2016Video Assist and Video Accessories forum
Budget SDI to HDMI converter performance and reliability assessment
What the thread found
- A low-cost SDI to HDMI converter rated for 5-12V input successfully operated at 16.8V from a fully charged V-lock battery without damage, with internal components rated to handle higher voltages.
- The converter contains an AMS1117 voltage regulator and capacitors rated at 25V, with PCB markings indicating 5V to 18V compatibility.
- BNC and HDMI connectors on budget converters are not robust enough for production environments and may require replacement or backup units.
- Many cheap SDI to HDMI converters lack support for 23.98p frame rates commonly output by professional cameras.
- The converter supports HDMI input timings including 1080p at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94 and 60 fps with maximum output bit-rate of 2.970 Gbps.
- Multiple budget converters share identical internal components despite different branding, suggesting common manufacturing sources.
- Feelworld brand converters claim 23.98/24 PsF support in specifications but convert to non-standard frame rates that some monitors cannot display.
Depends on
- The reviewer lacked access to cameras outputting 23.98 PsF format to fully test frame rate compatibility.
- Budget converter suitability depends on intended use case, with professional requirements better met by higher-cost brands like Decimator, AJA, or Blackmagic Design.
- Physical durability concerns limit use in demanding production environments.