The traffic and processing capabilities of Network Device Interface (NDI) video-over IP technology and its surrounding ecosystem of products make it a suitable choice for many complex broadcast IP projects, writes Three Media CTO Craig Bury
By Contributor
Published: November 25, 2021
The traffic and processing capabilities of Network Device Interface (NDI) video-over IP technology and its surrounding ecosystem of products make it a suitable choice for many complex broadcast IP projects, writes Three Media CTO Craig Bury
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
My career in broadcast and media began back in 1971, and I've seen a lot of major technology changes since then: black and white to colour, mono to stereo, analogue to digital. Now we are in the middle of another massive shift - from SDI to IP - and while it is bringing plenty of benefits in making productions and operations more flexible and conducive to remote working, it is also presenting huge challenges as well.
Part of the problem on this occasion is that broadcast workflow needs are changing simultaneously in so many ways. Remote working and remote production were discernible trends before the pandemic - but have surely now accelerated as a result. This calls for more versatile access to content outside of the traditional studio environment, often using mobile connections or the domestic WiFi of reporters or producers. Meanwhile, the number of streaming platforms and services that content producers have to support is growing all the time.
It won't be a surprise to discover that the adoption of the cloud for production and managed services is already playing a big role in providing these more flexible workflows. Cloud services are maturing, and many broadcasters are in the process of implementing (at least) hybrid cloud/on-premises infrastructures. But the shift from SDI to IP networking is arguably proving more problematic as we haven't yet reached the stage where the interoperability issues have been resolved.
For example, there has been a lot of attention given to the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards, which have undoubtedly been a big catalyst for the IP movement. But at the moment our experience of it tells us that there are still some tricky areas. In particular, the support that vendors are offering for ST 2110 is variable - some are doing it very well, others less so. That means there is a serious possibility of interoperability issues between systems from different vendors - not something you want to have to contend with!
It's in this context that my team is currently looking towards NDI as a more capable and seamless route into broadcast IP. Developed as an open-source technology by NewTek, which was then acquired by Vizrt, it has more recently spun out into its own operational entity. Developed to allow real-time, ultra-low latency on existing IP networks, NDI offers several major advantages to broadcast users when compared to many other IP technologies.
Practical and cost-efficient Removing the need for costly networking and infrastructure investments, NDI is able to utilise standard Ethernet-based LAN networks, making it possible to connect every system in the MCR and related environments - including cameras, screens, production rooms, control and operational facilities. It also allows every enabled device and source to be visible on the network as a source or destination - giving MCR personnel a complete overview of the network at all times.
Moreover, in contrast to some technologies where the focus is on uni-directional transport, NDI enables multi-directional, two-way signal transmission over IP - to and/or from any NDI-enabled device. This makes the whole process much more efficient and a decisive step up from simply replacing SDI cabling with Ethernet. Other advantages of NDI include a codec that requires less processing power than many competitors, the ability to handle double-digit video streams using a Gigabit network connection, and the fact that it has already been tested extensively in real world' productions.
There are, however, two aspects in particular that we think will mean NDI truly goes the distance in broadcast. Providing a universal workflow, NDI is not beholden to resolution or format - meaning that it can continue to be used successfully as the industry moves from HD to 4K and even 8K. Of course, this also means that it can continue to be refined and augmented without affecting interoperability.
Indeed, with the increase in remote working and production on everyone's mind, the latest version, NDI 5, adds several significant new features, including NDI Bridge (for sharing NDI sources with others beyond your local network) and NDI Remote (sharing or receiving an NDI source over the web). The amount of production being done outside of the studio, and by smaller teams on-site and at home, will continue to increase - meaning that standardised technologies will become ever more critical. NDI provides precisely this kind of reassurance, and it's a key reason why we are supporting its roll-out in broadcast and in particular, the workflows that extend past production and into presentation, linear transmission and distribution. This is new territory for NDI.
The Three Media team have been very fortunate to engage directly with Dr Andrew Cross, the person responsible for bringing NDI to our industry and the wider world. He demonstrated just how comprehensive and flexible NDI is alongside deepening our understanding of the benefits that can be realised from the entire NDI developer and user community. It has been really exciting to work in partnership with Three Media to look how to innovate playout. Using NDI in the cloud we are putting together what is going to be the future of how production all the way through to presentation is pe
Most recent headlines
03/01/2026
A still from OBEX by Albert Birney, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance...
02/01/2026
Freezing Florida: NHL's EVP, Entertainment Bob Chesterman on Taking the Wint...
02/01/2026
NHL Winter Classic 2026: TNT Sports Prepares for First NHL Outdoor Game in Sunsh...
02/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
02/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
02/01/2026
Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital premieres Wednesday 7 January on RT One and RT Player at 9:35pm
RT will debut a powerful new six-part documentary se...
02/01/2026
Friday 2 January 2026
All episodes of Heated Rivalry will be landing on Sky and...
02/01/2026
Sequins, chat shows, live sporting action, ground-breaking docuseries and brand-new Irish drama to kick off 2026
New Year, New Content Coming Soon across RT
...
01/01/2026
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship The scholarship will cover tuition and housing for one Berklee College of Music stud...
01/01/2026
New year, new games, all with RTX 5080-powered cloud energy. GeForce NOW is kicking off 2026 by looking back at an unforgettable year of wins and wildly high fr...
31/12/2025
Back to All News
NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix Scores Again With the Lions-V...
30/12/2025
As the College Football Playoff Enters the Quarterfinals, ESPN Blows Out Its Meg...
30/12/2025
SVG's Best of 2025: Original ArticlesTake a look back at all our coverage of big-time productions, game-changing technologies, and state-of-the-art new faci...
30/12/2025
MELBOURNE, Fla., Dec. 30, 2025 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) will release its fourth quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, J...
30/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
30/12/2025
Your live countdown to 2026 with Inhaler, David Gray, Lyra, Garron Noone, Sharon...
30/12/2025
It marked the first civilian operational authorization for a HAPS flight in Europe, led by Space42's subsidiary, Mira Aerospace
The flight demonstrated HAP...
29/12/2025
San Francisco 49ers Strike Gold With Halftime Laser SpectacularStunning display caps $200 million renovation of Levi's Stadium techBy Dan Daley, Audio Edito...
29/12/2025
The Cup's Around the Corner: An Inside Look at Broadcast Preparations for th...
29/12/2025
SVG's Best of 2025: Longform VideoWatch the standout keynote conversations, deep dives, and panel discussions from the year for free on SVG PLAY!By Brandon ...
29/12/2025
From crisper Lossless audio and immersive music videos in beta to new Audiobooks+ plans, custom transitions between tracks, and in-app Messages, we keep levelin...
29/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
27/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
26/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
26/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
25/12/2025
Holiday lights are twinkling, hot cocoa's on the stove and gamers are settling in for a well-earned break.
Whether staying in or heading on a winter getawa...
24/12/2025
What is AI good for? Posted by MTI Film on December 24, 2025
What is AI good for?
What is AI good for?
It's been three years since ChatGPT first cap...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
RT has unveiled an exclusive first look at the new Dancing with the Stars promo...
24/12/2025
Back to All News
The Boyfriend' Season 2 Unveils Heartwarming Trailer, Key...
24/12/2025
Back to All News
Love, Fights, and Everything in Between: Badly in Love' Returns for Season 2
Entertainment
24 December 2025
GlobalJapan
Link copied t...
24/12/2025
Scripps Research study links sleep variability with sleep apnea and hypertension How consumers' digital activity trackers could enable personalized health s...
23/12/2025
How guilas Cibae as Dominican Winter League Games Are Locally Produced for Glob...
23/12/2025
BitFire's Jim Akimchuk on Supplying Scalability and Customization in the Clo...
23/12/2025
CAMB.AI Enables European Athletics to Offer Multi-Language SupportPlan is to eventually offer translation into all languages spoken in EuropeBy Ken Kerschbaumer...
23/12/2025
Analysis: As sports media values trend negative, scarcity and quality are king By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 14:08
Print ...
23/12/2025
ESPN, Disney, and NBA Return to the Animated Altcast Fray With Second Edition of...
23/12/2025
End the Year on a High Note and Donate to the Sports Broadcasting Fund Today!By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 12:25 pm
P...
23/12/2025
The year is winding down, the weather outside is frightful, and it's the perfect time to escape into a story that warms the heart. For listeners looking for...
23/12/2025
A Zeus motor is hot fire tested at L3Harris' Camden, Arkansas, solid rocket ...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Lightware will exhibit several major product innovations at ISE 2026, including the new USB-C BOOSTER-V1, Google Meet. integration for various Taurus UCX models...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
The traffic and processing capabilities of Network Device Interface (NDI) video-over IP technology and its surrounding ecosystem of products make it a suitable choice for many complex broadcast IP projects, writes Three Media CTO Craig Bury
