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Title: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Phil Lewandowski on August 23, 2018, 05:45:23 PM
So I was surprised to not find this thread in a search.
But what have you found to be the best sources for the best value SDI cables?

I'm a big fan of GLS Audio mic cables for their value. So a similar sort of value in SDI cables would be awesome, if it exists.

(Also, thanks for everyones help with finding a good value HDMI to SDI converter.)
Title: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Cailen Waddell on August 23, 2018, 07:08:00 PM
Belsen 1694f and King’s connectors.  Make your own. 

The problem with digital is that it either works or it doesn’t and when it doesn’t - it’s not always clear why.  I tried to find cheap sdi cables for awhile.  Gave up on that after getting screwed once or twice. 


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Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Phil Lewandowski on August 23, 2018, 09:25:23 PM
Belsen 1694f and King’s connectors.  Make your own. 

The problem with digital is that it either works or it doesn’t and when it doesn’t - it’s not always clear why.  I tried to find cheap sdi cables for awhile.  Gave up on that after getting screwed once or twice. 


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Thank you Cailen!

I am totally up for making my own. At this point I won't be needing more than about 400 feet total of SDI cable for at least a few years, so buying a 1000ft roll (which is all I've found) is a bit excessive and expensive!

Any thoughts on this, places that sell it in smaller quantities, or places that sell pre-made cables made from Beldon 1694f for a reasonable price?

[Update] I spoke too soon, just found that Markertek sells it for $1.02 per foot.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Cailen Waddell on August 23, 2018, 10:17:12 PM
Thank you Cailen!

I am totally up for making my own. At this point I won't be needing more than about 400 feet total of SDI cable for at least a few years, so buying a 1000ft roll (which is all I've found) is a bit excessive and expensive!

Any thoughts on this, places that sell it in smaller quantities, or places that sell pre-made cables made from Beldon 1694f for a reasonable price?

[Update] I spoke too soon, just found that Markertek sells it for $1.02 per foot.

Thanks!

If you don’t need it to be super flexible the 1694A is much cheaper.... 


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Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Phil Lewandowski on August 23, 2018, 10:26:50 PM
If you don’t need it to be super flexible the 1694A is much cheaper.... 


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Yeah, I was looking at that, but being a very mobile production where a lot time things are going up and coming down the same day I think that the flexible would be much better. For ease of use and longevity.
Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Dave Scarlett on August 24, 2018, 08:14:47 AM
After great success with Amazon's XLR cables, (which I now highly recommend), I purchased one ten footer SDI from them. So far so good:

 https://www.amazon.com/s/?ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hd-sdi+cable+1694f&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahd-sdi+cable+1694f

Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Rob Spence on August 24, 2018, 03:45:12 PM
After great success with Amazon's XLR cables, (which I now highly recommend), I purchased one ten footer SDI from them. So far so good:

 https://www.amazon.com/s/?ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hd-sdi+cable+1694f&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahd-sdi+cable+1694f
Amazon doesn’t make cables.
Which brand cables that you bought from Amazon do you like?


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Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Dave Scarlett on August 24, 2018, 05:58:19 PM
Amazon doesn’t make cables.
Which brand cables that you bought from Amazon do you like?

Quite right Rob. I've purchased some 10 and 15 foot lengths of these and they're well put together with decent (all be it copy) connectors.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JNLUA5G?ref=em_1p_0_ti&ref_=pe_3753960_295354730


Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Jordan Wolf on August 24, 2018, 09:39:24 PM
I really like the Canare L-4.5CHWS for longer runs.

It coils nicely and has been durable so far.

Belden 1505F is great for shorter runs and patch cables.

We buy through FullCompass. You can usually get spools and cutoffs of either, also.

Termination tools are pricey up-front, but are a lifesaver if you need to field-repair anything or if you plan to build your own assemblies.
Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Mike Caldwell on August 26, 2018, 07:23:40 PM
I tend to stay away from good value / cheap cables of any kind.
Title: Re: Good Value SDI Cables
Post by: Phil Lewandowski on August 28, 2018, 05:16:53 PM
I tend to stay away from good value / cheap cables of any kind.

I actually think that "good value" is very different from "cheap" (if by cheap one means "doesn't work well"). I usually see getting good value means getting what is needed for the least amount of money.  And if the cable doesn't work or isn't reliable, then obviously it isn't a good value automatically.

GLS mic cables have always been a good example of "value cables" in that I haven't had one go bad in 12 years and for $10/25ft cable is a great value.

Anywho, just a clarification in what the original question was getting at!