz4386 thank you 🙏 it’s an old Hawkswood v-Mount with dtap then when I have other accessories like fizz to run I use an Alvin’s cables 4 way splitter. The Hawkswood has surge protection too 😊

[@Warren-g8t]

Hi Sam. Thanks for the advice on how to connect the SDI with burning the SDI out.. To find the fixed pattern noise. It needs to be extreme low light and there needs to be a camera pan. In the S35 and 4K's this is when the fixed pattern noise would show up.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Warren-g8t hey 👋 hoping to shoot that this week so stay tuned. The Ursa was bad for fix pattern but also easily controlled, look forward to finding out as it’s an important bit of info 😊

[@ghospod]

Does this protocol apply when one's transfers the image directly to the client's monitor via SDI cabIe? Let's say the camera and the client's monitor are powered via electrical socket. I assume same with video transmitter like Hollyland or Teradek?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ghospod great question, it applies to any SDI device attached to your SDI port. The better the power source the safer you are & some devices like switchers normally have surge protection for this reason….i would still stay safer & follow protocol.

[@alzibaba]

Thanks for putting this out, so few people seem to know about this very real risk. I think manufacturers also have a responsibility to make folk aware of this: I've read sooo many posts from people who've fried either HDMI or SDI ports. I thought the risk was with using the same power source for camera and monitor, and that with you using a an NPF for your monitor, you'd be safe, no? Still, power power lead lead is a very good habit to get into - and LIFO (last in first out). The KZbin mullarkey takes time hey? Appreciate you doing this 👍

[@Sam-higgins]

@@alzibaba thank you for your awesome feedback 😊 You’re pretty safe with separate power but I wouldn’t risk it either way personally. They should put out more notice but I guess they just consider it bad press to be avoided. Truthfully there are a lot of industry procedures to be followed with reason but the knowledge isn’t often shared. It’s a difficult one to place blame but it certainly needs more awareness. Thanks again dude 😎

[@-austinsmith]

Hey man, sorry you’re getting hateful comments. I get hateful comments on my channel as well but 99% of the time they come from channels that have no videos lol. Keep up the great work! People don’t realize we create content on top of having a day job.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@-austinsmith awe dude thank you 🙏 very lovely of you to say! I feel sorry for them more than anything, must be a sad life having to actively go out of your way like that. Thanks again mate! Just subbed to your channel as your resolve bits look great & I’m always learning too 😊

[@-austinsmith]

@@Sam-higgins no problem! Thanks!

[@marin_real_estate_photography]

Thanks for the warning! I think i am going to stick with NPF batteries to power the monitor. I am the type of guy who forgets what goes where and when.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@marin_real_estate_photography Glad it’s helpful 😊 that’s a safe way to do things 😎 I know loads of top tier professional AC’s that still Google it & write it down on cam tape….so please don’t feel like you can’t do that. On a shoot, we all have a million things going through our minds too so don’t be too hard on yourself for not remembering everything. The Blackmagic monitor will totally remove this potential issue

[@VirtuosityToniLekic]

It is a mess... not being able to turn on or off camera without cables dangling and hanging around.... that sucks

[@Sam-higgins]

@@VirtuosityToniLekic I understand that but it’s pretty standard for cine cams as they are operated by more than one person.

[@AllTheBeef]

Happens on HDMI for sure, my old BMPCC4K got it's HDMI out fried not once, but twice. (second time a friend was borrowing it and I forgot to explain the proper method)

[@Sam-higgins]

@@AllTheBeef ouch 😩 sorry to hear that dude! I see a post on FX6 community every month or so with a suspected HdMI blow out but thankfully not something I’ve done…probably because I’m quite specific about protocol. Thanks for letting us all know about your experience, I’m sure it will help others🤙🙏

[@melvinharris1210]

Happened to me too with my 6K with the HDMI! Had to RMA... It sucked!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@melvinharris1210 ouch 😩 that’s not fun 😢

[@AllTheBeef]

@@melvinharris1210 Yeah, luckily the first time it was under warranty, I still haven't gotten it fixed after the second time because they wanted $400+ to fix.

[@bmefilms6879]

Power up your camera, then power up your montor, then connect you SDI cable. When you are changing the battery: Disconnect your SDI cable from the camera FIRST while every thing is powered on, then do what you need to do!

[@Francescofilmmaker]

You’re a great teacher and I’m sure a great cinematographer. I’m about to pull the trigger on the Pyxis but I’m torn between it and the Komodo. Whats your thoughts!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Francescofilmmaker that’s so lovely to hear thank you 🙏 means quite a lot 😎 Ooo this is a tricky one, I do plan on doing a comparison but not yet sorry. What will be your main use case & are you budget restricted??

[@Francescofilmmaker]

Also! Would love to know how the jello is on the Pyxis? I watched your other video. Was the jello as bad as the side monitor said?

[@Francescofilmmaker]

@@Sam-higgins thanks for the reply! Also I see you’re filming in wales! Welsh lad right here haha. Cardiff boy! Oh nice! Will check that out. I guess I do have budget restraints so… yeahhh maybe the Pyxis is the better option!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Francescofilmmaker no way?! I was literally just down the bay 😊 Happy to meet up dude & talk through it in person if that would help?? The rolling shutter is mental on the side screen but it’s nowhere near as bad in footage or on a separate monitor. I will be popping some footage up next week hopefully to show that & it corrected. The Komodo needs a lot more attention & work than the Pyxis in my experience so far, I’d also say the Komodo is a better camera with a better image but there isn’t much in it. The Pyxis has some really great features you won’t find in the Komodo so it really depends on your use case. If I had to pick one It would be Komodo based on use so far. I can see Pyxis eating up the Komodo’s market quite quickly though….they are both incredible cameras!

[@Francescofilmmaker]

@@Sam-higgins no way??? Seriously haha! Yeah I’d love that! Are you staying here at the moment? Would love to meet up and chat. Are you on instagram or anything like that? Would love to organise that!

[@jw0w757]

What’s the top cheese plate and top handle you were using for the Pyxis?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@jw0w757 top cheese plate is an old Ursa mini pro top plate, I’ll have to check the handle manufacturer but I think it’s Nitze….

[@jw0w757]

@@Sam-higgins thank you!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@jw0w757 so it’s the SmallRig multipurpose top mounting plate & you have to drill out the sliding hole a little for the 3/4 screw but honestly you could bend that bit wider to get the screw through…that’s around £25 Top handle is a Nicerig nato top handle with 15mm rail support

[@isaacdantzler]

Does the Pyxis have a way to output a clean 16:9 4K signal over SDI, or only 17:9? Wondering if this camera could be used in a livestream solution I am working on.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@isaacdantzler great question! I think you can but I’ll double check tomorrow for you 😎

[@MichelangeloBaffoni]

Front USB-C with an adapter can become hdmi, what kind of protocol should I follow in this case? It's not true that it's almost impossible to burn the HDMIs, it happened to me on both the FX3 and the old GH5. Will the new monitor announced by blackmagic with signal and power supply via USB-C have the same protocols to follow? Thank you

[@Sam-higgins]

@@MichelangeloBaffoni yeah I’ve read this elsewhere about adapting the display port information through UsB-C to HdMI adapter. Honestly I don’t know but will Amazon one now to test. Until BMD confirm I would follow the same protocol just in case as your device isn’t equipped with USB-C display port safety drivers so you may face HDMI burn issues. A fabulous question thank you!! 🤩 I think with the BMD monitor it will have protocol in the body & the monitor so there won’t be any issue & no need for a protocol but they need to confirm this. Great question!! Watch this space 😎

[@JesusPursuit]

why is there so much confusion on this? I have Komodo X and from Red tech, they say before unplugging SDI, to power off monitor and camera, THEN unplug SDI....idk who knows anymore... lol

[@Sam-higgins]

@@JesusPursuit providing the device has power you can cable on & cable off. The status of the device doesn’t really matter but a lot of devices only ground when switching on.

[@EvertonSchmitt]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! One doubt, if I need to turn off the camera for a break, do I need to disconnect the cables before turning it off or I could just turn off the camera/monitor and turn in back on without disconnecting the cable. Thanks again!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@EvertonSchmitt thanks for the feedback. So long as both devices are receiving power then normally they are grounded, however with no one to supervise the battery state or camera I wouldn’t advise it, especially when it only takes 30 seconds to disconnect. A lot of variants there like the size of battery, how long they’ve been used, how long is break. My AC asked to add - on set swap out all power for every break just as good practice so you have a good cycle & it doesn’t break a take. I would always go with rather safe than sorry personally but that’s just me.

[@EvertonSchmitt]

@@Sam-higgins Perfect!! Excellent explanation! Thanks for your time.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@EvertonSchmitt anytime dude 😎

[@Mvil9]

What if you power monitor off a dummy NPF to DC12v and camera D-tap and both are powered by the V-mount is on a base plate with it's own ports?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Mvil9 it would still be a single power source so you are still at risk. I’m not saying you can’t do that, it’s just like loading an extra bullet in roulette. So long as you follow the protocol you should avoid a spike but it will almost certainly not happen by following the protocol & having separated power sources. Many people use the same d-tap for multiple devices & that’s fine just more likely to cause a spike IF you don’t follow protocol.

[@earnieboy54]

From personal experience I’d say stay away from dummy batteries. Lots of avoidable risks

[@Sam-higgins]

@@earnieboy54 I would back this 💯 Dummy batteries are also missing the control chip for pulse spike, heat levels etc…you are absolutely spot on!

[@ginnodizon6551]

i really dont like to deal with the last in last out haha. so im using the usb c port...

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ginnodizon6551 That’s still providing a lot of power & as with the comments HDMI blow out is loads more common than I knew….id still be careful & follow protocol…just advise 😊

[@ginnodizon6551]

@@Sam-higgins well i think usb c is much more intelligent than hdmi or sdi, sdi is like raw power, usb c cable has circuit those original one. So i do trust usc b than sdi.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ginnodizon6551 I agree when running usb-c to usb-c but right now it’s an untested link to HDMI. Of course it’s completely your decision but I would much rather take 2 seconds to be careful. Let me know when/if anything blows, burns in, kills pixels etc please.

[@ginnodizon6551]

@@Sam-higgins yeah you are right but going back to pocket cameras never have to deal with this because of the screens, but on pyxies we have to. Im just gonna wait for the pyxies monitor.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ginnodizon6551 I’ve been testing usb-c to hdmi for just over a week now with an old witness monitor….video will be up later today or tomorrow. So, far I think if you follow protocol you will be ok but I have noticed ghosting on the screen probably from residual energy. It goes away but I’m not sure on the long term effect….if that worth the low cost of replacing a cheaper monitor - probably. I just try to be realistic in what’s best all round & SDI monitors aren’t cheap for everyone. You’re right that BMD monitor will be best but I think if you follow protocol you’ll be ok till it arrives. Great to chat either way thanks dude 😊🤙

[@ericsandler8930]

Awesome stuff brother! What's your top plate and side plate? Seem like smallrig?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ericsandler8930 thank you dude 🤙 it’s an old Ursa top plate & the side is a SmallRig cheese plate. I’ll try finding links 😊

[@ericsandler8930]

@@Sam-higgins Nice! Thank you! If you have a second to let me know what BPU that is as well, would be sick!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@ericsandler8930 no problem at all! I’ll be heading to the kit room in the next hour so will reply to this with that makes etc…I know the larger capacity is a Hawkswood 75…will let you know &/or pop a vid up on my rig 😎

[@colemowery]

don't you only need to disconnect the SDI from one end for a proper SDI protocol?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@colemowery the devices need to ground first so providing they remained powered you could only disconnect one port & then power swap on the disconnected end. Still safer & simpler to explain the entire process in my personal experience. If powering off both & keeping the cable in one you risk a hot connection…I just think safer is better than sorry 😎

[@unclejezza]

I just got the Pyxix and I'm intentionally reckeless with this protocol. I need to do this to see how resilient it is to frying the monitor or the board. We all know how easy it is to forget the order in rush or an assistant powers up or down forgetting the process. I have found the camera to be totally fine to power up and down in any order when the monitor is powered by battery.. No uplugging SDI or anything like that. Just my experience is all. I fried a Komodo while testing its roubustness so sent it back for a refund.

[@Sam-higgins]

Everyone don’t do this please ⬆️

[@MichelangeloBaffoni]

following this logic, what happens if the battery of a device runs out? Do I need to unplug the cable, replace the battery and reconnect the cable?

[@JesusPursuit]

Def don't let your battery die. That's the whole point of the protocol...

[@Enhanzt-fv6dr]

Can you not just use a 3g sdi cable instead, will it be safe that way?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@Enhanzt-fv6dr It is still a route for power I’m afraid just not as much bandwidth for resolution & colour. The outlet determines the power level & that remains 12g. Good thinking though 😎 it really is only use a breakout switcher &/or follow protocol.

[@scott_stevenson]

What micro matte box were you using in the broll shot?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@scott_stevenson one is the @Formatt Hitech filter holder & the other is SmallRig carbon fibre matte box

[@scott_stevenson]

@@Sam-higgins right on thanks. Im really enjoying your channel, great info man keep it up!

[@Sam-higgins]

@@scott_stevenson thank you 🙏 if your buying anything Formatt let me know as I can probably swing you a great deal.

[@scott_stevenson]

@@Sam-higgins Right on thanks. They look cool. Not sure how many people in the US know about this company.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@scott_stevenson all of Hollywood knows them 😉 I forget more than I remember how many films they cover for glass….offices in LA too so I can pass you to them 😎

[@michaeltebinka]

What about assembling everything before you power anything on?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@michaeltebinka do you mean having the cable plugged in before powering on?? That would almost certainly cause a ground loop as the power would be looking for an easy route with no capacitors etc. Unless you meant something different??

[@michaeltebinka]

@@Sam-higgins Yes, it seems there is so much contradictory information out there and I’m simply looking for a clarification. If all (shielded) cables and connector are properly connected, why would you still have to connect SDI only when power is on? Also would you say this issue is more common with Dtap (that is missing shielding)? Would Lemo-connectors significantly reduce this issue?

[@Sam-higgins]

@@michaeltebinka shielding protects from external interference on the cable & nothing else I’m afraid. BNC was designed to run to broadcast trucks & production sweets across distance hence the shielding. The main issue is from having a single power source, so if that fails the capacitors spike the line & SDI becomes the main route. As SDI receiver boards aren’t designed to receive a capacitor pulse they fry…it usually is conducts over to the next board until a fuse or capacitor is reached. It is more prevalent with DTap as it’s such a simple connection but also used widely but it’s the ground loop from any source that will cause the issue irrespective of the connection. The protocol is on RED & ARRI website exactly as I have instructed incase you have doubt but in over 14 years on big productions I have yet to fry an SDI following this procedure. Hope that helps?

[@Sam-higgins]

Forgot to add, if you had the cable in place prior to power, you would need all devices to receive power at exactly the same time to prevent a ground loop…practically impossible without a switcher fuse/capacitor like the break out box I’m afraid.

[@michaeltebinka]

@@Sam-higgins makes a lot of sense. Thank you for clarifying. Would a Mutiny or Freakshow isolator help/prevent these issues and allow for cables to stay connected when powering on/off?

[@bnostudios2683]

Thank you

[@Sam-higgins]

@@bnostudios2683 no problem at all, happy I can help. Once you get into the habit it’s no different to anything else 😊

[@charlieparis3454]

I think this title is a little bit "out there" it seems like its fishing for views just ever so slightly. Same with the thumbnail. Its good knowledge don't get me wrong. Im a RED owner and people have known about this protocol for ages and I understand that with the price of the Pyxis newer less experienced people will not know about this protocol. Even though I don't own the Pyxis I think the title and thumbnail make this seem like your camera will physically explode. Maybe something like "Blackmagic Pyxis SDI port will blow up unless you do this!!" I feel that way its clearer that the camera is not going to randomly combust like those old samsung phones in 2016. No hate at all man. Please don't take this as hate, I just don't want people to read the title and associate Blackmagic with a bad view. It was just a suggestion. Hope you understand where im coming from.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@charlieparis3454 thanks for your opinion but read through the comments & you’ll find a majority whom disagree. The whole point is to grab attention for views, that way MORE people will avoid having issues whom aren’t already aware…I do say that in the video 😊

[@tecno8335]

This camera is just G.A.S. after the hype goes down, i see people making a bunch of "Why I'm selling my Pyxis 6k" videos. Pin this comment. Watch.

[@Sam-higgins]

@@tecno8335 there’s a bunch of those vids for any system if you look hard enough, just like people are still spotting Elvis 😂 I do believe this camera much like the Red one or Komodo when launched will have an effect on the industry as a whole