--- title: "Recommended SDI video hardware" canonical: "https://help.vicon.com/space/ShogunLive121/1253212242/Recommended%20SDI%20video%20hardware" format: markdown --- In Vicon Shogun Live 1.2 and later, you can display and capture video from SDI video cameras. This enables you to use a huge range of third-party, professional-quality video cameras to overlay and capture calibrated reference video. The following recommendations are based on what the software supports for calibration and what has been tested with this version of the software. They are provided to help you to choose the most suitable SDI hardware. > Macro (toc) > Macro (scroll-pagebreak) ## > Macro (anchor) Recommended cameras for calibrated video For a camera to work well with Vicon Shogun it must: - Have a global shutter sensor. - Be able to output progressive video(eg, 720p, 1080p). Interlaced video (eg, 625i/PAL, 525i/NTSC, 1080i) is not supported. - Support a genlock/reference/sync input. - Have a timecode input and support embedding timecode in the video, or else you will need a separate timecode embedder. - Produce output that is compatible with a Blackmagic DeckLink capture card. > Macro (scroll-landscape) Following testing, Vicon recommends these cameras for calibrated reference video: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Camera** | **SDI ** **outputs** | **Global ** **shutter** | **Genlock/** **Reference ** **sync** | **Timecode ** **input** | **Timecode ** **embedded ** **in output** | **Highest supported video standard** | | RED Komodo 6K**1** | 1 x 12G | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | 2160p/60 | | Blackmagic URSA Mini 4K (discontinued)**2 ** | 1 x 12G 1 x 3G | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | 2160p/60 | | ARRI Alexa Mini LF | 1 x 6G | :cross_mark: **3** | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | :check_mark: | 2160p/30 | > Macro (anchor) **1.** For timecode and genlock, the [Komodo Expander Module](https://www.red.com/komodo-expander-module) is required. > Macro (anchor) **2.** Only LTC timecode is supported. When LTC timecode is used, only the SDI reference signal can be used (ie, not tri-sync). Set **Reference Input** on camera to **Program ** and check for REF and EXT on screen overlay. > Macro (anchor) **3.** Rolling shutter, but tested and found to be fast enough in most cases. > ⚠️ **Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K** > ⚠️ The Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K uses a different sensor that is not global shutter, so is not recommended. > Macro (scroll-portrait) ## > Macro (anchor) Suitable cameras for uncalibrated reference video The following camera has been used for capturing reference video in Shogun Live, but because it has a rolling shutter sensor, it can't be used for calibration: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Camera** | **SDI ** **outputs** | **Global** **shutter** | **Genlock/** **Reference** **sync** | **Timecode ** **input** | **Timecode ** **embedded** **in output** | | Blackmagic Micro Studio 4K (discontinued)**1 ** | 1 x 6G | :cross_mark: | :check_mark: | :cross_mark: | :cross_mark: | **1.** SDI reference is supported. A timecode embedder is required.  > Macro (scroll-pagebreak) ## > Macro (anchor) Recommended capture cards Shogun Live supports capturing from Blackmagic DeckLink cards using the DeckLink API, thus any DeckLink card should work with it. In addition, Shogun Live 1.6 and later includes support for the two Bluefish444 SDI video capture cards listed at the bottom of the following table. Vicon has tested Shogun Live with the following cards: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Manufacturer** | **Model** | **No. of inputs** | **Notes** | | Blackmagic Design | DeckLink 8K Pro | ![image](media://d7984cec-9c18-461d-b6ff-0a4f58de0928) | 4 x 12G | Recommended for 12G and multi-camera captures. The host PC must be powerful enough to support multi-camera capture. In particular, it must have enough fast drives. | | DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K | ![image](media://0c62a693-5430-412a-b231-77497276ba1a) | 1 x 6G | Recommended as a cost effective option for setups where 12G is not required. | | DeckLink 4K Pro | ![image](media://529235c7-e69f-475b-9d03-07e5020a7475) | 1 x 12G | | | DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G | ![image](media://0b63ada3-9558-4fb5-a447-b43068dc02e5) | 1 x 12G | | | DeckLink SDI 4K | ![image](media://0d91ad20-b6cb-434a-802e-2335ed28c768) | 1 x 6G | | | DeckLink 4K Extreme | ![image](media://7f9a3f42-e0a3-481c-991d-43583e268758) | 1 x 6G | | | Bluefish444 | Kronos K8 | ![image](media://cc5833f2-436f-4a79-869f-c44e949336a7) | 8 x 3G | Supported as either 8 independent 3G inputs or 4 x 3G inputs for quad-link video. 8 x small-size BNC ports. | | Epoch | 4K Neutron | ![image](media://da4b7c33-a783-44f7-becd-13b53f6483b6) | 3 x 3G | Supported as 3 x 3G inputs. An optional LTC expansion module is available. | ## Recommended timecode embedder We have tested the following timecode embedder: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | **Timecode embedder** | **Number of channels** | **Notes** | | Blackmagic Teranex Mini Audio to SDI | 1 x 12G | Use right XLR audio input to insert LTC timecode, and select **Timecode** mode in control software. | > Macro (scroll-pagebreak) ## > Macro (anchor) Recommended master clock/SPG/timecode generators We have tested the following timecode generators: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | --- | --- | | **Timecode generator** | **Notes** | | Evertz 5601 | If the camera requires SDI sync (eg. Blackmagic URSA) then the Evertz 5601 must have a suitable HD or 3G SDI TG (Test Generator) option. The options are known as +HDTG and 3GTG. The presence of the options is not apparent from the number of connectors (ie, the connectors can be present even if the option is not included). To determine which options are enabled, go to the **Status** tab in VistaLink. In the **Options** group, ensure that the **TG** option is present, ie, it displays **HD Present** or **3G Present** rather than **Not Valid**. Typically the following connections are required:
- **LTC 1, 2 (XLR)**: Provides LTC for SDI camera or timecode inserter. - **TG 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync if SDI camera accepts this, or - **Sync 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (BNC)**: Provides Tri-Sync or Blackburst if camera accepts this. - **Sync 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (BNC)**: Can be configured to supply PAL/NTSC sync with VITC to Lock/Lock+, or - **TG 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync to Lock Studio. | | Courtyard CY440 | - **LTC/Wordclock**: May be configured to provide LTC output. - **SDI 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync to camera, or - **Tri/Black 2, 3, 4**: Provides tri-sync to camera - **Composite (BNC)**: Provides PAL/NTSC sync with VITC to Lock/Lock+, or - **SDI 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync to Lock Studio | | Courtyard CY460 | - **Balanced Audio/AES/LTC (Molex)**: May be configured to provide LTC output. Custom cable required. - **SDI 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync to camera, or - **Tri/Black 2, 3, 4**: Provides Tri-sync to camera - **Composite (BNC)**: Provides PAL/NTSC sync with VITC to Lock/Lock+, or - **SDI 1, 2 (BNC)**: Provides SDI sync to Lock Studio | | Ambient Lockit | ** ****Note**** ** : The Ambient Lockit is suitable for use with most SDI cameras, which take tri-sync reference/genlock and LTC. It cannot be used with the Blackmagic URSA 4K Mini. **With a tri-level sync splitter**
From Ambient Lockit
- **ACN (LEMO/XLR)**: Provides LTC to Lock Studio - **Sync (LEMO/BNC)**: Provides sync to tri-level sync splitter
From tri-level splitter:
- **OUT 1****–****6 (BNC)**: Provides sync to SDI camera - **OUT 1****–****6 (BNC)**: Provides sync to Lock Studio. Also add a 75 Ω terminator to the unused Ref Loop socket on the Lock. | | **Without a tri-level sync splitter; instead an additional Lockit is used.**
This configuration requires one Lockit plus one additional Lockit for each SDI camera. This example is for a system for one SDI camera.
From Ambient Lockit 1:
- **ACN (LEMO/XLR via XLR-to-BNC adapter and BNC)**: Provides LTC to SDI camera - **Sync (LEMO/BNC)**: Provides sync to SDI camera - **SMA-RP antenna (ACN)**: Provides sync between Lockits via Ambient Communication Network
From Ambient Lockit 2:
- **ACN (LEMO/XLR)**: Provides LTC to Lock Studio - **Sync (LEMO/BNC)**: Provides sync to Lock Studio. Also add a 75 Ω terminator to the unused Ref Loop socket on the Lock. - **SMA-RP antenna (ACN)**: Provides sync between Lockits via Ambient Communication Network | > Macro (scroll-pagebreak) ## > Macro (anchor) Recommended cabling SDI video uses co-ax cable with 75Ω characteristic impedance. Cables labeled RG-59U will be 75Ω, but may not be of sufficient quality for 3G video. Good quality cables with low return-loss are very important, and become even more crucial over longer distances and at higher standards, such as 6G and 12G. SDI sync also requires good quality video cable because it is also an SDI video signal. Analog blackburst, tri-sync and LTC signals are likely to be more forgiving. We have tested the following cable types: > Macro (scroll-tablelayout) | | | | --- | --- | | **Cable** | **Notes** | | Belden 1694A | This is sometimes said to be industry-standard video cable. This was used for testing up to a range of 30 m for 3G and 20 m for 6G. | | Van Damme 278-175-000 LSZH | 20 m lengths of this were used for 3G and 6G. |