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 far 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 But today, MPEG-2 is largely limited to certain regions, outdated workflows, and older technology.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.

Full NDI® is still a nice choice for large core infrastructures. It is indispensable for applications requiring scalability and multi-channel processing, such as complex vision switchers, graphic overlays, and large-scale software deployments.

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.

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 accessible to the wider market.

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.

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, 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 suited for applications where ultra-high definition and low latency are not critical.

The latest iteration, NDI®|HX3, represents a significant advancement, maximizing image quality and processing speed with balanced network efficiency.

NDI®|HX3 offers higher image quality and faster processing times than its predecessor, making it the right option for a wide range of applications in different industries.

It effectively bridges the gap between the need for high-quality video and the realities of network limitations. That makes NDI®|HX3 the best choice for almost any live video workflow.

When quality is a concern, you can either recommend an expensive solution or go with NDI|HX3, which delivers impressive results at a fraction of the cost.

A key innovation in the development of NDI®|HX3 is its certification program. While NDI® has not yet become an industry standard, this represents a major step towards that goal.

NDI® users sometimes encounter issues with devices that don’t function properly or disrupt workflows, leading to various challenges.

With NDI®|HX3, these concerns are resolved. All new NDI®|HX3 devices must be tested and certified by NDI® itself.

NDI|HX3 not only sets clear standards for latency but also requires certified cameras to meet minimum bandwidth requirements for specific resolutions.

Cameras with NDI|HX3 certification are guaranteed to meet reliable performance standards. Plus, the NDI|HX3 testing process goes beyond basics, ensuring seamless interoperability with proxy feeds and other operational data streams.

We can conclude that NDI®|HX3 is especially valuable for cameras, the critical starting point in almost any live video workflow, where seamless performance is crucial for smooth operation throughout the entire process. An NDI®|HX3-certified camera consistently meets required specs across all supported resolutions.

NDI®|HX3 can meet the high expectations in terms of image and latency typically associated with Full NDI®. In many scenarios, NDI®|HX3 not only lives up to, but often exceeds these expectations, providing the quality and performance that professionals demand.

For those working in live production and broadcasting, this makes NDI®|HX3 the ideal tool, offering a perfect balance of efficiency, quality, and ease of use.

It’s important to note that not all NDI®|HX3 cameras support all resolutions. Many cameras are limited to lower resolutions to maintain the rigorous standards required for professional video production.

BirdDog’s NDI®|HX3 implementation stands out as a unique exception in this regard, delivering uncompromised performance at every level, including resolutions up to 4K60. This commitment ensures that users can achieve the highest performance and image quality, regardless of the resolution or application.

So, you’re saying BirdDog is dropping Full NDI®? Absolutely not. That couldn’t be further from the truth. BirdDog remains fully committed to Full NDI®.

While NDI®|HX3 excels in camera applications for a large amount of use cases, Full NDI® remains critical in other areas, particularly in infrastructure and software processing. Full NDI® is essential where scale and multiple channel processing is needed, such as in complex vision switchers, graphic overlays, and large-scale software deployments. It’s all about the use case.

As BirdDog introduces its next-generation camera line-up, the company remains committed to offering a blend of NDI®|HX3 and Full NDI® options, each tailored to specific production requirements.

This approach ensures that customers can choose the solution that best fits their needs, whether they prioritize the quality, versatility, interoperability and network efficiency of NDI®|HX3 or the scale capabilities of Full NDI® within their large infrastructure.

As the live video production landscape continues to evolve, NDI® remains at the forefront, driving innovation and accessibility.

BirdDog’s commitment to advancing NDI® technology, through both NDI®|HX3 and Full NDI®, ensures that the industry has the tools it needs to meet the diverse demands of modern video production.

Whether you are a broadcaster, corporate communicator, or educator, the NDI® ecosystem offers a robust, scalable solution that can grow with your needs.

In conclusion, while the suffix in NDI® is important, the overall standard represents more than just a technical specification; it embodies the adaptability and forward-thinking approach that defines BirdDog and the broader NDI® community.

As we look to the future, NDI® will continue to be a cornerstone of live video production, empowering creators and organizations to produce high-quality content with unprecedented ease and efficiency.