What the SDI reel cable is for
At concerts, sports events and news coverage, film crews have to connect HDTV cameras to a central broadcasting truck, often over long distances and in a hurry. Consumer HDMI cables work only over short runs. The SDI cable is made for this field work: it carries HD or 4K video over runs of more than 100 m, and it comes on a reel so it can be spread out and rolled back without tangling or damage.
The BNC connectors lock so they do not unplug by accident, and the cable is built for rain, dust, heat and heavy handling.
SDI rates and cable length
SDI is carried on 75 ohm coaxial cable with 75 ohm BNC connectors. The usable length falls as the data rate rises, so a cable that is comfortable at HD may be too long for 12G.
| Format | Nominal data rate |
|---|---|
| SD-SDI | 270 Mb/s |
| HD-SDI | 1.485 Gb/s |
| 3G-SDI | 2.97 Gb/s |
| 12G-SDI | 11.88 Gb/s |
For very long camera runs, a fibre to SDI converter moves the signal onto fibre and removes the length limit of coax.
Where reel-mounted cable is used
Reel systems of this kind suit places where conditions are tough and the cable has to move with the job:
- Outdoor broadcast, TV re-broadcasting vans and news coverage.
- Military field communication systems, radar, aviation and naval vessels.
- Oil fields, mining sites, ports and harbours.
- Emergency repair setups and quick CCTV or LAN deployments.
What to specify in your quote
- SDI format you run: SD, HD, 3G or 12G.
- Cable length per reel and the number of reels.
- Connector type at each end, and whether you need adaptors.
- Reel style: hand-carried or larger drum.
Send the details through the request a quote form. For other production cabling, see broadcast and live production.
Questions buyers ask
How is SDI better than HDMI for production?
HDMI is designed for short consumer runs. SDI is the professional standard for sending video and embedded audio over long distances, with locking BNC connectors that do not unplug by accident.
Is the SDI reel easy to deploy?
Yes. The reel lets crews spread the cable quickly and roll it back without tangles once the work is done.
Who uses SDI cable reels?
Film crews, broadcasters, military teams and telecom engineers who need a fast, strong video connection in the field.
Can SDI carry 4K?
Yes. 4K is carried as 12G-SDI on one cable or as several 3G-SDI links. Longer 4K runs need careful cable choice, or a fibre link.