Background
Tony has been a video professional since the mid-90s. With decades of experience spanning medical conferences, concerts, and hybrid events, he brings deep knowledge to every production. Based in New York, Tony works as a freelance director and producer, often building custom workflows using PTZ cameras and software switchers. He first supported BirdDog during the company’s Kickstarter days, purchasing the original SDI converter, and has been using BirdDog products ever since.
The Challenge
In September 2023, Tony was approached by the Town of Hempstead to direct and produce a live IMAG setup for an outdoor concert. The event required a multi-cam production, low-latency feeds for on-site screens, and a fast, cable-efficient deployment. Originally scoped as a minimal two-camera setup, the challenge grew when Tony was asked to record the performance as well just hours before showtime. He decided to level up the production for the audience and for fun: “I had the cameras, so I said let’s do it properly.”
The Solution
Tony deployed six cameras, including:
- 3 BirdDog P240s as the main PTZ units
- 1 P200 for audience shots
- 1 JVC handheld camera for dynamic stage footage
- 1 fixed ADA camera on the keyboard
All PTZs were connected via a Netgear 4250 switch using NDI®, with power, control, and video running over a single Ethernet cable per camera. Only two SDI lines were used for feeding the venue’s big screens.
“I had one handheld operator and one PTZ operator. That’s all we needed,” Tony recalls. “The rest ran seamlessly through NDI. No issues, no dropouts, just plug-and-play.”
The system was powered by a TriCaster with dual NICs, one for internet, one for dedicated NDI. “That isolated setup made the whole network rock solid.”
The Results
- A full six-camera production using just two operators.
- Minimal cabling and fast setup thanks to PoE + NDI workflows.
- Zero network dropouts or sync issues across the entire show.
- A smooth, scalable system later replicated for other events.
Award-Winning Outcome
The concert production earned Tony a Silver Telly Award for Directing. “It was a last-minute project I almost forgot about,” he says. “But when I submitted it under the music category, boom! We won. It was a nice surprise.”
Tony had previously won Vizrt Tricaster Director of the Year in 2022 for virtual/hybrid education production, but this was his first award for a live concert. “We did it for the fans, and the gear held up flawlessly.”
Why BirdDog?
Tony points to several reasons for choosing BirdDog:
- Outstanding low-light performance on the P240s.
- Seamless integration with Netgear AV switches and TriCaster.
- Single-cable setup for power, control, and video.
- A proven track record across live concerts, hybrid conferences, and medical productions.
“It just works. I’ve had BirdDog in my kit for years. When we need to scale fast or minimize setup time, it’s the right tool. Clients love the small footprint of PTZ Cameras.”
Experience with NDI®
Tony is a strong advocate for NDI workflows. “NDI has completely changed how we build live productions,” he explains. “It’s plug-and-play when configured correctly, and with support from Netgear and BirdDog, it becomes as reliable as SDI but way more flexible.”
He specifically highlights the Netgear AV Line M4250 switch, which comes with built-in NDI and BirdDog profiles.
“That switch changed everything. They helped me configure it, and now setup is seamless. I split internet and NDI traffic, and I’ve never had an issue since.” NDI simplifies both small and large productions. “Whether it’s a six-camera concert or a hybrid medical conference, having power, video, and control through a single cable changes the game.”
Looking Ahead
Tony continues to use BirdDog cameras for hybrid conferences, where lighting sensitivity and simplicity matter most. “Doctors don’t want to be blinded on stage,” he laughs. “The P240s still get the shot in low light, with no drama.”
For newcomers to live video production, he offers this advice:
“If your setup can run on one cable and deliver professional results, why complicate it? NDI plus BirdDog makes it simple, solid, and scalable.”
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