A Pro's Guide to Event Cables (HDMI vs. SDI, and More)
In event production, cables are the lifelines that power equipment, transmit signals, and connect every part of the show. Using the right cable for the right job is a non-negotiable part of professional production.
While you don't need to be an expert, knowing the basics can help you understand what your AV team is doing and why. Here’s a pro's guide to the most common cables we use.
Part 1: Video Cables (The "Consumer vs. Pro" Problem)
1. HDMI (Consumer Grade)
What It Is: The standard cable for home use (TVs, laptops, game consoles).
Pro-Tip (The Problem): HDMI is unreliable for live events. It wasn't designed for long-distance runs; the signal gets weak and fails after about 50 feet. It's fine for a simple breakout room, but we never trust it for a general session.
2. SDI (Professional Grade)
What It Is: The industry standard for professional, high-definition video.
Why We Use It: SDI is a locking cable that can run video signals over 300 feet with zero loss in quality. This is what we use to connect our cameras, video switchers, and projectors in a large venue. It's built for reliability.
Part 2: Audio Cables
3. XLR (Professional Audio)
What It Is: The standard cable for all professional audio.
Why We Use It: XLR cables are "balanced," which means they have internal shielding that eliminates interference and noise. This allows us to run audio signals hundreds of feet, ensuring the sound from a microphone or mixer is perfectly clean.
4. Cat6 (DANTE)
What It Is: This isn't technically an "audio cable"—it's a technology that runs professional audio over a standard Cat6 (Ethernet) network cable.
Why We Use It: For complex shows, Dante allows us to run 32+ audio channels through a single, lightweight network cable instead of a giant, heavy copper "snake." It's modern, flexible, and powerful.
Part 3: Lighting & Control Cables
5. DMX (Lighting Control)
What It Is: The industry standard for controlling all professional stage lighting.
Why We Use It: A single DMX cable runs from the lighting console and "daisy-chains" to every light fixture. This allows our technician to control the color, intensity, and movement of every single light, programming the cues for the entire show.
Part 4: Power Cables (Safety is Key)
6. Edison (Standard Power)
What It Is: A standard, three-prong power cord you plug into a wall.
Pro-Tip: We use these for "low-draw" items like laptops or small monitors. We never plug a high-powered light or speaker into a standard wall outlet; it will trip the breaker.
7. True 1 (Locking Power)
What It Is: A professional, locking power cable.
Why We Use It: The connector twists and locks into place, so it can't be accidentally unplugged if someone trips on it. This is essential for critical equipment like stage lights and speakers.
8. Socapex ("Soco")
What It Is: A heavy-duty "mult-cable" that bundles six circuits of power into one giant cable.
Why We Use It: This is for power-heavy shows. It lets us run one large cable from the main power tie-in (or "distro") up to a lighting truss. We then use a "breakout" to split it into 6 separate circuits to power 6 different groups of lights.
Final Thoughts: The Right Tool for the Job
Cables aren't glamorous, but they are the most critical foundation of a stable event. Using pro-grade cables like SDI, XLR, and True 1 is a key part of our promise to deliver a reliable, professional production. It's also why we are so meticulous about using cable ramps and protectors to keep this foundation safe.
At Plato Media Co., we manage all aspects of technical production, right down to the last cable. Contact us today to learn how we can support your next event.
