The Best HDMI To SDI Converters (2020)

Atomos Connect Convert

Rock solid, excellent price, and checks all my boxes for a great converter.

If you need HDMI to SDI conversion and your HDMI source already meets SDI standards, scroll no further.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Locking HDMI and power ports

Decimator MD-LX

Very popular, reliable, and still a solid choice.

If you want bi-directional conversion in one box, this is the one.

The USB power port can be troublesome at times, so the MD-LX usually works best for permanent installs.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Bi-directional and simultaneous HDMI/SDI conversions

Blackmagic Design Micro Converter BiDirectional

Popular units at a low price.

If you're on a tight budget, this can get the job done. Just know that paying only a few extra dollars will usually go a long way in terms of reliability and longevity.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Price Point

AJA HA5-12G

There are very few reasonably priced converters capable of handling 4K at 60 fps, but thankfully AJA has delivered.

The HA5 series has been one of the industry standards for many years.

If you need full 12G-SDI capability, this the Decimator 12G-Cross in the scaler converters section below is about the best option for the price (for now).

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: 4K60! 12G-SDI! What more do you want?

Atomos Connect Convert Scale

Reliability, tons of features, and all for a smashing price.

It scales, converts frame rates, accepts VESA formats, has proc amp adjustments (brightness/contrast/hue/saturation), can output test patterns, and has DIP switches to control the most popular settings.

This converter packs a punch and doesn't hold back!

Formats: VESA input formats up to 1920 x 1200 at 60 fpx or broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: It's honestly difficult to pick just one

Lumantek ez-HSV+

Amazingly useful features at an outstanding price.

This unit is great for testing cable runs or situations where the destination can't be seen. The built-in display provides visual confirmation of video and audio being sent to the outputs.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Built-in display for video and audio monitoring

Decimator 12G-Cross

The same great features and reliability we've come to expect from Decimator cross converters, now with 4K60 capabilities!

If you need 12G-SDI or full 4K60 functionality, this is by far the best option for the price.

Formats: VESA and Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: As if 4K at 60 fps isn't enough - genlock input and 4 SDI outputs give it a ton of potential

Decimator MD-HX

This has been the Swiss Army knife of HDMI/SDI conversion for many years.

It has more inputs and outputs than most and a long track record of reliability, still making it an excellent choice in many cases.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: 4 SDI outputs give it awesome versatility

Datavideo DAC-70

When others say it can't be done, the DAC-70 says "Hold my beer."

This can usually handle tricky input signals that many other converters can't.

It rarely hurts to have something this versatile, reliable, and capable in your system or kit.

Formats: VESA input formats up to 1600 x 1200 at 60 fps or broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: VGA and analog audio inputs

Ensemble Designs BrightEye 83-H

If you need to play HDCP encrypted content over SDI, and you have all necessary licenses or approvals to do so, then this will do it well.

It does require signing a waiver and applying a license key, but it is a simple one-time process. No hacks and no need to make physical changes to the unit.

Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Native HDCP support, even for SDI outputs