A term from cinematography and camera work.
Definition
3G-SDI (3rd Generation Serial Digital Interface) is a digital video transmission standard that transmits video signals at a data rate of up to 2.97 Gbit/s over coaxial cables. As an evolution of HD-SDI technology, 3G-SDI enables the lossless transmission of Full HD video signals (1920x1080) at frame rates up to 60 fps. The standard supports progressive and interlaced formats and can simultaneously transmit up to 16 audio channels as well as metadata.
The technology is based on the SMPTE 424M standard and uses standard coaxial cables with BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connectors. 3G-SDI is backward compatible with HD-SDI and SD-SDI, ensuring seamless integration into existing production environments.
Practical Application
3G-SDI is primarily used in professional production environments where reliable, low-latency signal transmission over longer distances is required. Typical applications include live broadcasting of television productions, studio productions, and high-quality film shoots. In the broadcasting industry, 3G-SDI is the de facto standard for transmission between cameras, switchers, monitors, and recording devices.
Technical Details
Signal transmission occurs over a distance of up to 100 meters when using high-quality coaxial cables. For longer distances, signal repeaters or fiber optic solutions are used. 3G-SDI operates at a clock frequency of 2.97 GHz and supports various color spaces such as Rec. 709 for HDTV productions.