Skip to content

Channel Configuration

SL Optic has a single configurable parameter per channel: the direction of conversion — whether the SDI/BNC port acts as an input (receiving SDI, outputting optical) or an output (receiving optical, outputting SDI).

All configuration is done via the SDI MODE DIP switch bank on the front panel. No software, no network access, no menus.

SDI MODE DIP Switches

The four-position DIP switch bank is labeled SDI MODE 1 2 3 4. Each switch controls the corresponding BNC channel.

Switch Position BNC Port Direction Paired SFP Port Direction
In (switch toward In) Receives SDI signal Transmits optical signal
Out (switch toward Out) Transmits SDI signal Receives optical signal

Changes to DIP switch positions take effect immediately — no reboot required. The display briefly switches to Screen 2 (direction overview) each time a switch is changed, then returns to Screen 1.

Signal Flow Diagram

The diagram below shows a mixed configuration — channels 1, 3, and 4 sending SDI to fiber, channel 2 receiving optical and outputting SDI.

SL Optic signal flow — mixed channel directions

Each channel operates independently. In the example above, channels 1, 3, and 4 are sending SDI to fiber, while channel 2 is receiving fiber and outputting SDI.

Typical Configurations

All Channels SDI → Fiber (Transmit)

All four DIP switches set to In.

Use case: camera feeds or router outputs at a studio location, sent over fiber to a remote facility.

BNC 1 IN  ──►  SFP 1 OUT
BNC 2 IN  ──►  SFP 2 OUT
BNC 3 IN  ──►  SFP 3 OUT
BNC 4 IN  ──►  SFP 4 OUT

All Channels Fiber → SDI (Receive)

All four DIP switches set to Out.

Use case: at the receiving end of a fiber link, converting optical signals back to SDI for local equipment.

BNC 1 OUT  ◄──  SFP 1 IN
BNC 2 OUT  ◄──  SFP 2 IN
BNC 3 OUT  ◄──  SFP 3 IN
BNC 4 OUT  ◄──  SFP 4 IN

Channels can be mixed in any combination. For example, two channels sending and two receiving:

BNC 1 IN  ──►  SFP 1 OUT   (send program feed)
BNC 2 OUT  ◄──  SFP 2 IN   (receive return feed)
BNC 3 IN  ──►  SFP 3 OUT   (send backup feed)
BNC 4 OUT  ◄──  SFP 4 IN   (receive intercom/talkback)

This is the standard configuration for remote production (REMI) setups where the same fiber link carries signals in both directions.

Verifying Configuration

After setting the DIP switches:

  1. The SDI signal LED below each BNC connector lights green when a valid SDI signal is present on a channel set to In
  2. Display Screen 1 shows the detected signal standard (SD, HD, 3G, 6G, 12G) per channel
  3. Display Screen 2 confirms the current direction of each channel — see Display Reference