Live Production with IP-Driven NDI: This is How You Do It
By Adam Noyes
With the release of NDI 5, more workflows can take advantage of IP video in live production with NDI 5 than ever before- which makes now a great time for a refresher and look at the world of NDI. Recently NABShow.com posted a great article about NDI, and how to start producing with it.
Take a look at some highlights from that article below.
There’s a line in an online NDI promo video that says “harness the inevitable,” where every source also becomes a destination thanks to IP — unlike the linear source-destination topography of SDI.
Network Device Interface (NDI) is a high performance standard that allows anyone to use real time, ultra low latency video on existing IP video networks. NDI moves live digital media around with existing software applications, computing devices, and networks using what you already have.
NDI is a brand of Vizrt Group. In 2019, visual storytelling technology company Vizrt acquired NewTek, a specialist in IP-based, software-driven live video production solutions. The acquisition created a large company in the broadcast space dedicated to enabling IT-based video production.
The combined companies emerged as a driving force in the transition to IP video for live production with NDI and SMPTE 2110, with each serving different needs. The company set out to deliver flexible workflows for all levels of production and software-based products and services for media, sports, entertainment, education, enterprise, and esports.
New Era as Software-Defined NDI 5 Video Standard Arrives
NDI has announced version 5 of its free software protocol for video over IP. NDI 5 promises to deliver efficient, IP-based video delivery over existing networks.
NDI’s optimized codec and transport protocols also provide integration of NDI audio into software-based audio workflows, be they across a local network, in the cloud or hybrid, RUDP transfer — making WAN and WiFi connections more resilient, and full support for Apple-based devices as well as improved Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro support.
“NDI is designed to harness the massive creative potential of software and networks, allowing anyone to work with video — and have fun doing it,” said Dr. Andrew Cross, president of Research and Development for the Vizrt Group. “All devices in the world are already connected. Now with NDI 5, you can easily build shows and share video between them, for free.”