The MDL Communications Recommended Gear & Toolkit
As a technical solutions provider in the broadcast and pro-AV industry, we're often asked about the essential tools, accessories, and "glue" products that make an installation successful. While we specialize in high-end enterprise solutions, a truly great system relies on a solid foundation of quality cables, tools, and converters.
This page lists the gear our own technical team trusts and recommends for building, troubleshooting, and managing modern IP-based video and broadcast systems.
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The Engineer's Toolkit: Converters & Adapters
These are the "problem-solvers" we keep in our go-bag for every on-site job. They are essential for connecting disparate pieces of gear.

Blackmagic Design Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 3G
Why we recommend it: This is the ultimate "problem-solver" and the single most valuable converter to have in your field kit. Unlike standard converters, this unit is bi-directional, meaning it can convert SDI to HDMI and HDMI to SDI at the same time.
This flexibility is invaluable on-site. You're essentially getting two converters in one, ensuring you're prepared for any signal flow you encounter. It features broadcast-quality 3G-SDI with re-clocking for stable video over long cable runs, and it's built into a rugged metal housing. This is the Swiss Army knife of converters.

Elgato Cam Link 4K
Why we recommend it: This is the simplest, most reliable way to get a high-quality HDMI signal into a computer. We recommend this for clients who want to use a professional camera (like a DSLR, mirrorless, or pro camcorder) as a high-end webcam for streaming or mission-critical video conferences.
It's truly plug-and-play on both PC and Mac and appears as a standard webcam in apps like Teams, Zoom, and OBS. It's a massive quality leap from a built-in laptop camera and the standard for corporate "all-hands" streaming setups
