Proper Procedure For Plugging In 12G SDI Connections For RED Arri Sony Blackmagic And More!

[@TylerEdwards]

REDs customer service advice when I called them when I took shipment and asked procedure was the most helpful. Power on accessories. If they’re on, that means they’re properly grounded and then proceed to plug in SDI. SO simple.

[@ScottBalkum]

Yup.

[@studiofilm1]

Great video Scott. Its ridiculously that the 12g standard is so poor that if youre batteries dies you fry the sdi.

[@dandrescher4098]

I’ve been pulling it from the camera side for months and it’s been a huge pain thanks for this

[@mikiinaba0115]

But on Red support they said remove BNC "FROM THE CAMERA"

Great video Scott. We talked this a lot of time and people don't pay the proper attention. I wrote an article about this too. And to remember, this problem happens with HDMI ports TOO.

[@Reissue58]

Hi André :)) I searched for your article and it was super helpful. Thanks for writting it

[@The_Daliban]

Simple. Thank you👍🏻

[@Joey_Helms]

Informative, great vid Scott! Thanks for making it! You should make a Shorts on this ;)

[@ScottBalkum]

A shorts version is coming

[@jacobstone4real]

Thanks you for helping me with this on set yesterday!

[@thejohnnybrooks]

Great video Scott, I totally didn’t understand this issue until I saw your explanation… I can now fully appreciate why so many people screw this up as it’s slightly counterintuitive. (I would have naturally assumed that the power should be disconnected BEFORE removing the SDI, not the other way around!) Thanks to your video I won’t make this mistake when I eventually start using SDI recorders instead of HDMI, phew! ❤

[@jacoporodolfi4806]

Best video on this subject, thanks Scott!!!

[@dylanodom_]

i’m surprised no one’s made an SDI cable with a double pole switch that airgaps the whole sdi without needing to unplug would make it a ton easier

[@CameronGallagher96]

I’m glad you said this! I’ve been disconnecting on every power down, so this means I’m doing it a little too much, but still right ideas! Lol

[@ScottBalkum]

Yup. I’ve seen tons of videos that were wrong. Posts that were wrong. Etc. I wanted to break it down simply and easily so that everyone understands, its not bad at all. Its just 1 connection really, most of the time. Save your ports!

[@CameronGallagher96]

@@ScottBalkum Oh that saves me on TONS of time! lol I was constantly changing it! Sick video!

[@Jared10112]

So does this mean I only need to disconnect and reconnect when I’m swapping batteries, not necessarily every single time I turn on my camera?

[@ScottBalkum]

@@Jared10112 Correct.

[@John-e4p1x]

@@ScottBalkum Why is it only when swapping batteries? And not every time you turn on the camera. Isnt that the same thing?

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

Good to see you back brother!

[@ScottBalkum]

Good to be back!

[@DannyDHidalgo]

Thank you Scott! Crystal clear.

[@NathanHacker]

Great video quality and very funny man! Thank you for your kindness. You got a new subscriber friend!

[@ScottBalkum]

Thank you!

[@ricardosousa11]

I just got my first RED, and its a komodo and this was incredibly important information, thank you so much! So, I have a question, if I shut the camera off, but dont remove the sdi, nor replace any battery, is there a risk as well? What if my monitor battery dies?

[@jean-mariebluteau4549]

You got a new subsribe at the "I'm baaaaaaack". 😂

[@Donyoku_]

Hi Sir, that’s a really great video! I have a question. I have a permanent setup with a video switcher and unfortunately, I think I’ve burned out one HDMI port (it no longer works). In my setup, I never unplug the SDI and HDMI cables on the switcher side, but I do turn off the power and the MCB from the panel when I’m done using the studio. I store the camera in a cabinet, so the SDI cable on the camera side is left unplugged and resting on the floor. Should I keep unplugging the SDI and HDMI cables from the switcher every time I turn the power back on at the MCB panel?

[@krisadams6457]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO GOOD SIR.

[@JaySanderson]

Hi Scott, I'm just looking to understand this correctly. To power If the battery is connected to the camera and dtap to monitor this is the first step? Plug in SDI to replace battery/remove power Remove SDI you can now swap battery Once the first step is done, so long as the physical cable connection is maintained between the camera and monitor you can turn the camera on and off to preserve power should you need to and your SDI will be protected? If the camera or monitor is turned on when removing SDI will this cause issues?

[@irfaankhan4880]

Awesome video an explanation Thank you for your time 🙌🏻🙏😊

[@JimmyTankster]

You mentioned hot swapping, but not hot swapping let's say, (2) Cannon BP955 batteries. If one BP955 is connected to the komodo at all times and the monitor is still powered by it's own batteries, then technically the power is still maintained and no need to disconnect SDI, correct?

[@ScottBalkum]

That is correct.

[@FivosVas]

Het Scott, Just a quick Q. Do i have to follow LIFO procedure if my Portkeys is powered on by a separete NP battery? My komodo is powered by Redbolts and Portkeys with NP.

[@ScottBalkum]

Yes, always.

[@romain_do]

living that LIFO life

[@JohanGassCommunications]

So when you powering off your camera (with vmount to power camera and monitor) so save battery life, do you still disconnect the sdi? Or you can stay the sdi here, and power on after a while (everything in place, sdi was connect last for the beginning of the shooting)

[@ScottBalkum]

As long as the power is connected to your camera and your accessory, you don’t need to disconnect the SDI. If you disconnect the physical power or battery, then you should disconnect the SDI first.

[@JohanGassCommunications]

@@ScottBalkum thanks. I do that since I have my komodo and it is not very pleasant!

[@21ferebee]

Do sdi isolators work?

[@ScottBalkum]

In theory they should, but, there’s really no definitive answer on that. Engineers have told me both ways. They won’t hurt, but they may not help either.

[@21ferebee]

Hey Thanks for the quick response.

[@ChrisFlores22]

If my monitor doesn’t have a 12g sdi port but rather 3g, does it make a difference? Using a port keys bm5iiiwr

[@ScottBalkum]

Yes, it comes from a potential grounding issue. The 12G sdi chipset is the weak point.

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@ScottBalkum thanks!!

[@bocusfocus9714]

Hi Scott, thanks for your video. I have a question I hope you don’t mind answering. Let’s say I was using my Komodo with two standard Canon BP batteries on the camera, and a Sony NPF battery on the monitor. What would happen if one of the Canon BP batteries died but the other BP battery kept the camera on and rolling? Would the disconnect and replacement of ONE of the BP batteries while the camera keeps rolling require removal of the SDI? Would the fact that one of them died while the SDI was connected risk damage to the SDI Port? Thank you in advance for your reply, and thanks for making such a great video. I understand the issue a lot better now, but just wanted to clarify the above?

[@ScottBalkum]

In that case, you would be fine as 1 of the batteries is still working and connected. No need to disconnect the SDI.

[@bocusfocus9714]

@@ScottBalkum Thanks Scott ;)

[@bocusfocus9714]

@@ScottBalkum So just to clarify, I’d be able to Hot Swap the dead battery and no need to disconnect the SDI (Sorry, I’m pedantic!)

[@ScottBalkum]

@@bocusfocus9714 On Komodo, yes. When your NP battery has to be swapped, you’d need to disconnect.

[@bocusfocus9714]

@@ScottBalkum Hi Scott, just saw your reply, many thanks for clarifying all the above. Really appreciate it!

[@jacobstone4real]

I get it now too! They don’t even have to be on.

[@ScottBalkum]

😋

[@Fambos]

Hi Scott great video! I was wondering if you have any experience with the Freakshow MSX2-L Reclocking DA? With the MSX2-L, apparently you can keep the SDI cable from the DA plugged into the camera at all times

[@rMr.big13]

Do we do Theo with 3g sdi ,like that Osee g7 ,as well?

[@ScottBalkum]

Its a good practice to do for all SDI.

[@Richfxx]

I had no idea about this

[@PabloVillaVideo]

I keep coming back to this video 😅 wondering now if you have any recommendations for 1) reliable shielded SDI cables and 2) a shark fin v mount fot hot swapping, I can't seem to find one other than core swx's that has bad reviews.

[@ScottBalkum]

1) doesn’t stop the requirements. But, Mutiny makes great cables. 2) don’t have a rec just yet.

[@Lemocrt]

Do you have any subjection for a good quality sdi cable a brand maybe, I feel like my cable is causing an issue with the signal

[@ScottBalkum]

Mutiny.store makes great 12g cables

[@michaelfrymus]

Im connecting SDI from my monitor to a transmitter. What if its not 12G? like 3G or 4G? Not sure what the monitor / transmitter has

[@PabloVillaVideo]

Great video Scott. Quick example question: if my monitor stands on its own with two batteries on it, and my Komodo is powered by a v mount, can I follow this procedure and then leave the SDI plugged in, with the devices off during breaks to not waste battery? Or should I unplug the SDI during that break?

[@ScottBalkum]

Tough one. Technically it is ok. I’d pull anyway just for habit. Remember you can pull from monitor side. It doesn’t have to be Komodo side.

[@PabloVillaVideo]

@@ScottBalkum I'll have to buy a little wire clip holder then, I'd tick me off to have that cable banging against the camera if I'm walking. Thanks Scott

[@ScottBalkum]

@@PabloVillaVideo heh, I know that feeling

[@mikiinaba0115]

​@@ScottBalkumhey scott Im using two external monitor on my set up. Do I need to unplug the SDI IN of the 2nd monitor that is connected to the SDI OUT of the 1st monitor?

[@bobanjames7569]

thanks Scott- So I have a Sony FX6 powered by a V mount battery attached to a tilta battery mount which also powers a Ninja V. The Ninja V is connected via SDI to the FX6. Question is, let's say I need to stop filming for a couple of minutes but want to shut the Ninja V down to save battery. Do I need to remove the SDI cable first (while the Ninja V is still on and running) or power down the Ninja V first and then remove the SDI cable? All this is while the camera is still powered on. I'm assuming it is power down Ninja V> remove SDI cable since the battery is still connected to the camera.

[@bobanjames7569]

And as a follow up, in case I want to shut down the camera (but the battery is still attached to the tilta battery power unit), I don't need to remove the SDI cable unless I'm going to be removing the battery, in which case it's remove SDI first)?

[@Reissue58]

Are you able to turn the monitor and camera off if they have charged batteries? or should I disconnect the link of the SDI from the monitor?

[@FivosVas]

What brand monitor is that good sir? i like that it has both sdi and hdmi ports

[@ScottBalkum]

Osee G7

[@bigburgersteak]

great video man! one question, do i need to turn the accessory on before connecting the sdi or is connecting to power enough?

[@ScottBalkum]

Always best to turn on the power on both camera and accessory then connect SDI. LIFO.

[@bigburgersteak]

@@ScottBalkum thanks for clearing it out!!

[@DavidLee-te8dp]

Is it better to turn the camera and external monitor on after you plug in both the power and SDI cable (save turning on the machines until the end) or to turn both machines on after you have power plugged in and then plug in the SDI cable last?

[@Thats_my_Point]

Thank you. What a miserably annoying issue. Is there reasons a surge protection for I/O ports?

[@ScottBalkum]

No. There are no known issues with those.

[@cineformat6298]

Can you share your mentioned SDI cables links?

[@ScottBalkum]

Here is a link to Mutiny - www.mutiny.store

[@BrandonTalbot]

Scott, here's a question. Can I turn the power off without removing the BNC? Like if the camera is a permanent fixture of the studio and it and it's accessories won't be moved anywhere or will that still fry it?

[@ScottBalkum]

As long as power is connected, you can power off.

[@mikiinaba0115]

​@@ScottBalkumhow bout when its time to turn on the camera and the accesories?

[@martinvaldivieso988]

Scott, I have a question. If it is that by mistake the power of my Vmount battery from which I am feeding my monitor and my teradek runs out and everything suddenly turns off, this should not be worrying, because there was no more power circulating. It is what I understand, tell me and I am wrong. The problem would be that I change the battery for a new one without first disconnecting an SDI port. Right?

[@ScottBalkum]

Power running out is simply not enough power to power the device(s) - There is still power.

[@martinvaldivieso988]

In the event that the V mount battery accidentally runs out of power, what should I do to avoid damaging the SDI port? The battery running out of power while recording is not something we want to happen, but it is always possible.@@ScottBalkum

[@ScottBalkum]

​@@martinvaldivieso988 Well first, use every single battery gauge to never let it run out of power. They are there for a reason. Using 100% of your battery isn’t smart for so many reasons so pull at 25%. Lastly if you run out, pull the sdi and then replace your battery.

[@martinvaldivieso988]

Thanks for the help Scott. The people of Red say that the new Red Komodo X comes with an improvement, a nylon sleeve, they say that it helps with this problem, do you know anything about this?@@ScottBalkum

[@ScottBalkum]

@@martinvaldivieso988 the nylon sleeve helps with the expansion of the 12g port when 3g cables are inserted.

[@megavideopowermegavideopow8657]

SDI: LAST In…FIRST Out 👍🏽

[@ari-m.]

12g SDI ports are like me at a party; last in, first out

[@ScottBalkum]

Hahahah, wait? How old are you? :)

[@ari-m.]

@@ScottBalkum The older I get the quicker I leave

[@VELVET462]

@@ari-m. great one😂i feel you

[@dice_mov]

Does it matter if I disconnect the SDI from the camera instead of the monitor? On RED’s site they say to disconnect from camera side first..

[@ScottBalkum]

Does not matter at all.

[@dice_mov]

@@ScottBalkum thank you!🙏

[@videographiya]

What if the battery doesn't need to be replaced, and the camera are powered down? Does the same SDI disconnecting partices still have to be applied?

[@ScottBalkum]

Technically, if they are both connected to the same power, no I don’t believe there would be a problem leaving it connected.

[@videographiya]

@@ScottBalkum Thanks, Scott. This is what I've been thinking and doing while asking myself if I am about to break something.

[@John-e4p1x]

5:55

[@akcine]

SDI saved :)

[@capnjackcanon]

Has this been updated yet? Honestly makes me want to stick with hdmi cables instead of sdi

[@TSpenceFilms]

Apparently it can happen with HDMI cables as well. It would be good for you to learn it as it’s a simple process to get in the habit of.

[@TheHoleshoes]

I have been doing this with my Komodo (with BP batteries) and portkeys 5 inch (with an NP battery) for over a year now. But wanted to make sure I was doing it right 100% after rigging it up with a gold mount and tapping power all from that. So I talked with RED. They officially said that you must also disconnect even before powering down either monitor or camera. I asked for clarification because I hadn't been doing that at all and they said yes. You cannot leave it plugged in if you are going to turn off the power button while SDI devices are plugged in. I don't understand why they said this when every single video including yours says turning on and off power doesnt matter. Do you know why they're saying this?

[@ScottBalkum]

I think they misunderstood the procedure or they misunderstood the question. If a ground connection is made and power is physically connected, a surge can’t happen. The same in reverse. As long as there is physical power to both the camera and the accessory, the cable can be connected.

[@mikiinaba0115]

​@@ScottBalkum hi what if I have seperate vmount battery for the monitor,transmitter and wireless focus, Do I need to unplug BNC if I will change battery either the camera and for the accesories? I'm using long rods and mounting the 2nd small vmount to seperate the power source of the accesories. Hope you understand what I mean.

[@mpeg2000]

But the battery on my monitor just cuts out when it's empty? Even on the komodo i don't check battery status every then minutes when i'm filming. So power cutting out due to an empty battery will be inevitable sooner or later so this isn't practical. Any thoughts?

[@ScottBalkum]

I’ve heard this defense before. I simply reply with, do you just drive your car until it runs out of gas and then fill it up or do you check your gas gauge periodically? Well, of course you use your gauge. Just like a battery meter, its just something we have to do to use our cameras. Practical is always defined within the requirements of something. Learn voltage cutoffs. All you have to do it replace your battery before the low voltage shutoff.

[@mpeg2000]

@@ScottBalkum Unfortunately my Tilta v-mount adapter doesn't give me any indicator on the camera and on the batteries from the four indicator lights I'm already down to the last one after 60minutes... a full tank in my car last WAY longer 😜(Can't buy lager v-mounts due to flight restrictions)

[@ScottBalkum]

@@mpeg2000 You can simply click the battery icon at the very top of the screen and it will give you the voltage. Sure, a full tank in your car would last longer, but with flight restrictions, you are allowed only 3.5 oz of gas ;)

[@mpeg2000]

@@ScottBalkum Cool, thx! I didn't know that i could click the battery symbol. ...last take... but my car doesn't explode when he runs out of gas 😜 But for real, it would be awesome if someone could design a v-mount adapter with an internal "intermediate-battery" that starts to blink when power is drawn. That way we could have some minutes time to hot swap the battery without messing with cables.

[@ScottBalkum]

@@mpeg2000 Someone does. BlueShape.

[@BillHertzing]

"Don't cross the streams. It would be bad." "I'm fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, 'bad'?"

[@BillHertzing]

Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.

[@studiofilm1]

I never done this ever on dsmc1 or dsmc2. So It shouldnt be needed. But from dsmc3 I would sure do it....but its just poor enginering of 12g sdi.

[@ScottBalkum]

Yea, its part of the problem when standards are created and then the next standard has to be backwards compatible with the previous, etc. The original design was pretty good but as they push more and more through, it becomes more and more delicate. Also, if your battery dies, its not very likely it will cause damage, but it is a situation that can create the issue. Its far more of an issue when hooking up power. And honestly, its not that common that hooking up power causes it, but its enough that manufacturers want the information out there.

[@Liveworkshop]

What about sdi going to a teradek transmitter from komodo?

[@ScottBalkum]

That is an accessory. Treat it just like a monitor.

[@LouisLuzuka]

😮❤😊

[@QuicksilverSG]

It seems like the only thing more troublesome than SDI is HDMI.

[@ozzythemighty2767]

I truly do not understand why they do not engineer safety features for this.

[@ScottBalkum]

I don’t believe the standard can support the changes required.

[@johnschroeder3072]

@@ScottBalkum Hence it should have been engineered better (the standard that is)

[@jeremymolinari6597]

Working on an std-sdi joke, but failing at keeping it classy. Still commenting for the algorithm though!

[@ScottBalkum]

HAhahah!

[@stu9000]

Red should have built in an SDI isolator. It's a serious design fault regardless of what you say.

[@ScottBalkum]

Considering every manufacturer suffers from this, it might not be so easy to solve.

[@stu9000]

@@ScottBalkum Every responsible Komodo owner, especially those that rent it out has to buy an SDI isolator, so why not include it? Yes it effects all 12g SDI systems but the Komodo is more prone to dying than any other camera.

[@stu9000]

@@ScottBalkum Every responsible Komodo owner, especially those that rent it out has to buy an SDI isolator, so why not include it? Yes it effects all 12g SDI systems but the Komodo is more prone to dying than any other camera.

[@ScottBalkum]

@@stu9000 Because isolators have not been proven to work.

[@mitchellneth]

Me and my team engineer an all 12g SDI UHD broadcast facility. 164x router, uhd sony switcher, and more. LOTS of 12g sources and destinations. And before using RED Komodos on a project last week me nor my team had never heard of this crap on any device. This is a camera manufacturer flaw if anything as professional broadcast grade devices are not having these failures at anywhere near the rate RED is having to RMA their devices. Backpedaling with a youtube video (the RED one) and putting the blame on users is poor product support and engineering. Fix the problem!

[@ScottBalkum]

Well, be sure to blame Sony and Arri too.

[@iEditProjects]

LIFO I’ll burn that in my memory.

[@ScottBalkum]

Dude, yes! That’s better than what I came up with…. LIFO!!!

[@iEditProjects]

@@ScottBalkum You came up with it for sure. I didn’t think it until you said it 😂😂😂

[@electronicbox6990]

In other words, all cameras are poorly made.Thats the truth.If they cant figure that out in 2022,better to produce something else.

[@ScottBalkum]

They are following a standard. The problem is in the standard.

[@electronicbox6990]

@@ScottBalkum Friend of mine has FS7 and he has more than 20 years experience.He said that he never follow anything like that and he never got a problem.He uses sdi on FS7 and never got similar issue.

[@ScottBalkum]

@@electronicbox6990 The FS7 is not 12G SDI.

[@electronicbox6990]

@@ScottBalkum Good point!

[@johnschroeder3072]

@@ScottBalkum You said this was an issue with previous versions too

[@iamkubrick]

12g SDI is just not stable enough. Shouldn’t be on high end cameras like ARRI when it’s so fragile. I had one blow on set and it was simply from swapping a battery on an URSA mini ( crap camera anyway ) … SDI burn outs have been around before Komodo but wether RED and their loyal disciples like it or not RED made it famous or infamous… the RED Komodo will always be synonymous with SDI burnouts.

[@ScottBalkum]

Yea, Komodo will always be associated with it because there are so many out there. But, completely agree, 12G is not ready for primetime.

[@kazlepek6552]

Oh snap, I thought I had to power down the monitor before taking out the SDI 🪦🪦🪦