XD-500 – Overview and Use Cases – OREI

What Is the XD-500?

The OREI XD-500 is a 3G-SDI-to-HDMI converter designed for professional video workflows. It accepts SD-SDI, HD-SDI, and 3G-SDI signals through its BNC input and converts them to HDMI for use with a compatible display. The XD-500 supports SDI rates up to 2.970 Gbit/s and 2.970/1.001 Gbit/s. SDI is a professional video connection standard commonly used in broadcast and production environments.

XD-500 Conversion Direction	SDI Input to HDMI Output Only. The XD-500 does not accept HDMI input and does not convert HDMI to SDI.

Key Features

SD/HD/3G-SDI support
SDI rates up to 2.970 Gbit/s
SMPTE 425M/424M/292M/259M-C compliance
Equalized output for stable signal transmission
8-channel audio de-embedding
3G-SDI Level B to Level A conversion
Compact metal enclosure
Coaxial daisy-chain capability
Plug-and-connect operation

Audio De-embedding — Verification Note	The manual lists 8-channel audio de-embedding but does not clearly identify a dedicated audio output port. Contact OREI Technical Support to confirm audio output configuration before purchase.

Technical Specifications

Model	XD-500
Type	3G-SDI-to-HDMI converter
SDI input	1× BNC
HDMI output	1× HDMI Type-A 19-pin female
SDI rates	2.970 Gbit/s and 2.970/1.001 Gbit/s
Supported formats	480i, 576i, 720p@50/59.94/60Hz, 1080i@50/59.94/60Hz, 1080p@23.97/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60Hz
Standards	SMPTE 425M/424M/292M/259M-C
ESD	IEC 61000-4-2 ±8kV air-gap/±4kV contact
Housing	Metal, black
Dimensions	80×41×25mm / 3.15×1.61×0.98in
Weight	150g/5.29oz
Power	DC 5V–12V
Max power	5W
Operating temp	0–40°C/32–104°F
Storage temp	−20–60°C/−4–140°F
Operating humidity	20–80% RH non-condensing
Storage humidity	10–90% RH non-condensing

Ports and Panel Layout

Port / LED	Location	Function
SDI BNC input	Rear	Connects the SDI source
Power LED red	Front	Lit when powered
5V–12V DC	Rear	Power input
HDMI OUT	Rear	Connects to an HDMI display

Step-by-Step Setup

Connect your SDI source to the BNC input on the XD-500.
Connect the HDMI OUT port to your HDMI display.
Connect the power supply to the DC input.
Confirm that the power LED illuminates.
Verify that the source is outputting a supported SDI format and that the display is set to the correct HDMI input.

Signal Flow	SDI Video Source → XD-500 → HDMI Display. No menu configuration required.

Use Cases — When to Use the XD-500

SDI camera to HDMI monitor
Situation: You need to view an SDI camera feed on an HDMI monitor.
How XD-500 helps: It converts the SDI output from the camera into HDMI for direct display monitoring.
Professional video monitoring
Situation: You need a reliable converter for production or monitoring workflows.
How XD-500 helps: It supports common SD, HD, and 3G-SDI formats used in professional environments.
Viewing SDI video on an HDMI display
Situation: Your display only accepts HDMI, but your source is SDI.
How XD-500 helps: It bridges the format gap so the SDI signal can be viewed on a standard HDMI screen.
Integrating SDI sources into an HDMI display environment
Situation: You are building a mixed-format AV system with HDMI displays.
How XD-500 helps: It allows SDI sources to be used where HDMI is required without changing the display infrastructure.
Portable and professional video installations
Situation: You need a compact converter for field or temporary setups.
How XD-500 helps: Its metal enclosure and plug-and-connect design make it suitable for mobile and fixed installations alike.

Compatibility Considerations

The source must output a supported SDI format.
The display must accept HDMI input.
The XD-500 supports SDI to HDMI direction only.
Power must be DC 5V–12V.
No cable length is specified in the documentation.
No 4K, HDMI-to-SDI, scaling, EDID, or RS-232 functionality is listed.
Verify source and display compatibility before installation.

Package Contents

1× XD-500 converter
1× Power supply
1× User manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the XD-500 do?

A: It converts SD-SDI, HD-SDI, and 3G-SDI video to HDMI for use with a compatible display.

Q: What SDI signals are supported?

A: The XD-500 supports SD-SDI, HD-SDI, and 3G-SDI signals up to 2.970 Gbit/s and 2.970/1.001 Gbit/s.

Q: Can I connect an SDI camera to an HDMI monitor?

A: Yes. Connect the SDI camera to the XD-500 BNC input, then connect the HDMI OUT port to your HDMI monitor.

Q: Does the XD-500 support 4K?

A: No. The supported formats listed for the XD-500 go up to 1080p.

Q: Does it support audio de-embedding?

A: The manual lists 8-channel audio de-embedding, but the audio output port is not clearly identified. Contact OREI Technical Support to confirm the audio output configuration before purchase.

Q: Is the power supply included?

A: Yes. The package includes a power supply, and the unit uses DC 5V–12V power.

Q: How do I connect the XD-500?

A: Connect the SDI source to the BNC input, connect HDMI OUT to the display, connect power, and confirm the power LED is on.

Q: What should I do if there is no picture?

A: Check the following:

Confirm the SDI source is powered on and outputting a signal.
Check that the SDI cable is connected securely to the BNC input.
Confirm the HDMI cable is connected securely between HDMI OUT and the display.
Verify the display is set to the correct HDMI input.
Check that the source is using a supported SDI resolution and frame rate.
Confirm the converter is powered on and the power LED is illuminated.

Q: Does the XD-500 convert HDMI to SDI?

A: No. The XD-500 is SDI input to HDMI output only.

Q: What cable distance is supported?

A: The documentation does not specify a cable length. Confirm your installation requirements with your cable supplier rather than relying on an assumed distance.

Q: What if it still does not work?

A: Contact OREI Technical Support with your model number, source device details, display model, cable type, and a description of the issue.