Build Your Own Custom Input/Output Connector Panel

[@daltonldavis1995]

Doug, as the Video Director at a church who has to learn more of the broadcast world (pretty knowledgable in the "cinematic video" world) this information is insanely invaluable. I can't tell you how many times I've watched various videos from you explaining this specific of stuff. All of the links, knowledge, and resources that you share is important to empowering and equipping people like me. Thank you and I appreciate your effort into educating this next generation of the video production industry!

[@magicmulder]

Dude, this is exactly what I was looking for as I'm currently planning to make my desk more movable by just having its cabling go into a D-box right next to it - ideally I need to quickly pull 5 plugs and can move my desk somewhere else. :) Super helpful, thanks!

[@user-fr3hy9uh6y]

Great content!!!

[@bob76451]

Uni-1 panels are great. Been using them for years. I like the idea of going with Torx screws. Not sure why I didn’t think about that before. Thanks for that. I would recommend going with countersink screws instead of pan-head, but to each their own. I use K-lock nuts. Means I don’t have to use a pliers on the back: just get them to touch the metal and they’ll lock right in. Your idea of using a table to print out the port markings is a great one, but if you want custom- printed labels, or if you want to design your own custom panel with laser-etched labels I recommend checking out Redco. They can also do custom cables. They also have a good selection of D-type panel connectors. Good explanatory video. Thanks.

[@djp_video]

When back mounting, pan head are the way to go. Countersink screws wouldn't sit flush.

[@duositex]

Could you elaborate on why the K-lock nuts are effective?

[@duositex]

@@djp_video if you’re using feed-through connectors, front mounting isn’t so bad, right?

[@djp_video]

Not so bad. But I still think that the panels look better with back-mounted connectors.

[@duositex]

@@djp_video in your trailer setup with the nice wood surrounds I could see that being a consideration. Did you make the trim around those?

[@JorgieMathew]

Great video 👍👍 it will help me in making custom size stagebox for mixer but through cat6 cable instead of thick snake multi core cables. 🙏

[@45revolver35]

Awesome thanks

[@SnappyCandids]

Great Video! I hope you have that kit box insured! What $2k worth of connectors? I used ‘D-Type’ as well and they make life good. Thanks for the video. This is knowledge only gained by doing! Great Job Doug!

[@TimoSund]

Been planning mine for some time. Basic stuff as soon will find pleasing rack at reasonable piricetag on it.

[@duositex]

Thanks for the simple explanation and demo! I've been thinking about building a panel like this to centralize access to the inputs and outputs on gear that's not close together in my workspace to make it easier to reconfigure things. Now I know how to do it! This also seems like it would be a great way to avoid putting strain on the connectors built into gear, particular "prosumer" equipment that doesn't necessarily have the most rugged build quality: connect the inputs and outputs to a panel like this and don't touch them again! Then you're beating up a $15 connector instead of something that can't be serviced. Do you have any recommendations or links for the actual rack this would be mounted in?

[@djp_video]

I mostly use Gator GR series racks because they're lightweight, but there are a ton of great products out there.

[@rangersmith4652]

Great video, great kit. I'll visit those websites and see if they have parts for a home AV system. It would be awesome to have short runs from my receiver to the panel and have the panel facing front. I agree about Phillips screws. I only use them in things that won't show when a screw gets a bit buggered or when they came with the whatever it is I'm installing.

[@lhenn_]

What about shielding? What does one have to pay attention to when building an XLR connector panel?

[@djp_video]

It's up to you on how you want to handle it. Most Neutrik D style connectors are available with isolated ground, including the XLRs. If you want to tie it to ground you can, but by default it is isolated.

[@rjcvdlinden]

How do you fix/glue those printed labels to the rack panel? Sturdy enough, not prone to scratches or damage?

[@djp_video]

I use full sheet labels, printed in my laser printer, and cut them to fit. Over time they do show scratches, but they're easy enough to replace.

[@rjcvdlinden]

@@djp_video thanks for answering!

[@jordanbean1288]

What length of the 6-32 screws do you use?

[@djp_video]

1/2-inch

[@nobbingh]

Hello Doug, I built a connector-panel myself but I ran into an issue: The hdmi-ports that I used (Neutrik NA HDMI-W-B) didn't reliably send the camera control data from my atem mini to the blackmagic cameras. As soon as I plugged the cameras directly into the atem, it worked without a problem. Did you ever experience that problem yourself? Are there HDMI-connectors, that you can recommend? Thanks a lot and keep up the gerat content!

[@djp_video]

The Neutrik connectors I’ve used have always worked great. Could it be the HDMI cable going between the ATEM and Neutrik?

[@nobbingh]

Hey thanks for your answer! I might have to try again with different cables :/ Good to know, that the Neutrik connectors should not be the problem. Thanks!@@djp_video

[@Jammer2001]

Does it end up being cheaper to custom build thek than to buy a prebuilt one?

[@djp_video]

Quite a bit cheaper.

[@brucetouzel6484]

great tutorial. Your audio level could be higher. Thank you

[@lextr3110]

swift craft recommended HS2 holes are not totally round.. it's more 2 side flat and 2 side round.. not sure how to do this without CNC panel cut.. i'm looking for perfect seal so not sure I could just do a full circle cut and still have the seal.. let me know if you know how to cut these

[@djp_video]

It would take either machining or using an appropriate shape punch. The hole for the HS2 looks to be 1/2-inch, with D-style flat sides. A D-shaped 1/2-inch punch would get you really close.

[@lextr3110]

​@@djp_video I really like the full waterproof/full emi shielding/easy removal aspect of that connector.. yes I need a 1/2inch double D punch.. I think I will have to dremel the holes but it's kinda a pain.. a wise company whould offer a cheap the punch die for it's own connector..

[@ivarmh]

Anyone found any good D-type connectors for USB-C?

[@mikey38632]

I think I saw some while assembling a custom rack panel on Redco's web site. They are out there in this format.

[@felixkrell890]

hey there! I am currently looking into this and found your vid. Wanted to ask a question: The Neutrik TOP Panel Connectors that I screw into a panel don't seem to have an end on the other side. Do I HAVE to solder here in order to get my cables working inside my rack, or is there an option to have XLR and Powercon TR1 connectors for my patch panel without it? I am really anxious about soldering, i would much rather have an option to just plug something in on the other end/inside of my rack. I know Neutrik makes these pre-done CLR-trhoughs, but they aren't from the TOP range. Could you clarify if this is possible without soldering and if so, how? Greetings!

[@djp_video]

As far as I can tell, all of the TOP connectors require soldering. Soldering isn't that hard to do. I'd recommend watching a few tutorials on KZbin.

[@tluva1020]

Love these, but over priced

[@djp_video]

The panels or the connectors? Generic connectors are available. But you do kind of get what you pay for. And if the panels seem too expensive, you could always drill your own holes in a blank panel. Time-consuming, but possible.

[@Sixta16]

Whoa! Would not expect a video like this. Why? I assume this to be a common and bottom basic knowledge of AV technicians, to assemble custom cabling, patch panels and stuff. Better show us for example your video signal flow in the trailer. How do you use your SDI signal router, what I/Os have you hooked up on your SDI switcher and which go where, what other SDI equipment you have interfaced in the trailer and how it gets used. Please :) //PS: I also prefer and recommend lto back-mount the D-flange connectors.

[@djp_video]

The majority of my viewers on this channel are just learning. Introductory videos get far more views than the highly technical. You'd be shocked how often people ask me where I had my I/O panels made. A video on the signal flows in my trailer would be hours long.

[@pcbeyer78]

I would love that hours long wiring detail and watch the entire thing to learn

[@IndyJaner]

Great video Doug. I bet a lot of people find this helpful. If you, Sixta16, only want videos for your skill level, that seems kind of selfish. Have you been born a professional?

[@Sixta16]

@@djp_video I would have kind of expected there is already enough basic tutorials about this stuff everywhere. But I am almost sure your YT channel is kind of unique with what you have and what you do, so I see it as a wasted opportunity to see the "more interesting" pro level stuff, that you can not find in the "usual tutorials".

[@Sixta16]

@@IndyJaner Calling me a professional is a honor for me, really, thanks. But I do not think my request is selfish. There is already a metric ton of tutorials everywhere, how to solder a cable or patch panel, crimp a BNC or what not. As I have replied to DJP, I think his first hand knowledge and experience with the pro level stuff is what makes his channel unique, compared to a random "connector showing and soldering tutorial from India". You can learn the basics everywhere, but there is not much places to hear an actual experienced technician from the AV field. So I kind of find this effort a bit of a waste of talent, as in this video really, apart from showing he has a stash of parts and that you can buy pre-made rackmout D-flange panels and D-type connectors to fit in, is really nothing more in it. I for example like some of the older tutorials about "what is an SDI", because it contained a lot of practical info including cable types, achievable run lengths and other valuable experience-based knowledge. That actually helped me a bit to start my own semi-pro video streaming hobby. And the experience based knowledge Doug often shares with us, is in my opinion the most valuable content. So thanks Doug that he share's that with us.