A SUPPLEMENT TO MAGAZINE

THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO

NDI

SPONSORED BY

AJA VIDEO • MAGEWELL • PTZOPTICS • TELYCAM

NDI INTEGRATION GUIDE

Driving AVoIP Workflows

CONTENT
NDI President Nergård Talks Selling Points, Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D.
Growing Markets, and Industry Challenges [email protected]

Senior Content Manager Wayne Cavadi

By Mark J. Pescatore
Art Editors Rob Crossland, Sam Richwood

T
Production Managers
Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow
echnically, it’s called Network Device Interface, but we all know it as NDI. Introduced by New-
Tek in 2015, it’s an IP transmission protocol that delivers real-time, broadcast-quality audio ADVERTISING SALES
and video. These days, following the acquisition of NewTek in 2019, NDI is part of the Vizrt Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech
Group. Adam Goldstein, [email protected]

Over the past decade, NDI has become one of the most dominant video-over-IP solutions for Pro AV SALES
applications. And the company has continued to improve the protocol, releasing Version 6 in Spring John Casey, [email protected]
2024 and following that with a 6.1 update last December. SCN sat down with the president of NDI, Daniel Janis Crowley, [email protected]
Nergård, to learn the secrets to NDI’s success as well as the company’s plans for continued growth. Zahra Majma, [email protected]
Debbie Rosenthal, debbie.rosenthal@futurenet.
com
SCN: How long have you been president of NDI, and what are your responsibilities? Andi Tureson [email protected]
Daniel Nergård: I have had the privilege to serve as the president of NDI for the past year. In my role, I
oversee our global operations, focusing on innovation and expanding our ecosystem. I strongly
believe in unlocking NDI’s growth and adoption potential, which includes further driving NDI
adoption across various segments and scaling our commercial adoption among enterprises. This
SVP, MD, B2B Amanda Darman-Allen
ensures we’re supporting industry needs and that we remain at the forefront of shaping future
VP, Global Head of Content, B2B
workflows and helping our clients with efficiency.
Carmel King
MD, Content, AV Anthony Savona
SCN: What do you consider some of the major selling points of NDI? VP, Head of US Sales, B2B Tom Sikes
DN: The adoption of video-over-IP has become more than a trend. It is now a standard transition for Managing VP of Sales, B2B Tech
video-based industries. NDI has become the standard solution that provides users with seamless Adam Goldstein
interoperability, low cost, and an unparalleled ecosystem of products that offer both flexibility and Head of Production US & UK
Mark Constance
professional performance.
Head of Design, B2B Nicole Cobban
NDI’s high-quality, low-latency solutions integrate seamlessly into existing systems. We can
support nearly any type of production including live broadcasts, esports, virtual conferences, and FUTURE US, INC.
many more. Notably, NDI was an integral part of enabling a global hybrid and virtual live event 130 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10036
experience that connected 26 countries for MMG Events. With NDI, MMG was able to deploy more
than 200 signals across its network, significantly improving scalability and flexibility. COPYRIGHT 2025, Future US, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Additionally, Chess.com, the world’s leading online chess platform, utilized NDI as the primary
signal transport for its fully remote, cloud-based production. Its innovative use enabled highly

adaptable and efficient workflow, managing anywhere between 80-120 signals per event.
All contents © 2025 Future US, Inc. or published under licence. All rights
Further demonstrating NDI’s versatility, Siemens integrated it into its state-of-the-art reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or
reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the
publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is
communication center to streamline corporate broadcasts. Touting NDI’s flexibility, fast setups, and registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The
Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for
information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going
cost efficiency, Siemens made a gradual transition over an 18-month period from to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies
in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers
SDI to NDI, expanding its video-based services. directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this
publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not
under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other
changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not
affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

SCN: What are the costs associated with NDI? If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or
have the necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you
automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your
DN: NDI offers a royalty-free SDK and a suite of free NDI tools, including submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of
publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated

comprehensive documentation and resources to integrate NDI into their websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material
you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken,
neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall
applications. This is available to creators and developers without licensing be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for
publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend,
adapt all submissions.
fees for implementing the standard, enabling widespread adoption and Please Recycle. We are committed to only using
magazine paper which is derived from responsibly
allowing for any product or platform to become seamlessly compatible with managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free
manufacture. The paper in this magazine was

the NDI ecosystem.

sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to
strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.

2 SCN // April 2025 // avnetwork.com Daniel Nergård

 NDI INTEGRATION GUIDE

production events such as hybrid and remote

productions, NDI can be integrated seamlessly into all
live events and offers several advantages, especially in
modern, IP-based workflows. These include NDI’s
support for higher flexibility, scalability, simple
infrastructure and lower-cost integration. Additionally,
NDI delivers high-quality, low-latency video and audio
transmission that can be scaled easily compared to SDI.

SCN: It’s pretty easy to find PTZ cameras compatible

Chess.com worked with NDI, Vizrt, and Advanced Systems Group to create a
with NDI, but what other hardware and software
virtual production workflow for its live broadcasts. solutions have integrated NDI into their products?
DN: NDI’s widespread adoption goes beyond PTZ
Additionally, users who seek more advanced features or for cameras. We have built an ecosystem made up of various
commercial purposes, the Advanced SDK is available, providing hardware and software such as video switchers, encoders,
enhanced features and capabilities. The Advanced SDK requires decoders, media servers, and displays, all designed to support
users to enter into a licensing agreement; associated costs vary high-quality content creation across various applications.
based on the scope and specific requirements of their project. Further, we’ve expanded our certification program to include
network switches from NETGEAR, Yamaha’s SWR and SWX
SCN: Is NDI as good as SDI? lines of network switches, and Thinlabs’ line of PoE live
DN: NDI has become the standard solution in a wide range of production computers. Our ecosystem and various devices grow
industries. While SDI is a trusted solution for various live as NDI is growing with our end users, which is amazing.

4 SCN // April 2025 // avnetwork.com

SCN376.supp.indd 4 14/03/2025 15:04:58

 INTEGRATION GUIDE NDI

SCN: In an industry filled with AVoIP protocols, why do you think remote learning. Every day we learn about more cases on how
NDI has been embraced by so many manufacturers? NDI is used in the education environment.
DN: We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, low-latency In the corporate conferencing space, NDI technology has
solutions that are easy to use and implement. Through seamless been leveraged to streamline corporate broadcasts for global
interoperability, low cost, and flexible, professional-grade companies including Siemens. Prior to using NDI, Siemens used
performance, NDI has set the standard for the Pro AV industry. an all-SDI baseband architecture for its studio—but thanks to
The ability to seamlessly integrate into existing networks and the transition to NDI, the team at Siemens have cut the costs by
workflows continues to meet the demands of broadcast, live half and event setup time by a third compared to SDI.
events, corporate environments, and many more. Additionally,
our rapidly growing ecosystem ensures that both customers and SCN: What are the greatest challenges facing NDI?
end users have access to a wide range of compatible tools. We DN: We’re continuing to see an increased demand for IP-based
take the time to listen to our partners and industry professionals video solutions. Within that lies an opportunity for NDI to
about their pain points and what they’re looking for in continue its rapid adoption rate and expanded user base. With
innovations. That feedback is crucial to how we develop and this demand comes a plethora of needs from segments and users,
adapt our solutions. each requiring more features and personalized solutions to fit
their specific needs. We need to prioritize and recognize how to
SCN: Are the education and corporate conference markets create a roadmap encompassing the entire community as much
growing areas for NDI? as possible. We are constantly working to address individual
DN: Yes. For instance, we’ve partnered with various universities feedback and invest in innovation that benefits all. The recent
on a multitude of projects including Butler University’s Esports launch of our Connected Community Platform is giving us yet
Park and the University of the Arts London and Cranfield another opportunity to be close to our end users, educate them
University, both of which used NDI to optimize hybrid and on the use of NDI, and listen to their feedback.

www.telycam.com

Stellar quality. Superior auto-focus. Smarter tracking.

Simultaneous NDI® High Bandwidth and NDI® HX3 output

NDI 6 Ready

See us in booth 3088

USA and Canada Distributor
© 2025 Telecam Technology Co, Ltd. All rights reserved. NDI ® is a trademark of Vizrt NDI AB. www.mobilevideodevices.com
610.921.5720

SCN376.supp.indd 5 14/03/2025 15:04:59

NDI INTEGRATION GUIDE

At Issue
What are some important details to consider before adopting an NDI workflow?

Ivy Lee Mike Boucke Nick Ma

Marketing Director, Telycam Senior Product Manager, AJA CEO and CTO, Magewell
Successful NDI deployment relies on two NDI has quickly become a staple in many It’s important to think about how to
main factors: bandwidth and latency. 1 AV installs, from houses of worship to efficiently and reliably integrate
Gbps or higher network switches and universities, stadiums, and corporate equipment that does not support NDI into
VLANs are essential for NDI High production studios. It provides an easy and your planned NDI workflow. While new
Bandwidth’s clarity at 4K, while NDI HX3 cost-efficient way to transmit high- products such as cameras often support
optimizes performance on constrained quality video and audio signals across NDI directly, many customers have
networks. Products such as cameras that standard ethernet infrastructure with low existing investments in HDMI or SDI-
support both NDI High Bandwidth and GPU and CPU requirements, but based equipment that they prefer to
NDI HX3 ensure robust connectivity in any maximizing its capabilities requires continue using. Meanwhile, products such
network environment. Latency advance planning. Before adopting NDI, as projectors and monitors generally
expectations should also be managed. one important consideration is whether cannot directly accept NDI sources.
With flexible encoding, network you plan to build your pipeline from Individual, standalone NDI encoders and
architecture, and ecosystem integration, scratch or start by integrating a few NDI decoders are ideal for small-scale or
NDI combines versatility with cost technologies into your existing SDI dispersed installations (such as behind
efficiency while maintaining “sufficient” infrastructure. If the latter, it’s important monitors in separate rooms), but
real-time performance. NDI’s latency is to explore and invest in gateway devices, deployments with many NDI channels
vastly superior to IP streaming protocols like AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G, early on to may benefit from a space-efficient,
such as RTMP and acceptable for most live support SDI/NDI conversion needs. high-density conversion solution with
production and distribution scenarios. centralized management.

6 SCN // April 2025 // avnetwork.com

NDI INTEGRATION GUIDE

AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G

A high-performance, high-density, multi-channel
gateway appliance, BRIDGE NDI 3G streamlines conversion
to/from SDI and NDI for HD and 4K/UltraHD workflows. It
supports a broad range of AV applications from security and
surveillance to esports, entertainment, and other scenarios
where reliable, efficient, and high-quality NDI encoding/
decoding are a must. The plug-and-
play device delivers conversion power
and flexibility in a slim 1 RU form factor
and can be controlled easily via an
intuitive UI.

PTZOptics Studio 4K
Designed for streaming municipal Magewell Modator 2U
meetings, worship services, and The Modator family brings the reliability and
sports, as well as for security low-latency performance of Magewell’s
applications, the Studio 4K standalone NDI encoders and decoders to a
brings 4K resolution and high-density, modular, rack mount form
connectivity to the fixed factor. The Modator 2U chassis hosts up to 10
camera market. It’s an hot-swappable modules, which convert
affordable entry into the between baseband video/audio signals and
world of 4K videography and NDI or streaming formats. A growing range of
is compatible with both the Modator modules offer a choice of interfaces
Move SE or Move 4K as a (HDMI, SDI) and encoding/decoding format
multi-camera system. The options. Modator 2U is managed through an
Studio 4K features-clear 4K integrated touchscreen, web interface, or
resolution, 12X or 20X zoom, and is Hive- optional Control Hub software.
Linked, providing an instant connection to Hive
Studio, PTZOptics’ easy-to-use online platform
that delivers future-ready connectivity and
control from anywhere. With SDI, HDMI, USB,
and output and native NDI HX2, the Studio 4K
allows for seamless integration into various
production configurations, connecting directly
to a live production switcher, streaming over a
network or recording through an SDI interface.

Telycam Explore
Telycam’s Explore 4K PTZ camera delivers high-end,
broadcast-level quality and capabilities at enterprise-
level pricing. It boasts a 1-inch Sony sensor with 9 MP
resolution for exceptional performance even in low
light, and features 20x optical zoom. Phase Detection
Autofocus (PDAF) enables exceptionally fast
auto-focus with minimal focus hunting and superior
focus precision. Explore is NDI 6 ready with flexible
outputs including both NDI High Bandwidth and
NDI HX3 alongside 12G-SDI (with genlock),
HDMI2.0, USB, and SFP+.

8 SCN // April 2025 // avnetwork.com