SDI vs. HDMI | What's the Difference?

Jake from B&H takes a look at the differences between SDI and HDMI as they pertain to video workflow. SDI is a professional standard, while HDMI is more consumer-geared, but check the video out for more specific features that set these two formats apart.

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[sethm]

I have been using SDI for 5 yrs now. It is by far more convenient, durable and the fact that you can easily run 100 ft on cheep coaxial cable makes it my preferred way to connect.

[elizabethchevrie]

So many people do this wrong and very hard to get the correct information. Appreciate your expertise on this!

[ichbrauchmehrkaffee]

I really dig the SCART connectors,
they are so convenient, it's one plug for video and audio,
it's big, so you don't loose it,
and it often gets jammed, so that counts as a lock

[Ben-zgxb]

I’m not very interested in cameras, but I love random information, and this was certainly enjoyable to watch and learn

[openreels]

This is a perfectly fine beginner video, but some key points were missed. For one, there is no "absolute" distance for any SDI cable--it depends on the bit-rate of the signal and the cable type. The same 1.5Gb HD-SDI signal can travel much farther on an RG-6 SDI cable than an RG-59 cable. The instant people hear "you can run SDI 100m" they think it's some kind of magic number. it's not for SDI, or ethernet, or anything else in the real world.

Second, SDI is uni-directional. It sends all the data one way and there is no "hand-shaking" between the send and receive devices. They are "unaware" of each other. HDMI is entirely different because it was designed for so-called "plug and play" connection between consumer devices where the source and receiver negotiate certain parameters (including whether HDCP copy-protection is active). The number of things that can go wrong with HDMI (apart from the connector falling out) is greater than with SDI. Fortunately the equipment that uses HDMI has gotten much better at making sure a signal gets through!

And, lastly, the DIN connector is not "mini-SDI." There is miniature DIN type, and there is a miniature BNC (called, confusingly, HD-BNC) and they are incompatible with each other. If your equipment uses these connectors, because space is really tight, make sure you get the correct cables or adapters.

[thomaskerrigan]

I usually run HDMI for my personal webcasting setup. When designing my former high school's TV studio, I wend with 3G SDI. When I need to use an HDMI camera with a video switcher I turn to the black magic mini converter HDMI to 3G SDI. I personally never had an HDMI cable slip, but would definetly say SDI is less to worry about.

[joshwelch]

Dropping a note of appreciation for being informative and entertaining at the same time. Thank You

[filmgeek]

Great video man lol - Jake's personality kept me interested throughout!

[Kelkschiz]

Funny, interesting video. This host is a keeper!

[joeljrichards]

Worth reiterating that HDMI will now carry 4X the data rate! If you can live with short cable runs, it seems the big thing that is missing is an industry standard locking connector(s) for HDMI. For short runs it is starting to make more sense as cameras need higher data rates.

[Davysprocket]

He meant, “Fewer cables equals less hassle.”

[maikatupua]

Bro i just had a History and Technology lesson. Love it very much!! Greetings from Fiji 🇫🇯

[vikliss]

I get why SDI is used in professional workspaces, like livestreams or normal film shoots, but i was wondering, do i need SDI connection from my PC to my monitor if the material is already shot and it's time for editing/colorgrading. So what i took from your video is, when i have to film professionally i should use SDI rather than HDMI, which i do, but for connecting my PC to my monitor, it doesnt matter because i dont need much range, and the lock/unlocked argument is also not critical. So i guess my question is, does it matter which cable i use to connect, when i use the highest standard of both cables?

[richardhume]

We are using the Atem mini extreme we have cameras that have hdmi at camera to HDMI-SDI convertor. Then SDI for the long runs back to the desk. We then have SDI to HDMI convertor to let us have a HDMI into the Atem extreme. Actually all works very well with no latency and loss of quality. Our PTZ camera is SDI straight out.

[Wraiths_and_Wreckage]

basically, if you can afford the level of equipment that comes with an sdi connection, then you're going with sdi, which is a simpler thing to use. for most of us, it's going to be hdmi. I've found that the signal dies after fifty feet without being repeated. I'm currently running a signal every week about 115 feet using repeaters between cables. You can also convert to other types of cords, but either way, I've found that a fifty foot cable is about as long as you can go before needing to repeat. And there are repeaters out there that don't need to be directly plugged in, so long as something somewhere along the line is plugged in, they'll draw from that.

[KLRCAT]

Very good video, makes it really easy to understand for someone who is unfamiliar with Cameras etc.

[Soundmanjesus]

In my opinion the 2 things that make SDI so much better besides the locking connector is the fact that it does not carry audio and that it will not pass HDCP. Plus you can terminate on site if you hit a jam.

[TonySkeelz]

Great video. I love the explanation. This helped me in this project I'm working on.

[ZENIGMATV]

Love Fiber and SDI. Hdmi often has problems plus the fitting aren’t secure.

[quarantinaakalillian]

👍 Interesting video. I learned a few things... As a consumer/prosumer, I say, "screw SDI." My HDMI cables are 4" long, and a non-locking micro 2.1 HDMI connection isn't a prob at 4". Adding SDI to my $260 USD 7" 2200 nit field monitor is an extra $80. An $80 thingamajig, that I'll never use anyway.