Cobalt Digital BBG H-TO-S Users Guide

HDMI-T o -SDI Converter

HDMI-to-3G/HD/SD-SDI with Audio Embedder
BBG-H-TO-S

The BlueBox™ HDMI-To-SDI Converter (hereinafter “BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S”) provides a
small “throwdown” package that offers HDMI to 3G/HD/SD-SDI conversion, with direct
conversion from HDMI to SDI SMPTE 259M, 292M, and 425M. True conversion to
1080p5994/50 SDI is available when using an HDMI source containing 1080p content. The
supported HDMI input formats are listed below:

• 1920 x 1080p50/5994/60
4:2:2 (SMPTE 425M (3G))

• 1920 x 1080i50/5994/60
1920 x 1080p2398/24/25/2997/30
1920 x 1080psf25/2997/30
1280 x 720p50/5994/60

Note: For all formats, only 10-bit protocols are supported.
Note: BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S does not perform format cross, up, or down-conversions.

The unit receives its DC power from either connecting its USB port to associated equipment,
or by the supplied AC adapter.

HDMI IN

AN-AUD

IN (L/R)

HDMI

Decode

Connecting BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S

1 Connect BlueBox™ H-TO-S to DC power using either or both the USB port or the supplied

AC adapter. Dual source (simultaneous) use provides power redundancy.
Note: USB connection derives only DC operating power from USB port. This connection

does not provide remote control or monitoring.

2. Connect HDMI input and SDI output(s). This provides the basic conversion connections.
Other connections do not require termination if unused.

Audio

ADC

• 7 20 x 480i5994
(SD-NTSC)

• 720 x 576i50
(SD-PAL)

SDI

Drivers

Audio

Embed

SDI OUT
SDI OUT

Audio Embedding

BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S provides embedding to the SDI output in either of two modes as
described below using the DIP switch bank on the underside of BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S.
Refer to label on unit for switch positions.

• SW 6 – OFF: HDMI channels 1-8 routed to SDI channels Emb Ch 1-8 (Emb Ch 9 thru 16
are muted in this mode).

• SW 6 – ON: External analog stereo audio input AUDIO IN (L/R) routed to
Emb Ch 1 and 2, respectively (Emb Ch 3 thru 16 are muted in this mode).

Unbalanced Audio Levels and This Device

The unbalanced “RCA” audio inputs on this device will correspond to 0 dBFS when driven with a 2.2 Vrms
input. Consumer audio is specified in dBV with a nominal (or recording) level of -10 dBV. The 2 Vrms
maximum input level corresponds to +6 dBV. The unbalanced analog inputs on this device allow for 16 dB of
headroom above the nominal -10 dBV consumer level (“headroom” is the range between the maximum and
nominal audio levels).

If these inputs are driven by half of a balanced audio source (connections using the + and GND connections
to the RCA jack), a 6 dB loss should be expected. To compensate for this, the upstream gain should be
incresed by 6 dB where headroom is available.

Channel Line-Up of HDMI vs. Standard SDI Conventions

To maintain conformance with CEA-861D HDMI audio channel line-up specifications and industry standard
SDI convention, this device lines up audio as shown below with a swap between the C and LFE channels.

Signal Format/Channels123456

HDMI CEA-861D L R LFE C Ls Rs

Standard SDI Convention

BlueBox™ BBG HDMI-to-SDI and SDI-to-HDMI converters bilaterally conform to the conventions shown
here, with back-to-back connection resulting in proper channel line-up for HDMI and SDI. Connection to
non-conforming devices, however, may result in an unexpected channel 3/4 swap which can be remedied
using an SDI audio crosspoint.

LRCLFELsRs

Status Indicator

BlueBox™ BBG H-TO-S has a Status LED on the side of the unit which functions as follows:

• Solid ON – Input lock OK.

• Slow Flash – Unlocked to input video; input video not present

• Rapid Flash – Detected input video is of format specifically not supported

Specifications

Item Description/Specification

Standards supported:
Inputs:

Outputs:
Audio conversion format:
Power source:

Dimensions (WxHxD):

SMPTE 259M, 292M, 425M

- HDMI (HDMI 1.4a compliant)

- Analog audio in L/R pair, unbalanced “consumer” level RCA

- DC Power (+5 VDC via USB or adapter)
(2) SDI, 75Ω BNC
48 kHz sampling, 24-bit. 8-Ch to SDI groups 1 and 2.
5-16 VDC, 2.4 W. Power-sourced directly from host equipment USB port. Can

also be powered using corded AC adapter (included)

5.5" x 3" x 1" (including connector projections) (139 x 77 x 26 mm)

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Warranty and Service Information

Cobalt Digital In c . Limited Warranty

This product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five (5) years
from the date of shipment to the original purchaser, except that 4000, 5000, 6000, 8000 and Blue Box series
power supplies, and Dolby
and workmanship for a period of one (1) year.

Cobalt Digital Inc.'s (“Cobalt”) sole obligation under this warranty shall be limited to, at its option, (i) the
repair or (ii) replacement of the product, and the determination of whether a defect is covered under this
limited warranty shall be made at the sole discretion of Cobalt.

This limited warranty applies only to the original end-purchaser of the product, and is not assignable or
transferrable therefrom. This warranty is limited to defects in material and workmanship, and shall not apply
to acts of God, accidents, or negligence on behalf of the purchaser, and shall be voided upon the misuse,
abuse, alteration, or modification of the product. Only Cobalt authorized factory representatives are
authorized to make repairs to the product, and any unauthorized attempt to repair this product shall
immediately void the warranty. Please contact Cobalt Technical Support for more information.

To facilitate the resolution of warranty related issues, Cobalt recommends registering the product by
completing and returning a product registration form. In the event of a warrantable defect, the purchaser
shall notify Cobalt with a description of the problem, and Cobalt shall provide the purchaser with a Return
Material Authorization (“RMA”). For return, defective products should be double boxed, and sufficiently
protected, in the original packaging, or equivalent, and shipped to the Cobalt Factory Service Center,
postage prepaid and insured for the purchase price. The purchaser should include the RMA number,
description of the problem encountered, date purchased, name of dealer purchased from, and serial
number with the shipment.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE AND OF ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILIT IES ON COBALT'S PART. ANY S OFTW ARE
PROVIDED WITH, OR FOR USE WITH, THE PRODUCT IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” THE BUYER OF THE
PRODUCT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT NO OTHER REPRESENTA TIONS WERE MADE OR RELIED UPON
WITH RESPECT TO THE QUALITY AND FUNCTION OF THE GOODS HEREIN SOLD. COBALT
PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE IN LIFE SUPPORT APPLICATIONS.

COBALT'S LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, WARRANTY, OR OTHERWISE, IS LIMITED TO
THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, A T ITS OPTION, OF ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT , AND SHALL IN NO
EVENT INCLUDE SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING
LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

®

modules (where applicable) are warranted to be free from defects in material

Cobalt Digital Inc. Factory Service Center
2406 E. University Avenue Office: [phone]
Urbana, IL 61802 USA Fax: [phone]
www.cobaltdigital.com Email: [e-mail]

©Copyright 2014, Cobalt Digital Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Duplication or distribution of this manual and any information contained within is strictly prohibited without

the express written permission of Cobalt Digital Inc. This manual and any information contained within, may
not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, for any purpose, without the
express written permission of Cobalt Digital Inc. Reproduction or reverse engineering of software used in
this device is prohibited.

The information in this document has been carefully examined and is believed to be entirely reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Furthermore, Cobalt Digital Inc. reserves the right
to make changes to any products herein to improve readability, function, or design. Cobalt Digital Inc. does
not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit described herein.

®

Cobalt

is a registered trademark of Cobalt Digital Inc. BlueBox™ is a trademark of Cobalt Digital Inc.

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Cobalt Digital Inc.

2406 E. University Ave.
Urbana, IL 61802
Voice 217.344.1243 • Fax [phone]
www.cobaltdigital.com

BBHDMI-SDI-OM (V1.6) © 2014 Cobalt Digital Inc. All Rights Reserved