H B -T-SD I , H B -R -S D I M i n i -C o nv e rte r s
SDI to HDBaseT
Installation and Operation Guide
Version 1.0r3
Published May 1, 2018
Notices
Trademarks
Copyright
AJA® and Because it matters.® are registered trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.
for use with most AJA products. AJA™ is a trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for
use with recorder, router, software and camera products. Because it matters.™ is a
trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for use with camera products.
CION®, Corvid Ultra®, lo®, Ki Pro®, KONA®, KUMO®, ROI® and T-Tap® are registered
trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.
AJA Control Room™, KiStor™, Science of the Beautiful™, TruScale™, TruZoom™,
V2Analog™ and V2Digital™ are trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The HB-T-SDI and HB-R-SDI convert SDI Video/Audio/Control signals for
transmission/reception via HDBaseT over CAT type twisted pair cable. These units
provide simple and economical video/audio transmission over distances up to
330 feet/ 100 meters. See ""Appendix A Specifications" on page 21 for a complete
list of supported formats, frame rates, and CAT cable requirements.
HB-T-SDI and HB-R-SDI support bi-directional IR and RS-232 for device control,
making them ideal for applications such as:
• Fixed installation AV
• Digital signage
• Live events
• Post production/network/studio environments
• On-set environments
Features
• HDBaseT Certied 4K/UltraHD Signal Extender
• Extend uncompressed 2K, HD, or SD SDI signal up to 100m over Ethernet cable
• Extends bi-directional IR and RS-232 on the same Ethernet cable
• Support for PCM 2 CH, LPCM 5.1, LPCM 7.1
• Support for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS
Digital Surround and DTS-HD Master Audio
2. Connect the SDI source signal to the SDI input connector of the HB-T-SDI
and the transmission CAT cable to the HDBaseT output connector.
3. Connect the other end of the CAT cable to the HDBaseT input connector on
the HB-R-SDI.
4. Connect RS-232 and IR input/output extension cables to the 1/8” TRS
connectors (optional cable kit is available from AJA).
5. Apply power to the converter (AJA power supply included).
6. The converter will now run using the default factory settings. If you wish to
alter the factory settings, you’ll need to:
• Install the AJA Mini-Cong software onto your computer.
• Attach the converter via USB cable (included).
• Make your changes using Mini-Cong setup screens.
Pairing SDI and HDMI HDBaseT Converters
An HB-T-SDI model Mini-Converter can operate paired with an HB-R-HDMI model
Mini-Converter, and an HB-T-HDMI can pair with an HB-R-SDI, provided the
input and output video formats are compatible. For example, you can transport
HD video between these HDMI/SDI pairs, but you cannot transport 4K/UltraHD
video (which SDI models do not support). 4K/UltraHD video can be transported
between a pair of HDMI Model Mini-Converters, however. Mini-Config controls
available on the SDI models can be used to match color space and other settings.
The HDMI models do not support Mini-Config.
CAT Cable Types
The cable types in the table below are recommended for maximum performance
reach and full-capacity by the HDBaseT Alliance.
Table 1. Recommended Cables for HD video transmission
Your AJA Mini-Converter can be used right out of the box for some applications
since it is designed to recognize inputs and perform standard actions
automatically by default. However, to use its full capability, you must use AJA’s
Mini-Config software application for PCs and Macs. This same application can be
used to update to new Mini-Converter software released by AJA.
NOTE: DIP switch 1 must be ON (Remote, Right) to permit Mini-Config control of the unit.
Acquiring Mini-Config
AJA’s Mini-Config application is available for download from the AJA website.
To download the latest Mini-Config package, which includes the Mini-Config
application, Mini-Converter firmware, and documentation, go to:
Select either the Windows or Mac icon to download the desired version.
Mini-Converter Documentation
Included with the Mini-Config package is a complete set of documentation for
all Mini-Converters supported by Mini-Config. A .PDF of the Installation and Operation Guide for the currently connected Mini-Converter can be accessed from
the Mini-Config UI via the Help/Manual drop-down menu.
Documentation for all AJA Mini-Converters that use Mini-Config can also be
accessed directly in the Mini-Config download package Documentation folder,
and via the Documentation icon available on the Mac installer.
Documentation (and firmware) included with the Mini-Config application are the
versions available at the time of distribution. However, Mini-Converter software,
firmware and documentation are updated regularly, so newer versions may exist.
To download the latest documentation for an individual Mini-Converter, go to:
https://www.aja.com/category/mini-converters
and navigate to the Support web page of that Mini-Converter.
Installing Mini-Config
PC Installation
To install Mini-Config on a Windows PC:
1. Download the application from the AJA website (select the Windows icon
on the Mini-Cong Support web page).
2. Open the AJA_MiniCong.zip le
3. Double-click on the MiniInstaller.msi le.
4. A Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation.
5. Click Next to begin. Answer the questions in the subsequent dialogs. When
nished, an AJA Mini-Cong shortcut will be installed on the desktop, and
you will be able to locate the Mini-Cong application in the AJA folder in
the Programs listing.
NOTE: If the Mini-Config application already exists on the PC, a different Setup Wizard
4. Answer the prompt and a utility program will be launched.
Figure 6. Mini-Config Mac Installer
5. To complete the installation drag the MiniCong.app icon to the
Applications folder.
Running Mini-Config
Connect the Mini-Converter to the PC or Mac via the supplied USB cable. Connect
the external power supply (supplied) to the Mini-Converter.
PC Startup
To run Mini-Config on a PC, double-click on the AJA Mini-Config icon on your
desktop, or open the AJA folder in the program list and click on the AJA MiniConfig application located inside the Mini-Config folder.
Mac Startup
To run Mini-Config on a Mac, open the Applications folder and locate the AJA
Mini-Config application. Double-click the application to launch it.
Saving Setups
A File drop down menu on the Mini-Config application bar allows you to save the
current state of the Mini-Converter to a preset file for later recall.
Using this feature you can set up the converter for different applications, storing
each configuration (Save Preset As...) with a unique name for easy recall (Open
Preset...).
A Revert to Factory Settings menu item similarly allows you to change the
settings back to AJA’s factory defaults.
Operating Mini-Config
The Mini-Config application provides a graphic interface for viewing settings
and updating software. It consists of an information area at the top that shows
the available Mini-Converters attached to the computer via USB, with a graphical
rendering of the selected Mini-Converter showing all the connectors and their
current state.
Colored text next to the connectors indicates the signal type and what the MiniConverter is doing:
• Blue text indicates the values automatically selected
• Black text indicates values that you have manually selected
• Red text indicates the Mini-Converter is not detecting a signal, or cannot
operate with the current user settings.
NOTE: Even if no output device is detected, the SDI connector text still shows the signal it
is outputting.
NOTE: Configuration settings in red will change based on the attached output device as
well as input signals. For improved accuracy and reliability, you should configure
the Mini-Converter only when the target output device is attached and input
signals are supplied at the inputs.
Screens are virtually the same on both PC and Mac, with subtle differences that
reflect the general look of the platform environment.