Let’s capture some low hanging fruit with the benefits of broadcast IP video and eliminate the need for capture cards in our next live streaming system design. Imagine an entire generation of video engineers who will never use expensive SDI cabling and capture devices. Using NDI we will have access to sources from anywhere on our network. We will no longer be restricted to sources directly connected to a single system. Capture cards are used for low latency video conversion from traditional HDMI or SDI video to USB or PCIe where we can use them with production software such as vMix, Wirecast, Livestream and more. What if we could eliminate the need for capture cards altogether by providing the same quality, low latency video directly to Wirecast, vMix, LiveStream, OBS, or xSplit over the Ethernet connection we are already using.

In one fell swoop, we have eliminated a point of failure from our video production workflow and reduced the cost of implementing a new system dramatically. At the end of the day, we have opened up a whole new universe of possibilities where the network you already have has become the preferred method of video routing. Need another camera shot? Just run a single Cat-5 cable to the PTZOptics NDI camera and you will have high-quality video, camera control and power solved in an instant.

This is where the rubber meets the road, unlike SDI cabling, Ethernet can provide power for cameras using a PoE source, such as a switch, simplifying installation and eliminating the need for additional outlets. And unlike traditional RS-232 control cables, Ethernet can also be used to control our cameras within your favorite video production software or via one of our IP joysticks without requiring direct analog control cabling to each camera.

NDI will make your transition to IP video simple. Want to add your PTZOptics camera from the Studio into a GoToMeeting call with your Producer across the world? No problem. Access it from any computer on your network using NDI transmit or the output of your software based video switcher like Wirecast or vMix. Your favorite video production software will become much more powerful with access to all NDI sources on your network. Want to live stream with your Main PC and setup a secondary machine for isolated recordings of each camera? No problem. Download the free NDI IsoCorder app from NewTek and get started.

As you can see, we can start to envision new IP workflows leveraging free and professional IP video tools available from NewTek and 100’s of other NDI  developers. Do you work with a creative team? They will love the free Adobe Creative Cloud plugin for NDI. Are you working on a budget? Try out the free Open Broadcaster Software plugin for NDI or start out with low-cost vMix HD license. The move toward IP video production will make the answer to your next live streaming challenge “Sure, we can do that”. Adding another camera to your system will be easier than ever using a single ethernet cable for audio, video, PTZ camera control and power to simplify your life.

Accomplishing your goals with IP-based video will become a solution you won’t want to live without. At PTZOptics, we are here to help with training resources and a dedicated support team. With NDI, NewTek has already done the heavy lifting and paved a future proof solution for a world of high-quality IP video. Live Streaming Rookies and Broadcast professionals alike will find ways to use NDI compatible software and hardware to change the way we think about live streaming and video production.  

Whether you are a school looking to broadcast a morning announcements show or a small business adding live video into your marketing strategy with a PTZ camera system, even teams of broadcast professionals will find IP video will likely help you accomplish your goals. That’s why we are offering a new NDI video production course for free with the following coupon code: IPVIDEO available on UDEMY here.
We believe that this technology has the power to save organizations thousands of dollars with live video projects small and large and that is why we have joined 100s of other manufacturers in the industry standardizing around the NewTek NDI protocol. A basic understanding of what is possible with IP Video and NewTek’s NDI will go a long way to paving a future proof solution for your live video production. Whether you are a one-man production studio searching for ways to do more with less, or an advanced team of Broadcast experts, we believe the future of IP video will enhance your capabilities greatly.