Blackmagicdesign OpenGear, OpenGear DFR 8320 Installation And Operation Manual

Installation and Operation Manual

Blackmagic OpenGear Converters

October 2013

2

Welcome

Welcome to Blackmagic OpenGear Converters.

We hope you share our dream of making the video industry truly creative
by allowing everyone access to the highest quality video and sound.

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openGear
being locked into a proprietary rack standard. Blackmagic OpenGear
Converters fully support the openGear
compatible with a wide range of third party equipment from openGear
partners worldwide.

We think it should take you approximately 5 minutes to complete
installation. The instruction manual you’re reading now contains most
of the information you’ll need for installing your Blackmagic OpenGear
Converter. Please take the time to check it out. It’s also a good idea
to review the manual for your openGear
installation information which should be read in conjunction with this
manual.

Before you install Blackmagic OpenGear Converter, please visit our
support page at www.blackmagicdesign.com to download the latest
updates to this instruction manual. We have more helpful tech notes on
our support page, and you might also find a newer version of the manual.

gives customers the freedom to build their facilities without

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frame standard so they are

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frame as it contains general

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Lastly, please register your Blackmagic OpenGear Converter serial
number with us, when you download the latest Blackmagic OpenGear
Converter manual, so we can keep you updated when a new manual or
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

OpenGear Converter Operation Manual

Introduction

4

Overview 4

Installing your Blackmagic OpenGear Converter card 5

Installation

5
8

Support

9

OpenGear Converter Diagrams

Blackmagic OpenGear SDI to Analog 9

Blackmagic OpenGear Analog to SDI 10

Blackmagic OpenGear SDI to HDMI 11

Blackmagic OpenGear HDMI to SDI 12

Blackmagic OpenGear SDI to Audio 13

Blackmagic OpenGear Audio to SDI 14

Blackmagic OpenGear Optical Fiber 15

Blackmagic OpenGear Sync Generator 16

Blackmagic OpenGear UpDownCross 17

Blackmagic OpenGear SDI Distribution 18

19

Warranty

Introduction

4

Introduction

Overview

“Brick” style mini converters are very popular for
converting and processing video and audio. However
using lots of mini-converters can become cumbersome
as they each require their own power supply and each
needs to be independently secured to avoid damage
to attached equipment. Rack-based converters solve
this problem as a single, rack-mounted frame can
hold multiple converter cards securely and power only
needs to be supplied to the frame itself.

Blackmagic OpenGear Converters are designed to

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be used in openGear

rack frames. openGear™ is the
television industry’s open standard for rack-based
conversion and processing. If you already own an

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openGear

frame, you can use it with your Blackmagic
OpenGear Converters without having to purchase
anything extra.

Blackmagic OpenGear Converters include the rear
modules which means you only need a standard

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openGear

rack frame and don’t need to spend money on
rear modules you might not use. The rear modules feature
industry standard BNC connectors for SDI and analog

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video as well as openGear

standard WECO 3-pin block
connectors (type 930-HFL) for balanced audio which can
be switched between AES/EBU and analog audio.

Blackmagic OpenGear Converters are compatible with

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20-card models of the 2 RU (rack unit) openGear

frames.

Some models such as SDI to HDMI, HDMI to SDI and
Optical Fiber, don’t require settings because they are
completely automatic! Other models use the DashBoard
network control, USB or mini switches as three different
ways to change settings on the converters. These
converters are virtually identical to Blackmagic Design’s
popular Mini Converters, and the OpenGear Converter
range includes models for analog video, HDMI, audio
and optical fiber to and from SDI.

USB ports are included on some models where a
firmware update might be useful in the future. Firmware
updates may support new formats and standards or
provide increased compatibility with other video and
audio hardware.

Before installing Blackmagic OpenGear Converters, you

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will need to install an openGear
to the manual which accompanied your openGear

frame. Please refer

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frame for full installation instructions, including general
installation instructions for installing cards in to a frame.
The Blackmagic OpenGear Converter manual provides
information specific to the installation of Blackmagic
OpenGear Converter cards. It should be read in

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conjunction with the openGear
not a substitute for the openGear

frame manual and is

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frame manual.

There is no need to switch off the power to the
openGear
OpenGear Converter. The openGear

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frame before installing a Blackmagic

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frames are hot
swappable meaning that cards can be installed or
removed while the frame is powered on.

A few additional steps are required if installing a
Blackmagic OpenGear Optical Fiber card. Blackmagic
OpenGear Optical Fiber installs in to your openGear
frame in just the same way as any other Blackmagic
OpenGear Converter card. However the fiber optic
module must be temporarily removed from the card
before attempting to install the card in an openGear
frame. The fiber optic module is a standard SFP
transceiver module which includes an LC connector
port for attaching fiber optic cables. While other kinds
of optical connectors exist, the SMPTE standard for
Optical Fiber SDI specifies that LC type optical fiber
connectors be used and this makes it easy for all
compliant optical equipment to connect together.

Installing a Blackmagic OpenGear Converter is easy and
this manual contains illustrated, step-by-step guides
to help you start using your Blackmagic OpenGear
Converter immediately.

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Installation

5

Installation

Installing your Blackmagic OpenGear Converter card

 Ensure that electrostatic discharge precautions have been taken when

touching the openGear

 Use a number 01 size Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew and remove a blank

rear I/O module, from the rear of the frame. Save the screw and the rubber
O-ring for use with the Blackmagic rear module. The blank module can be
discarded.

 On the front of the frame, press the two, door catches toward each other.

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frame and the Blackmagic OpenGear Converter.

 Replace the blank module with the Blackmagic rear module which was

included with your Blackmagic OpenGear Converter. First, insert the foot of
the Blackmagic rear module in to the module seating slot. Next, secure the
module with the previously saved screw and O-ring. Any I/O connectors and
descriptions, on the Blackmagic rear module, should face outwards.

 While pressing the door catches together, pull the door outwards as if opening

a drawer. The two frame extender arms will appear as the door is withdrawn.

6

Installation

 When the door has been withdrawn to its maximum extent, gently lower

the door on its frame extender arms, so it no longer obscures access to the
inside of the frame.

NOTE: Before installing a Blackmagic OpenGear Optical Fiber

 If you are installing a Blackmagic OpenGear Optical Fiber card, remove the protective cap from the LC

connector port of the fiber optic module. Save the protective cap as it will be needed to prevent dust if the
LC connector port is exposed when no fiber optic cables are connected.

 Pull the wire tab outward to an angle of 90° to release the SFP module latch.

 Grip the main portion of the SFP module, between your thumb and forefinger, and pull it from the SFP

module port. Do not pull the wire tab as it might break and prevent the SFP module from being removed.

 With the frame door open, insert the Blackmagic OpenGear Converter card

into the card guides which correspond with the Blackmagic rear module. The
card should be inserted so that the white lever faces the front of the frame
and rests on the inside base of the frame. The white lever serves no purpose
during installation and is only used when removing a card.

 Gently slide the card along the card guides until you feel the card press in to

a slot at the rear of the frame. Any integrated I/O connectors, such as HDMI
and optical fiber connectors, should protrude through the corresponding
holes of the Blackmagic rear module.