Creating start/stop control cables for Sony F55 camera using Hirose 4-pin connector

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2013Follow Focus forum

13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

The Hirose 4-pin connector on the Sony F55 uses Pin 1 for unregulated ground, Pin 2 for record tally, Pin 3 for record trigger (active low), and Pin 4 for unregulated +12V power.
A simple cable without a microprocessor can trigger recording on the F55 and is compatible with Preston follow focus systems.
The power output from the Hirose connector can supply approximately 2 amps total across multiple plugs, which may be insufficient for some accessories with high power demands.
Connecting or disconnecting the Hirose plug while the F55 is powered on risks damaging the circuit board and potentially the SDI output drivers, which share the same board.
Hot-swapping SDI cables while powered can damage SDI drivers if voltage spikes occur on the ground circuit.
Record/start functionality on Sony cameras varies by firmware version, and some units may not enable this feature regardless of connector compatibility.
The same Hirose connector type appears on Panasonic ENG cameras but with different pinouts, creating a risk of camera damage if Sony cables are used with those cameras.

Power limitations may not support high-impedance focus motors or multiple accessories simultaneously.
Firmware differences across individual F55 units affect whether record triggering functions, even with correct cable assembly.
Compatibility with older Sony broadcast cameras and Panasonic models requires verification of specific pinouts.
No standardized testing framework mentioned to confirm whether simple cables work across all F55 units.