Video Assist SDI stopped working

Hello,

The SDI source stopped being detected by our Video Assist. We have tried various combinations of cables and inputs but we have not been able to get any source detected. We have also updated the firmware but still nothing. We are wondering if anyone else had this problem or if anyone know a solution....

thanks

[Tony Rivera]

This would be something we'd suggest contacting your regions support office to troubleshoot as this could possibly require the unit to be sent in.

I'm having the very same problem. It stopped to work while I was shooting.
Already updated to the newest software and nothing!

Exact same problem here, during shoot SDI input suddenly stopped working!
Tried same as above, various input signals, firmware update etc. but to no avail.

HDMI input is fine, but no use for it so now after only 1,5 years of use our Video Assist is useless unfortunately...

@Blackmagic: this cannot be a coincidence, please respond

[Tony Rivera]

First off, have you all reached out to the support offices for your region and if so, what were their responses? Also, what versions of firmware did this occur on and what are the sources and those formats being ingested to the product?

Input stopped working on firmware 2.3.1 and it was an SDI 1920x1080 25p signal from a Sony FS7 that worked fine before.
After updating to latest firmware the problem still exists.

We have sent an email to Blackmagic Support through the website but no response so far (2 days ago).
What is the support office for The Netherlands? How can we reach them?

@other posters; what are you doing/have you done to solve this problem?

[Tony Rivera]

We have sent an email to Blackmagic Support through the website but no response so far (2 days ago).
What is the support office for The Netherlands? How can we reach them?

The UK office would have been the one to contact. The links in my signature will direct you to the company page where you'll be able to find phone numbers for our offices.

hi, i have the same problem,


suddely stopped working the sdi input signal! new firmware instaled, tried a bunch of other cables and input signals.

hdmi still works (no need for that)

thanks!

I know this thread was from years ago.. But I just bought a second hand Video Assist dated from this period and the SDI input does not work although HDMI does.
Did anyone from this thread remember finding a solution ??
Many thanks

Unfortunately, a hardware repair is the only solution. What most people in this thread, were not telling, when they said, 'It suddenly stopped working on a shoot...', is that at some point during that shoot they connected and disconnected, the SDI cable while both camera and the VA were switched on. SDI ports, particularly 3G and higher are very susceptible to this, and it is a chip that goes; caused by the momentary shorting of inner pin to shield; requiring total replacement of that board, if even possible. The cost of which will be beyond the value of the unit now.

This is most likely what happened to your unit at some point and almost certainly what the seller did, knew and was not telling. If you still have a window to return this unit, I would take it.

is that at some point during that shoot they connected and disconnected, the SDI cable while both camera and the VA were switched on.

That’s how it’s “supposed” to be done. You’re advocating the opposite?

https://www.arri.com/resource/blob/1947 ... n-data.pdf

https://support.red.com/hc/en-us/articl ... DI-Outputs

Good Luck

Touché, thanks for your meaningless correction, Howard. I didn't specify any order. It is without question as safe, whatever to connect that cable to both, prior to switching on either.

Howard. I didn't specify any order.

is that at some point during that shoot they connected and disconnected, the SDI cable while both camera and the VA were switched on.

Seems pretty specific, also erroneous. There is absolutely no danger hot patching SDI. The damage doesn't come from shorting the pin to the sleeve, SDI (all flavors) is only 1 volt and milliamps of current. The damage occurs from transient voltage, when turning on a device, or attaching a battery, 14-16v and up to 100w travels through the SDI shield and burns out the SDI driver.

Was that more meaningful?

Good Luck

I have various 12G interconnects here in my edit suite. An Ultrastudio 4K Mini; a reference monitor, amongst them. They can get switched on together or in either order. The ports have never ever blown, and the cables are permanently attached. The same in most facilities I have ever worked in. Similarly I have followed this with my UBG2 and a 12G VA assist; with IDX batteries, without issues; not to mention many years of same; and the same with crews too. I have yet to come across a blown port. If you can't add a battery to a camera and monitor switched off without blowing the SDI port when you do switch them on, what the hell are you supposed to do? Hot swapping is the issue for cameras it seems; and regardless of your links and my error in specifying a pin and shield; I'll carry on.

So your reply was meaningless, in that regard, and because, whatever the technicalities this user's SDI port is almost certainly blown. You are adding nothing to that , that can solve their issue in this instance; except a need to demonstrate some superior knowledge; I am happy to grant you that but unfortunately, it is immaterial for them; but they will know for next time. Apologies to John for the derailment.

I always enjoy your verbal acrobatics as you’re proven wrong time and again.

Good Luck

I always enjoy your verbal acrobatics as you’re proven wrong time and again.

What like the time my meaningless correction was because you couldn't be bothered to read the OP's original post correctly; and stated a firmware 8.5 for the UBG2 that doesn't exist? You seem to be very petty for a grown man but that's your crux to bear. I'm neither humiliated nor particularly troubled and you didn't really have a meaningful comeback, did you? Although we all do get things wrong sometimes; I'll try to hold my hand up. But since you have time on your hands, perhaps you may find enjoyment in pointing out where I'm proved wrong 'time and time again'. There's nothing personal here, Howard and I genuinely never mean it to be, (though for my sins that 'Good Luck!' jazz does get on my Goddamned nerves irrationally and unfairly ); so I find it odd when others get actioned so but apologies if I have offended you somewhere. Though again our handbags at dawn are not really helping John.

...and stated a firmware 8.5 for the UBG2 that doesn't exist?

The beta was deprecated once the GA was released.

Good Luck

8.5 Beta.jpg (153.99 KiB) Viewed 99 times

Duly wupped, Howard, good luck. Hand held up, apologies! The point was he specifically said he tried every previous firmware and the issue wasn't happening until the current one; I never actually mentioned there in reply, incorrectly, anything about 8.5 beta. 8.5 beta, as you say, is deprecated, no longer available and I couldn't find it, specifically not to be a pedant or offend you, since I wasn't sure fully you were wrong; only perhaps you'd missed the bit about it being only 8.5.1, according to the OP; hence my schoolboy error for not checking that document now, in my haste; and wrongly calling you on that part here. Apologies again.