Blackmagic Forum

I am new here. Trying to set up a small live streaming studio. I have the BM Mini Pro ATEM and I have 2 Sony RX10 and 2 Lumix, G1 & G2. The cameras work on Cam 1 but not on Cam 2,3,4. I know Lumix G8 works on all 4 ports. Am I able to overcome the problem with the RX and G1 & G2. I had this issue when I tried using Canon R. Is this just an annoying downside of BM switches? I am hoping not. I looked everywhere for a list of compatible cameras and all I got were Blackmagics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How long are the HDMI cables?

Input 1 on the Mini and Inputs 1+2 on the Extreme models have different circuitry to allow the pass-through option.

They're slightly more tolerant of longer cables.

Typically up to around 5m will work on all the inputs but beyond that they might not.

There are always exceptions but in general longer HDMI cables are a common culprit.

Fiber optic cables eliminate the problem.

I have tried with 10m 7.5m & 5m HDMI cables. They work ok with the Lumix G2 on cam1 and with a Sony FDR AX53 on all inputs. It doesn’t look to be a cable issue.

HDMI Input 1 on 4-input mixers and HMID Inputs 1&2 on 8-input mixers support RGB (and 4:4:4 YCbCr?) as well as 4:2:2 YCbCr sources - whereas I think the other inputs are 4:2:2 YCbCr only aren't they?

If a camera only outputs RGB (or 4:4:4 YCbCr) and doesn't have 4:2:2 output support (it may be in an HDMI menu on the camera?) you're limited to using it on HDMI1 or HDMI 1&2 depending on your mixer size unless you can convert it I think.

You may find a Decimator MD-LX will help, as that lets you convert between HDMI formats - like RGB to 4:2:2 YCbCr. Even though it's a bi-directional SDI<->HDMI converter it will output its HDMI input on both HDMI and SDI outputs when fed an HDMI source if it's not being fed an SDI source, or if you take it out of AUTO mode you can manually force HDMI in, HDMI +SDI out.

Just checked you can force HDMI to HDMI and fix the output as 4:2:2 YCbCr with 2-channel audio - which may solve your issue.

If this is an RGB (or YCbCr 4:4:4) vs YCbCr 4:2:2 then you may find that the Decimator will let you use an RGB/4:4:4 camera on HDMI 2, 3 or 4 that otherwise won't work?

The BMD Bi-directional converter may also do this - but I've not got one so can't confirm.