Connecting Laptops to Live Video Production Systems

Getting laptops to work consistently and reliably in a video production system can be challenging. Seven of those challenges, along with potential solutions, are presented here.
Decimator Design MD-HX - djp.li/mdhx
Blackmagic Design UpDownCross HD - djp.li/udchd
HDMI Adapters - djp.li/Cat=HDMIAdapters
Scalers/Frame Rate Converters - djp.li/Cat=Converters
HDMI Splitter - djp.li/hdmisplitter
Blackmagic Design SDI to Audio - djp.li/bmdsdi2aud4k
Audinate Dante AVIO USB I/O Adapter - djp.li/aviousb
CrewAxis Promotion - djp.li/ca-laptop
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[@LicketySplitDigital]

Every video you make you literally give us all the info we ever need. Thank you sir!

[@truce11]

Needed this months ago. Subscribed! Very clear and to the point

[@jbocaneg17611]

This was very informative and extremely helpful to someone like me a Techie guy working on doing audio/video for my church on a budget. Got a PTZOptics camera connected to a Win10 PC running OBS. We are working on customizing the video for best visual performance and your info on sound did fill a need we have. Thank you.

[@wiedenest]

Once again, you've saved my life, answering my question and Making sure I don't forget about something that would've made my whole idea useless (incomplete). Thank you!

[@martifingers]

Always nice to hear a professional's view. This was very good advice.

[@Thelewintv]

Thanks Doug for such clear instructions, very helpful.

[@marshallandroxy]

Very much appreciated - great info for a live event i have in feb.

[@jedifyll]

Thanks for the clear and concise info and recommendations! I'm a fan and new subscriber. Great video.

[@djp_video]

Awesome, thank you!

[@joshuamars-downunderputtin3428]

Very informative video as always. Thanks mate.

[@markarca6360]

For long signal runs, you can use HDBaseT (ordinary shielded LAN cable up to 100m). Beyond that, you can use 3G-SDI over optical fibers or IP-based Newtek NDI technology.

[@stevecooksley]

I haven't used the MD-HX in anger yet but from testing it really is a magical box of tricks. The numerous audio pairs settings on it leaves me scratching my head a little though!

[@johnmortensen2779]

Good video! I also always carry a DataVideo DAC-70 converter. Best way I’ve found to handle VGA signals to HDMI or SDI.

[@djp_video]

I really like datavideo's products. I'd have a DAC-70 in my arsenal if it supported 3G-SDI Level B, but it looks like it's Level A only.

[@ikac97]

Just wanted to suggest HDBaseT for long distance signal. AJA and Kramer devices work really well with this standard.

[@markarca6360]

Two video switching systems that has onboard audio mixer: Blackmagic Design ATEM Newtek Tricaster

[@AwesomeShotStudios]

Nicely done, Doug. I just picked up the MD-HX recently to try and solve some connectivity issues. Question about it, if laptops are swapped, will I still get a continuous output that won't screw up a recording like the BlackMagic Video assist? In other words, will there always be an output signal regardless of the input signal? Is it a setting I need to change (if it isn't a default)? Thanks in advance.

[@djp_video]

If you set the reference source for the scaler as internal you should get a stable and consistent signal output.

[@MrSlapeS]

DataVideo converters can be added to the list as well.

[@billlundstrom2665]

Does the SDI loop on the on the Blackmagic SDI-HDMI, boost the SDI signal? I am trying to run 164 ft * 2 SDI cables.

[@ScottWallace5]

Very helpful video! For long signal runs (over 100+ feet) would you still recommend SDI or something like NDI or over Cat6, etc to do that? I'm working on distributing the video feed across my church campus and was wondering the best way to do that. (They don't have cable connections in the wall already unfortunately)

[@djp_video]

If you know you're doing long runs and want the highest reliability and future proofing, just go fiber. If your signal runs are under 200 feet and you know you'll never go higher than 1080p60, SDI will work great. NDI can work, but it adds tremendously to the cost, and you'd be limited to about 5-6 video feeds on 1GbE before the video quality has to be reduced drastically to fit the available bandwidth. If you're distributing a single signal to multiple destinations, though, NDI can be a little more efficient doing that. There are other options too. You could go with traditional closed circuit coax using an ATSC encoder/exciter/modulator and use the tuners built into TVs to decode the signal. (That does add significant latency, though.)

[@rofltechniker]

Although quite a lot more expensive, I think the decimator is worth the price. When I was using the updowncross, it added so much latency that the signal was unusable.

[@TheRickr61]

Great video!

[@jeffreyandrews7343]

Awesome content as usual! I have a black magic Video Hub 20/20 with two Projectors coming out of the hub. SDI to an SDI to HDMI Micro converter then HDMI to the projector. Other things like my presentation software (Pro Presenter equivalent) show up fine but my cameras, nor program feed show up consistently. Sometimes I can get the program feed from the ATEM Constellation HD to show up. But then sometimes it doesn't. I thought maybe it was frame rate but everything seems to be in order? Any suggestions?

[@kidarchitecture]

sounds like a HDCP compliance issue. SDI isnt HDCP. Try the settings in the camera

[@mohamedhassni8620]

Merci

[@InfinitelyFocused]

ohhhh deci how many times have you saved me at the 11th hour

[@antonygikabia7236]

Hi Doug,Great Video as always..Great fan of your videos.This really helped me alot. Just an unrelated question,nowadays it appears like blackmagic stopped making the Battery converters.I liked them because i could use them where power was a problem.Do you know any other product you can recommend? Thanks

[@djp_video]

I haven't really looked around for something equivalent, but their Mini Converters all run on 12V, so any 12V battery could be used to power them.

[@antonygikabia7236]

Thanks for reply..

[@richardpowell4667]

Hey. I know running a bunch of LONG coax cables is easier than running HDMI (you can cut coax to the right size while HDMI are generally set sizes) but my questions are: 1) Can you use an optical HDMI cable (say 30m-50m) instead, especially when you don't have to convert it back to SDI? 2) Is the latency of running through the SDI converter the same, more or less than using an optical HDMI cable? Thanks. #ImaHugeNoob

[@djp_video]

Yes, optical HDMI cables can work. My experience with them though is a bit hit-and-miss. While most devices work fine, I ran into a handful that just don't for some reason. Optical HDMI cables shouldn't add any additional latency. Going through HDMI-to-SDI and then SDI-to-HDMI converters will add a few (2-3) milliseconds of additional delay -- not enough to be noticeable.

[@drkdhale3605atl]

Doug, what device can I use to plug in 4 SDI cables coming from my monitors, so that I can receive the proper signal onto my laptop? I have a KanexPro HDMI 4 Port Splitter. It appears that I am missing something to complete my Live Stream setup.

[@djp_video]

It sounds like you're looking for four capture devices.

[@markarca6360]

What about AJA Video's ROI line of scan converters (HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort to 3G-SDI) and the Roland VC-1 series of mini- converters. The Roland VC-1-SC allows for a direct VGA connection without adapters, and most of their switchers have scaled HDMI inputs (which means no need for an external video scaler).

[@djp_video]

I haven't used them, so I can't really comment.

[@gurumonkey]

Awesome video. Do you have a video on lyrics for houses of worship? I’m trying to figure that out right now. Especially if computer is outputting a different resolution than the switcher. That’s how I got to this video.

[@djp_video]

I haven't done a video on it. I use my own software that I wrote and I don't intend to make available publicly, so it hasn't felt like it was worthwhile to make a video about it. In terms of dealing with different resolutions, you just watched the video that covers that issue -- use a scaler like the Decimator MD-HX or Blackmagic Design UpDownCross HD.

[@gurumonkey]

Oh fascinating! My original thought was just to use the computer with a green background and key that source, but I've seen a lot of people talk about using key and fill on two separate channels.

[@djp_video]

If you have hardware which allows you to do this, it does work better. Luma keys can also work well too, if you don't need to display black as part of your graphics. I use luma keys most of the time.

[@laneclark3728]

You are an AV BALLER

[@bittenbyht]

If I am using the ATEM Constellation HD as my switcher and convert any HDMI signals from laptops with one of the BM HDMI/SDI micro converters, is there any role for an additional frame rate/scaling box like the Decimator ? I thought the Constellation HD did up/down conversion and scaling .

[@djp_video]

The ATEMs will do scaling and frame rate conversion with supported frame rates, bit depths, and resolutions. That conversion is very basic and not very high quality. The Decimator will do a better job. But the best way to do it is to set the computer's output to match the settings of the switcher if you can.

[@bagoodale]

I am running 4 Sony A5100 cameras for a band live stream. I have a Atem mini pro. My question is since 2 runs are 40’ away how can I hook them up since the outputs on the cameras are hdmi as well as the inputs on the Atem? Would I have to use one converter on each end of the run to convert to sdi to and from hdmi?

[@djp_video]

You could try some really high quality HDMI cables, but I wouldn't recommend it. A better way to go is to convert to SDI on one end and back to HDMI on the other. The Blackmagic Design Micro Converters work well for this and aren't terribly expensive.

[@bagoodale]

@@djp_video that’s what I thought. Thank you so much for your reply. I just found your videos on KZbin. Great job!

[@franklingorora2362]

Doug, I purchased a MD-LX converter and it did not work right out of the box, I tried to convert HDMI to SDI and no signal. I went to the Decimator web site and installed the Firmware again, even when it said I had the current version, and then it worked. So just an FYI.

[@djp_video]

That's interesting. I didn't have that issue with mine.

[@georgebeattie8564]

Hey Doug, I'm looking to flip the image from a camera SDI port 90 degrees. Which of the BlackMagic Mini Converters can do this? They don't seem to have this info on their page but know for certain it can be done with one of their products.

[@djp_video]

A 90 degree rotation? None of them. The only product in their lineup that can rotate video by 90 degrees is the (old) 2 M/E Production Studio 4K. Anything other than a horizontal or vertical flip is computationally somewhat intensive and most of their products don't have the processing power to do that.

[@markarca6360]

The second HDMI output can be used for a floor monitor (stage display in ProPresenter and Presenter Mode in PowerPoint).

[@shibu4719]

Good one.

[@Martin20258]

Doug Thanks for the video. I am using one of the recent Apple Macbook Pro's that has only USB Type C ports along with Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. I am trying to connect HDMI splitter, but it would not receive signal from the laptop....The little led light on the HDMI Splitter is blinking. (Suppose to become solid when working) This HDMI splitter otherwise works normal when using with other devises like tv's, the Atem, cameras etc. When connecting the laptop straight to the Atem switcher via the Apple USB-C Digital AV Adapter there are no issues and works like it should. Any ideas why the HDMI splitter isn't getting the signal from the laptop but the splitter works normal with other devices like the atem, tv sets, cameras, it even works with an iMac. Just not this USB-C Macbook Pro. Strange

[@djp_video]

Many Macs require that a connected device support HDCP copy protection. Does your USB-C to HDMI cable work okay on a TV/monitor? If so it’s likely the HDCP that is tripping you up. There are many HDMI splitters out there that will remove the HDCP requirement, but for legal reasons I can’t say which ones. You might look around to find one.

[@Martin20258]

@@djp_video Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it & yes it is working normal with my TV/monitor. The exact Hdmi splitter is also working fine with my iMac and an older Macbook Pro via Display Port to Hdmi cable. It must be the Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter that is creating the issue. The USB-C to HDMI adapter you have shown on this video from 1:20.... I assumed you've used this with one of the recent Mac Book Pro's and you've not had any issues with it?

[@chiefcrowtheflatearthworms3259]

Hi, great videos! Liked and subbed. I have an issue I'm running into. I'm running the cameras for a live music festival. We have giant screens next to the stage. I film the band live and project different camera angels on the screens next to the stage. My issue is the projection has a half second lag with the audio. It's driving me crazy! Is there anyway to fix this?

[@djp_video]

Latency... our old friend... Every device in the signal chain is adding some latency... the camera, switcher (if you have one), any converters, and even the screen itself. It's just inherent in the way that digital video works, and you'll never be able to get rid of all of it, but you can reduce it. You'll find that some devices have less latency than others. Consumer-grade gear, for example, tends to have a lot more latency than professional gear. DSLRs, mirrorless, and consumer-grade camcorders are particularly problematic. (They aren't designed for that type of workflow, so output latency isn't a priority in their design.) So, if you can replace any gear with professional versions meant for live video production it will help a lot. If you can eliminate any signal conversions in the chain that will help too... so if, for example, your switcher is running at 1080p29.97 but a camera is running 720p59.94, that conversion is adding about 1-2 frames of latency. Make sure you set all devices to use the same signal format if that is at all possible. If you're lucky enough to be running equipment that has genlocking capability, genlocking your cameras and switcher will buy you about a half a frame. Hardware switchers also have far less latency than computer-based switchers. So, as another example, using a Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher instead of a NewTek TriCaster would reduce latency by at least 2-3 frames. The other thing you can do is to shoot at a higher frame rate if you aren't already. Latency is usually directly related to the frame rate -- my cameras, for example have an output latency of 1 frame, so if I shoot at 60 fps the output latency is about 16ms, but if I shoot at 30fps it's 33ms. If you can, shoot at 60 fps rather than something lower.

[@chiefcrowtheflatearthworms3259]

@@djp_video thank you so much Doug! You explained everything perfectly.

[@moltenpros]

Thank you for all the great info. What microphone are you using in this video?

[@djp_video]

That's an AKG D-5. Good sound, highly directional.

[@moltenpros]

@@djp_video Yes, I love the sound. Did you use any post production on the sound? Also which microphone are you using at NAB 2019?

[@djp_video]

There's a high-pass filter at 120 Hz, and some compression. No EQ.

[@djp_video]

Forgot the Mic at NAB... it was also an AKG D5.

[@moltenpros]

@@djp_video I didn't see any xlr cord coming out of it at NAB. How did you record the sound?

[@GoWebTechnologies]

Dough I used Blackmagic up down cross hd to match the desired output resolution of the feed coming via HDMI out of a laptop. My issue is sometime I experience color's issue where red turns blue and blue turns red in output. Any comments on this?

[@djp_video]

I haven't personally experienced this. But that would sort of imply a sync problem. Do you have good quality cables? And do you keep the HDMI connection relatively short? It could also be due to overheating as well.

[@GoWebTechnologies]

Doug thanks for quick reply. Actually I spend an hour to figure out the problem but couldn't. Cables used are of short length (1m). The input I checked before passing it though the Black magic up down cross hd seems fine. So the colors issue pops up in the output from converter.

[@djp_video]

Sounds like a bad converter. Have you contacted BMD support?

[@GoWebTechnologies]

Not yet. But will do now.

[@markhampton50]

Great video. FYI - I have used the Decimator for years, no issues - it just works! However, after upgrading to MacOS 12.4, the Decimator stopped working. It shows the correct HDMI input framerate, just no picture. I started a support ticket. I was informed that the MD-HX is not intended to be used with a computer input. They now have a new product, the 12g-cross for computer input, at $600. I am replacing everything with BlackMagic.

[@djp_video]

The MD-HX will work with computers as long as the video being output is a standard video resolution and frame rate: 1280x720 or 1920x1080, at 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 59.94, or 60 frames per second. Other resolutions will not work. Macs are particularly difficult to work with. MacOS doesn't usually let you change the output frame rate, and sometimes hides the output resolution.

[@markhampton50]

@@djp_video I generally agree; however, same MacBook worked for months until I upgraded to MacOS 12.4, then it stopped. Decimator screens said 1080p@60 but no picture. The statement about not supporting computers came directly from their support department.

[@markcorben3426]

Decimators and Macs are a recipe for a headache at this time. I'd imagine there would be a firmware update. I'd stick to AJA or BM for this critical point in the chain. I personally use the AJA line. It's more robust and software configureable.

[@djp_video]

@@markcorben3426 Macs and HDMI have been really problematic for a while, but especially since the M1/M2 came out. I fight them constantly, no matter what converter or monitor or cable I use. The Macs with native HDMI ports are a little better than when using an adapter, but still not consistent or reliable by any stretch of the imagination. Even when I get it to work, I experience periodic signal loss consistently.

[@eventsunlimited2338]

Doug Good video as always. For presenter computer sound, why not use Wireless mic tx/rx to bring it to mixer and ultimately to the venue and switcher. Ido that all the time. Also there is another option to but a bluetooth rx/tx todo the same. can you do a video on how we can bring in presenter's Iphone/ ipad signal to BMD swither and control sound and display their screen on projector as well as record. Some poprle wants to do live skype or whatsapp call and want to display to venue. Can you please show do a show tackling this? Thanks

[@djp_video]

If you can interface a wireless system into a laptop properly, yes, that can work. Wired is always more reliable, though. I'd avoid Bluetooth. Its range is pretty limited, and it has other issues too... there's no error correction, so if there's any radio interference, you're going to hear it. Most Bluetooth systems also introduce a significant amount of latency. (You may not notice it on mobile devices, as they tend to compensate when they can.) Radio interference is the big issue, though. A lot of the venues I've worked in have totally saturated the 2.4GHz radio band, making any devices that use it pretty unreliable. In terms of doing a Skype/WhatsApp/Meet call, connect the computer to one of your switcher inputs, then use an Aux output on the switcher as the source for the projectors. That way you can switch between the Program feed and the computer at will.

[@eventsunlimited2338]

@@djp_video Thanks Doug, Good thinking on Blue tooth. I didn't think about that. Thanks for the tip on the skype call. Yes i am doing that if the call is from behind. But i have customers they want to call from the stage with their Ipad or Phone. That's why i was looking for a suitbale solution. I have thought about using AppleTV and then have caller's phone connect to it fro the stage. But BMD switcher does not work reliably with this al the time. Also having the sound go through mixer becomes challenge as well. I will continue looking and experimenting different solutions :). Let me know if something works reliable all the time and not too much to setup. Thanks again for all your help great videos.

[@djp_video]

I've connected iPads and iPhones to Decimator MD-HX converters (using the built-in scaler) many times before and it has always worked well for me.

[@the_newvoice]

Hi! I had two chinese mini-DP to HDMI adapters, but none worked on a laptop. One is functioning on PC Radeon card, but unstable (or it didn't sync at all and just have a try by waking a display from standby at least, i can't remember already). Laptop port are functional miniDP-DP. So, it was really not so easy for me and i didn't bought a third one.

[@djp_video]

You might try active DisplayPort adapters rather than the much-more-common passive adapters that are out there. Mini DisplayPort, as the name would suggest, is designed primarily for DisplayPort signals. Some will switch to an HDMI signal when an HDMI adapter is attached, but that isn't a required feature that is part of the DisplayPort specification. Active adapters actually do convert the DisplayPort signal to an HDMI signal, so they tend to work with pretty much everything. Here's an adapter I've used with great success on devices which do not natively support HDMI over DisplayPort... it's a full-size rather than mini connector, but you get the idea: amzn.to/2XNtvwZ

[@the_newvoice]

@@djp_video Thank you very much!

[@ericchips9314]

When I attempted to connect a BMCC 2.5K camera to a TV using a 3G/SDI to HDMI converter, I received an error message indicating an incompatibility issue. I tested it on other TVs, and while it worked on some, it didn't on others. Unfortunately, none of these options are viable for use as a monitor. I also tried connecting the camera to my laptop and using vMix, but it failed to detect the device. My next option, albeit an expensive one, is to purchase a broadcast monitor to accurately display color information. What is your recommendation to solve my issue? Thank you for your relevant and thorough content. We all appreciate your hard work.

[@djp_video]

My guess is that the TV you connected to doesn't support the resolution/frame rate of your camera. The recommended solution in this case would be to use a monitor which does work with your signal type. You don't have to invest in a broadcast monitor to achieve that. Most likely you just need to get a higher-end monitor than what you have. Inexpensive computer monitors often don't support 24/25/30 fps, or 1080p resolution, so you need to move up the product line to find a model which does. Entry-level monitors rarely support these lower frame rates (support for only 50/60 fps is very common). I've had tremendously great luck with LG 4K monitors. 4K might seem like overkill, but in my experience getting a 4K monitor is the easiest way to ensure that you get nearly universal compatibility with the various video formats that we encounter in the video production world. 1080p-only models, especially those on the lower-end, are hit and miss at best. And the LG models I've used not only support every variation of 1080p I've tried, they also work well with 1080i signals, which many other brands do not.

[@justlookingfour]

I am using a Roland V1HD hdmi switcher what best converter can i used to send a sdi signal down to a projector about 75ft away?

[@djp_video]

Yes, with HDMI-to-SDI and SDI-to-HDMI converters you'll easily be able to run a signal that far.

[@justlookingfour]

@@djp_video thanks Doug

[@dcbowlin]

We recently the purchased the MD-HX and ran into a problem I'm looking for some help with... I learned the menus and achieved the proper scaling and frame rate conversion that I was looking for but I was never able to get the audio to pass through the Decimator to our capture device. we run our audio into a digital board and do a stereo feed with 2 XLR's directly into our broadcast camera (Panasonic AG-UX 180) and HDMI out of the camera to HDMI in on the decimator, decimator HDMI out to HDMI splitter, HDMI into Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini, into MacBook. We ran our broadcasts this way perfectly before the Decimator, but when I added the Decimator, I lost audio at the MacBook even though I still register on the camera. Would it help anything if I run SDI out of the Decimator instead of HDMI? I would still think there should be a way to get audio through HDMI in/out of the Decimator though. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

[@djp_video]

The Decimator converters are supposed to pass audio, and I regularly use them to do so. In the menus there are commands to map audio from the source signal to the destination, and that mapping works whether you're using HDMI or SDI. Perhaps resetting to the factory configuration might help, as it defaults to passing all 16 channels 1:1.

[@dcbowlin]

@@djp_video Thank you so much for the quick reply, I will definitely try this!

[@LudovicoValoroso]

@@dcbowlin I also recommend downloading the DECIMATOR software to properly set the MD-HX via USB-computer. I lost all the afternoon yesterday trying to make it work with my Macbookpro and the ATEM TV studio, the onboard menu is pretty confusing. But the software is much more clear and intuitive and I finally got to make it work!

[@briansallee4262]

What do I do if I’m getting a scrolling image like it needs sync? Trying to connect a laptop to our Ross switcher. All of our cameras and desktops have both SDI and sync connected. I’ve tried both a basic Blackmagic converter as well as a Decimator scaler/converter, but both slowly scroll.

[@djp_video]

So you have a genlock source and it's connected to the switcher and you have a Decimator model that has a connected genlock input?

[@briansallee4262]

@@djp_video The source is just a MacBook Pro laptop connected to a Decimator. There is no genlock input on the Decimator. What would be the reason for the slow scrolling when connected to the switcher? If I bypass the switcher and connect straight to the projectors there’s no problem.

[@djp_video]

Your switcher is expecting a very specific video format and doesn't have scalers or frame rate converters (or, apparently, even frame synchronizers) built-in to convert other video formats to the format it is using internally. If the computer or camera doesn't provide the exact same signal type it won't sync up. If, for example, a computer is outputting at 60 frames per second but the switcher is expecting 59.94 frames per second, the computer is outputting video at a slightly higher video rate so they won't sync properly. But even if they are set to the same format, if they don't have the same sync source there could still be rolling or periodic loss of sync. Macs are particularly problematic as these days they don't have any way to output a specific resolution and frame rate. They're a real pain to work with. The Decimator 12G-CROSS has a genlock input, as does the Blackmagic UpDownCross HD. If nothing else, you could run signals through one of those and connects its genlock (ref) input to your genlock source to ensure things are in sync.

[@HOLSTONVALLEY222]

Hi Doug, I work for WKPT in Kingsport, TN. We have a Ross Carbonite switcher and recently, we just added a PC with a Black Magic Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 3G to hook it into our switcher. We're going from HDMI to SDI BNC cable with the Converter. For some reason, we are not getting a clean picture, just green garbage, we tried changing the frame rate with no success. Would you have any advice for us? Thanks! Mike

[@djp_video]

What resolution and frame rate are you running your PC? If your switcher is running at 1080i, for example, you'd have to set the computer to do the same.

[@HOLSTONVALLEY222]

@@djp_video Thanks, we are 720@59.94 and we've switched the PC to this as well, and black magic to Level A. This is what Ross vid switcher uses. I am working with tech support at Ross, they didn't have any luck getting it to work. We have installed Deck Link HD extreme 3d+, on the PC and in the process of trying this one. Any other thoughts you may have for me, I would appreciate it. Thank you!!

[@djp_video]

@@HOLSTONVALLEY222 Level A/B only comes into play with 1080p59.94/50. Try setting the computer to 720p with a 59 Hz refresh

[@leke628]

Good Video! but there is couple of issues. i have found that best practice for me is to tell the presenters first off that they CAN NOT use their own laptops, and just provide the PPTX files for us ahead of time. with included special font is used. and we use our own presentation pc. with many outputs. Often times we are taking 2 outputs from the presentation computer, other is the presentation view,(Cause they want to see the notes and such) and other is the PP, and with these we can feed the presentation view to confidence monitor and the main feed for Projector or LED. and with this we can have the presentation system in FOH. and the presenter can be on stage with the Clicker and Confidence monitor only

[@djp_video]

I've had a lot of pushback trying to do that. They always seem to be afraid that the layout (fonts, colors, something) won't come out right and it takes a lot of convincing that I can do as good of a job with the files as they can.

[@randomgeocacher]

My biggest gripe is hackers/techies with VMs or Linux configured to ignore HDMI limitation. So everything works when you test with normal computers, then presenter computer fires off some unsupported VESA resolution or high res signal. So a cross converter that actually is documented to support 4K and VESA is good to have (I don’t ;-)

[@djp_video]

FYI, neither of the devices I talk about here will support non-standard resolutions. Sometimes you just have to tell the presenters that there are things they have to do for their equipment to work with yours. (For example, I don't support VGA any longer.) Anyone tech savvy enough to run VMs or Linux will know how to set their screen resolution.

[@randomgeocacher]

Doug Johnson Productions yeah, the problem I have everything is a bit a adhoc, and too little time to setup/debug in schedule. And problems often occur during the presentation, e.g. when firing up the VM.

[@markamber1480]

What is that USB C to HDMI and how often does it fail? Even the Apple one fails (though is not intermittent). We use DAC-70 for all laptop ingest due to the audio embedding and ability to configure while off. Although we have 10 of each MD-HX and DAC-70

[@djp_video]

USB-C to HDMI adapters are mostly all the same thing. Most USB-C ports support HDMI signals natively, so it isn't actually going through any kind of conversion... the cable is just a simple adapter from one connector type to another. Apple's dongle adapters aren't exactly high quality. You'll probably have better luck with another brand. Use the link in the description if you want to try the same one I've been using.

[@markamber1480]

Doug Johnson Productions I must just be very unlucky.

[@nicholasosczypko2248]

I think USB C is just the new standard for USB cables on most mobile devices....phones, tablets, etc. Not sure of the fail rate....maybe too soon to evaluate?? Maybe not...

[@djp_video]

There's an awful lot of confusion around USB-C. The USB Implementers' Forum has done a really poor job about communicating with people what the different standards mean. The term USB-C itself only refers to the connector; there is no "USB-C" signal type. And that same connector can be used for USB 3.1 (don't get me started on that mess), HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, power, and DisplayPort signals, just to name a few. *Most* laptops which have USB-C ports can output real, native HDMI over those ports. And that's what the adapter I've shown here is for... using the USB-C port as an HDMI output. No signal conversion is needed: it is actually real HDMI coming out of the computer, it just happens to be on a USB-C port instead of an HDMI port. So if there are compatibility issues, it's the computer's HDMI implementation, not USB-C itself. The adapters are essentially just changing from one connector type to another.

[@MeetupvideoUK]

Doug Johnson Productions For talent’s new Macs with usb-c connectors we always have to use our original Apple USB-C to HDMI cable, because that’s reliable. I know it’s expensive. Sometimes talent is bringing a cheap usb-c to HDMI cable and that’s not working. 80%

[@melvinch]

What about using NDI throughout the production chain ?

[@djp_video]

If you have a switcher that already supports it, it can save some time and costs. If it doesn't, fiber is a better way to go -- it's far cheaper, more widely supported, supports synced sources, and offers better quality video.

[@mass599]

Hi Doug, I see new animation graphics on screen :)

[@djp_video]

Yeah, I've been doing those for most of my videos starting earlier this year.

[@jimmyrodriguez1274]

Help, How can I go from a PTZ camera SDI to USB on my laptop to stream? Please help...

[@warrenkawamoto8660]

Magewell USB Capture SDI Gen 2 is what you need. Your laptop will see the PTZ camera as a webcam.

[@davidrenz1534]

Can I scale and convert at the same time?

[@djp_video]

Yes

[@nicholasosczypko2248]

I work primarily in the conference world right now as day job....why am I having so many issues connecting client mac computers! We have a Analog Way Pulse seamless switcher...I plug all the windows machines I want in, with no problems....plug in a client mac...nothing but problems, the computer will see the switcher for a moment, display properly....then start flashing in and out. Or go to to full screen PowerPoint presentation then immediately drop out to black screen. Is this a frame rate issue? Resolution? Someone suggested it was anti copyright.... HDCP? I have over 20 years of audio experience but about one year of video so excuse my French lol Any thoughts?

[@djp_video]

Macs are notoriously difficult to get connected. It might be frame rate, more likely an EDID negotation issue. But it most likely isn't HDCP unless you're playing copyrighted content. But since I started using the Decimator MD-HX all of those problems went away. I can connect to Macs pretty reliably now.

[@nicholasosczypko2248]

@@djp_video Thanks for the input...I just had our company order 6 decimaters to give us some flexibility and hopefully resolve these issues...it's 2019 and I feel like we're going backwards...they're using shitty HDMI to transmit and I'm asking for SDI which I feel is more stable than the crappy gear we're using lol

[@vomKuckucksfelsen]

@@djp_video Macs try to allways use HDCP unless the connected Device tells them that HDCP is not supported. Windows Machines will only switch to HDCP when copyrighted content is played. So first thing I do with Analogway Gear is turning of HDCP in the Input Menu.

[@MeetupvideoUK]

What we’ve seen every time: Windows computers 29.97fps, Macs 30fps. Everything sorted with a Decimator. Ok, 2 or 3 times there was an issue (we didn’t have any signal but projector was fine) those were Linux machines with weird resolutions.

[@ckg242]

www.analogway.com/files/uploads/white-papers/analogway-hdcp-whitepaper-jan2012.pdf

[@nuvotion-live]

Lol, showing up with a computer that only has a DVI out. In 2019. I guess some people just don't think about that kind of thing.

[@tomasdom.7641]

I have decimator v2 for sale !

[@satinderdhindsa835]

Did you use a script for this video?

[@djp_video]

I never take the time to write scripts. My KZbin videos are always off-the-cuff.

[@satinderdhindsa835]

Doug Johnson Productions For some reason this one felt more scripted than your other videos

[@djp_video]

My delivery was a little different. And this was cut together different than my others. It took me a few attempts to get the ideas across in the right way, so there's more editing than usual.

[@BlenderUnreal]

very very very helpfull. thank you!!