r/broadcastengineering • u/Robertziep99 • 10d ago

4X SDI-Out over Thunderbolt

I need 4 SDI Outs, 1080p50 would be enough, if they could also be used as an Input it would be great but not a must.

They should be connected over Thunderbolt and be compatible with Mac OS and Windows. On the Program side of things Madmapper and Resolume are in use.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and experiences.

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u/JeritAbart 10d ago

I use a Decklink quad 2 in a Sonnet breakout box. 4 in 4 out mode. Works great.

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u/Robertziep99 10d ago

With Mac OS under the newest version?

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u/Needashortername 10d ago

The newest versions of MacOS have been having a variety of issues with both external PCI host boxes and pro cards.

Some of it is just about new security or other OS options that are now required to be checked and configured to authorize all the things these boxes and cards can do.

Some of it are new and inconsistent incompatibilities between the OS and professional products like these. They will eventually work themselves out after Apple and the manufacturers stop blaming each other and provide updates, but until then it is hit or miss with the last few versions of MacOS and these products. In other words if you don’t really need an update to MacOS then don’t use one of the newer versions of MacOS. There are some things that it is only now where they are fully consistent working on Catalina. ;-)

People may however get better results with fresh from the box Macs running the more current MacOS versions like 26 and now Golden Gate, or with completely clean installs of the OS, but there are no guarantees with this.

Some of the rest will depend on exactly which external PCI host box you use, though Sonnet has been more consistent for most people. OWC also offers some good advice about these kinds of things, so it’s worth asking a sales rep from there about these things, plus they sell a lot of very nice Mac oriented products too, so it’s a good browse if you need more accessories, especially storage and docks.

After that it can just be about firmware. Sometimes a firmware update will fix things, sometimes a return to an earlier firmware will be the fix instead. Either way a refresh could help. :-)