2006Brackets/Widgets forum
Thin and flexible BNC cables for on-set video monitoring during long shoots
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Thin BNC cables with overall diameters around 0.10 inches are available from multiple suppliers and can be used for flexible routing between camera, vest, and monitor during production
- Mogami cables are described as very thin and flexible, available pre-made through certain vendors to avoid the need for specialized crimping tools
- Belden 9221 cable at 0.10 inch diameter with 75 ohm rating is suitable for HD-SDI applications and has proven reliable over extended periods of use
- Thin 50 ohm cables can work for HD-SDI monitoring applications despite being rated below the standard 75 ohm specification, though some prefer 75 ohm cables for signal splitting
- Thin cables are best used in short runs of up to six feet as jumper cables from camera to vest rather than long runs to monitors
- Neoprene jacketing on cables provides better flexibility in cold conditions compared to vinyl jacketing
- Thin cables are more prone to connector failure from physical stress and require careful handling to prevent the connector from separating from the cable body
- Pre-made thin BNC cables are available from multiple commercial sources at various price points, eliminating the need to purchase crimping tools
Depends on
- Thin 50 ohm cables are generally considered suitable only for monitoring applications, not for recording HD-SDI signals
- Thin cables require more careful handling than standard cables and can fail if stepped on or tugged firmly
- The durability and reliability of thin cables depends heavily on proper construction and connector quality
- Some professional situations require 75 ohm cables for technical reasons such as signal splitting, limiting the applicability of thin 50 ohm alternatives
- Discussion includes unresolved debate about practical cost-benefit analysis of thin cables versus standard cables