Can Switronix Recon Ultra convert hdmi to hdsdi?

[Jess Haas SOC]

Their website says it can but none of the people I have asked have actually done it so I want to double check. If i run hdmi into the recon ultra from a 5d mk3 will it give me hdsdi out that I can send to my monitor?

[Twojay Dhillon]

I tried that and it failed me twice, when I owned one. One of the many reasons I sent the thing back.

[Jess Haas SOC]

How exactly did it fail you? Did it stop working or would it not work in certain situations?

 

What were the other reasons you sent it back?

[Lynn Impagliazzo]

Hi Jess,

 

The Ultra models do not have a built-in converter on the TX end. The conversion is done through the transmission. The RX can output 1 HDMI out, and 2 SDI outs simultaneously, regardless of video inputted on the TX(HDMI or SDI. Only the SDI is a loop through on the TX for the Ultra. You may want to consider looking at the RECON HDMI models, as the TX then would have an HDMI loop through.

[Jess Haas SOC]

Thanks for the clarification. The product literature is a bit misleading on the subject.

[Ryan Brooks]

Jess-

 

I'm actually selling my Switronix Recon Ultra. Been on set twice with it. Love it but want something a bit smaller for my Zephyr sled. But I think it is a pretty nice piece of gear. Worked how I expected it to.

 

Ryan

[Dean Smollar]

So the gist I'm getting is that it converts at the Rx end, and regardless of what format I put in at the Tx end it will output both HDMI and SDI simultaneously through the Rx?

 

I'm getting ready for my first DSLR job with the Recon Ultra. If what you say is correct, then the best solution for me would be to cross convert the HDMI to SDI, input SDI into my monitor and the Tx, and then I will still be able to output to an HDMI monitor from the Rx. If that's the case, I'll pick up an HDMI-SDI converter for 200-300 bucks and i'll be set.

[Jess Haas SOC]

So the gist I'm getting is that it converts at the Rx end, and regardless of what format I put in at the Tx end it will output both HDMI and SDI simultaneously through the Rx?

Yes.

 

If that's the case, I'll pick up an HDMI-SDI converter for 200-300 bucks and i'll be set.

That's what I did. I got the newer blackmagic battery version. Don't have any real use for the internal battery but it is in a rugged machined aluminum housing, is the same price and will accept up to 31 volts so I was able to just chop the powersupply cable it came with an add a p-tap in order to get a p-tap power cable for it. No silly voltage converters necessary.

 

 

Another thing I found out by testing was that the website states "It was also designed with a back up power failure function. If the external power is disconnected, it will automatically switch to a connected battery" but it doesn't really work as I hoped as it actually draws power from the connected battery even when power is supplied to the 4 pin XLR.