Accsoon CineView 2 SDI review: 1080p60 low-latency video to iOS and Android devices

The Accsoon CineView 2 SDI is an affordable, robust video link device offering 1080p60 streaming to iOS and Android (and more) with versatile connectivity and a strong performance.

As information technology has become faster and faster, many of the things which were once handled by mission-specific electronics are increasingly handed to a computer and sent over general-purpose cabling. The Dante standard for sending audio over Ethernet is one example. The fact that it’s now increasingly practical to send video over similar networks is an indication of how far things have come.

And that’s probably the right background against which to view things like Accsoon’s CineView range. Yes, it’s a video link, but like a lot of things it’s also a bridge between proprietary point to point links and the world of IT. 

Pictured here is the CineView 2 SDI, which is on-air compatible with several other devices in the CineView range. As a video link and a price of $499, it’s up against a strong field of affordable devices which cost a few hundred units of currency. It has HDMI and SDI in and out, and a USB-C connector on the receiver for UVC connections, though it’s from the WiFi where much of the flexibility arises, connecting to tablets and phones.

One tempting purpose for this is to leverage inexpensive tablets as on-set monitors. The CineView 2 (like other members of the CineView line) can address up to four receiving devices, which can be any mix of CineView receivers and WiFi devices. The tablet option has enjoyed a lot of development effort, and the company’s receiver app implements a pretty complete selection of test and measurement displays, representing a good option for people looking to spend little and travel light.

DC power input handles up to 16.8V and should accommodate 14.4v-nominal batteries - probably. The jog wheel is a little exposed

There are a few considerations with that sort of thing which are worth bearing in mind. This isn’t Accsoon’s problem, but devices like phones and tablets generally aren’t built to operate continuously – they’ll run out of power pretty quickly. Still, anyone interested in providing inexpensive courtesy displays to (say) the hair and makeup or standby props people might look in Accsoon’s direction - probably having paired each tablet with a power bank.

Range and performance

Inevitably, the critical issue is radio performance, and that’s the most difficult aspect of this to meaningfully test because circumstances will vary. The specification talks about a 450m range, although, as ever, that’s only likely to be achievable in ideal conditions. It’s a dual-band 2.4 and 5GHz device, which really does seem to improve reliability, though in many urban locations WiFi and other consumer radio devices will occupy some spectrum. Still, the CineView 2 seems at least as robust as comparable devices, and probably more so than devices using only a single band.

Yes, folks, that's two frequencies at once for increased robustness

The other critical issue is latency. Accsoon products have often specified 60ms of latency, though this suggests 50ms. It’s likely probably still not fast enough to make this link ideal for operating, though 17% reduction is a laudable achievement. The number given tends to refer to a fixed number of frames rather than a fixed amount of time, so that the specified latency is only achieved at high frame rates. It’s probably still not an ideal operator’s link, especially considering additional delays in a camera or tablet. Beyond that limitation, though, which is common to a lot of devices in the field, it’s very acceptable.

The CineView 2 is as robustly-made as anything else in Accsoon’s stable, built into a sturdy case that looks to be die-cast. As ever, there’s a Sony NP-F plate on one side and controls on the other, which makes it convenient for cold-shoe mounting but less ideal under circumstances where it might be asked to ride on the back of a more conventional single-camera setup. People have complained about the antennae sticking out in all directions, which they do, but there are some issues of radio physics to deal with here. Antennae send and receive the signal, and we want them to be positioned do that.

Probably most readers have seen a Sony NP-F plate before, but this does show the antenna layout and the protection on the SDI connector. Not quite clear why that isn't on the HDMI as well

It’d be easy to snap off an antenna, but otherwise it’s built like a tank. The choice to protect the (sturdy) SDI connector but not the (less sturdy) HDMI connector with a ridge surrounding the socketry is perhaps a slightly odd one, but we’re really nitpicking at that point.

A growing field

This is part of an increasingly mature field of devices which have made it easier than ever to get pictures around. It more or less represents the all-facilities option, with SDI on both ends and even an HDMI loop-through on the transmitter, which is a breath of fresh air. At $499, it seems destined to replace the similarly-priced CineView SE, which lacks the UVC, advertises a little less range, and doesn’t handle 4K inputs. 

As we’ve seen, information technology marches on, replacing mission-specific hardware. At some point it might be possible to connect a phone directly to a camera via UVC and stream directly to another phone. But until that day – and while we need SDI displays – tech such as the CineView 2 is likely to remain a popular option.

tl;dr

• The Accsoon CineView 2 SDI offers robust 1080p60 streaming to various devices, making it a cost-effective choice in the competitive video link market at $499.
• Equipped with HDMI and SDI inputs/outputs, it allows connections to multiple devices, including tablets, enhancing on-set monitoring options through WiFi.
• With a specified range of up to 450m and dual-band 2.4/5GHz support, the CineView 2 aims for improved reliability, although actual performance may vary based on environmental factors.
• Built into a durable die-cast case, the device features a Sony NP-F battery plate and thoughtfully positioned controls, though its antennas may be prone to damage if not handled carefully.