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This ATEM (mini) Tips” series of short video tutorials for your Blackmagic ATEM hardware includes tips for all users, from beginner to advanced. Scroll down to see more in the series!

This is a collection of all PhotoJoseph LIVE shows, from the PhotoJoseph YouTube channel. Additional episodes are listed below!

Long HDMI over Fiber for ATEM Mini

Photo Moment - September 23, 2021

Standard HDMI is limited to about 20 meters (66 ft). But in this video, you'll see that fiber — now an affordable option — can go much, much longer. And you don't even have to give up camera control for the Pocket Cinema Cameras – if you know what cable to buy!

Fiber HDMI Cables in this video

Need an ATEM Mini?

What this tip is about…

HDMI cables can't go very long — about 20 meters is the published maximum. And HDMI over fiber is really, really expensive — or, at least it used to be! Now there's a whole new crop of HDMI over fiber cables that are extremely affordable. Even if you need two-way data, to control a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera from the ATEM, that's available, too!

📄 Full Video Transcript

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Watch this: https://youtu.be/XD0qjiA-CC0
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
do hdmi ethernet extenders also communicate between camera and atem by chance? these seem more reliable. cheap extenders sometimes are flaky.
Never used those. But the fiber HDMI cables have been perfectly reliable for me.
Do you think the cable needs to be 8k or a 4k would do the job?
@stefanogrottoli9904 that’s a very good idea. I have seen systems lose camera control because of a particular device plugged in.
@@photojosephit was in the correct direction. I had 6 sources plugged in though. Now I’m wondering if i should test just camera 1, see if it works, and then keep adding.
Dang! And you’re sure you had it the right direction (remember on these there’s a source and a destination end, as shown in the video)
@@photojosephit wasn’t. I tried the 4k and it didn’t work. It was a 150ft cable. I’m returning it and will buy the one you tested. The brand was exactly the same though which is weird. But I’ll give it a try.
Considering the image is only HD, I’m sure 4K is plenty.
Thank you so incredibly.

I've been looking for a solution for my two BMPCC6K for 6 months
for a length of 25m
All I can find are SDI and converters and everything additional and expensive..

I almost can't believe that it works with ARC, I've read so much information that it only works with SDI and converter and now you say it works with ARC for ATEM and BLPCCK6...
And make a video to prove it
You are my hero!!
Glad to help! Last I looked that actual cable I used wasn’t available anymore but others were; I’d recommend ordering a couple of them if you can, to test and verify. Good luck!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
great video, does the fiber hdmi needs USB POWER to connect to any output? im connecting A Camera to the Atem Mini Pro Iso.... i ask because i see some HDMI FIBER comes with USB to power thew up.... Thank you
@@photojoseph thank you i just order them to try them, lets hope they work for me 🙏🏼🙏🏼
The ones I showed do not. Never seen one that needs power but that makes sense if it’s super long.
Would this work with normal HDMI patch panels? I got patch panels with HDMI female plugs in it.
I don’t see why not
Looking for something similar that I can use with a gopro (live). Basically we are sending the gopro up pipes attached to an RC car. The wifi connection varies widely and we don't always get as far as we need to and turns are especially problematic. Any suggestions for a wired gopro connection to a tablet?
Wired to a tablet… hmm I’m not super familiar with GoPro but I don’t think you can do that on an iPad. Maybe in an android tablet though, if you can do HDMI in? Or the GoPro app might allow a video feed over a usb connection?
Oregon guy here again. Used your affiliate link and got a 50ft run to test it out. Thanks for the tips Joseph!
Sweet!
Super helpful video!
I use Lumix G series cameras with the standard KabelDirekt 4K HDMi cables, but I only use the 5m length (to avoid possible dropouts).
I was looking into getting SDI cables & converters to go longer distances, like 30-40m, which would cost me close to £200-300, but if I can achieve the same results using optical fiber HDMI cables, I will probably do that instead.
I’ve had great results with these cables!
I don't know if I missed it. How does Fiber Optic HDMI work when you add multiple cameras? How reliable is it with 4, 5, 6+ cameras?
​@@photojoseph
In our church setting we have 3 PTZ cameras plus a media PC going into an ATEM Mini. That is 3 cameras all on 100' or 150' optical HDMI and we have no issues.
We also use these for returns - taking the outgoing signal of the ATEM from a splitter to a projector and three monitors.
@@CHUCKACIOUS ah. I don’t know sorry.
@@photojoseph I misspoke. I'm curious how reliable having multiple long HDMI fiber optic cables going into each individual HDMI port is? From what black magic told me. You can only really use one or two long HDMI cables for the first two ports. Then after that you start getting signal issues
I’m not sure what you mean. HDMI is point to point so each camera needs one. You can’t put multiple cameras on a single cable.
Awesome idea as SDI is too expensive.
It’s a great solution for sure!
Huge thank you for this! Needed a reliable solution by next Sunday to cover a 100 foot distance and this seems like it will work great
It does!
Thanks so much for this. This is starting to sound like the way to go for longer runs. I had no idea about the ARC feature. I don't yet have any BM cameras but the ability to control remotely is invaluable, especially if your remote camera is inaccessible. One of the UK suppliers is selling a 50m (150 ft) AOC with ARC for £50 including tax!!!! So now I might just have to go ahead and buy one.
Right on! I’ve been using them quite a bit. They’re awesome.
Can I use a mini HDMI adapter for my canon? With the 200 foot fiber optic
Yes
Just saw this video today. I have tried the 100' hdmi fiber cables you have and 3 others. I have a problem. With my ATEM Mini Extreme ISO they will ONLY work on inputs 1 & 2 i have tested 5 cables of each of the 4 different brands I purchased. ALL cables work on inputs 1 and 2 and NONE work on inputs 3 to 8. I saw in our video you pluged into input 1 but did not try any other inputs. I have read other places tha inputs 1&2 are different than 3-8. What are your thoughts and have you tested all inputs of an Extreme or Extreme ISO?
Interesting. I have not tried all ports, and I know port 1 is different but hadn’t heard that applied to port 2 as well. Why don’t you email Blackmagic support and please let us know what you learn!
Great video!
I have a question Sir, we have an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO and BM Pocket Cinema 4k Cameras. All camera are connected to the ATEM Mini via HDMI cables. I can control the ATEM(switching) in the software in our pc but cannot control the color setting of the camera. The tally light setting is also not working. What should be the problem? Is it the HDMI?
Thanks in advance.
@@photojoseph I have 4 BM Cameras plugged via HDMI and 2 pc(windows) plugged wherein we are using propresenter.
I’ll try what you are suggesting Sir. Thanks for the response.
What else is plugged into the ATEM? I have limited experience with the Black Magic cameras, but I have seen where a certain device plugged into the ATEM will block the HDMI return signal to the cameras. Plug in only the cameras and see if that works.
Please, does the atem mini has maximum length of cable to used. Because I’m having 50m one and 30m two. When I connect the 3 cable is only one that comes (input 1). But if I connect one long with two short cable like 2m all work.
has nothing to do with the ATEMs. Must be the cables.
How can I connect my atem mini pro with an audio interface like the Scarlett 2i4 without using software like obs?
use the line out from the interface into the line in on the ATEM
Joseph, do you know if use use a dongle to change the source HDMI end from a full sized to a MICRO or Mini size, will that still work? I’m using APSC sized cameras that don’t have full sized HDMI ports
@@AntonKeith this is the one I tested https://amzn.to/3gS7R0q
@@photojoseph great! Now to find the right one…🤔
It does! I’ve tested it.
That is such good news. It really opens up the possibilities for using multiple cameras some distance apart. Many thanks.

This is probably a naive question, but is it OK to use an adapter with these optical cables? The ATEM Mini takes standard HDMI fittings, but all my cameras need to be adapted from mini or micro plugs.
@@photojoseph Oh good. That's a relief. Thanks again 😎
Yep, I’ve tested and it works fine.
There is nothing better than running 1500 feet of cable from a satellite truck, across a property and up 10 flights of fire exit stairs and into a ballroom only to find out that you’ve got the wrong cable end at the camera.
Nooooo
Thanks for the clear and concise, informative video on HDMI cables. I'm getting into live streaming and I have an articulated arm that my camera mounts to and the length of the HDMI out was a huge problem. Thanks!
Glad this helped!
Great video, but I do have a nagging question as I try to learn how to do real Live Multi camera video for our classical chamber music concerts. How could I protect the tiny little Micro HD MI connectors on my Olympus EM 1.2 and EM 1.3 and Panasonic G 85? In the past, you mentioned I screw on protector for the Panasonic GH five but I wonder if there is anything like that available for other cameras with HDMI ports, particularly those with micro HDMI ports. It seems the best workaround would be to get the very thin and flexible Micro HDMI cables you mentioned here, and couple be ends, find out a joiner of good quality with a longer regular HDMI cable to the Atem mini pro ISO I am just getting and trying to learn.
Gaffers tape is your friend. Just make sure nothing puts pressure on the port.
Just wondered if the ARC capability would allow for controlling PTZ camera movement?
PTZ isn’t controlled over HDMI, in my experience. Separate control protocol.
Am I able to install these fiber hdmi cables with a 90 degree bend in the run (150ft)? Heard that they may break.
You do need to be careful with fiber cables. If you need to go 90° I would make it a sweeping bend, not a hard turn. Meaning, don’t just wrap it hard around the corner of a building. Fiber optics = glass fibers and can break. Performance can be affected too with too sharp of a bend.
HI, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR CONTENT FOR A WHILE Quick question how hot is the atem iso exstream meant to get my one feels uncomfortable to touch on the underside is that normal?
Yeah that’s normal. You’re not meant to touch the underside :-) As long as the fans are clear you’re fine. It moves the heat to the bottom of the unit away from where you are supposed to be touching it.
Amazing, just what i'm looking for for live at client's site.
Perfect!
Thank you for this video. I got the link to your video from 'Here to record' https://youtu.be/q5czI1udioo and was so disappointed that I could not buy Black Magic cameras to upgrade my set due to the sdi 'one way street' communication. I currently do my connections hdmi-sdi-hdmi as I really need the length. The fiber-hdmi cable could be the solution and I am going to buy and test them now for sure before upgrading to Black Magic cameras. Thank you so much for this video
Awesome. The other option you have is the Blackmagic bidirectional microconverter — that will convert hdmi to dual SDI so you can regain camera control. I need to do a video on this
Can you check latency again? I feel there is lag compare to direct hdmi connection.
I just tested and the latency was identical between a short standard HDMI cable and a 300ft HDMI optical cable. You can run the test yourself easily — download the audio sync files for the frame rate you're using and record a test. Here's instructions: PhotoJoseph.com/avsynctest
Thanks for the info! Sorry the affiliate link didn't work for me. Could someone share a link of a ARC tested cable 100ft or greater?
@@AM-mr8or yeah availability will differ country to country but Amazon should show you local options.
@@photojoseph I'm in Canada. Once I click thru it takes me to a Amazon page with several different HDMI cables.
I'll try searching and will let you know what happens after I test it out.
Thanks! Sorry for the late reply.
That’s odd; I just tried it. What country are you in? Just search “fiber hdmi arc” on Amazon of the link still isn’t working.
Some of my cheap HDMI optical fiber failed after using some time for fixed installations. Might be due to overheating as sometimes powered on for more than 8 hours
@@photojoseph from an OEM in China
Ouch! First I’ve heard. Where did they come from?
Great video, thank you for making the tests. We are using this kind of HDMI over fiber cables, and they are really good. Didn't get the chance to use the Blackmagic cameras, we are using GH5's for now.
Right on, thanks for letting me know. Always good to hear from people using these longer than I have!
can sdi work on blackmagic camera?
I don’t understand the question. Some BlackMagic cameras have SDI on them, or you can convert hdmi to SDI if you want. Does that help?
I used two of the Amazon Basics 150' last week and they worked perfectly! The extra long cable run allowed me to set-up a pretty cool camera angle which the client loved! Thanks for the vid!
That's awesome to hear, Randy! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks @PhotoJoseph! My Atem mini lives in a flight case with a 3ft hdmi to a keystone jack on the back. Ideally I wouldn’t want to plug this straight into the camera either, maybe have a little (clamped in place) hdmi lead on the source end too. Have you tested the lead with little extensions or does it have to go from point to point?
I have not tested with extensions, sorry. But I'd imagine it'd work fine… don't see why not.
Thanks for explaining ARC. I have several of the Amazon Basics (non-ARC) cables, and was always curious if they did camera control (have BMD switchers but no BMD Cameras yet)
I'm sure there's more to ARC than I explained, but it was enough for this to work! ;-)
Hi, there is also a mid-fiber option: the COPPER cable with electronic amplifier built-in. Amazon names them ‘with REDMERE technology’. Their maximum length is about 50m (I have 30,5m one), but they are about 2-3 times cheaper then their actual sisters of fiber.
For me they work fine (but on ports 2-8 I still need to use a splitter to amplify signal again). I guess it could be fun & useful if you could test them someday ;)
Thanks for all your work.
I just looked on Amazon… 50ft REDMERE was $45 and 50ft fiber is $55. If you need to add an amp then the fiber is better. Plus the copper cables will be bigger and heavier. I think fiber wins here!
My Nikon D500 works with 15’ HDMI max to the ATEM Mini Pro. Will a 50’ fiber cable work then? It may be quality of cable.
No worries; I couldn’t find the conversation. Yeah testing sounds like it’s in order.
@@photojoseph yes. Sorry for the cross-post. I thought as busy as you are I would put it out to the group. I will just have to buy a 50’ or 100’ for fiber HDMI cable and test it. Thanks.
Didnt we have this conversation on another platform?
Perfect timing! Exactly what I was looking for now! Thank you!
Super!
Thanks Joseph, opens up a more affordable option for most.
Definitely!
Just curious, did you try using the not arc cable with your black magic camera to see if any control functions worked?
Yeah, of course. I got that one first, and ordered the second after doing more research. But here’s the really weird thing… I tried it again after I did the video, and it worked! Then I double checked the description of the first 300ft cable, and it does say ARC! So maybe the length made it unreliable?? Haven’t had time to really dig in. Was very very strange though.
Thanks for the info. It will be useful.
The negative is I feel a need to buy more stuff.
LOL welcome to my life. There’s always something else to buy!!
Great Update as always!!
Thank you!
QUESTION I have noticed that when I shoot video on my GH85 for my channel that I get exposure flickering so it appears that my lights are changing intensity. This usually happens when I hold up an object. This does not happen on the two G7's that I also use. I am very new to the video side and in my seventies so I am not always quick to understand new tech. Any suggestion would be helpful, my guess in the auto exposure setting. Thanks Great channel I have learned so much.
voila!
@@photojoseph Thank you. You were correct the GH85 was set up differently.
Is the flickering on LED lights on the object, or is the exposure actually changing? If it’s LED lights, then it has to do with shutter speed, and if it’s not happening on the G7, then just replicated the exposure settings from the G7. And also if it’s actually changing exposure, then you want to be in manual exposure, not any form of auto.
GREAT INFO! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure!
I also use HDbaseT converters for really long HDMI runs, have for about 8 years, they now have a 4K60 version and it really rocks. CAT6 cable and I have almost 400'.
I may get once of these fiber cables, as it could come in very useful in many places!
@@ronnysettle I don’t know, don’t use BM cams.
Are you able to get camera control?
@@photojoseph $75-$300 depending on your needs. 1080p60 up to 4K 60 4:4:4
How do those price compare to the Fiber cables?
Killer! Thank You!
You’re welcome!
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