An audio and video patch panel is a 19″ rack panel that brings an installation’s connections (BNC, Bantam, XLR, D-Sub, fibre…) onto one front panel, so signals can be re-routed quickly and neatly with a patch cord, without touching the wiring behind.
It is not an office network patch panel: it carries SDI video, professional audio or fibre in a studio, control room or OB van.
Types by signal
Video: 75 Ω BNC for 3G-SDI and 12G-SDI (SMPTE 424 and SMPTE ST 2082-1), micro BNC, DIN 1.0/2.3 and the normalled WECO and Mid-size formats, the latter fitting 2×32 connections into 1U. Audio: Bantam (TT), Neutrik XLR and 1/4″ jack. Data and others: RJ45 Cat 6A, D-Sub 9, 15 or 25, triax, SMPTE 304 and fibre on a tray.
Normalling
Normalling decides what happens to the signal when no patch cord is plugged in: it passes through or it is broken. On the Pinanson Bantam patch panel it can be fixed, switch-selectable or set on the PCB, and the rear connection can be soldered, terminal block or D-Sub 25. Getting it right is what makes patching fast and error-free.
Why custom
Every control room mixes different signals, so Pinanson also builds custom 19″ rack panels that combine the connectors a project needs on one front panel, with its labelling. More than 200 Pinanson patch panels, with 9,200 3G-SDI video connection points, were used at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
How to choose
- Which signals: SDI video, audio, data, fibre or a mix.
- How many points: Number of connections and rows, and how much rack space you have.
- Normalling: Normalled or not; on Bantam, fixed, switch-selectable or set on the PCB, depending on how you work.
- Rear connection: Depends on the model; on Bantam, soldered, terminal block or D-Sub 25, depending on how the rack is wired.
- Ask for a quote: We build it with your installation’s labelling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a patch panel?
A rack panel that brings connections onto one front panel so signals can be re-routed with a patch cord without touching the wiring behind.
What is normalling?
What happens to the signal when no patch cord is plugged in: it passes through or it is broken.
Is it suitable for 12G-SDI?
Yes: there are BNC and micro BNC patch panels for 12G-SDI as well as 3G-SDI.
Can different connectors share one panel?
Yes, on a custom 19″ rack panel with the connectors you need.
