Magewell Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus Module

About this product

Broadcast and live production teams moving from SDI to NDI need a way to get each camera, router output or switcher feed onto the network without giving up the SDI signal they already rely on. The Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus Module does that job from the rack. It is an SDI to NDI converter: an NDI encoder that takes a 12G-SDI input, puts it on the network as an NDI High Bandwidth stream that any NDI-capable software or hardware on that network can pick up, and passes the original signal on through a loop-through socket. It is a slide-in module for the Magewell Modator 2U chassis, which makes it a tidy way to bring many SDI sources onto NDI from one rack.

What goes in

• One cable for 4K. One single-link 12G-SDI socket. 12G-SDI carries a 4K picture at up to 60 frames per second down a single coaxial cable. The maximum is 4096×2160 at 60 frames per second.
• Lower rates too. SD, HD, 3G and 6G-SDI signals are also accepted, so 1080p, 1080i, 720p and standard-definition sources work and you can mix old and new cameras.
• Loop-through. A second 12G-SDI socket passes the incoming signal on to a monitor, router or recorder, so the SDI chain keeps working while you encode.
• Audio. 16 channels of audio embedded in the SDI signal come in on the same cable.
• Cable length. It receives 12G-SDI over up to 35 m of cable and 6G-SDI over up to 75 m, which lets you keep the rack away from the camera position.

What comes out

• NDI High Bandwidth. This is the full-quality, lightly compressed form of NDI, sometimes called Full NDI. The module encodes up to 4096×2160 at 60 frames per second, 4:2:2, 8-bit.
• Audio. 16 channels embedded in the NDI stream, so sound travels with the picture.
• Camera control. It remotely controls PTZ cameras using Visca over UDP via NDI, so pan, tilt and zoom commands can be sent from the NDI side.
• NDI version. NDI 6.2 is supported.
• Delay. Latency is very low, which suits live production.

Choosing the right module

• Built for NDI High Bandwidth. Choose this module when you want full-quality NDI from an SDI source. For SRT, RTMP or NDI HX streaming, choose an Ultra Encode module such as the Ultra Encode SDI Plus Module.
• Single-link 12G-SDI. A 4K source connects with one 12G-SDI cable. Ask us if your 4K source uses four 3G cables instead.

How it fits in the chassis

• Powered by the chassis. The module slides into a slot of the Modator 2U chassis, which holds up to ten modules and supplies their power, so there is no power adapter per channel. Order the chassis with it if you are starting a new rack.
• Hot-swappable. It connects to the chassis through its Modator interface and can be swapped while the rack is running, which keeps your other channels on air.
• Its own network socket. The module has its own Gigabit Ethernet port (RJ45), as well as a USB Type-C port for configuration.
• Power and size. It draws at most 7.76 W, inside the chassis limit of 20 W per slot. It measures 184.4 × 30.0 × 81.5 mm and weighs about 311 g.

Setting it up

• You can configure it three ways: the touch screen on the Modator chassis, the Web GUI in a browser with nothing to install, or Magewell Control Hub for managing many devices from one place.
• HTTP-based APIs are provided, so your control system can drive it too.

Where it sits in the range

The same specification is also available in a standalone form. If one or two channels are all you need, see the standalone Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus. The other modules are listed on the Modator range page.