I love using the DJP fiber setups. I also take Metamucil sometimes to keep me regular. With it’s great orange flavor, you’ll enjoy every cup, Metamucil, be good to your bowels!
Multimode fiber is a lot more forgiving when it comes to connection points. Singlemode connectors really need to be cleaned each time they mate, moreso than multimode.
LC are the connectors used by the video equipment, so it makes a lot of sense to just stick with those for everything. It makes things much easier. I do have some LC-ST cables if I ever encounter a facility that already has its own fiber. The only fiber tool I have is a really basic cleaner I picked up off of eBay a couple years ago. It doesn't even have a manufacturer's name on it so I can't say who makes it.
If you just need a duplex cable, you can get them a lot of places. If you need a trunk cable, you'll probably need to have one custom made. I got my current fiber trunk from fs.com. It's an MTP-24 cable with IP67 connections.
Thanks, this is helpful in my search for SDI over fibre distribution. Not for cameras but just distribution. BMD don't seem to do a rack mount transmitter. The Teranex mini would be perfect but there isn't a fibre to SDI model.
The Studio Converter and Talkback Converter products will transmit a single signal to 4 or 8 receivers, in addition to receiving 4 or 8 separate signals.
@@djp_video Thanks for the reply. Those units will provide many features that I wouldn't need? I would prefer the features of a Teranex type device. Would you know why they don't have a fibre to SDI model?
My church is using 4x ~350’ SDI lines now to do a drive in style church with video in parking lot. The cables have about had it (8weeks of rough use) and I’m ready to replace them looking at using fiber, video came out with perfect timing. I’m looking at doing 150m of 6pair cable and 6x of the 3G fiber setups, any hesitations with that you see? 1080p59.94b
Make sure you get suitably protected cables - there's "armored" cable like Doug showed and then there's cable specifically rated for outdoor use (main difference is UV resistance, I think). I think I've seen this advertised as military grade fiber. Or just buy 2x the cheap stuff and replace it when it breaks :)
Super great video! Hope to see more higher end videos. Liked also the level up stream team one. Besides their expensive cables, what do you think of SMPTE? I know right now cause of covid they have some free webinars on some interesting stuff, but it's mostly education on the stuff THEY make and do. I never thought that the fiber is just SDI through light. Thanks!
@@djp_video That make sense, I don't use coms all that often, so kinda not as needed. It's one thing or another! I have spend SOOOOO much over the years on cabling, and wish fiber was cheaper 5 or so years ago!
So, if you have two fiber cassettes both at each end, one as a remote press box with all of the cameras going into it and then you have an MTP cable running that to another cassette that sends video to the Studio Converter...on the press box side, are you able to connect a switch with a fiber port into that cassette and have another switch like that on the other side so you can send internet and Dante over? That question may sound odd but I really don't know how to word it.
They're just fiber lines and you can use them for anything you want. You just need a switch with an SFP port and an appropriate SFP module (single mode, LC connector, UPC in my case), or a media converter with appropriate SFP, on each end to provide a network connection. The role of the cassettes is to break the 12 (or 24) fiber lines in the MTP cable into individual pairs (6 or 12 of them) so standard duplex cables can be used to connect to the SFP modules. Alternately you can buy purpose-built fan-out cables and skip the cassette altogether.
Just binged the trailer playlist and loved it, great job. We just ordered 6 Sony z280’s and I’m curious how you do com and return video if you are using the bmd 12g miniconverters.
Thanks for watching! Return video is easy. The 12G converters are bi-directional so you can both send and receive video at the same time. You'd probably want to find a different intercom solution if you aren't using Blackmagic's Camera Converter products with the built-in intercom capability. The number of devices needed to extract and embed audio from SDI for intercom would be awkward and prohibitive. Take a look at my recent video on budget intercom options for a little more info.
If we are looking to use three to four cameras and what to use fiber and have an atem mini pro what else would we need for equipment we live ur videos and learn a lot not a big budget yet
I don't know that I'd recommend fiber if you're running an ATEM Mini... you'd spend a fortune in SDI-to-HDMI and HDMI-to-SDI converters on top of the fiber equipment. Fiber signals are actually SDI, so it's easy to adapt SDI connections. Not so easy to do HDMI. But, with that said, you'd either need SDI Fiber converters like the Blackmagic Optical Fiber 12G converters on each end plus 3G SFP modules for each, or an ATEM Studio/Talkback Converter plus an ATEM Camera Converter at each camera.
Hey Doug that was really informative. Couple of questions. What’s the breakout box used in venue with the 24 strand fibre cable? Does it only feed video and not power Like cat 6 poe for ptz? And how do you convert the OB trick side to capture the cameras into switcher. Cheers
Ethernet is carried over two strands of fiber. Those are plugged into SFP modules in two Ethernet switches -- one in the trailer, one in the venue. The one in the venue has PoE functionality to power PTZ cameras, Dante AVIO devices, Dante-based intercom beltpacks, etc. (Those connections are actually a multi-VLAN trunk over a LAG for additional bandwidth and redundancy.) Video is converted between fiber and SDI using Blackmagic ATEM Studio Converters in the trailer, and ATEM Camera Converters in the venue. This provides video in both directions, intercom, tally, audio, and camera control. The breakout box just splits the 24 strands in my trunk cable out to individual duplex pairs, passively so it doesn't require any power. 11 of those pairs are for cameras/video, and one pair is for the Ethernet Trunk LAG. Aside from the network switch, there are no active components in the breakout box.
sfp compatibility problems always struck me as odd. It's always seemed like a lot of the point of sfp is that the devices which do actual work can be indifferent as to how signals are sent -- they just need to trust that the sfp module can handle the needed bandwidth and that a matching sfp module on the other end will vomit out the same signal. It should really just be as simple as choosing modules which can handle the needed bandwidth. And yet that doesn't seem to be the case.
Video SFPs have to deal with a different type of signal than those made for networking. They really do have to be designed differently. SDI signals look nothing like Ethernet and the circuitry has to accommodate that.
You'd have to go through an HDMI to SDI conversion first, then SDI to fiber.
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I already noticed in few of your videos that you often don't cover connectors with dust caps? No problems with with dirty connectors? I have spare dust caps for sfp and LC in every camera bag. For "main" cables we are using SC conectors and on bigger projects we normaly clean all conectors before connecting them.
For a long time I tried to make sure we capped the ends, but they kept getting lost and I just gave up. And the cables have worked fine. I do clean them periodically or when there's an issue, but that's pretty rare.
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Regarding SFP. So far i did few test with BSFP-3G43-10 and BSFP-3G34-10. It works OK.
Yes. Video actually borrowed the technology from computer networking. You'll either want a switch with an available SFP port or Media Converters to convert Ethernet, plus SFP modules to interface with the fiber cables to do this.
Another Great Video. Just a few minor items. 1. Multi-mode fiber is NOT older, Single Mode was developed in 1970, Multi-mode wa created in the 1980's to allow 10Mbs ethernet to to go 2km using CHEAP LED transmitters compared to the expensive transmitters needed for single mode. Now that Single-mode SFPs are reasonable there is no reason for Multi-mode except for use in existing systems where they did not have enough foresight to install single-mode alongside the multi-mode for future proofing. By the way Multi-mode fiber has always been more expensive, just able to use cheaper transceivers! 2. SMPTE Composite cable does not have additional fibers for return channels, ALL SMPTE Composite cables have 2 Single-mode fibers, 2 Larger conductors for power, 2 small conductors for data. The dat wires are often used to negotiate the power level to be used on the power conductors and to ensure power is turned off when disconnected, the fibers are often (Grass Valley & Sony & ?) tu send 3G SDI to and from the camera, typically one fiber is used to send HD SDI (720P, 1080i, or 1080P) to the Base Station, the other fiber is commonly used to send TWO 1.5G signals to the camera, the Monitor return and an aux return ( Teleprompter, Talent Monitor, etc.) The Viewfinder return path has a small router in the base station that can send any of 3 or 4 SDI inputs to the viewfinder. 3. SMPTE Composite cable can be used for any single=mode purpose with a set of adapters, very handy if you go somewhere that is prewired with SMPTE cable. 4. Cameras set up for SMPTE can be used over a pair of single-mode fibers. This requires local camera power and often some adapters to spook the safety system to think the small wires are present. 5. you can make your own SMPTE cable with a pair of single mode fibers and 4 copper conductors - this is sometimes done when pre-wiring a building. 6. Most single mode fiber SFPs can be used on multi-mode fiber. The distance will be almost as far as a multi-mode SFP ( way shorter than a Single mode SFP) and a special "launch Cable" should be used on each transmitter side. Another option when you get somewhere that has something installed that is not ideal but may make the impossible possible.
Thank you so much for your videos, most information on fiber has to do with networking so these are a life saver. Could you link me the armored patch cables you use?
@@djp_video Thanks so much for the link to the cables. After watching your video I'm going to go with Fiber instead of copper SDI. This video was so informative.
@@djp_video Have you used any of their longer length cables? I am looking for 100-200 meter, 4 strand cables and just wondering if you have experience with them? Thanks for you videos and all the information you provide.
You can get SFP modules that are bi-directional which let you send signals in both directions over a single fiber strand. But I'm not aware of any intercom systems which use fiber natively. The Blackmagic system is the closest in that it lets you send video and intercom over fiber. And you can replace its SFPs with bi-directional versions if you'd like.
Hey quick question when I was at nbc they had these rack mounted one space led bar that can name whatever you want and it was right over the camera monitors… do you know who makes them???thx
I haven't tried it myself. I've heard that for some content it will sometimes pass a signal, but sometimes not. It sounds like when there are areas of an image with a lot of dark areas or constant color values or repetition (a computer display, for example) that the signal stops working. But finding data SFPs that are even rated for 3G/6G/12G isn't quite as easy as the 1/1.25Gb that are common. It isn't worth the risk.
@@djp_video Yes it will work, but with a 1.25Gbit/s SFP (used for gigabit ethernet) you will only be able to transport HD-SDI (1,5Gbit/s, 1080i). With a 10G rated data SFP you will be able to use any SDI signal but the specified range might be a bit less with 12G-SDI as the frequencies are a bit higher. Because data SFPs are way cheaper I always would recommend simply buying these in 10G versions.
Could the BMD gear be used with other video SFPs such as AJA? Also, could you output from a Camera Converter with a BMD SFP to say an AJA Fiber > SDI converter successfully? I've always found it confusing as to when a signal is proprietary and when it's some SMPTE standard when it comes to hardware from these manufacturers.
They should be compatible. The signals being passed are standard SDI -- they just happen to be going over an optical fiber connection rather than copper coax.
Kiitos!
Another advantage of fiber is that you don’t have to worry about ground loops as you would have to with coaxial cables.
Everyone needs more fiber in their diet! Thanks for the helpful video.
You are a life-saver! Thank you very much for your time and expertise. I’m grateful for you.
I love using the DJP fiber setups. I also take Metamucil sometimes to keep me regular. With it’s great orange flavor, you’ll enjoy every cup, Metamucil, be good to your bowels!
Multimode fiber is a lot more forgiving when it comes to connection points. Singlemode connectors really need to be cleaned each time they mate, moreso than multimode.
2 Questions, Why LC connector over ST? And what basic fiber cleaning/testing tools would you recommend for a gig bag?
LC are the connectors used by the video equipment, so it makes a lot of sense to just stick with those for everything. It makes things much easier. I do have some LC-ST cables if I ever encounter a facility that already has its own fiber.
The only fiber tool I have is a really basic cleaner I picked up off of eBay a couple years ago. It doesn't even have a manufacturer's name on it so I can't say who makes it.
sfp module use LC. if you dont like the fragile LC you can go to the smtp fiber connector. i use them for Cams, the have integrated power to.
This was such a great video! I learned a lot! Thanks so much for sharing!
Do you guys have an online course please?
Where can I buy a 1000 foot fiber optic cable reel? something identical to what you show in your video?
If you just need a duplex cable, you can get them a lot of places.
If you need a trunk cable, you'll probably need to have one custom made. I got my current fiber trunk from fs.com. It's an MTP-24 cable with IP67 connections.
5:58 😂😂😂😂 I think Doug wanted a slightly stronger response than “oooooh okay” 😂😂😂
Yeah but I can completely relate to that response (but with more sarcasm)
21:48 looms of these on almost every OB I've worked on 🤣 very informative video
Thanks, this is helpful in my search for SDI over fibre distribution. Not for cameras but just distribution. BMD don't seem to do a rack mount transmitter. The Teranex mini would be perfect but there isn't a fibre to SDI model.
The Studio Converter and Talkback Converter products will transmit a single signal to 4 or 8 receivers, in addition to receiving 4 or 8 separate signals.
@@djp_video Thanks for the reply. Those units will provide many features that I wouldn't need? I would prefer the features of a Teranex type device. Would you know why they don't have a fibre to SDI model?
I think they used to. I don't know why they don't any longer. Maybe because they have the Optical Fiber 12G Micro Converter which does the same thing?
@@djp_video Most likely, I would prefer a rack mount solution
My church is using 4x ~350’ SDI lines now to do a drive in style church with video in parking lot. The cables have about had it (8weeks of rough use) and I’m ready to replace them looking at using fiber, video came out with perfect timing. I’m looking at doing 150m of 6pair cable and 6x of the 3G fiber setups, any hesitations with that you see? 1080p59.94b
Sounds good to me. I think you'll love it.
Thanks!!
Make sure you get suitably protected cables - there's "armored" cable like Doug showed and then there's cable specifically rated for outdoor use (main difference is UV resistance, I think). I think I've seen this advertised as military grade fiber. Or just buy 2x the cheap stuff and replace it when it breaks :)
how did it go?
Super great video! Hope to see more higher end videos. Liked also the level up stream team one.
Besides their expensive cables, what do you think of SMPTE? I know right now cause of covid they have some free webinars on some interesting stuff, but it's mostly education on the stuff THEY make and do.
I never thought that the fiber is just SDI through light.
Thanks!
This is very helpful. I will say the converters are a bit more expensive than BNC cables. but likely way better too.
If you factor in that the Studio/Camera converters also do intercom, they’re actually a pretty good deal
@@djp_video That make sense, I don't use coms all that often, so kinda not as needed. It's one thing or another! I have spend SOOOOO much over the years on cabling, and wish fiber was cheaper 5 or so years ago!
So, if you have two fiber cassettes both at each end, one as a remote press box with all of the cameras going into it and then you have an MTP cable running that to another cassette that sends video to the Studio Converter...on the press box side, are you able to connect a switch with a fiber port into that cassette and have another switch like that on the other side so you can send internet and Dante over? That question may sound odd but I really don't know how to word it.
They're just fiber lines and you can use them for anything you want. You just need a switch with an SFP port and an appropriate SFP module (single mode, LC connector, UPC in my case), or a media converter with appropriate SFP, on each end to provide a network connection. The role of the cassettes is to break the 12 (or 24) fiber lines in the MTP cable into individual pairs (6 or 12 of them) so standard duplex cables can be used to connect to the SFP modules. Alternately you can buy purpose-built fan-out cables and skip the cassette altogether.
@djp_video Ok thats awesome to know. I didnt know if the cassette would not send the signal correctly, but that all makes more sense. Thank you!
Yes, the cassettes are passive devices... they just split the signals into individual pairs. There aren't any electronics in them at all.
Just binged the trailer playlist and loved it, great job. We just ordered 6 Sony z280’s and I’m curious how you do com and return video if you are using the bmd 12g miniconverters.
Thanks for watching!
Return video is easy. The 12G converters are bi-directional so you can both send and receive video at the same time.
You'd probably want to find a different intercom solution if you aren't using Blackmagic's Camera Converter products with the built-in intercom capability. The number of devices needed to extract and embed audio from SDI for intercom would be awkward and prohibitive. Take a look at my recent video on budget intercom options for a little more info.
If we are looking to use three to four cameras and what to use fiber and have an atem mini pro what else would we need for equipment we live ur videos and learn a lot not a big budget yet
I don't know that I'd recommend fiber if you're running an ATEM Mini... you'd spend a fortune in SDI-to-HDMI and HDMI-to-SDI converters on top of the fiber equipment. Fiber signals are actually SDI, so it's easy to adapt SDI connections. Not so easy to do HDMI.
But, with that said, you'd either need SDI Fiber converters like the Blackmagic Optical Fiber 12G converters on each end plus 3G SFP modules for each, or an ATEM Studio/Talkback Converter plus an ATEM Camera Converter at each camera.
Hey Doug that was really informative. Couple of questions.
What’s the breakout box used in venue with the 24 strand fibre cable? Does it only feed video and not power Like cat 6 poe for ptz?
And how do you convert the OB trick side to capture the cameras into switcher. Cheers
Ethernet is carried over two strands of fiber. Those are plugged into SFP modules in two Ethernet switches -- one in the trailer, one in the venue. The one in the venue has PoE functionality to power PTZ cameras, Dante AVIO devices, Dante-based intercom beltpacks, etc. (Those connections are actually a multi-VLAN trunk over a LAG for additional bandwidth and redundancy.)
Video is converted between fiber and SDI using Blackmagic ATEM Studio Converters in the trailer, and ATEM Camera Converters in the venue. This provides video in both directions, intercom, tally, audio, and camera control.
The breakout box just splits the 24 strands in my trunk cable out to individual duplex pairs, passively so it doesn't require any power. 11 of those pairs are for cameras/video, and one pair is for the Ethernet Trunk LAG. Aside from the network switch, there are no active components in the breakout box.
@@djp_video thanks I just finish watching your other video on the breakout box. Make sense now!
sfp compatibility problems always struck me as odd. It's always seemed like a lot of the point of sfp is that the devices which do actual work can be indifferent as to how signals are sent -- they just need to trust that the sfp module can handle the needed bandwidth and that a matching sfp module on the other end will vomit out the same signal. It should really just be as simple as choosing modules which can handle the needed bandwidth.
And yet that doesn't seem to be the case.
Video SFPs have to deal with a different type of signal than those made for networking. They really do have to be designed differently. SDI signals look nothing like Ethernet and the circuitry has to accommodate that.
If I've got a blackmgic Atem Mini and a BMPCC4K can I convert HDMI to fiber and still have a camera control?
You'd have to go through an HDMI to SDI conversion first, then SDI to fiber.
I already noticed in few of your videos that you often don't cover connectors with dust caps? No problems with with dirty connectors? I have spare dust caps for sfp and LC in every camera bag. For "main" cables we are using SC conectors and on bigger projects we normaly clean all conectors before connecting them.
For a long time I tried to make sure we capped the ends, but they kept getting lost and I just gave up. And the cables have worked fine. I do clean them periodically or when there's an issue, but that's pretty rare.
Regarding SFP. So far i did few test with BSFP-3G43-10 and BSFP-3G34-10. It works OK.
Dear Doug, is it possible to run network over Fiber? To extend the NDI network. Thank you!
Yes. Video actually borrowed the technology from computer networking.
You'll either want a switch with an available SFP port or Media Converters to convert Ethernet, plus SFP modules to interface with the fiber cables to do this.
Doug Johnson Productions thank you!
Another Great Video. Just a few minor items.
1. Multi-mode fiber is NOT older, Single Mode was developed in 1970, Multi-mode wa created in the 1980's to allow 10Mbs ethernet to to go 2km using CHEAP LED transmitters compared to the expensive transmitters needed for single mode. Now that Single-mode SFPs are reasonable there is no reason for Multi-mode except for use in existing systems where they did not have enough foresight to install single-mode alongside the multi-mode for future proofing. By the way Multi-mode fiber has always been more expensive, just able to use cheaper transceivers!
2. SMPTE Composite cable does not have additional fibers for return channels, ALL SMPTE Composite cables have 2 Single-mode fibers, 2 Larger conductors for power, 2 small conductors for data. The dat wires are often used to negotiate the power level to be used on the power conductors and to ensure power is turned off when disconnected, the fibers are often (Grass Valley & Sony & ?) tu send 3G SDI to and from the camera, typically one fiber is used to send HD SDI (720P, 1080i, or 1080P) to the Base Station, the other fiber is commonly used to send TWO 1.5G signals to the camera, the Monitor return and an aux return ( Teleprompter, Talent Monitor, etc.) The Viewfinder return path has a small router in the base station that can send any of 3 or 4 SDI inputs to the viewfinder.
3. SMPTE Composite cable can be used for any single=mode purpose with a set of adapters, very handy if you go somewhere that is prewired with SMPTE cable.
4. Cameras set up for SMPTE can be used over a pair of single-mode fibers. This requires local camera power and often some adapters to spook the safety system to think the small wires are present.
5. you can make your own SMPTE cable with a pair of single mode fibers and 4 copper conductors - this is sometimes done when pre-wiring a building.
6. Most single mode fiber SFPs can be used on multi-mode fiber. The distance will be almost as far as a multi-mode SFP ( way shorter than a Single mode SFP) and a special "launch Cable" should be used on each transmitter side. Another option when you get somewhere that has something installed that is not ideal but may make the impossible possible.
Thank you so much for your videos, most information on fiber has to do with networking so these are a life saver. Could you link me the armored patch cables you use?
These are the cables I buy most frequently these days: amzn.to/3adYE2L
@@djp_video Thanks so much for the link to the cables. After watching your video I'm going to go with Fiber instead of copper SDI. This video was so informative.
@@djp_video Have you used any of their longer length cables? I am looking for 100-200 meter, 4 strand cables and just wondering if you have experience with them? Thanks for you videos and all the information you provide.
While the cable isn't expensive the convertors are which make running fiber more expensive that SDI IMO
another question is: If I using other intercom system, can I buy a 1 channel fiber optic cable???
You can get SFP modules that are bi-directional which let you send signals in both directions over a single fiber strand. But I'm not aware of any intercom systems which use fiber natively. The Blackmagic system is the closest in that it lets you send video and intercom over fiber. And you can replace its SFPs with bi-directional versions if you'd like.
@@djp_video thank you so much, I have a wireless communication system, I need the fiber optic just for HD Video.
Who is that black fiber on the desk made by? You said it is $20?
It’s from fs.com
@@djp_video Thanks! I'm assuming it's Armored Fiber, Like this: www.fs.com/products/106589.html or this: www.fs.com/products/40384.html
Yes. I highly recommend going with armored fiber.
Hey quick question when I was at nbc they had these rack mounted one space led bar that can name whatever you want and it was right over the camera monitors… do you know who makes them???thx
I don't. I've spent a good amount of time looking and haven't come up with anything.
Check out TSI out of Canada, now part of Ross Video.
Any thoughts on HDMI fiber cables for when we have to use HDMI?
I haven’t personally used any, but I hear good things from the community
What happens if you put a SFP for Data in a SDI 2 Fiber converter, Will it work,
I haven't tried it myself. I've heard that for some content it will sometimes pass a signal, but sometimes not.
It sounds like when there are areas of an image with a lot of dark areas or constant color values or repetition (a computer display, for example) that the signal stops working. But finding data SFPs that are even rated for 3G/6G/12G isn't quite as easy as the 1/1.25Gb that are common. It isn't worth the risk.
@@djp_video Yes it will work, but with a 1.25Gbit/s SFP (used for gigabit ethernet) you will only be able to transport HD-SDI (1,5Gbit/s, 1080i). With a 10G rated data SFP you will be able to use any SDI signal but the specified range might be a bit less with 12G-SDI as the frequencies are a bit higher. Because data SFPs are way cheaper I always would recommend simply buying these in 10G versions.
Hello!! any place to buy those fiber cables cheap??
fs.com
Aliexpress.
Could the BMD gear be used with other video SFPs such as AJA? Also, could you output from a Camera Converter with a BMD SFP to say an AJA Fiber > SDI converter successfully?
I've always found it confusing as to when a signal is proprietary and when it's some SMPTE standard when it comes to hardware from these manufacturers.
They should be compatible. The signals being passed are standard SDI -- they just happen to be going over an optical fiber connection rather than copper coax.
SDI is a SMPTE standard, 3G-SDI is SMPTE 424M
Are you training her for when you want to retire
OMG fiber polarity is so confusing. Cassettes, MPO cables, and patch cables can all flip polarity.