Blackmagic Micro Converter 3G Models

Blackmagic Design announces a new family of Micro Converter 3G models that lets customers use HDMI equipment with professional SDI systems. These new models feature custom hardware developed by Blackmagic Design and include features previously only found on high end converters. Micro Converter 3G models include features such as 3D LUTs and more video formats than the older models they replace.

Micro Converter 3G models are available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from AU$75.

The new Blackmagic Micro Converter 3G models are incredibly tiny broadcast video converters that let customers connect between consumer HDMI and professional SDI equipment. The rugged and miniaturised design makes them small enough to be used anywhere. Customers get professional 3G‑SDI connections for working with all SD and HD formats up to 1080p60. Micro Converters use USB for power, so they can be powered directly from televisions or laptop computers. Customers can even purchase them without power supplies if they are not needed. Only Blackmagic Micro Converters feature custom designed electronics that conform to current global broadcast specifications, and can be updated to new standards in the future.

Because they are extremely high quality, customers can trust them for all kinds of broadcast, live production and on set use. Use them for turning any computer display, television or video projector into high quality colour calibrated broadcast monitoring. They’re also perfect for converting the HDMI outputs of computers and consumer video cameras to high end SDI equipment. Imagine using a slide show running on a computer for high end broadcast quality titles in live production. Customers could even use them for extending long HDMI distances using SDI.

Unlike other small SDI converters, Blackmagic Micro Converters feature the highest quality broadcast technology, miniaturised into an incredibly strong metal enclosure. Each converter has standard 3G‑SDI and HDMI connections with strong high quality connectors. Blackmagic Micro Converters include a USB connection for power, as well as changing settings via the converter utility on Mac and Windows. Because the USB powers the converter, customers can even power it from televisions or laptop computers. There are even LEDs for power and video status. Customers can also buy Blackmagic Micro Converters with an AC power supply including 4 adapters for international use.

Unlike cheap converters, Blackmagic Micro Converters include the highest quality signal processing and deep bit depth video pipeline. Micro Converters have been engineered with precision electronics so customers get very low SDI jitter, allowing customers to extend SDI cables over long distances. That’s vital for live production where equipment such as cameras can be a long distance from switchers. Blackmagic Micro Converters work with both 8 and 10‑bit video formats, in RGB or YUV, and in all SD and HD formats up to 1080p60. They even support 1080p24, 1080p47.95 and 1080p48 film rates. Plus customers get fully embedded audio and timecode support.

Customers can also change settings and update the converter software with the free converter utility that can be downloaded from the Blackmagic Design web site. This software connects to the USB connection on the Micro Converters and runs on both Mac and Windows computers. Customers can use the utility to change the converter name, which can be useful for identifying which converter is used for which task. When using the bidirectional converter, customers can even set the camera number, so the converter knows when it’s being controlled from a live production switcher. Customers can also select between level A and level B on the 3G-SDI video output.

The Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 3G model even includes a 3D LUT for colour accurate monitoring. Customers can apply custom looks, colour and gamma changes in real time for on set monitoring. LUTs can also be applied to the 3G‑SDI loop output, allowing customers to use the converter as a 3D LUT processor. Customers can also use 3D LUTs to make a colour calibrated grading monitor out of a low cost computer monitor or TV. Customers can even use the DaVinci Resolve primary colour corrector to create amazing looks and then save them as custom 3D LUTs. Because DaVinci Resolve can be downloaded free, it costs nothing to start creating a world of custom 3D LUTs for monitoring.

The new Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 3G model even supports camera control so customers can use a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera with an ATEM SDI switcher. ATEM switchers send camera control over SDI, and the converter can translate this to HDMI for the camera. Just connect SDI from the converter out to the switcher input, the switcher program out to the converter input, and then the HDMI converter input connects to the Pocket Cinema Camera. Now add a camera number in the converter utility and users will get control of the camera color corrector, tally and even remote recording. It even works in reverse and customers can connect and control an SDI camera from an HDMI switcher such as ATEM Mini.

The new Micro Converter 3G models use a new Blackmagic Design custom hardware design so they’re more advanced to better support the technical features critical to high end broadcast workflows. These features include support for HDMI and SDI timecode conversion. Customers even get full support for timecode in both standard definition and high definition video formats. This means if customers have any HDMI device that supports timecode, customers can convert it to SDI and get that timecode into larger broadcast systems.

Blackmagic Micro Converters include built in SDI re‑clocking on the 3G‑SDI output. The SDI re‑clocking will regenerate the SDI video, reduce SDI jitter and improve SDI eye pattern before the converter sends the signal to other equipment. This allows longer cable lengths because even degraded SDI signals can still be used. Other converters often leave out important features such as re-clocking so are not reliable for broadcast use. Blackmagic Micro Converters also fully comply with SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 424M, SMPTE 425M level A and B, broadcast standards.

Blackmagic Micro Converter 3G models support SDI formats including 525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL, 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p47.95, 1080p48, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60, 1080PsF25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60, 2Kp23.98 DCI, 2Kp24 DCI, 2Kp25 DCI, 2Kp29.97 DCI, 2Kp30 DCI, 2Kp47.95 DCI, 2Kp48 DCI, 2Kp50 DCI, 2Kp59.94 DCI and 2Kp60 DCI, 2KPsF25 DCI, 2KPsF29.97 DCI and 2KPsF30 DCI. HDMI video standards include 525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL, 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60, 1080i50, 1080i59.94 and 1080i60. Plus 3G level A and B are supported.

The new Blackmagic Micro Converter 3G models are powered via the same USB‑C connection that’s used on newer computers and smartphones so customers can power the converter from the same television or computer customers are converting the video for. Customers can also purchase Micro Converters with an AC power supply that supports 100 to 240V AC and comes with 4 different AC socket adapters so customers can plug them into outlets anywhere in the world. That’s perfect for when users are doing international work. Customers can even use smartphone chargers and rechargeable battery packs to power Micro Converters on set.

“Our Micro Converters are very popular and these new models are now using a custom design that runs Blackmagic OS so we can now include many more features than the old models could support because these new models are intelligent,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We think customers will love these new models and we look forward to releasing new software updates for them as we add even more new features!”

Micro Converter 3G Model Features

• Extremely small design for portable operation.
• Supports upgrading software via USB connection.
• Includes 3D LUT for monitoring on SDI to HDMI model.
• Includes camera control features for Blackmagic ATEM switchers.
• Supports 3G-SDI and HDMI timecode standards.
• Features 3G-SDI technology with built in SDI re‑clocking.
• Supports all video standards in NTSC, PAL, 720 HD and 1080 HD.
• Models can be purchased with or without power supply.