NDI on the Network
WATCHOUT uses NDI® (Network Device Interface) for video over standard Ethernet — both as a capture source for bringing video in and as an output type for sending rendered displays out. This page is the network-side reference for both directions: discovery, cross-subnet routing, bandwidth, and infrastructure.
For configuring NDI as an input, see NDI Capture. For NDI as an output, see NDI Output.
NDI source discovery
WATCHOUT runs continuous NDI discovery in the background. Discovered sources appear in the Stream dropdown when you add an NDI capture source.
NDI discovers sources on the local network automatically. To receive a stream from a source on another subnet (across a router), add the remote node's IP address to the NDI® Extra IPs list:
- Open File > Preferences....
- In the NDI® section, find NDI® Extra IPs and click the + button. The Add NDI® Extra IP dialog opens.
- Enter the address in IP Address and click Add.
Add as many Extra IPs as you need. A change applies after the next discovery cycle, which can take several seconds (up to about 16 seconds when no sources are currently found).
Infrastructure
NDI streams carry video over standard IP networks and use significant bandwidth. Higher resolutions use more, and several streams add up quickly. For typical rates, see NDI bandwidth figures. Plan accordingly:
- Use Gigabit Ethernet or faster for every node sending or receiving NDI. Multiple streams can saturate a Gigabit link.
- Use a managed switch with enough backplane bandwidth.
- Separate NDI traffic from WATCHOUT control traffic with VLANs if bandwidth is a concern. Heavy NDI traffic can slow other WATCHOUT operations.
- Avoid wireless links for NDI streams. They use significant bandwidth that Wi-Fi may not reliably provide.
If NDI sources do not appear in the Stream dropdown, check that the source is on the same network, that mDNS is not blocked by a firewall, and that the source is transmitting. For a source on another subnet, add its IP to NDI® Extra IPs.
Firewall
NDI relies on mDNS for discovery and uses a range of dynamic ports for video and audio. See Firewall Configuration for the required rules.
Related
- NDI Capture — receive NDI streams into the show as a capture source
- NDI Output — publish rendered display output as an NDI stream
- Firewall Configuration — network ports and firewall rules for NDI
- Dante Audio — the audio-over-IP counterpart to NDI
- ST 2110 Video Over IP — the broadcast-grade alternative for uncompressed video over IP
NDI® is a registered trademark of Vizrt NDI AB.