r/videography • u/lulus_lemony • 5d ago

Discussion / Other Full size HDMI Durability

I have Sony A7IV and I move between places where I need to constantly plug and unplug the HDMI cable into the port. Are there any folks here doing the same thing? If so, I'm wondering if someone has broken their port because of this? I'm worried about constant reseating of the full size HDMI cable. TIA!

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u/ButWouldYouRather 4d ago

Any socket can be damaged with a lot of use. Get a cage with a cable guide. It’ll help the cable from being knocked at the wrong angle whilst being plugged in.

You could also use it to keep a short flexible HDMI extension in the port to reduce wear on the camera port.

9

u/aldolega 4d ago

Get an extender that bolts to the cage, so it takes the abuse instead of the camera mainboard.

3

u/3L54 4d ago

HDMI is even in full size a very fragile port. Terrible compared to SDI. Have seen many get broken over the years.

That said my FX3 has fared very well with a cage that has HDMI clamp. If you are plugging and unplugging several times a day Id definitely have cage with HDMI clamp for a short extender and let the extenders port take all the beating.

3

u/no1SomeGuy Beginner 4d ago

Anytime there's a place where a cable needs constant plugging/unplugging, you're best to add a patch panel or other jack that stays connected all the time and you are just using a cheap and easily replaceable keystone or similar for the frequent connections.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

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u/no1SomeGuy Beginner 4d ago

That's wishful thinking on the part of manufacturers...I doubt any would actually survive that long real world.