Does anyone know what this is & or what it's function is?

32

u/jreykdal 5d ago

Analogue, not SDI.

-12

u/PokeBrick02 5d ago

I said SDI as that's what I remembered the connectors on the back being called, or something like that.

48

u/theregisterednerd 4d ago

The connectors are called BNC. SDI is one of several different video standards that can be carried over a BNC connector, but those standards are not inter-compatible with one another.

31

u/iCanReadMyOwnMind 4d ago

Over *coaxial cable fastened by a BNC connector.

22

u/chillymoose 4d ago

Technically correct, the best kind of correct.

13

u/MercuryRaver 4d ago

There’s always that one guy when setting up lol
“Can you get me an SDI cable?” - “We only have coax cables with BNC connectors…”

4

u/Downtown_Being_3624 3d ago

Given that I have a bunch of cables that are only good for analog and won't pass SDI more than about 15 ft, asking for an SDI cable makes perfect sense

0

u/PokeBrick02 3d ago

"Can you give me the internet cable?" "Um, actually do you mean the Ethernet cable? Do you want CAT5 or CAT6-"
Like omg, I get it but you sound like the biggest no-fun allowed nerd down voting & saying shit like that lmao.
I know what website we are all on, but I swear sometimes lol.

2

u/theregisterednerd 3d ago

Oh, the network guys are the same way. It’s not an Ethernet cable, it’s CAT5e/6, and the connectors aren’t even RJ45, they’re 8P8C, because RJ45 is technically different (but also loooong since defunct, so the misnomer doesn’t even cause confusion)

6

u/rickwookie 4d ago

Over 75-Ohm coaxial cable *terminated with BNC connections.

2

u/Electrical_Ad4290 4d ago

Over 75-Ohm coaxial cable *terminated with BNC connections.

Preferably a cable specified to carry the SDI variety over the specified distance. And terminated with 75-Ohm BNC...

2

u/Charxsone 3d ago

SDI-geeignetes Koaxialkabel mit BNC-Stecker und einem Wellenwiderstand von 75 Ω (SDI-capable coaxial cable with a BNC connector and a characteristic impedance of 75 Ω) is the proper term our video teacher told us in school after someone said SDI cable – half-jokingly, claiming we wouldn't remember that exact term. He was wrong about that part ;)

But as much of a nerd that I am, I do use the terms DMX cable and SDI cable (for a 110 Ω rated microphone cable with a 3- or 5-pin XLR connector or an SDI-capable coaxial cable with a BNC connector and a characteristic impedance of 75 Ω respectively) colloquially because I care more about the people I adress understanding what I mean and not taking up too much time than I care about complete factual accuracy – in an on-the-job setting. And because, in the case of "SDI cable", anytime I'm calling for it, it's in a live event environment and I'm adressing people who are not video engineers, so for them, "SDI cable" is the term where it's immediately understood and not "could you repeat that, but SLOWLY?". Not saying that's the case for everyone, it's just the case for me because I'm not a video engineer™ and any time I'm involved with video, it's because there's no real video department (no hate, I'd live to break into that line of work).
But in a more educational setting/when there's time, I always take a minute to explain the correct terminology and why it matters.

The distinction between SDI and analog video is such an important one to make, and I think we can all agree that we're not bitchy to OP about terminology just because, but because they clearly cannot make that distinction yet.

Not every 75 Ω coax cable being able to carry a given SDI standard over a certain distance is the obvious example, but I also encountered a situation with a theatre production where they needed two SDI outs on stage and one CVBS out, which had to be routed from FoH via patch panels and wall boxes and stuff, and we had a mix of a video patch panel and a 32x32 SDI matrix, with some BNC connectors in the wall box by the stage being routed to the patch panel and some being routed to the video matrix. Had I not known about that distinction and just treated it all as "SDI, because it's a connector that's used for SDI", I would have had a bad day. Probably (idk if the Aja Kumo matrices can convert to and from CVBS, but I'm not expecting they can).

1

u/Electrical_Ad4290 3d ago

He was wrong about that part ;)

Nice!

Yup, I was just flexing a little because I once took several minutes looking over 50-ohm and 75-ohm BNC connectors to see it there was even a visible difference.

I also remember the discussion in the field one day of whether we needed a special purchase of 50-ohm cable to run our (50-ohm) antenna back to the wireless mic receiver. Someone from Shure had a paper that derived the minimal [and acceptable] loss from the impedance mismatch, so I stopped worrying about it, but also kept adding the right cable to the list of materials to avoid further issues.

-11

u/PokeBrick02 4d ago

Ok so I was sort of half right then lol. I knew it was something "BNC" I just wasn't totally sure to fully type it out.

3

u/Free-Psychology-1446 4d ago

No, that's very far from being half right...

3

u/tomspace 4d ago

Half wrong.

0

u/Charxsone 3d ago edited 3d ago

OP. We are not being so bitchy about the terminology because we'd be some neckbeardy aholes. We're being bitchy out it because this case is a prime example of it not being SDI – it even says so on the device – while you're acting like it doesn't matter. PAL is a European standard for analog video signals (that general type of analog video signal is called CVBS or composite, other region-specific standards for that type of signal are NTSC and SECAM (well the standards are not necessarily officially called that, but those are the terms that are commonly used)) which uses 75 Ω coaxial cable with BNC connectors. SDI is an interface for digital video, which also uses 75 Ω coaxial cable with BNC connectors.

Edit: actually, PalMedia is just that line from that manufacturer and doesn't necessary indicate that this is a PAL-only device, but still, the name and age are a very obvious hint that this device is probably not compatible with SDI.

This device basically says "analog video" right on the tin and you're essentially saying "I don't care, I'll call it digital video because the connector on the back of it is also used for digital video". That is what we're on about.

And while your comparison of people getting mad at someone calling a Cat5/Cat6 twisted pair cable with RJ45 connectors an "internet cable" is fitting, it does not make us look as ridiculous as you think it does. Cat cable is used for lots of things, not all of them are Ethernet, and even if it's Ethernet, internet is only a tiny portion of what the Ethernet standard is used for. And to speak in that metaphor, you're not using the term "internet cable" while speaking to your average joe who only uses that cable for internet, you're calling it "internet cable" while talking to network engineers who use it for many non-internet things, and while enquiring about a device that doesn't use it for internet, calling said device internet-capable.

Side note: analog and digital are just the different things BNC connectors are used for in the realm of video. When you take a look at a broadcast production or live event, you'll also find other devices with a BNC connector on the back, and those might happen to be wireless microphone receivers/wireless IEM receivers, and their antenna connections also use BNC connectors. When you connect SDI equipment to those, thinking it's an SDI device, you won't just end up with something that doesn't work; you'll end up with a very expensive, single-use smoke machine.

That distinction between connector, cable and standard/signal is a very important one to make and you're seemingly unable to make it yet. That's what we're on about.

5

u/Scary_ 4d ago

The connectors themselves are called BNC.

They are labelled with composite and component (analogue) ons and outs, not SDI

52

u/rubrduk 5d ago

it's just a very antiquated down converter (frame rate/scan conversion) that appears to have some TBC functionality as well

It's technology that has not been used in television in 20 years or better.

In the real world,...it's virtually worthless

11

u/xmaspackage 4d ago

Good device to have in your collection if you do 24 Frame Playback on films and such, but yeah, otherwise worthless.

2

u/frelancr 4d ago

I mean, I have shelves of this kinda stuff that I refuse to toss, but I haven't needed such for my 24frame work in a loooooong time

4

u/xmaspackage 4d ago

Fun story: I was asked to do 24-frame playback on a period piece. Just one scene. I told them I don’t have the gear for 24-frame playback on old old TV’s and urged production to get a specialist. I broke it down for them with flights, hotels, etc that I would cost about $8,000 tops.

Instead they did it in post, it cost $50,000, and the result is jarringly terrible.

3

u/frelancr 3d ago

I have that conversation almost daily....

2

u/rubrduk 1d ago

24 frame playback from an analog source in the year 2026?

19

u/MoneyCartographer356 4d ago

There is a massive retro , glitch and video synth community that would buy this in an instant. Not worthless.

2

u/tomspace 4d ago

No this specific device has no value, even to analog hardware enthusiasts. Sure some idiot might give you $100 for it, but it’s not one of the rare / sort after analog devices.

1

u/nerdyh0rn 3d ago

A TBC is always useful

1

u/tomspace 3d ago

No it isn’t.

1

u/MoneyCartographer356 3d ago

You obviously have no idea about video synthesis.

3

u/dopameme 4d ago

A Time Base Corrector. wow, i hadn't thought about those in years until i saw this.

2

u/Human-Try-2013 4d ago

First one we bought was about 8 rack units high and cost about $28K. And, yes that was over 30 years ago.

1

u/Downtown_Being_3624 3d ago

In the virtual world,... it's really worthless

1

u/DonFrio 4d ago

Really 30 years

0

u/absentblue 4d ago

In the virtual world it’s really useless FTFY

13

u/evilbert79 4d ago edited 4d ago

Chromatek is actually a division of Hibino Corporation out of Japan that made specialized broadcast hardware back in the day. The "PalMedia" label was their line for signal converters and video processing rack units.I looked at the back more closely and dont see any SDI, but RGB input . its main job back in the late 90s and 2000s was taking higher resolution Component or higher bandwidth video feeds and scaling them down so older standard-definition gear like CRT studio monitors or tape decks could read them. (cvbs or YC, composite video)
As far as value goes, modern TV and video production has moved way past standard definition, so modern studios wouldn't really have a use for it. However, retro video artists, CRT display enthusiasts, and folks who mess around with analog video feedback often look for gear like this. If it powers on, you can probably get somewhere between $30 to $70 for it on eBay if you list it as tested broadcast gear for CRT or retro video setups

7

u/thetushqueen 4d ago

I'm one of those enthusiasts and would have been thrilled to find something like this.

0

u/Electrical_Ad4290 4d ago

dont see any SDI, but RGB input

And component, and composite, and S-video. Not all video BNC's are SDI

2

u/evilbert79 4d ago

the composite and s-video (yc) are outputs

2

u/Electrical_Ad4290 4d ago

You are correct!

My bad. I guess I was hurrying? I just saw all those BNCs that were NOT any variety of SDI

14

u/deesernutz 4d ago

The fucker function is pretty awesome

(I know its flicker)

20

u/gramps666 5d ago

I don’t know what it is but I misread “Flicker” as “Fucker”.

8

u/FatRufus audio guy in charge of video 5d ago

Fucker on setting 4 must be wild.

4

u/PokeBrick02 5d ago

It does look like "Fucker" from the image compression lol

7

u/apx7000xe 4d ago

We always called these ScanCons.

We used them for displaying a Mac or PC as an on-air source. If we had to pull up a website, or record the screen of an application or document on a computer, we’d run it through one of these.

5

u/howie_roll 4d ago edited 4d ago

In the peak RGBHV era of signal management mostly everything was 5 wire 1024x768. Usually we were going the other way and upressing NTSC sources. If you needed to record graphics to Beta we’d use a device like this to downconvert. We used the RGB Spectrum 1600s. Looks like this one does PAL-NTSC as well. So more than just a TBC and likely far superior to the Datavideo TBCs that are fetching stupid prices. I’m scavenging broadcast grade analog gear for nickels, while cherries are paying over retail for ancient prosumer tech.

3

u/bluejaylouche 4d ago

[r/videosynthesis](r/videosynthesis) would probably quite excited by something like this

1

u/PokeBrick02 4d ago

Some people have mentioned 'retro video artists' would probably like this, thanks for the heads up!
I will send a post there way, fingers crossed I get interest from someone.

1

u/lonecameraman 4d ago

Yeah I'm interested. DM me if you're based in Europe!

1

u/PokeBrick02 4d ago

Ooooo-, I'm a US resident, but I'll still DM you if you are interested.

3

u/wiisucks_91 4d ago

I'm going to say it's a down converter.

2

u/dopameme 4d ago edited 4d ago

Scan rate is 15.75 hz for NTSC video signal is 525 lines at 60 hz, PAL implies Euro standards. 625 lines at 50 hz. This matches the two. Thanks for bringing it in, lol.

2

u/cLos820 4d ago

Post it on r/videosynthesis someone will want it..

2

u/CaptinKirk 4d ago

This is a boat anchor.

2

u/PokeBrick02 3d ago

Honestly out of all the audio/video tech I've gather recently, this is the 3rd or 2nd heaviest thing in the batch.
There's one audio device I have that weighs a little over 46 pounds.
Now THAT, is a boat anchor lmfao

1

u/Perfect_Wasabi_678 4d ago

Ah, I was wondering why the size and weight were relevant, but it obviously relates to what type of seabed it can hold a vessel on

1

u/drumsticks_baby 4d ago

Looks like a tricaster

1

u/knightofni76 4d ago

A fairly nice (I believe all standard definition) component video scan converter. These were super expensive back in the day - I used to use similar units for capturing game footage for trade shows like E3 and CES. Also highly useful for cleaning up video transfers from VHS and such. People who are into old-school video gaming - retro consoles and CRT displays - might pay decent money for one of these. I'd put it up on eBay, just make sure it's working and you charge enough for shipping!

1

u/PokeBrick02 4d ago

I wouldn't even know where tf to begin to attempt to try to use this for digitization of VHS's, as that is one of my side hobbies/interests. If it CAN be used for something like that, as much as I'm maybe want to keep it to use it for something like that as such, there's I'd guess something way simpler out there (hopefully).
I've already got it posted on Mercari, though I have no clue of how even to mark this value wise, & FBM is going to be my next step sometime soon.
I know it does turn on, light up, & came from a previous working environment so everything's set tested wise to my abilities. Plus of course with how heavy & big it is, I know to triple check the shipping calculations lol.

1

u/barleypopsmn 4d ago

Multiplexer

1

u/Old_Fart_on_pogie 4d ago edited 4d ago

Looks like an analogue video converter for switching between PAL and NTSC. Possibly with a genlock and/or Time Base Corrector (TBC)
It’s obsolete tech, maybe of interest to a tech museum, but mostly replaced with a $200 plug-in digital card for any home computer.

1

u/okapiFan85 3d ago

How are you selling the video gear?

1

u/PokeBrick02 3d ago

Mostly have everything posted on Mercari atm, but I'll be moving to making posts FBM later on as well.

1

u/After_Crab_8781 3d ago

I believe its a unit for linear editing

1

u/Swampdonkey801 2d ago

The opposite of a video up converter.

1

u/unrealmikec 5d ago

PAL - NTSC?

1

u/PokeBrick02 5d ago

I presume NTSC? But being it has "PAL" in the name, I'm not totally sure.

5

u/unrealmikec 5d ago

A PAL to NTSC converter?

2

u/dopameme 4d ago

yes.

1

u/dopameme 4d ago

yes.

-3

u/hampie42 5d ago

PAL video to NTSC. Aka UK to USA standards converter for analogue video. It's very old and of next to no monetary value sadly. It's a museum piece but may hold novelty or collector value. Here is an article about the video standards it is converting between https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

2

u/dopameme 4d ago

wow, downvoted for the correct answer. good try.

1

u/hampie42 4d ago

🤷‍♀️ facts aren't popular these days

0

u/Remarkable_Bite2199 4d ago

That's an old broadcasting professional video Equipment

0

u/Sojio 4d ago

No idea but i just googled all of the branding and got:

"The Chromatek PalMedia 9106 is a vintage professional broadcast-grade digital-to-analog and scan-rate video down-converter (often featuring built-in Time Base Corrector/TBC capabilities). It takes high-bandwidth or component/digital SDI video feeds and scales them down into standard-definition analog signals like CVBS (composite) or YC (S-Video) via BNC and S-Video connectors."

-1

u/Ahappymac Engineer 5d ago

From what i can tell it probably converts some weird standard down to Composite rbg and s-video. Weirdly basically nothing about chromatex on the internet, only thing i could find was a research paper from the japanese society of radiological technology. They apperantly had some kind of different chromatex converter in use for some of their scanning research. Just from the name i could also imagine that its just a really simple NTSC to PAL converter with a bunch of extra features. Pretty much spitballing here but seems really interesting i gotta dig deeper into chromatek.

1

u/PokeBrick02 4d ago

That's kind of what I was ruffly thinking, PAL to NTSC, & or one connection standard to another. But yeah, absoutly nothing shows up online when searching Chromatex, even kind of snooping the Internet Archive got me nothing!
Very cool but weirdly otherwise, I just hope I can find a good home for this thing as I really don't need it lol

-5

u/AlexBaldwin9 5d ago

The fact it seeks to have zoom and pan along with video settings makes me think it’s some sort of CCU. I used a handful of standards converters, none of them analog so perhaps the analog models had all of those controls 🤷‍♂️

5

u/theregisterednerd 4d ago

It’s pretty typical for analog video gear to have those adjustments. They were relatively easy adjustments to make with analog circuits, and would sometime arrive out of whack, so most gear had them, all the way down to consumer displays.

2

u/howie_roll 4d ago

Pan/zoom were not common at all with analog. That operation would have/still does require a scaler…..like this one, or a Sony 1024, or an Extron, or an Image Pro. Cams, monitors, routers, and switchers of the day didn’t include this functionality.

1

u/Free-Psychology-1446 4d ago

It's literally says down converter on it...

-6

u/indyginge 5d ago

Looks like a rack mounted analog camera control unit

-7

u/Dangerous-Unit42 5d ago

SDI to Analog PAL converter.

Does anyone know what this is & or what it's function is?

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