SOLUTIONS
Scalable Systems for Modern Institutions.
Education video is no longer confined to a single classroom.
BirdDog supports deployments ranging from simple hybrid classrooms to theatre-grade and multi-campus production systems, including:
Entry-level to advanced PTZ and fixed cameras
Encoders, decoders, and converters.
Control and production tools.
(Software and Hardware)
Secure inter-campus video transport.
Our solutions are used in classrooms, lecture halls, theatres, and media labs around the world.
99%
of institutions report that their teachers incorporate
videos into their classroom curriculum.
Connectivity & Ecosystem.
BirdDog solutions span IP-based workflows, traditional baseband video, and USB connectivity, supporting modern and legacy infrastructure alike.
Supported Video Connectivity:
NDI® | SRT | RTMP | RTSP | SDI | HDMI | SFP+ | USB-C (UVC)
Platform Compatibility:
Zoom | Microsoft Teams | Crestron | Q-SYS | Netgear
Lecture Capture Systems:
Yuja | Iris | Panopto | Kaltura | Viz CaptureCast | Echo360
Education Deployment Levels.
Our cameras support deployments ranging from foundational classrooms to advanced production environments,
aligning video infrastructure with institutional scale and operational requirements.
Essential
Classrooms & Teaching Spaces.
Designed for hybrid learning, lecture capture, and everyday teaching environments.
MAX
Wide-angle PTZ designed for hybrid classrooms.
X1 Series
Flexible HD and 4K PTZ cameras for classrooms and lecture capture.
MAKI Live
Compact 4K streaming camera for student media and communications.
Flexible
Lecture Halls & Multi-Room Systems.
Standardised AV systems across lecture halls, auditoriums, and departmental spaces.
X4 Series
Professional 4K PTZ cameras for lecture halls and events, with wireless and battery-powered options.
X5 Ultra
Advanced robotics and AI tracking for auditoriums and campus events.
MAKI Ultra
Compact 4K60 camera with rapid autofocus
(12x or 20x).
Our solutions are used in classrooms, lecture halls, theatres, and media labs around the world.
AI-Powered Presenter Tracking.
At BirdDog, AI isn’t a checkbox feature – it’s part of our long-standing approach to building smarter, more capable cameras.
BirdDog was among the first companies to introduce AI tracking in PTZ cameras, and our X Series continues to evolve these capabilities through upgradeable AI modules and ongoing software innovation.
Designed with real users in mind, it combines tracking with tools such as zone control and precise framing, making it ideal for classrooms, lecture halls, and live production environments.
90%
of teachers see video playing a critical
role in their student’s learning.
Video Conversion & Integration.
Tools for connecting classrooms, lecture halls, production environments, and conferencing systems.
4K Family:
SDI and HDMI NDI encoders/decoders.
PLAY & PLAY Pro:
4K NDI-to-HDMI playback devices.
POD:
NDI-to-USB-C converter for conferencing.
BirdDog Connect. Multi-Campus Workflows.
Modern institutions extend beyond one facility.
BirdDog Connect enables secure, low-latency transport of video between locations, supporting:
Inter-campus collaboration.
Remote production (REMI).
Centralised production control rooms.
Distributed review and post-production workflows.
Expand campus video infrastructure without duplicating hardware.
Education Advantage – Together.
When educational institutions invest in BirdDog hardware, they may qualify for complimentary Central Pro and Multiview Pro licenses.
This provides: Centralised control, Multi-room monitoring, and no additional software licensing cost.
Professional management tools included to support long-term institutional deployment. Learn more here.
Our team can help design the right deployment.
Workflow Examples
Simply connect your XL Ultra to your existing GigE switched network and deliver UHD images with crystal clear, balanced audio to your remote presentation. The bi-directional nature of NDI® means that, as stunning images and audio are busy leaving your camera, the SAME network cable can be used to provide powerful control, as well as power, TO your cameras. Use our free Cam Control software to remotely dial exactly the look you want using comprehensive colour and exposure, and noise reduction tools. Fully adjustable facial and body recognition offers reliable, automatic tracking of your talent – perfect for broadcast studios, lecturer/teacher applications, house of worship, or any time the on-air talent is moving. For more complex camera movement, the BirdDog KBD provides low-latency pan, tilt and zoom control of your XL Ultra. Easily decode your NDI® back to HDMI for final display using our compact PLAY converters. Featuring comprehensive control support via RESTful API, Crestron, Zoom API, or Q-SYS API, PLAY ensures the most professional presentation experience.
The incredibly flexible feature set of the XL Ultra makes it an ideal camera for video podcasting. The superb low-light capability of the 5K CMOS Sensor means you won’t have to spend a fortune on lighting to have your presenters look amazing. Plug your microphone directly into the phantom-powered, balanced XLR connection to maintain pristine audio quality. Clearly visible camera Tally lights ensure that your presenters always know when they are on-air. Once connected to your existing PoE+ GigE network, the magic of NDI® does the rest! The single cable Ethernet connection not only powers your camera but also provides you with complete remote control. Use our free Cam Control software to dial exactly the look you want using comprehensive color, exposure and noise reduction tools. If you have moving on-air talent, Cam Control has you covered with adjustable facial and body tracking. For more comprehensive pan, tilt and zoom control of your XL Ultra, simply add the BirdDog KBD. With the easy addition of OBS Studio or Wirecast software, your networked environment is now a powerful and flexible video podcast studio!
One of the powerful features of the XL Ultra is the ability to simultaneously output video in NDI®, HDMI, and SDI formats. This allows you to seamlessly slot your XL Ultra into your SDI environment while still enjoying all the benefits that networked NDI® video provides. While your SDI video is happily on its way to your broadcast infrastructure, NDI® video can be separately processed and piped to anywhere you need it. Which means anywhere on your network or anywhere you can run a single Ethernet cable! Simply add compact BirdDog PLAY converters and decode back to HDMI for easy display. Add BirdDog Multiview Pro software for professional multiview monitoring on a single display. Use our free Cam Control software to dial a completely different look for the NDI® video using comprehensive colour, exposure and noise reduction tools. The BirdDog KBD provides remote low-latency pan, tilt and zoom control of your cameras as well as Quick Access buttons and Preset recall of camera Exposure, Shutter Speed, Iris, Compensation, White Balance, Focus, PT Speed and Zoom Speed.
Sometimes less IS really more! BirdDog and NDI® make single cable connectivity a reality. Your camera placement no longer needs to be dictated by power or control access requirements. Now you can mount your XL Ultra exactly where needed from the best production standpoint. A single Ethernet cable is all you need to receive UHD images and pristine audio FROM your camera, as well as send control and power TO your camera. Use our free Cam Control software to dial exactly the look you want using comprehensive colour, exposure and noise reduction tools. For productions featuring a single, moving presenter, Cam Control also helps you out with adjustable facial and body tracking. Need more manual control? The BirdDog KBD gives you lowlatency pan, tilt and zoom control of your cameras, as well as Preset recall of camera Exposure, Shutter Speed, Iris, Compensation, White Balance, Focus and Zoom Speed Add BirdDog Multiview Pro software for professional multiview monitoring on a single display, and team Central 2.0 with our compact PLAY converters to direct any number of your NDI® sources, to any number of display destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lecture capture system records, streams, or distributes teaching sessions from classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, and other learning spaces.
A typical lecture capture workflow can combine PTZ cameras, microphones, presentation content, video transport, control, recording, and a lecture capture or video management platform.
The right system depends on the room size, number of cameras, teaching format, level of automation, existing AV infrastructure, and whether content needs to be recorded, streamed live, or both.
Start with the teaching space and how the camera will be used.
For classrooms and lecture halls, consider:
- Field of view
- Optical zoom
- Image quality
- Low-light performance
- AI presenter tracking
- Remote camera control
- Mounting position
- SDI, HDMI, USB, and IP connectivity
- Integration with the existing lecture capture system
Smaller teaching spaces may benefit from a wide-angle PTZ camera, while larger lecture halls may need longer optical zoom, precise movement, AI presenter tracking, and centralised control.
IP camera systems can move video across network infrastructure, helping schools and universities connect classrooms, lecture halls, theatres, media labs, sports venues, and production spaces.
Depending on the workflow, IP-based cameras can support lecture capture, hybrid learning, live streaming, campus events, remote production, centralised monitoring, and multi-room video systems.
The right design depends on the campus network, bandwidth, number of video sources, security requirements, control needs, and existing AV infrastructure.
Yes. PTZ cameras are widely used in classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, training spaces, and hybrid learning environments.
Because they can be controlled remotely, PTZ cameras can cover lecturers, students, presentation areas, stages, and room-wide shots without requiring a camera operator beside every camera.
Features such as optical zoom, presets, AI presenter tracking, remote control, and IP video can be particularly useful in larger teaching spaces and multi-room deployments.
AI presenter tracking uses camera-based tracking technology to follow a lecturer, teacher, or presenter and adjust the framing automatically.
In education environments, this can help maintain consistent coverage when a presenter moves around a classroom, lecture hall, stage, or teaching space.
Supported BirdDog PTZ cameras combine AI tracking with tools such as Presenter Lock, tracking zones, presets, image control, and manual camera operation, giving teams more control over how automated tracking works within the wider production.
Yes. Many education environments use a mix of networked video, traditional AV connections, and USB-based conferencing.
For example, a campus may use IP video between rooms and buildings, SDI or HDMI within existing production systems, and USB for conferencing platforms or software-based teaching environments.
BirdDog cameras, encoders, decoders, converters, and workflow tools are designed to help connect different parts of the video infrastructure rather than forcing every room into a single format.
Video encoders and decoders help connect traditional AV equipment with IP-based video workflows.
An encoder can take a source such as SDI or HDMI and convert it into an IP video stream for transport across a network. A decoder performs the reverse process, turning network video back into outputs such as SDI or HDMI for displays, recorders, production systems, or other destinations.
In schools and universities, this can help extend existing equipment into networked classrooms, lecture halls, media facilities, campus distribution systems, and centralised production workflows.
Yes. BirdDog cameras can be used as part of lecture capture and education video workflows with supported third-party platforms and systems.
BirdDog education deployments can integrate with lecture capture ecosystems including platforms such as YuJa, Panopto, Kaltura, Echo360, Iris, and Viz CaptureCast, depending on the system design and workflow.
The right integration depends on the camera model, video connection, network architecture, control requirements, and lecture capture platform.
Multi-campus video workflows can connect cameras, production sources, control rooms, and teams across different locations.
Depending on the system, this can support inter-campus collaboration, remote production, centralized production control, distributed monitoring, and shared media resources.
BirdDog Connect extends supported production workflows beyond a single local network, helping institutions move video between locations and build more flexible distributed production environments.
Universities can standardize video infrastructure by defining repeatable camera, connectivity, control, monitoring, and management designs for different room types.
For example, an institution may use one standard for smaller hybrid classrooms, another for lecture halls and auditoriums, and a more advanced system for theatres, sports venues, and campus production.
A consistent approach can make systems easier to deploy, operate, support, and expand while still allowing each room to use the PTZ cameras, fixed cameras, connectivity, and control tools appropriate to its purpose.
Free Software Tools.
Cam Control.
Cam Control allows easy access to all settings of all the BirdDog cameras on your network. Get the look you want on the full screen output monitor and then copy across multiple cameras to colour match in seconds.
Central 2.0 Lite.
Central 2.0 ushers in a new era of NDI® routing control. Browser-based with SSO support, smart grouping of NDI® receivers, real-time NDI® routing, media playback engine, and support for thousands of sources, Central 2.0 is your ultimate NDI® management tool.
Comms Lite.
Comms Lite is your free Audio Intercom solution. With support for four BirdDog devices, plus a director, Comms Lite is a great way to start using Audio Intercom in your live productions.
Lecture Capture Systems.
BirdDog is compatible with a broad range of lecture capture systems.
