Re: SDI/Component/Reference cables?

I will try to answer all the questions here -
1) the "old" trompeter patch bays will work just fine for everything except HD-SDI. They actually will work for HD-SDI for very short distances, but they are not rated to work at 1.5 GHz, which is the required bandwidth for HD-SDI. But will it work - yes. Once you start getting into 100' runs, it will stop working. Canare makes the CHEAPEST HD video patch bay - I use them on almost every job.

2) should a "purist" use a patch bay - will it degrade the quality as opposed to a "direct" hookup - ABSOLUTELY NOT. A hi quality patch bay will NOT degrade the signal, and EVERY TV STATION IN THE WORLD terminates EVERYTHING to patch panels, so anyone that tells you otherwise is wrong.

3) yes, Markertek is one of many places to get excellent cables.

4) patch bays from KINGS, Canare, AVP, Trompeter, ADC, Audio Accessories, Bittree are all good video patch bays. Any old ADC video patch bay that uses ADC SJ2000 jacks is officially rated for SD SDI signals, and can be used for any analog signal as well, as well as SHORT RUN HD-SDI signals (but short run - long runs won't work with HD-SDI to this bay).

5) On the Behringer patch panels - if you don't use cable ties to tie off the 1/4" plugs in the back, your cables will fall out, and you will say "this sucks". The quality of the Behringer PX-3000 (for $49) is shockingly good. Proof once again, that China will eventually conquor the world. I thought these were a joke when I first saw them, but they are amazing.

6) Bantam (TT) audio patch bays use mini stereo phone plug connections, that require special patch cords (bantam TT plugs). They became popular, because you could fit more connections on them, than on "standard" 1/4" long frame patch bays (both professional bays like Switchcraft, ADC, etc., and consumer bays like Behringer). Many "old school" pros never adopted to Bantam TT, and stuck with the older 1/4" TRS long frame patch bays - this is commonly seen in ADC Pro Patch patch panels. The audio industry embrased Bantam TT, and it migrated into the video business. A HUGE problem with Bantam TT is that the patch panel labels become TINY, and old folks like me can barely read them once they are labeled.

7) if you don't mind unplugging and plugging all the time, and don't mind crawling around on the floor all the time, you don't need patch bays. But if you are embarassed to get on your hands and knees to swap around equipment in front of your clients, then patch bays are the most economical answer for reconfiguring equipment quickly.

8) are routers better - sure they are - but they cost A LOT more money !

Bob Zelin