Originally Posted by rogerwalk
I am wondering whether the expected improvement of the video is worth this addition. My Fujitsu scaler does not have HD-SDI input (it has DVI inputs) and so I would also need an adapter to run the SDI cable into it. Those adapters are apparently not cheap (Blackmagic, Gefen, Datavideo all between $400 and 700). Do you or other experienced Hitchhikers think the improved video is worth such an investment?

I have not personally seen HD-SDI verus HD-over-HDMI, but I have seen SDI versus 480i-over-HDMI, and if that is any indication, the benefits of HD-SDI will be quite small and elusive.

I am also not sure how well the SDI-to-DVI/HDMI adapters really work. I originally had a Lumagen HDQ with SDI input, but when I upgraded to the Lumagen Radiance and explored a number of the adapters (although not the Black magic) I was ultimatelty less-than-satisfied with the performance. Using the adapter, I felt, gave me inferior performance to 480i native over HDMI.

If you have a VP that has direct SDI/HD-SDI inputs then I think going the SDI/HD-SDI route is worth considering. If you have to fool with adapters, IMO, it is not.

Also, and Gary Murrell is likely better qualified to comment, it is my sense that Bluray players with a well designed source-direct mode like the Oppo will further erode the small advantage to SDI/HD-SDI.

My Kit: 861v8+ID41, 800v4, UHD722, MD600, MS600, MS200, Oppo BDP-203, Genesis 201, Genesis 350 SE, Genesis S4-8 Sub, BG 520i, VTL MB450 II, Krell Showcase 7, Genesis 928 Subs, Danley DTS10 sub, SVS Ultra 16 subs.