Hardware solution for video conversion

To briefly summarize: I am looking for a video conversion box that will accept any resolution/refresh rate/color space and spit out a properly converted feed. For instance, if it's an HDMI feed from a consumer-level camera, an SDI feed from a big production-level camera, or whatever--they all have different resolutions, refresh rates, etc. I need a video conversion box that will work in just about any scenario.

I use the ATEM Television Studio for live-streaming company events. It's worked wonderfully for all intents and purposes, except it requires precise audio and video inputs - which can be tricky.

For audio, I use a Behringer DEQ2496 to convert my audio into a usable AES/EBU digital signal and to provide an audio delay (when needed). Super useful.

For video, I have a laptop that sits at 720p and I've set a 59 refresh rate--and it is accepted as a 720p59.94 signal. As such, it requires any other video input be precisely 720p59.94. Though I can change the resolution/refresh, this is the space I want to work in.

In the past, I've requested A/V companies I've worked with to supply the video signal at precisely 720p59.94. This has caused some issues, the last conference we hosted I was barely able to get working (they had to find a spare video conversion box on-site, as the first box they were using did not give a correct signal).

I would like to take the A/V company out of the video conversion process and be able to accept any video input, and convert it. I would like to be able to accept both HDMI and SDI inputs of any resolution/refresh rate, and be able to convert that signal into something usable.

I am looking at a Blackmagic Broadcast Convertor, but the lack of documentation about it has me slightly concerned. I'm not very familiar with any non-Blackmagic solutions for this problem - is there any?

Does anyone have any familiarity with the above equipment, or have a similar piece of a equipment they've used for live, on-site video conversion?

I've come across a product called the "Grass Valley ADVC G1 Any In to SDI Multi-Functional Converter / Upconverter with Frame Sync". Is there anything similar within the Blackmagic family, or another outside product that would fill this need?

For a reliable method of connecting devices like laptops etc - many of us use a simple VGA-HDMI scaler. I use an Atlona HD500. This works great for my use.

I also have a Gefen Toolbox which is an HDMI to HDMI scaler that I have used occasionally.

I don't need any such device for cameras and such as I use professional cameras where I set them to my preferred format of 720p59.94

Hey Liam,

For the laptop it's less of a concern. I can set it to 720p50 or 720p59.94 fairly easily. An upconverter would be useful if I planned on producing in 1080p, but as I use the TVS for livestreaming, I actually don't plan on a working space higher than 720p. Thus, I work in 720p59.94 as a matter of preference. Basically, it works and is modular enough to work at either refresh rate.

The issue is the camera's video feed - we work with various A/V companies that all supply different solutions, and often time I'm not able to get the precise setup I would like. The camera feed can often vary -- sometimes it's an NTSC feed over an SDI cable, sometimes is a 720p HDMI signal that isn't being picked up at 720p50 or 720p59.94, etc. It varies. In the past, the A/V companies have also supplied a video conversion box that will upconvert, change color spaces, set refresh rates, etc.

What I'm looking for is some sort of box (would like to have it rack-mounted with my TVS and audio pieces) that can just take a signal that's on HDMI or SDI, do any conversions of resolution/refresh that I need, and give me a feed that my TVS will lovingly embrace.

Ahh... I must admit I prefer to stay well away from issues of actual video conversion from cameras. TO me... the video has to look PERFECT and any kind of conversion from one frame rate/size to another is fraught with difficulties. That's why for all my jobs I get to specify the cameras that are used. I guess I am lucky.

Sounds like you need a high end converter. I am sure others here will chime in with additional ideas.

The Teranex box from Blackmagic does do some of what you are looking for... but... as I don't have one I can;t recommend it's use.

I own several Aja FS2 units. Highly recommended and do all that you have mentioned ,and it is TWO processors in one 1RU frame. Excellent quality...

The FS1 is a single processor, pretty sure it does all the conversions as well at a bit less money.

Ahh... I must admit I prefer to stay well away from issues of actual video conversion from cameras. TO me... the video has to look PERFECT and any kind of conversion from one frame rate/size to another is fraught with difficulties. That's why for all my jobs I get to specify the cameras that are used. I guess I am lucky.

Sounds like you need a high end converter. I am sure others here will chime in with additional ideas.

I agree, and I'm hoping that in 90% of scenarios I can get a usable 720p feed from a nice, production-level camera. My hope is I won't need to use a video converter frequently (and instead get a 720p line directly from the camera), but sometimes that just doesn't work. Sometimes I have just a HDMI signal from a prosumer-level camera that isn't picking up on the TVS. Sometimes it's an SDI signal with an NTSC signal that needs upconverted.

Instead of relying on the A/V company to provide the conversion of their video signal, it's something I'd like to do to reduce the risk of something going wrong. It's happened before, sadly, so I'm trying to get a nice convertor as a part of my equipment.

I've found a few products looking around on sites like Amazon and B&H, but was hoping that Blackmagic might have a usable converter. Sadly, they seem to mainly do signal converting, and not so much in regards to refresh rate or resolution differences.

Again, anyone who has had experience with this and have products they've used successfully, I would love to learn more. Cheers!

I own several Aja FS2 units. Highly recommended and do all that you have mentioned ,and it is TWO processors in one 1RU frame. Excellent quality...

The FS1 is a single processor, pretty sure it does all the conversions as well at a bit less money.

This is basically the exact solution I'm looking for, but the price range is a bit high for me. I was hoping for something within the $500-1,000 range.

I can definitely pitch this and see where it goes, but I think it's really unlikely to get anything over $2,000.

I've found a few products looking around on sites like Amazon and B&H, but was hoping that Blackmagic might have a usable converter. Sadly, they seem to mainly do signal converting, and not so much in regards to refresh rate or resolution differences.

Again, anyone who has had experience with this and have products they've used successfully, I would love to learn more. Cheers!

I think you posted just as I edited my response. Check out the Teranex - that does do a lot of what you are looking to do. Although still somewhat above your $1000 top range you posted. I would say you are likely going to be limited (and disappointed) in what is available at that price point. It's a complex thing to do well (and with minimal delay).. so that takes some $$$.

I've found a few products looking around on sites like Amazon and B&H, but was hoping that Blackmagic might have a usable converter. Sadly, they seem to mainly do signal converting, and not so much in regards to refresh rate or resolution differences.

Again, anyone who has had experience with this and have products they've used successfully, I would love to learn more. Cheers!

I think you posted just as I edited my response. Check out the Teranex - that does do a lot of what you are looking to do. Although still somewhat above your $1000 top range you posted. I would say you are likely going to be limited (and disappointed) in what is available at that price point. It's a complex thing to do well (and with minimal delay).. so that takes some $$$.

I agree. The Teranex does look ideal though, so I will try to push that through. I agree the $1,000 range is not the greatest, but the same time it's a difficult proposition I'd have to make to my company's management over a technical detail they don't really grasp.

Still looking for cheaper options, but I do like the BM option.

Anyone have video conversion/upscaling solutions in the $1,000 range that you've had success with?

I think you are going about this the wrong way.
you should use the scaler to convert the computer to whatever format the camera is. don't mess with the video, mess with the computer.
If a cameraman is only supplying an NTSC signal, fire them and hire soneone with an up to date camera.

The Kramer VP-771 and VP-790 will both take a wide variety of inputs (VGA, SDI, component, composite etc) and output to another wide variety...SDI, HDMI, VGA. The 771 is 9 inputs and the 790 is 8 inputs.

http://www.kramerus.com/products/#filters?&groupli=7

If you want something that professional video productions use they normally have Barco ImagePro units. They are really nice (and expensive) and will handle anything you throw at it. I worked on a Weird Al Yankovic concert, which is heavy on video, and their rack had a few of these ImagePros along with a Mac Pro + various other equipment. Took an SDI feed right out of their ImagePro into our 1 M/E to feed our video boards. Took a little while to dial in the right resolutions and frame rate on the ImagePro, but we made it work.

http://www.barco.com/en/products-soluti ... tcher.aspx

The Teranex 2D/3D line is great for processing between broadcast standards (PAL, NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K etc). It accepts these resolutions happily and does a great conversion and color correcting with about 4-5 frames delay.

The Folsom ImagePRO 3G is the goto box for doing everything to everything conversion. It has DVI, VGA, VIDEO, SDI, HDMI etc etc in and the same out and can convert seamlessly between these formats in all different colorspaces and resolutions.

The AJA FS1/FS2 is mostly the same as the Teranex but in my opinion worse. The framerate conversion is really tacky and they are kinda expensive for what they do.

When I purchased AJA FS2 then I stopped using Teranex

I second the fs2. We have like 8 of them and they are awesome.

Plus they give you a lot more audio options and crop with matte which our image pros don't do.

If you are doing any sort of zooming / repositioning the fs2 blows the teranex out if the water.

The fs2 has replaced the imagepros as our go to box except when we work with VGA.

Check out the AJA ROI ( Region Of Interest ) device. It is designed to scale DVI/HDMI to HD-SDI. I was informed by AJA that the algorithms are descended from the ROI implementation on the AJA FS1 and FS2 series. Retail for the ROI is around $995.

I'm considering an Atlona Pro5 Gen2 for scrunching various signals into HDMI for porting into an ATEM 4K. Does anyone have familiarity with these Atlona models and have an opinion on the suitability, versatility, etc..?

Still considering pulling the trigger on a Teranex 3D. I'm hesitating as I'm unsure as to what features have actually been implemented or if it is still as unfinished/beta-esque as other BMD products I've encountered. I'd rather not purchase an unfinished Teranex 3D product only to see a Teranex 4K product advertised for release a week later...