Digilink cable alternatives?
 

Hey guys -

I have spent the last 2 days searching for any information about using alternative cable for digilink or "how to's" roll my own. Came close to the info someone posted about making my own Y cable for a legacy MIX...however, nothing for the HD digilink cable.

SO...

I found the cisco smart serial cables appears to have the same connectors, however, not sure if the wiring is the same.

Can anyone comment on this or point me in the right direction? Thanks

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

Nobody knows the wiring, except Avid which doesn't disclose that information. Your only option is to buy one and try if it works or not -- or keep buying the real deal.

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

I'm with Janne. Your HD card, sir. Smoking or non-smoking?
Why risk it for a few lousy bucks?

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

having tried to replace HDMI ends, not a job I'd try on anything that fine a pitch if I can avoid it

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

I don't see the point of NOT using the real thing.:o

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

Oh boy, i forget sometimes that I made the decision to enter into the world of Pro Tools and the "elite-ist following"...so i have to remember this is the land of name brand everything...and those who consider it a badge of honor to spend top dollar on branding rather than quality.

Speaking for myself and quite possibly others from the DIY side with networking/computer/wiring/electronics background...we tend to see these "over priced digilink cables" as simply another "marketing gimmick" and would very much prefer to roll our own.

Im sure there is nothing special about the cables themselves as far as bandwidth performance and/or build quality that would distinguish them from cisco cables or any other aftermarket scsi-type cable.

But pricing them on ebay, the 25ft cable for my needs sell anywhere from $50-$150. I know for a fact i could make the damn thing for less than $30 in supplies and maybe 30 minutes of my time.

But since no one knows the pinout i guess i will be buying one anyways!

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

buy the 18" jumper and beep it out or but the Cisco and try it
may work or it may not work
the odds of damaging anything are low I think

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

@ craig

Yeah, thats probably the best bet...went on ahead and bought 2 of the short cables, i'll tear one down and map the pinout and try to roll my own using the two ends.

thanks

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

i meant to post this a few weeks ago...but i got the pinout for the digilink cable and sourced the connectors for it and succesfully made several cables.

It wasnt hard!

If you're interested in a DIY kit...let me know!

Re: Digilink cable alternatives?
 

I would be interested in a pair of male-to-male new and old digilink cables (Avid only sells male-to-female adapter so it unnecessarily needs another short cable), but wouldn't want to solder myself :)

PM me if you can find the new digilink connectors as well. We could reach a deal for a pair of such half meter cables. Idea would be to connect old HD stuff to new HDN with a simple adapterless cable.