Introduction: Technology is Always Evolving, the MPEG-2 Analogy.

Technology is constantly evolving and we see its impact in every aspect of our lives. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the video landscape. Video has moved beyond just TV screens and has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, mainly because video signals have become lighter and easier to manage.

At the same time, the world of live video production – from broadcasting to AV – has undergone dramatic changes. Thanks to innovations like NDI, SRT, internet, LTE, 5G, and cloud technology. Video production has never been easier.

Similarly, video codecs have seen substantial improvements. While MPEG-2 was once a breakthrough, H.265 offers greater efficiency, delivering high-quality images at much lower bitrates. This has made processes simpler, more reliable, and more cost-effective. But today, MPEG-2 is largely limited to certain regions, outdates workflows, and older technology. While H.265 has become more widely adopted and continues to grow.

This evolution is also reflected in NDI technology. While Full NDI is based in MPEG-2, NDI|HX3 supports both H.264 and H.265. Moreover, it includes a certification program to ensure interoperability between devices.

NDI|HX3 is the next step in video connectivity. Incorporating NDI|HX3 cameras into your live video workflow guarantees exceptional image quality, ultra-low latency, and highly efficient network performance. Additionally, seamless compatibility with other HX3 devices is ensured.

NDI®: Revolutionizing Live Video Production.

Since its inception in 2016, BirdDog has been at the forefront of the NDI (Network Device Interface) revolution, a technological breakthrough that has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of live video production. NDI has enabled high-speed, high-quality video transmission over standard computer networks, eliminating the need for traditional, expensive, and cumbersome cables like SDI or HDMI. This innovation has democratized live video production, making advanced capabilities accessible to a broader range of users and applications.

The NDI® Core Advantage: Easy for Everybody.

At the heart of NDI’s success lies its unparalleled simplicity. Traditional video production systems have long been the domain of specialists, requiring extensive training and deep technical knowledge.

NDI disrupted this status quo by introducing a plug-and-play approach, leveraging the familiarity and ease of computer networking. Once connected to a standard IT network, NDI-enabled devices automatically integrate, allowing users to set up and operate complex video production systems with minimal effort.

This ease of use has made NDI an indispensable tool across various sectors, from tier 1 broadcast environments to corporate live streams, live theatre, sports events,, houses of worship, and educational institutions.

Also, the beauty of using NDI IP technology lies in its cost-effectiveness and the ability to distribute these signals across an entire network. NDI’s real gift to the industry is making high-end studio production capabilities.

Full NDI®: The Beginning.

NDI was initially designed for the live broadcasting industry, where many saw it as a potential “replacement for SDI”.

While many video applications can handle some latency, even the slightest delay can be critical in live broadcasts. Similarly, broadcasters demand the highest image quality, ideally with no compression.

Full NDI attempts to address these needs with SpeedHQ, a proprietary codec that uses highest bandwidth based on MPEG-2 to deliver low latency and highest image quality.

As a result, Full NDI was tailored for high-end production studios, live production setups, and scenarios where top-tier video quality is essential, particularly for tier 1 broadcasters.

Expanding the Ecosystem: The Evolution of NDI® | HX.

As the NDI ecosystem expanded thanks to its success, it brought together a diverse range of products from hundreds of manufacturers, including software, hardware, cameras, converters, and cloud solutions with different needs. A significant milestone in this evolution was the introduction of NDI|HX.

A major consideration with video over IP is the available bandwidth on the existing network infrastructure. Making that a challenge when using Full NDI which requires significant bandwidth.

To tackle this NDI|HX was conceived to broaden the compatibility of NDI – enabled devices by adopting the widely used H.264 compression format. This approach allowed a wider array of devices to integrate seamlessly into the NDI ecosystem, extending its reach and applicability.

Over time, NDI|HX has evolved through several iterations, each designed to enhance interoperability, performance, and user experience.

NDI|HX2: High Efficiency for Challenging Networks

NDI|HX2, a key iteration in this evolution, was developed with a focus on optimizing network bandwidth usage. This version is particularly well-suited for environments with poor network conditions, offering a practical solution without the need for extensive and sometimes expensive infrastructure upgrades.

However, this optimization introduces some compromises in image quality and processing speed, making it better suites for applications where ultra-high definition and low latency are not critical.

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In this product spotlight, we are proud to present the BirdDog PTZ Keyboard. A perfect way to control your ptz cameras.  

The BirdDog PTZ Keyboard is the world’s first full NDI® PTZ controller that supports full NDI®, NDI|HX, VISCA over IP, RS422, and RS232.  

The BirdDog PTZ Keyboard is truly one of the most flexible ptz controllers on the market. 

By harnessing BirdDog’s next generation NDI® and IP technology, this PTZ joystick makes it easy to discover, connect, and control your PTZ cameras.  

Featuring superior ergonomics, premium buttons and joystick, all in a beautiful design, this is the PTZ controller made to last.  

Using the PTZ Keyboard is a breeze with a straight forward button layout.  

Quickly access all the cameras on the network, and set up quick access buttons for settings like  Exposure, Focus, Zoom, and movement speeds. 

Effortless, one handed control of Pan, Tilt, and Zoom is possible with the 3-Way Joystick.  

For more control, use the zoom rocker located on the lower left corner, perfect for two handed comprehensive PTZ control.  

Select cameras, presets, and menus with the BirdDog PTZ Keyboard’s soft buttons and easy turn dials. 

Set up your custom button controls to best match your workflow. Exposure, Focus, PT Speed, Zoom, Shutter Speed, Iris, White Balance, Compensation, and more, can all be set to an assignable button.  

The BirdDog PTZ Keyboard offers super flexible powering options allowing you to power the PTZ Keyboard from Power over Ethernet (PoE), DC in, or even over the serial port.  

The BirdDog PTZ Keyboard is now available for $1,599.00.  

Learn more about BirdDog here!

The 20x optical zoom brings the shot to you and us perfect for all kinds of applications such as on-stage talks, educational lecture halls, indoor sports, and House of Worship. With a Sony Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, PF120 delivers beautiful images with significantly enhanced imaging characteristics including enhanced low noise sensitivity. The PF120 has an incredible set of colour tools. With 64 levels of saturation and hue control over red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, and magenta, you can shade and match your PF120 cameras like a total boss.

Holdan

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Here’s what they came up with!

1

NDI turns an Ethernet-based LAN into a video network. Unlike many other IP-based workflows, NDI does not require expensive networking and infrastructure investments. With a Gigabit LAN, you can connect your cameras, screens, control rooms, and your production facilities, and create a site-wide video ecosystem where everything sees everything—and any source can be used by anyone. With a high-bandwidth infrastructure in place, the capacity and the benefits are multiplied.

2

NDI simplifies IP-based workflows. It employs simplified configuration and management, bi-directional signal transmission and communication, extensive device networking and access, and refined encoding and communication methods to enable more powerful, more efficient and more versatile video transmission over IP on a less expensive, as well as a less complicated network infrastructure.

3

NDI links every device visible on the network. Network Device Interface technology makes every enabled device, connected source, and video signal on your network—camera, production switcher, replay system, computer, graphics machine, video calling system, etc.—visible and available as a source and/or destination for video over IP. NDI is also available as a royalty free Software Development Kit to any customer, manufacturer, or developer who wants to implement it into their products and workflows to accelerate their transition to IP.

4

NDI is used in switchers like Epiphan Pearl 2 or software vision mixers like OBS or vMix —This is why NDI was created—NDI exposes the inputs and outputs of every networked device and makes each available as a switchable source. This means you can access, route, and switch with every camera connected to a switcher in your facility, every shared computer on your LAN, every output signal from every device—any production component visible via NDI—increasing your live inputs exponentially without investing in a higher-capacity switcher or video routing hardware.

5

NDI enables bi-directional video and audio over IP. Emerging IP workflows marginalize gains by simply replacing SDI cabling with Ethernet infrastructures. Many methods comprise linear, one-way, point-to-point distribution of a single video output signal over IP to a single destination. NDI workflows permits multi-directional, two-way signal transmission over IP, to and/or from any NDI®-enabled device on your network. This means your switcher can simultaneously send its multiple input and output signals to the network for transport to multiple NDI destinations, and receive the input and output signals of every other NDI-enabled device over the network for use as sources.

6

NDI maximizes encoding performance and efficiency. Using common compression technologies for high-quality, low-latency IP transport can consume upwards of 50% of CPU processing power for a single video stream. NewTek’s powerful codec enables IP transport that’s so fast and so efficient, a single core of a modern CPU processor can accommodate multiple simultaneous, high-quality, ultra-low latency video streams over IP while using lower overhead. BirdDog’s revolutionary NDI hardware keeps latency ultra-low.

7

NDI handles up to 10x more video than alternate video transport methods. Transporting HD video over IP typically requires high-bandwidth, dual-10Gbit networking to accommodate just a few source. With NDI’s IP Workflows, it’s entirely possible to access double-digit HD video streams over IP using just a Gigabit network connection, with a bandwidth requirement of approximately 90-100Mbps per video stream for commonly used HD video formats and 200 -250Mbs for 4K.

8

There are 2 types of NDI. NDI | HX which is H264 compressed for lower datarates and is built into lots of different makes of PTZ cameras, like Datavideo, Lumens and Panasonic. Then there is broadcast quality full NDI with lower latency and higher datarates as well as 4K support. All BirdDog cameras and converters support full NDI.

9

Uses field-proven IP technology that’s already empowering millions worldwide. While others in the video industry are just now laying the groundwork for transitioning to IP, NDI was ahead of the curve. Starting with Newtek’s first software-driven live production system introduced in 2005, NewTek has been developing and innovating technology for IP-based workflows for more than a decade.

10

NDI future proofs video equipment purchases. Standards and formats come and go in the video industry, making facilities uncertain of which to adopt. NDI®, devices are not bound to a single proprietary specification, resolution, or format, and you are not required to conform to specific technical criteria. It’s a universal workflow that’s accessible to any current or future computer-based production component.

We couldn’t agree more, Holdan! Great list!

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