NewTek NDI All-IP Video Production Environment
By Jim Bask
With the advent of NDI® 3.0 and the accompanying products, NewTek NDI PTZ Camera and NewTek Connect Spark™ HDMI2NDI and SDI2NDI signal converters, the NewTek vision of an end-to-end IP pipeline from acquisition to delivery is now a reality. Also for the first time, a production pipeline can be all-NewTek (with a little help from a couple of great technology collaborators) from acquisition to delivery.
Key aspects of NDI that both ease production and expand the possibilities:
- NDI-enabled production tools are plug-and-play: when NDI is activated in a device or application, every NDI-aware tool on the same network sees that source automatically.
- NDI is bi-directional: Network connections expect devices to talk to one another, unlike one-way dedicated video cabling, such as SDI, and NDI is engineered to include this capability.
- NDI is multi-functional: NDI technology is not just media transport; metadata and two-way communications are also in the technology, for example PTZ control is now standard, tally information can be exchanged, and an NDI source can know which destinations are viewing it. NDI is being used to control scripted light shows and practical effects in live entertainment, for additional examples.
- Multicast Support with Forwards Error Correction
- A single NDI source can now serve any number of destinations, limited only by network infrastructure. Multicast now supplements unicast support, enabling the best mode of operation to be implemented as appropriate.
- High Efficiency Mode – NDI|HX
- Full resolution, full frame-rate video suitable for limited bandwidth wireless, remote, and large scale networks.
So: from acquiring the video to streaming to the audience, what are the parts available now to make your all-NewTek-NDI IP production environment?
NewTek End-to-End IP Production
Acquisition/Conversion
NewTek NDI PTZ Camera – the world’s first PTZ camera that is truly a plug-and-play video source. Built-in NDI functionality transmits full 3G 1080p 60 video directly to NDI-compatible products across a standard network, as well as tally, PTZ control, and power, all over a single Ethernet cable. With a simple driver and software download and installation, you can configure and operate the camera from any available system.
NewTek Connect Spark HDMI and SDI to NDI Converters – make any device a plug-and-play IP video source. Cameras, game consoles, computers, anything HDMI or SDI can be made NDI, and transmitted over Ethernet or wirelessly. With a simple driver and software download and installation, you can configure and operate Spark from any available system.
NewTek NC1 Studio Input Module – connect up to four 3G/HD/SD-SDI devices and make them IP sources. Supports NDI and additional IP standards, will support SMPTE-2110 when it is completed and published. Handy way to convert a multi-camera studio or truck all at once. Multiple units can be used with an NDI-enabled production system. With a monitor, mouse and keyboard, an operator can monitor, configure audio and video sources on each channel, calibrate and color-correct sources, and more.
NewTek NC1 Studio I/O Module – connect up to eight 3G/HD/SD-SDI devices or up to two 3G-SDI quadlink devices (UHD) and make them IP sources. Supports NDI and additional IP standards, will support SMPTE-2110 when it is completed and published. Multiple units can be used with an NDI-enabled production system. With a monitor, mouse and keyboard, an operator can monitor, configure audio and video sources on each channel, calibrate and color-correct sources, and more.
NewTek Connect Pro – A 4-channel software solution that can make video capture cards, webcams and stored media content on a system into IP sources. Supports NDI and additional IP standards, will support SMPTE-2110 when it is completed and published. Monitor, configure audio and video sources on each channel, calibrate and color-correct sources, and more.
Integrated Production, 4K|60p, All Channels IP-capable, Dual Streaming
NewTek IP Series – 44 external video inputs, 2 Skype TX Channels, 8 re-entrant M/Es, live and holographic virtual sets, 8 produced outputs, loads more.
NewTek TriCaster® TC1 – 16 external video inputs, 2 Skype TX Channels, 4 re-entrant M/Es, live and holographic virtual sets, dual streaming channels, loads more.
Integrated Production, HD, Multiple IP Channels In/Out, Streaming
NewTek TriCaster 8000 – 10 external video sources, 8 re-entrant M/Es, live and holographic virtual sets,
NewTek TriCaster 400 Series – 6 external video sources, 4 standard M/Es, live and holographic virtual sets,
TriCaster Mini Series – 6 external video sources, 4 standard M/Es, live and holographic virtual sets, choice of SDI or HDMI unit, world’s most complete and portable professional multi-camera video production system and presentation appliance.
Note: Optional TriCaster Advanced Edition adds complete NDI workflow with more NDI channels in and out, plus more than 100 other functions to each of the TriCaster series products in this category.
Video Replay Systems, HD, Two IP (NDI) Channels Out
3Play® Family – 8 in/2 out synchronized instant replay (3Play 4800) / 4 in/2 out synchronized instant replay (all other models), variable slow and fast motion replay, 8-channel (4800) or 4-channel recording (all other models), powerful video playback server, 4RU, 2RU and portable Mini form factors. All models integrate as sources for any NDI-enabled production switchers or tools via two NDI outputs to Ethernet.
Professional Broadcast Graphics
NewTek and Vizrt NVG1 – combines NewTek’s software-driven video technology with VizRT’s industry-leading Viz Trio™ character generator and Viz Engine™ compositing software to deliver the highest-quality CG and motion graphics into any production via NDI. Supports up to 4K|60p production.
Skype TX Additional Channels
NewTek TalkShow® VS 100 – an additional Skype TX channel for any NewTek production system. Multiple units can be used together. An operator can monitor, set a fallback image, calibrate audio and video, color-correct video, and more.
NewTek TalkShow VS 4000 – four additional Skype TX channels for any NewTek production system. Multiple units can be used together. An operator can monitor, set a fallback image, calibrate audio and video, color-correct video, and more.
Distribution
- Combines NewTek’s real-time video, audio and encoding tools with Wowza™ streaming software
- Stream directly to Facebook Live, Microsoft Azure, Ustream, Wowza Streaming Cloud, YouTube Live, and more
- Distribute locally to hundreds of viewers on your network without additional servers—or even an Internet connection
- Multi-channel streaming with 4 independent video channels and support for any combination of SDI or NDI® video sources
- Simultaneously operates as a 4-channel NDI video source, introducing additional capabilities into IP environments