Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR - to Pro Display XDR

Hello All,

Crazy times, hoping you and yours are well!

Has anyone used the newly released Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR to professionally grade 4k(2096) on the XDR? Respectfully, I'm not looking to compare the XDR to the much more expensive $30-40,000 monitors we all know and love. I'm simply hoping to get real world opinions and/or insights on this particularly interesting Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR to XDR workflow; specifically for 4K(2096) content in my case.

Any insights would be welcome.

My hope is - the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR - to Pro Display XDR 4K workflow - can in fact be a viable alternative to those much more expensive 4k grading monitor workflow options.

Kindly advise. It'd be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Rob

Product Info:
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/teranexmini8k

Product Manual:
https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/ ... 7625210000

Rob, just looking this over now but first impressions are this should be a respectable solution to maintaining accuracy of the Mac Pro Display XDR or at a minimum making the necessary adjustments so that your grading in Resolve is going to be very accurate to your target deliverable.

Pretty exciting stuff and this would have rocked to see it live at NAB 2020. I was beginning to think BMD didn’t have anything ready for the cancelled show, but I think this would have been well received.

And my gosh, surely this will turn a few more people to look more favourably at acquiring the Pro Display XDR. I know Apple said calibration was coming soon in a future update, but this looks like a viable path. I’m woefully ignorant about all this high-end stuff but looking forward to what Marc and others have to say about this!

callibration does nothing to help with the massive blooming...

end of the day it's a ui mon, not a ref mon,

and really not a Flanders or X310

like really, really not....

Thanks again Dermot,

I listened to a new podcast from NoFilmSchool a few days ago about an even newer Flanders grading monitor that had me salivating. I not only respect what you’re saying, I agree. I’m right there with you. I’d go so far as to say I think we all know and agree that the XDR isn’t an optimal grading monitor, if at all.

But for the money... it just might be a great workaround that some of us can use to get up to speed and eventually purchase a much higher end tool. I’m just openly exploring the option and hoping others help me do just that. Respect to Blackmagic for the opportunity!

Thanks again for reiterating that however. I believe we all should respect and remember that the more expensive, purpose built, high end devices are made for a reason.

That said, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

And necessity is the mother of invention.

I’ll add, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

So for those of us who might want to explore cheaper options, I say, this Teranex workflow MIGHT be right up our alley, so let’s discuss. There are zillions of us out here who would love and prefer a Flanders, but to my original post, I don’t wish to go there.

This Teranex/XDR workflow might be one of the very best entry points to 4K grading available.

I agree with Rick Lang. Thanks Rick. This workflow would’ve been extremely “well received”.

We shall see!

In case you missed it, I started this thread here, where Marc Wielage added something we all might want to consider. Thanks again Marc!

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=104153&start=100#p617466

Again, let’s discuss!

Your consideration is appreciated. Thank you all.

i think one would be better off with a LG oled, it can't show color volume much beyond SDR range, so for example the light sabers in StarWars are missing color when bright

but that's far better than haveing a huge glowing halo around a light saber that's only exists when seen on the XDR

there's not a good answer really, only the least bad trade off, the halo's are really bad, far far worse than the PRM4200, those were anoying, the XDR is insane

i sent that same smpte document to someone last week, i know it well enough to quote it from memory

That FSI XM310K is a steal at $22,500. That’s about what the new Mac Pro 7,1 and Pro Display XDR set me back in March. So not out of reach in the future, but hoping as Rob has mentioned that the Pro Display XDR will suffice for now with the help of BMD’s Mini SDI to DisplayPort box.

Thanks again Gentlemen,

I just got this from B&H...

"The DisplayPort converter is at least a few weeks out."

Unless Blackmagic can chime in here - or perhaps a beta user out there somewhere - I think this conversation is on hold until people get a chance to put it to work.

Staying tuned!

Thanks again...

But I'm with you Rick! I want to see this for myself!

Best to you all!

Stay safe out there!

Speak soon,

And thanks again Dermont! You're giving me things to think about here. Much appreciated.

Best!

A Small Update...

I received both the UltrasStudio Mini 4K and the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K. Hookup was a breeze, except, I now need to know...

1. Who makes the USB-C to USB-C DisplayPort Cable that connects the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR to the Pro Display XDR Monitor?? I haven't found one as of yet. As such, I've chosen to order this USB-C to DisplayPort cable from Apple:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR6 ... port-cable

Fingers crossed.

2. Though unable to view anything on the Pro Display XDR as of yet (due to lack of cable), I am able to notice that the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K is UNABLE to accept the higher UHD signals from the UltraStudio Mini 4K. For instance, I'm able to receive HD signals from the UltraStudio Mini 4K, no problem. To confirm, I connected my HD Grading Monitor to the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K output and everything worked as expected.

When I use the higher UHD 2160p 29.97 Video Monitoring format in the attached screenshot, however, the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K refuses to receive the input signals and simply reads "NO INPUT". Something isn't working correctly here, as the manual says the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K should be able to receive up to 4K UHD 2160 60Hz on SDI Input A, using Single-Link SDI.

In my screenshot you'll see that I'm only trying to make Resolve send a 4K UHD 2160 29.97Hz image to the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR.

Still... "NO INPUT".

Any help or information would be appreciated.

Kindly let me know.

Thank you!

[Dwaine Maggart]

It sounds like an issue with the coaxial cable between the US Mini 4K and the SDI to DP 8K.

A cable of insufficient quality would work at HD and fail at UHD.

If you have a different cable, ideally a shorter one, try that.

Thank you Dwayne,

I thought of that in advance and inquired as to a solution. It was suggested that I use Belden 1694A RG6 Low Loss Serial Digital Coaxial Cable. I did, so either I was given the incorrect information, my run is too long or my cable in compromised somehow. I just don't see how - as just prior to installing the new Ultrastudio Mini 4K I was streaming even larger 4096 x 2160 DCI timelines using only my Thunderbolt 2 Ultrastudio 4K - and the same cable.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... e_500.html

That aside...

Might you be able to recommend a USB-C to USB-C DisplayPort Cable that can be used to connect the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR to the Pro Display XDR?

Or will the USB-C to DisplayPort cable I purchased suffice...

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR6 ... port-cable

Your consideration is appreciated.

Thanks again!

Thanks again Dwayne...

Just to be certain here... I have the following chain:

New Mac Pro -> Resolve Studio -> Ultrastudio Mini 4K -> Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K -> (awaiting the proper cable for the) ProDisplay XDR

1. Is it possible the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K fails to show UHD input signals if the ProDisplay XDR is not connected for viewing?

2. An elementary question for sure, but as far as the XDR Monitor is concerned, I'd like to confirm that we plug the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K DisplayPort Cable into the first Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port of the XDR Monitor, correct? See attached schematic for reference.

Best!

[Dwaine Maggart]

The cable you purchased is not the correct cable for this task.

As per the SDI to DisplayPort 8K manual:

"The USB-C port is for
DisplayPort over USB-C. It is important to note that this requires a certified DisplayPort
over USB-C cable, which is different to a generic USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt cable."

Active Thunderbolt cables (like the one that comes with the XDR display) do NOT work.

This is not an official endorsement, but we've used these cables with success:
https://www.cablematters.com/pc-858-124 ... -100w.aspx


Belden 1694A RG6 Low Loss Serial Digital Coaxial Cable would be the normal suggestion for coaxial cable supporting 4K SDI. Did you buy a premade cable, or did you make it yourself? How long is it?

As to whether the SDI to DP8K will display the incoming signal without a display connected, I'm not sure, as I don't have one at hand. But I think it will. If you send it an HD signal from the US Mini4K, does that work?

[Dwaine Maggart]

And yes, you want to use the Thunderbolt port on the XDR display.

[Dwaine Maggart]

Here's another cable we've observed to work from the DisplayPort 8K mini converter to the Apple XDR display Thunderbolt connector. Again, not an official endorsement:

Qualtek - http://www.qualtekusa.com/press_releases_usb31.php

Part number is 3027003-01M

The Thunderbolt 3 port on the back of the Pro XDR Display is input to the screen; the 3 ports labeled USB-C are output to other (puny) devices. If your feed to the screen supports Display Stream Compression (such as found on the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X MPX card), then the 3 USB-C ports can handle significant data; without the compression, the Thunderbolt 3 connection is still great to drive the display but the display can’t do a lot more than power your hub or keyboard or other small low-power devices.

[Dwaine Maggart]

@Rick: What you say is true IF you plug the XDR TB port into a MacPro TB port (which is what the TB cable included with the XDR is intended for).

But if you plug the XDR TB port into the DisplayPort 8K USB-C DisplayPort connector, what you say will not be true. I think. Don't have one at hand, so can't test to be sure.

Dwaine, that would be good news then so those USB-C might be more capable. Thanks for those links to DisplayPort cables that should work.

Thank you Dwayne,

The cable information helps. Moreover, you were correct!

Moreover, were still running an old Gepco cable meant to serve the old HD grading monitor. We'd never upgraded/replaced that particular cable with 1694A. Having now done so, the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K is receiving proper input signals from the US Mini 4K. And yes, I was always able to send HD signals, so you were correct, the SDI cable was the culprit.

Very helpful. Great call. Thanks again!

Now if only I could find a 6’ USB-C Cable!

Rob

Dwayne,

I’m hoping you might know why my i1Display Colorimeter remains un-selectable and greyed-out in the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K HDR. I plugged it in via an Apple USB-C Multimedia Adapter. Unfortunately, it it remains unrecognized by the device.

1. Am I using the incorrect adapter?
2. Does the Teranex recognize Colorimeters if a monitor is not connected to the device? I ask because again, I’m awaiting delivery of the USB-C to USB-C cable for the monitor to arrive next week.

Kindly let me know.

I want to make sure I’m up to speed by the time the cable arrives.

Thank you!

Rob

Here’s the adapter for your review:

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MUF82AM/A

BTW Dwayne,

I have the i1Display Pro.

Thanks again.

Best!

[Dwaine Maggart]

Calibration does not work with XDR display. Should be available for other displays. I believe this was per Apple request.

Yes, Apple has not released the firmware update for the Pro Display XDR that supports user calibration. They have many of the standard reference modes calibrated and hopefully before things drift they will offer the upgrade.

Thank you Gentlemen.

So appreciate this forum.

Kind regards!

Thank you for this thread, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working until I came here. Would have been great if Blackmagic could have included this cable in the box?

FYI: I was able to get the correct cable at Best Buy recently, also from Amazon.

Just search for "USB-C to USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Superspeed+ 10Gbps Cable"

Cheers

Yes, Apple has not released the firmware update for the Pro Display XDR that supports user calibration. They have many of the standard reference modes calibrated and hopefully before things drift they will offer the upgrade.

Just to update the thread that Apple recently added user calibration although their best selection of supported probes are more costly than the monitor.

which SDI cable did you ended up buying?
i am running into the same issue - with HD/2K output image shows fine, and the moment I switch to UHD output - I get "No Input" on the teranex.
I tried cables from my hd cameras and no luck. bought this one from amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T3GX5BQ ) which supposed to support 4k - also no improvement.

thank you.

Thank you Dwayne,
The cable information helps. Moreover, you were correct!
Moreover, were still running an old Gepco cable meant to serve the old HD grading monitor. We'd never upgraded/replaced that particular cable with 1694A. Having now done so, the Teranex Mini SDI to DisplayPort 8K is receiving proper input signals from the US Mini 4K. And yes, I was always able to send HD signals, so you were correct, the SDI cable was the culprit.
Very helpful. Great call. Thanks again!
Now if only I could find a 6’ USB-C Cable!
Rob