NFSBuff wrote:The technical answer is that the Teranex has an SDI input that does not function as one would expect. Ideally, the Teranex unit would provide Fiber to HDMI one way, and SDI to fiber the other way, as the unit does have an SDI input. But the Teranex SDI input does not get sent down the fiber. I've confirmed this both through calls to Black Magic and testing myself. If the Teranex unit's fiber was source bi-directional -- like the mini converter is -- this solution wouldn't be needed.
I think the reason for this is that the Teranex Mini Optical to HDMI is based on the design Teranex Mini SDI to HDMI 12G converter. So it is essentially a single-directional SDI to HDMI converter, but with the option of using optical fiber as the video source instead of copper SDI. The video output (fiber in this case) is just a loop through output of the video input (like it is on the Teranex Mini SDI to HDMI converter).
So the end result is pretty different from the Mini Converter Optical Fiber 12G which is designed to be a bi-directional converter (as the older 3G Optical Fiber Mini Converters were).
Personally, I think it would be useful if Blackmagic came out with a Mini Converter Optical Fiber BiDirectional 12G, essentially combining the Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 12G with an Optical Fiber SFP port. This would allow input or output in HDMI, SDI, or fiber as well as bi-directional conversion allowing for use of whatever connection type is most convenient at either end.
This would also be useful for people trying to extend Blackmagic cameras or switchers with HDMI ports over fiber, as discussed in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=156292