A production switcher may be the center of a live video system, but every camera, playback source, monitor, recorder and router still depends on the connections carrying signals into and out of it.

That makes SDI cabling for production switchers an important part of system planning.

A small production may require only a few SDI connections. A larger system can quickly involve dozens of inputs and outputs carrying camera feeds, program video, preview, multiview, auxiliary outputs and return feeds.

Planning those connections before building the system can make the finished installation cleaner, easier to troubleshoot and easier to expand.

START WITH THE SWITCHER INPUTS

Every video source entering the switcher needs a signal path.

Common SDI sources include:

• Studio cameras
• PTZ cameras
• Playback computers
• Graphics systems
• Media players
• Video routers
• Converters
• Remote production feeds

If a production uses six SDI sources, that means at least six input cable paths must reach the switcher or the router feeding it.

But counting inputs is only the beginning.

DON'T FORGET THE OUTPUT SIDE

Switcher outputs can require just as much planning as the inputs.

A production system may need separate connections for:

• Program output
• Preview output
• Multiview output
• Auxiliary outputs
• Recording feeds
• Streaming encoders
• Confidence monitors
• Video distribution
• Return video

A SIMPLE SWITCHER CABLING EXAMPLE

Consider a live production using four cameras.

The output side might then include:

What initially looked like a four-cable system may already require eight or more video connections.

WHEN DOES 12G-SDI MATTER?

If the production system operates with UHD video over a single coaxial connection, the signal path may require 12G-SDI-capable equipment and cabling.

The cable between two 12G-SDI devices becomes part of that complete transmission path.

AV-Cables offers professional 12G UHD-SDI BNC cable assemblies for cameras, switchers, routers, monitors and other professional video equipment.

When planning a 12G system, verify the capability of:

• The source
• The destination
• The coaxial cable
• The connectors
• Any patch panels
• Any adapters or intermediate devices

A 12G-capable cable cannot compensate for another component in the path that does not support the required signal.

WHY MINI RG59 WORKS WELL AROUND SWITCHERS

Switcher racks often contain a large number of connections in a relatively small area.

This is where compact coax such as Mini RG59 can be particularly useful.

AV-Cables' Belden 4855R Mini RG59 12G-SDI cable provides a compact option for professional UHD video connections.

The smaller cable diameter can help when routing multiple connections behind:

• Production switchers
• Video routers
• Multiviewers
• Patch panels
• Converters
• Rack-mounted monitors

Smaller cable bundles can also make individual connections easier to identify and service.

SHORT RACK CABLES AND LONG CAMERA RUNS DON'T HAVE TO MATCH

One common mistake is assuming that every SDI connection in a system should use the same coax construction.

That is not always necessary.

A production rack may benefit from compact Mini RG59 patch cables while longer camera runs may benefit from a larger coax construction with lower attenuation.

The best cable is the one appropriate for that particular part of the system.

PLAN FOR MULTIVIEW

The multiview output is easy to overlook when planning switcher cabling.

Multiview lets operators see multiple production sources and status information on a monitor.

If the switcher provides an SDI multiview output, that output needs its own cable path to the production monitor or monitoring system.

Depending on the equipment, multiview may instead use another interface such as HDMI. Always verify the connections provided by the specific switcher.

BNC, HD-BNC OR DIN 1.0/2.3?

Not every piece of professional video equipment uses a full-size BNC connector.

High-density equipment may use smaller connector formats to fit more I/O into limited panel space.

AV-Cables offers professional HD-BNC cable assemblies as well as BNC to DIN 1.0/2.3 12G-SDI cables.

This means a system might require combinations such as:

• BNC to BNC
• BNC to HD-BNC
• HD-BNC to HD-BNC
• BNC to DIN 1.0/2.3
• DIN 1.0/2.3 to DIN 1.0/2.3

Check the actual connector on every device before specifying the cable assembly.

LABEL BOTH ENDS

As the number of switcher connections increases, cable identification becomes increasingly important.

A cable labeled only at one end may still require tracing through a rack when troubleshooting.

Useful labels might identify:

• Camera number
• Switcher input
• Program output
• Aux output
• Multiview
• Recorder feed
• Router destination

Consistent labeling makes equipment changes and troubleshooting considerably easier.

LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION

A switcher system rarely remains exactly the same forever.

A four-camera production may later add another camera, graphics source or recorder.

When building permanent cable pathways or multi-channel snakes, consider whether a reasonable amount of spare capacity makes sense.

An unused SDI path today can become extremely useful when a new source needs to be added quickly.

AV-Cables offers custom SDI snake and cable loom assemblies for systems that need multiple video paths between common locations.

USE A ROUTER WHEN THE SYSTEM GROWS

As a production system becomes larger, connecting every source directly to a switcher may become less practical.

A video router can provide a centralized way to direct available sources to different destinations.

In that environment, SDI cabling typically connects:

Sources → Router → Switcher and other destinations

This can improve flexibility, but it also increases the number of physical connections that must be planned, labeled and maintained.

DON'T CREATE UNNECESSARY ADAPTER POINTS

If one device uses BNC and another uses HD-BNC or DIN 1.0/2.3, it may be tempting to build the connection from a standard cable plus multiple adapters.

In a permanent or frequently deployed system, a purpose-built cable assembly with the required connector on each end can simplify the signal path.

Fewer unnecessary connection points also means fewer places to inspect when troubleshooting an intermittent video problem.

QUICK SWITCHER CABLING CHECKLIST

THE BOTTOM LINE

Good production switcher cabling starts with more than counting camera inputs.

Map the entire signal flow from the sources through the switcher and then to every required destination.

Consider signal format, cable distance, coax size, connector type, rack density, labeling and future expansion.

Short rack connections may benefit from compact Mini RG59, while longer production runs may require a different coax construction. High-density equipment may also require HD-BNC or DIN 1.0/2.3 instead of conventional BNC.

Planning those details before installation creates a cleaner system that is easier to operate, troubleshoot and expand.

AV-Cables — Professional • Reliable • Connected