Blackmagicdesign Blackmagic Converters, Mini Converter, Mini Converter Heavy Duty, Battery Converter Installation And Operation Manual

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Installation and Operation Manual

Blackmagic Converters

Mac OS X

Windows

November 2013

™

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing Blackmagic Converters for your production needs.

Blackmagic Mini Converters, Mini Converter Heavy Duty and Battery Converters give you a solution for virtually any conversion you could need. Mini Converters convert analog to digital, digital to analog, SDI to audio, audio to SDI, up, down and cross conversion, SDI distribution, and can even provide a sync generator for locking all your video equipment to the same reference signal. Mini Converter Heavy Duty gives you the same conversions in a super tough design that's perfect for use on location and Battery Converters let you work on location with or without external power.

This instruction manual contains all the information you need to start using your Blackmagic Converters.

Please check the support page on our web site at www.blackmagicdesign.com for the latest version of this manual and for updates if your Blackmagic Converter has internal software. Keeping your internal software up to date will always ensure you get all the latest features. When downloading software, please register with your information so we can keep you updated when new software is released. We are constantly working on new features and improvements, so we would love to hear from you!

Grant Petty

CEO Blackmagic Design

Contents

Blackmagic Converters

7 11 14 17

20 23 27

Getting Started

Introducing Blackmagic Converters 4

Plugging in Power 5

Plugging in Video 5

Plugging in Audio 5

Applying Settings using Mini Switches 6

Applying Settings using Blackmagic Converter Utility 6

Mini Converter SDI to Analog

Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI

Mini Converter SDI to Audio

Mini Converter Audio to SDI

Mini Converter Optical Fiber

38 42 44 48

51 54 57 58 59 60

Mini Converter SDI Multiplex 4K

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 4K

Mini Converter Heavy Duty SDI to Analog

Mini Converter Heavy Duty Analog to SDI

Mini Converter Heavy Duty SDI to HDMI

Mini Converter Heavy Duty HDMI to SDI

Battery Converter SDI to HDMI

Battery Converter HDMI to SDI

Using Blackmagic Converter Utility

Help

Warranty

28 29 34 37

Mini Converter Optical Fiber 4K

Mini Converter UpDownCross

Mini Converter Sync Generator

Mini Converter SDI Distribution

Getting Started

Introducing Blackmagic Converters

Blackmagic Converters are compact and affordable SDI converters for broadcast, studio and video production environments. Converters provide automatic switching between SD, HD and even Ultra HD 4K on relevant models. Low SDI jitter and SDI re-clocking allows the longest SDI cable lengths.

Blackmagic Converters are available in 3 designs. Mini Converter, Mini Converter Heavy Duty and Battery Converter.

Mini Converter is a sturdy and lightweight design.

Mini Converter

Mini Converter Heavy Duty

Battery Converter

Mini Converter Heavy Duty is robust, ultra strong, and capable of withstanding the harshest environments.

Battery Converter is ultra strong with an internal rechargeable battery for operating in the ﬁeld without external power.

Simple mini switches select input and output settings. The mini switch legend printed on the back of your converter provides all the information you need.

A 12V power supply is included with international socket adapters. Speciﬁed models can also be battery operated using your own 12 - 31 V DC power supply and software updates are installed via the converter's USB port. Blackmagic Converters provide the following conversions:

Conversion Mini Converter Mini Converter Heavy Duty Battery Converter

SDI to Analog • •

Analog to SDI • •

HDMI to SDI • • •

SDI to HDMI • • •

SDI to HDMI 4K •

SDI to Audio •

Audio to SDI •

Optical Fiber •

Optical Fiber 4K •

UpDownCross •

Sync Generator •

SDI Distribution •

SDI Multiplex 4K •

Getting Started

Locking the power cable to the converter’s cable tie point prevents accidental disconnection.

BNC connectors carry SDI video signals with embedded audio.

Plugging in Power

Plug in the 12 volt power supply using the socket adapter for your country. The cable tie point is for securing the power connection to your converter.

If you are using a Battery Converter with access to external power, we recommend using external power unless you need to use the built in battery. This will maximize the life of the battery and ensure your Battery Converter is fully charged when you need it.

Plugging in Video

Plug your source video into your converter's video input and plug the video output into your destination equipment. Third party adapters are commonly available to connect any video equipment using alternative connectors such as RCA.

The next step is to plug in audio.

Plugging in Audio

If you're using embedded audio in SDI, optical ﬁber SDI or HDMI, audio is already connected via the video input. If using external analog or digital audio, plug into your converter's TRS audio inputs or outputs. Third party adapters are commonly available to connect any audio equipment using alternative connectors such as XLR.

Connect external analog or digital audio to your converter's TRS audio connectors.

Now conﬁgure any required settings using the mini switches.

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Getting Started

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Internal settings are applied by adjusting mini switches with a pen.

Blackmagic Converter Utility lets you adjust analog video levels, audio levels and conversion settings.

Applying Settings using Mini Switches

Many models of Mini Converter and Mini Converter Heavy Duty have mini switches used to conﬁgure internal settings. Change your settings using the tip of a pen.

On models with mini switches, you'll ﬁnd a switch settings diagram printed on their base. Ensure your switch settings correspond to the legend by observing the mini switch numbers from 8 to 1, left to right. The numbers on the switches will appear upside down.

For a comprehensive description of the mini switches and their settings, refer to your converter model in this manual.

Applying Settings using Blackmagic Converter Utility

Similar to mini switches, the included Converter Utility software for Mac OS X and Windows provides adjustment settings.

The Converter Utility interface is composed of three panes for Video Levels, Audio Levels and Settings. Settings not relevant to your converter model will be grayed out and inactive.

Analog video and audio levels, plus AES/EBU audio levels can be adjusted. Any adjustments will immediately be saved to your Blackmagic Converter. This means that if power is lost, the new settings will be re-established as soon as power is restored.

Mini Converter SDI to Analog

Convert from SD/HD-SDI to analog component, NTSC and PAL video out, plus balanced AES/EBU and analog audio out. Your converter easily connects to analog video monitors and decks such as Betacam SP

and VHS. A hardware down converter lets you connect HD-SDI video to SD analog equipment. You can even output pairs of analog audio from 16 de-embedded SDI audio channels.

Connectors

1. Y or NTSC/PAL

Analog component Y, or composite NTSC/PAL output on a BNC connector.

2. B-Y or S-VIDEO Y

Analog component B-Y, or S-Video Y output BNC connector.

3. R-Y or S-VIDEO C

Analog component R-Y, or S-Video C output BNC connector.

4. L - ANALOG or AES/EBU

Balanced left channel analog audio, or AES/EBU digital audio output on a 1/4" TRS connector.

5. R - ANALOG

Balanced right channel analog audio output 1/4" TRS connector.

6. MINI-B USB PORT

Connects to the Converter Utility software via your Mac OS X or Windows computer. The Mini Converter’s internal software is also updated using the USB port.

Blackmagic Mini Converter SDI to Analog

7. SDI OUT

SDI video output on a BNC connector.

8. ALT SDI IN

Redundant SDI input is provided as an optional back up.

9. SDI IN

Primary SDI input.

10. POWER +12V

12 volt power supply input.

Mini Converter SDI to Analog

Mini Switches

Mini Converter SDI to Analog’s mini switches provide the following settings:

Switch 8 - Analog Audio, AES/EBU Audio

Set switch 8 to OFF to select balanced analog audio, or to ON for digital AES/EBU audio output.

Switch 7 - 7.5 IRE - 0.0 IRE

The USA and countries using NTSC with 7.5 setup should set switch 7 to OFF. If you’re working in countries not using 7.5 setup, set switch 7 to ON. This setting only affects composite or S-Video outputs.

Switch 6 - SMPTE Levels - Betacam Levels

Set switch 6 to OFF for SMPTE levels, or ON for Betacam levels. SMPTE levels are more common and even Betacam SP decks can use SMPTE levels, so only switch this to Betacam if you are sure that Betacam levels are being used.

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Change your converter's internal settings by adjusting the mini switches using the tip of a pen.

Switch 5 - Component, Composite or S-Video

Set switch 5 to OFF to select analog component video output, or ON for composite and S-Video outputs.

To display the HD video input on the S-Video and composite outputs, down conversion must be set to ON. Component analog video supports both HD and SD video.

Switch 4 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 2

Switches 4, 3 and 2 are grouped together to provide 8 ON/OFF combinations. Having eight different combinations allows eight independent pairs of audio channels to be de-embedded from your SDI input.

Switch 3 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 1

See switch 4 description.

Switch 2 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 0

See switch 4 description.

Switch 1 - Processing Off - Processing On

Down convert HD to SD with 3 types of aspect ratios by cycling through switch 1. For example, each time you cycle between Off and On you apply anamorphic, center cut or letterbox aspect ratios. Leaving switch 1 set to OFF bypasses the down converter and outputs in HD.

When connected to the Blackmagic Converter Utility via USB, your down conversion settings are controlled by the software. If you want the converter to remember your software settings, disconnect from the computer, power cycle your converter and set your down conversion using mini switch 1.

Mini Converter SDI to Analog

Mini Switch Settings Example:

Experiment with the mini switches by setting your Blackmagic Mini Converter to output high deﬁnition component video and analog audio channels 1 and 2 by setting switches 8, 5, 4, 3 and 2 to the OFF position

SDI Audio Selection Table

Audio Channels Switch 4 Switch 3 Switch 2 Switch Diagram

1 and 2 OFF OFF OFF

Adjust analog video levels using Blackmagic Converter Utility. The Clamp Video output to legal levels setting is checked by default. This setting ensures your analog output is a true representation of the SDI input. Adjusting video levels may result in illegal colors.

Adjust audio levels using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

3 and 4 OFF OFF ON

5 and 6 OFF ON OFF

7 and 8 OFF ON ON

9 and 10 ON OFF OFF

11 and 12 ON OFF ON

13 and 14 ON ON OFF

15 and 16 ON ON ON

Blackmagic Converter Utility Settings

The Converter Utility software complements your mini switch settings by providing supplementary adjustment options.

The Video Levels pane lets you adjust the analog video luminance and chroma levels, and the B-Y and R-Y component chroma levels independently.

The Audio Levels pane lets you adjust audio levels for your selected analog channels or AES/EBU audio reference levels.

Adjust down conversion settings using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

The Settings pane lets you select down conversion aspect ratio options. When your converter is not connected to Converter Utility software, the mini switches take priority. You will need to set mini switch 1 if you want to retain your aspect ratio settings after disconnecting from the Converter Utility software.

Mini Converter SDI to Analog

Mini Converter SDI to Analog Block Diagram

SDI In

Alt SDI In

USB

Input automatically

detects between SD,

HD-SDI and 3Gb/s SDI

Redundant

Input Automatic

Change Over

Central

Processor and

Firmware

Mini Switches

Equalizer,

Re-Clocker and

10 bit De-Serializer

10 bit HD to

SD Down

Converter

SDI Audio

De-Embedder

AES/EBU

Audio Formatter

Audio Digital to

Analog with

Balanced Output

12 Bit Digital to

Analog SD/HD

Video Converter

Component output can switch

Automatic SDI/

HD-SDI/3G HD-

SDI Cable Driver

Analog or AES/EBU

Audio Out Switch

to S-Video and composite

Loop SDI

Out

Left Analog Out or AES/EBU Out

Right Analog Out

R-Y

B-Y

Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Blackmagic Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Convert video and audio from analog equipment such as Betacam SP decks, HDV cameras and game consoles to SD/HD-SDI video. A choice of analog and digital formats is supported, including component SD/HD, S-Video, or composite NTSC and PAL. The converter’s HD-SDI outputs include the option to embed digital AES/EBU or analog audio.

Connectors

1. Y or NTSC/PAL

Analog component Y, or composite NTSC/PAL input on a BNC connector.

2. B-Y or S-VIDEO Y

Analog component B-Y, or S-Video Y input BNC connector.

3. R-Y or S-VIDEO C

Analog component R-Y, or S-Video C input BNC connector.

4. L - ANALOG or AES/EBU

Balanced left channel analog audio, or AES/EBU digital audio input on a 1/4" TRS connector.

5. R - ANALOG

Balanced right channel analog audio input 1/4" TRS connector.

6. MINI-B USB PORT

Connects to the Converter Utility software via your Mac OS X or Windows computer. The Mini Converter’s internal software is also updated using the USB port.

7. SDI OUT

SDI video output on a BNC connector.

8. SDI OUT

Secondary SDI output.

9. POWER +12V

12 volt power supply input.

Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Mini Switches

Mini Converter Analog to SDI’s mini switches provide the following settings:

Switch 8 - Analog Audio, AES/EBU Audio

Set switch 8 to OFF to select balanced analog audio, or to ON for digital AES/EBU audio input.

Switch 7 - 7.5 IRE - 0.0 IRE

Switch 6 - SMPTE Levels - Betacam Levels

This setting selects between SMPTE or Betacam video levels. Set switch 6 to OFF for SMPTE levels, or to ON for Betacam levels. SMPTE levels are more common and even Betacam SP decks can use SMPTE levels so only switch this to Betacam if you are sure that Betacam levels are being used.

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Change your converter's internal settings by adjusting the mini switches using the tip of a pen.

Adjust analog video levels using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

Switch 5 - Component, Composite or S-Video

Set switch 5 to OFF to select analog component video input, or to ON for composite video and S-Video analog inputs.

Switch 4 - Composite - S-Video

Set switch 4 to OFF to select composite video input, or to ON for S-Video input.

Switch 1 - Processing Off - Processing On

This switch is not used.

Mini Switch Settings Example: Experiment with the mini switches by setting your Blackmagic Mini Converter to Component Video and Analog Audio output by setting switches 8 and 5 to the OFF position.

Blackmagic Converter Utility Settings

The Converter Utility software complements your mini switch settings by providing supplementary adjustment options.

The Video Levels pane lets you adjust the analog video luminance and chroma levels, and the B-Y and R-Y component chroma levels independently.

The Audio Levels pane lets you adjust audio levels for analog channels or AES/EBU reference levels.

Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Mini Converter Analog to SDI Block Diagram

Left Analog In

or AES/EBU

Right Analog In

Adjust audio levels using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

R-Y

B-Y

USB

Analog or AES/EBU

Audio Switch

12 bit Digital to Analog SD/HD

Video Converter

Central

Processor and

Firmware

Mini Switches

AES/EBU

Sample Rate

Converter

Audio Analog to

Digital from

Balanced Input

Customizable

Video Processor

Component input can switch to

S-Video and Composite

SDI Audio Embedder

Automatic SDI/

HD-SDI/3G HD-

SDI Cable Driver

SDI Out

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI

Blackmagic Mini Converter SDI to HDMI

Connect a huge range of HDMI displays and video projectors to SDI based equipment. Your Mini Converter SDI to HDMI automatically detects between SD/HD/3G-SDI and converts to HDMI with embedded audio, plus balanced AES/EBU or analog audio out.

Connectors

1. HDMI

HDMI type A video output.

2. L - ANALOG or AES/EBU

Balanced left channel analog audio, or AES/EBU digital audio output on a 1/4" TRS connector.

3. R - ANALOG

Balanced right channel analog audio output 1/4" TRS connector.

4. MINI-B USB PORT

Connects to the Converter Utility software via your Mac OS X or Windows computer. The Mini Converter’s internal software is also updated using the USB port.

5. SDI OUT

SDI video output on a BNC connector.

6. ALT SDI IN

Redundant SDI input is provided as an optional back up.

7. SDI IN

Primary SDI input.

8. POWER +12V

12 volt power supply input.

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI

Mini Switches

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI’s mini switches provide the following settings:

Switch 8 - Analog Audio, AES/EBU Audio

Set switch 8 to OFF to select balanced analog audio, or to ON for digital AES/EBU audio output.

Switch 4 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 2

Switches 4, 3 and 2 are grouped together to provide 8 ON/OFF combinations. Having eight different combinations allows eight independent pairs of audio channels to be de-embedded from your SDI input and output to HDMI, analog or AES/EBU audio.

Switch 3 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 1

See switch 4 description.

Switch 2 - SDI Audio De-Embed Bit 0

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Change your converter's internal settings by adjusting the mini switches using the tip of a pen.

See switch 4 description.

SDI Audio Selection Table

Audio Channels Switch 4 Switch 3 Switch 2 Switch Diagram

1 and 2 OFF OFF OFF

3 and 4 OFF OFF ON

5 and 6 OFF ON OFF

7 and 8 OFF ON ON

9 and 10 ON OFF OFF

11 and 12 ON OFF ON

13 and 14 ON ON OFF

15 and 16 ON ON ON

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI

SDI Audio Selection Table

Switch 1 - Processing Off - Processing On

This switch is not used.

Mini Switch Settings Example: Experiment with the mini switches by setting your Blackmagic Mini Converter to de-embed SDI audio channels 1 and 2 and output to analog by setting switches 8, 4, 3 and 2 to the OFF position.

Blackmagic Converter Utility Settings

Adjust audio levels using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

The Clamp Video output to legal levels setting is checked by default. This setting ensures your analog output is a true representation of the SDI input. Adjusting video levels may result in illegal colors.

The Converter Utility software complements your mini switch settings by providing supplementary adjustment options.

The Audio Levels pane lets you adjust audio levels for the selected analog channels or AES/EBU reference levels.

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI Block Diagram

SDI In

Alt SDI In

USB

Input automatically

detects between SD,

HD-SDI and 3G-SDI

Redundant

Input Automatic

Change Over

Central

Processor and

Firmware

Equalizer,

Re-Clocker and

10 bit De-Serializer

Customizable

Video Processor

SDI Audio

De-Embedder

AES/EBU

Audio Formatter

Audio Digital to

Analog with

Balanced Output

HDMI Video and Audio Formatter

Automatic SDI/ HD-SDI/3G HD-

SDI Cable Driver

Analog or AES/EBU

Audio Out Switch

Loop SDI

Out

Left Analog Out or AES/EBU Out

Right Analog Out

HDMI Out

Mini Switches

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI

Blackmagic Mini Converter HDMI to SDI

Convert HDMI outputs from devices such as HDV cameras and game consoles to SDI with the choice to embed audio from HDMI, AES/EBU or balanced analog audio inputs. This means you can send video signals from HDMI over SDI using the longest SDI cables. You can even add SDI outputs to computers with HDMI compatibility. This converter also includes HD to SD down conversion.

Connectors

1. HDMI

HDMI type A video input.

2. L - ANALOG or AES/EBU Balanced left channel analog audio or AES/EBU digital audio input on a 1/4" TRS connector.

3. R - ANALOG

Balanced right channel analog audio output 1/4" TRS connector.

4. MINI-B USB PORT

Connects to the Converter Utility software via your Mac OS X or Windows computer. The Mini Converter’s internal software is also updated using the USB port.

5. SDI OUT

SDI video output on a BNC connector.

6. SDI OUT

Secondary SDI output.

7. POWER +12V

12 volt power supply input.

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI

Mini Switches

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI’s mini switches provide the following settings:

Switch 8 - Analog Audio, AES/EBU Audio

Set switch 8 to OFF to select balanced analog audio, or to ON for digital AES/EBU audio input. To use these inputs Switch 7 must also be set to ON.

Switch 7 - HDMI Audio - Input Audio

Set switch 7 to OFF to select embedded HDMI audio, or to ON for analog or AES/EBU audio.

Switch 1 - Processing Off - Processing On

Down convert HD to SD with 3 types of aspect ratios by cycling through switch 1. For example, each time you cycle between OFF and On you apply anamorphic, center cut or letterbox aspect ratios. Leaving switch 1 set to OFF bypasses the down converter and outputs in HD.

1ON2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Change your converter's internal settings by adjusting the mini switches using the tip of a pen.

Converter Utility can be used to adjust audio levels.

Blackmagic Converter Utility Settings

The Converter Utility software complements your mini switch settings by providing supplementary adjustment options.

The Audio Levels pane lets you adjust audio levels for analog channels or AES/EBU audio reference levels.

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI

The Settings pane lets you select down conversion aspect ratio options. However, your settings will need to be set by mini switch 1 if you want to retain them after disconnecting your converter from the Converter Utility software.

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI Block Diagram

Left Analog In

or AES/EBU

Adjust down conversion settings using Blackmagic Converter Utility.

Right Analog In

HDMI In

USB

Analog or AES/EBU

Audio Switch

HDMI Video and

Audio Decoder

Central

Processor and

Firmware

Mini Switches

AES/EBU

Sample Rate

Converter

Audio Analog to

Digital with

Balanced Input

Customizable

Video Processor

SDI Audio Embedder

Automatic SDI/ HD-SDI/3G HD-

SDI Cable Driver

SDI Out

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