About the AJA HD10DA 1x6 HD/SD-SDI Distribution Amp
The AJA HD10DA is a professional, single-input, six-output distribution amplifier designed for high-definition and standard-definition Serial Digital Interface (SDI) video signals. This compact and robust unit serves a fundamental role in broadcast, production, and post-production environments by taking a single incoming SDI source—such as a camera feed, video server output, or switcher output—and amplifying it to drive up to six separate destinations simultaneously. Its primary function is to maintain signal integrity over longer cable runs and to provide multiple, identical copies of a source signal without degradation, which is essential for feeding monitors, recorders, routers, and other processing equipment in a multi-device signal chain.
Engineered for reliability and performance, the HD10DA supports a wide range of SDI standards, including SMPTE 259M (SD-SDI), SMPTE 292M (HD-SDI), and SMPTE 424M (3G-SDI), ensuring compatibility with various video formats and frame rates up to 1080p60. The device automatically detects the input signal format and re-clocks and re-drives the signal at each of its six outputs, compensating for cable losses and jitter to deliver clean, stable signals. This process is critical for preventing cascading errors and ensuring that downstream equipment receives a valid, broadcast-quality signal. The unit is housed in a durable, all-metal casing that provides excellent shielding against electromagnetic interference, and its compact size makes it ideal for dense rack installations or placement in mobile production racks.
Operation is straightforward and typically requires no configuration; the device is powered via an external AC adapter and begins functioning as soon as a signal is present. The front panel often features simple status LEDs to indicate power and signal lock. By providing a reliable, transparent, and fanless method of splitting high-bandwidth SDI signals, the AJA HD10DA is a trusted, essential utility component that ensures signal integrity is preserved throughout a professional video workflow, from the production truck to the master control room.