Magewell Pro Convert, BirdDog and Kiloview NDI devices compared across Full NDI vs NDI|HX2, tally, intercom, SFP+ fibre, PoE, simultaneous SRT output, 4K and 12G-SDI. Full spec tables, signal flow diagrams and honest brand verdicts.
20 products · 3 brandsMagewell · BirdDog · KiloviewFull NDI · NDI|HX2 · SRT · PoEEncoders & DecodersUpdated June 2026
HDMI 1.4 → Full NDI + SRT + RTMP simultaneously. PoE. HDMI loop-through. The standard HDMI-to-NDI encoder for broadcast, lecture and conference. £383 ex-VAT.
4K HDMI → Full NDI with tally, return audio intercom, SFP+ fibre and HDMI+SDI loop. For broadcast multi-camera where director cues camera operators via intercom.
Two independent 4K channels in one unit — two cameras → NDI|HX2 + SRT + RTMP simultaneously. Half the rack space and cost of two single-channel encoders.
Replace SDI cabling infrastructure with standard Gigabit Ethernet — and add tally, intercom and remote monitoring for free.
NDI (Network Device Interface) is a video-over-IP standard created by NewTek (now Vizrt) that allows professional video sources to be shared across a standard Gigabit Ethernet network — making cameras instantly visible in vMix, OBS, Wirecast, DaVinci Resolve and Magewell Director without any specialist routing hardware. NDI encoders convert HDMI or SDI camera outputs into network-visible sources. NDI decoders convert those network sources back into HDMI or SDI for displays and broadcast infrastructure.
Fig 1. Full NDI vs NDI|HX2 bandwidth comparison. Full NDI is functionally lossless but bandwidth-intensive — 4K60 requires Gigabit Ethernet. NDI|HX2 uses H.265 compression, reduces bandwidth by ~90%, and works on Wi-Fi — but introduces mild compression and slightly more latency.
Fig 2. Complete NDI facility. Cameras connect to encoders via short HDMI/SDI cables (or SFP+ fibre on BirdDog). Encoders output Full NDI over PoE Cat 6 to the Gigabit switch. Production software sees all cameras as NDI sources. Programme output goes to decoders which provide HDMI, SDI or USB feeds to displays, broadcast infrastructure and conferencing PCs.
Magewell vs BirdDog vs Kiloview — Key Differences
Three distinct approaches to NDI — choose the brand that matches your workflow requirements.
Magewell Pro Convert
Full NDI — functionally lossless
Simultaneous NDI + SRT + RTMP from one encoder
Largest decoder range (AIO, SDI, 4K HDMI, IP to USB, IP to AIO 4K)
PoE+ powered — one Cat 6 cable
HDMI and SDI loop-through on all encoders
No tally port (separate tally controller required)
No intercom/return audio
Smaller, cleaner form factor
3-year warranty
BirdDog
Full NDI — functionally lossless (BirdDog codec)
Tally light port on all models (red/green)
Intercom / return audio (IFB) for camera operators
SFP+ fibre port on 4K HDMI, 4K SDI, QUAD, OG4
HDMI + SDI loop-through on 4K models
Larger broadcast-grade form factor
Higher cost per device vs Magewell
Limited decoder range (mainly PTZ cameras with built-in decode)
3-year warranty
Kiloview
NDI|HX2 — H.265 compressed (not Full NDI)
Works on Wi-Fi and 100 Mbps networks
Simultaneous NDI + SRT + RTMP + HLS + UDP/TS
Dual-channel model (E3) — two cameras, one unit
4K HDMI + SDI inputs on S2
VGA + HDMI inputs on M2 (lecture theatres)
No tally, no intercom, no SFP+
Lower cost per channel
2-year warranty
Full Specification Comparison
All NDI encoders and decoders — scroll right on smaller screens · ✓ = yes · — = no
Product
Direction
NDI type
Physical input
Physical output
Max res.
SRT
RTMP
Tally
Intercom
SFP+ fibre
Loop-through
PoE
Price
Magewell Pro Convert Encoders — Full NDI + SRT + RTMP simultaneously · PoE+
† BirdDog 4K QUAD is bidirectional — each port can be independently configured as encoder (HDMI/SDI → NDI) or decoder (NDI → HDMI/SDI). · BirdDog intercom/return audio requires NDI monitoring software (NDI Monitor, vMix or Magewell Director) to send IFB audio back through the network. · Kiloview NDI|HX2 appears as an NDI source in all NDI-compatible software but is compressed — latency is higher than Full NDI.
Signal & Feature Guide
Key NDI terms, protocols and features explained — and which brand supports each.
Full NDI (Standard NDI)
Lossless video-over-IP at 100–500 Mbps per source. One-frame latency. Auto-discovered on Gigabit LAN by all NDI-compatible software. Used by Magewell Pro Convert and BirdDog.
Magewell · BirdDog
NDI|HX2
H.265-compressed NDI at 5–40 Mbps. Works on Wi-Fi and 100 Mbps networks. Slightly more latency (2–4 frames) and mild compression. Used by Kiloview. Compatible with same NDI software.
Kiloview
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport)
UDP-based internet streaming with packet retransmission. Magewell Pro Convert encoders output Full NDI and SRT simultaneously. BirdDog encoders do not output SRT. Kiloview encoders output NDI|HX2 and SRT simultaneously.
Magewell · Kiloview
RTMP
Streaming to YouTube, Facebook and custom RTMP endpoints. Magewell Pro Convert and Kiloview output RTMP simultaneously with NDI. BirdDog encoders do not have RTMP output — they are pure NDI production devices.
Magewell · Kiloview
Tally
Red/green tally light signal sent back to the camera from the production switcher via the NDI encoder. The camera operator sees red when on-air and green when in preview. BirdDog only — Magewell and Kiloview do not include tally output ports.
BirdDog only
Intercom / IFB
Return audio sent from the director's position to the camera operator's earpiece via the NDI network — without separate intercom cabling. BirdDog only. Requires NDI monitoring software on the production PC to route audio back through the network.
BirdDog only
SFP+ Fibre
Small Form-factor Pluggable slot for fibre optic or long-reach copper transceivers. Allows network connection over distances far beyond 100m Cat 6 limit. BirdDog 4K HDMI, 4K SDI, 4K QUAD and OG4 include SFP+. Magewell and Kiloview do not.
BirdDog 4K models
PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at)
Power over Ethernet — the Cat 6 network cable also delivers power. All Magewell Pro Convert and all BirdDog encoders are PoE+ powered. Kiloview encoders require a mains power adapter. PoE eliminates a separate power cable at each camera position.
Magewell · BirdDog
IGMP Snooping
Network switch feature that must be enabled when more than approximately 7 Full NDI sources are on the same network. Without IGMP snooping, Full NDI multicast traffic floods all switch ports and saturates the network. Enable on all managed switches carrying Full NDI.
Network requirement
mDNS Auto-discovery
NDI uses mDNS (multicast DNS) for zero-configuration auto-discovery — plug in an encoder and it immediately appears in the NDI source list in vMix, OBS and Director without any IP configuration. Does not cross VLANs — use NDI Access Manager or mDNS proxy for multi-VLAN networks.
All NDI devices
12G-SDI
11.88 Gbps single-cable 4K60 SDI — same 75-ohm BNC infrastructure as HD-SDI. Supported by Magewell Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus, BirdDog 4K SDI and BirdDog OG4. The standard for top broadcast cameras (ARRI, Sony Venice, Canon C700).
Input signal
USB UVC output (decoder)
Only the Magewell Pro Convert IP to USB decoder outputs NDI/SRT as a standard UVC webcam via USB. Enables NDI PTZ cameras to appear in Zoom, Teams and any conferencing application without a separate USB capture device.
Magewell IP to USB
⚠️ IGMP snooping is mandatory for Full NDI at scale: Full NDI uses IP multicast. Without IGMP snooping enabled on your managed network switch, Full NDI multicast packets are sent to every port on the switch — 8 sources × 150 Mbps = 1.2 Gbps flooding all ports simultaneously, crashing the network. Enable IGMP snooping in your switch settings before deploying more than 3–4 Full NDI sources. Refer to your switch manufacturer's documentation for the specific setting name.
Platform & Software Compatibility
NDI encoders output to production software on the local network. Magewell and Kiloview encoders also stream to internet platforms via SRT/RTMP.
Internet streaming platforms (via Magewell / Kiloview SRT or RTMP encoder output)
YouTubeSRT / RTMP
FacebookSRT / RTMP
TwitchRTMP
LinkedInRTMP
X / TwitterRTMP
NDI production software (receives Full NDI from Magewell & BirdDog; NDI|HX2 from Kiloview)
OBS StudioNDI plugin
vMixNative NDI
WirecastNative NDI
StreamlabsNDI plugin
NDI ToolsFree/Vizrt
DaVinci ResolveDirectShow
Adobe PremierePlugin
Avid Media CompNDI/AMA
Conferencing platforms (via Magewell Pro Convert IP to USB — appears as UVC webcam)
ZoomIP to USB
TeamsIP to USB
💡 Using NDI cameras in Zoom or Teams: NDI cameras do not appear as webcams in Zoom or Teams by default — NDI is a production network protocol, not a USB webcam standard. To use an NDI camera in Zoom: (1) Use Magewell Pro Convert IP to USB — connects between network and PC via USB and outputs the NDI stream as a UVC webcam. (2) Install OBS with NDI plugin → enable OBS Virtual Camera → select in Zoom. The Pro Convert IP to USB is the hardware solution; OBS Virtual Camera is the software alternative.
Product Deep-Dives
Every NDI encoder and decoder with specifications, use cases and links.
Magewell Pro Convert Encoders — Full NDI + SRT + RTMP simultaneously · PoE · 3yr warranty
Magewell — Encoder
Pro Convert HDMI Plus
£383 ex-VAT
InputHDMI 1.4
Max res.1080p60
NDI typeFull NDI
SimultaneousNDI+SRT+RTMP
Loop-through✓ HDMI
PoE✓ PoE+
Ideal for: The most widely deployed NDI encoder. HDMI camera → Full NDI on the network instantly. Simultaneously streams SRT to YouTube and RTMP to Facebook from the same device. PoE — one Cat 6 cable. Used in broadcast studios, lecture theatres, OR suites and corporate AV worldwide.
Ideal for: 4K HDMI 2.0 to Full NDI. For 4K surgical cameras, 4K broadcast cameras and 4K PTZ cameras on the production network. Simultaneously streams 4K to YouTube via SRT while feeding vMix locally as Full NDI.
Ideal for: Existing SDI broadcast cameras onto the NDI network. SDI loop-through keeps the camera on the SDI monitor simultaneously. Simultaneously streams SRT to YouTube. The professional standard for SDI-to-NDI migration.
Ideal for: 6G-SDI 4K30 to Full NDI. For 4K broadcast cameras with 6G-SDI output. PoE powered, SDI loop-through. Simultaneously feeds the NDI production network and streams 4K via SRT.
Ideal for: The flagship SDI encoder — 12G-SDI 4K60 to Full NDI. ARRI Alexa, Sony VENICE, Canon C700. Single BNC cable 4K60 to the NDI production network. PoE. SDI loop-through.
Magewell Pro Convert Decoders — Full NDI / SRT → physical output · PoE · 3yr warranty
Magewell — Decoder
Pro Convert NDI to AIO
£338 ex-VAT
InputNDI + SRT
OutputsHDMI + SDI + CVBS
Max res.1080p60
PoE✓ PoE+
Ideal for: Three simultaneous physical outputs from one NDI source. Drive a display monitor (HDMI), a broadcast SDI router and a legacy analogue system simultaneously. The most versatile and best-value decoder.
Ideal for: NDI to 3G-SDI output for broadcast monitors, production switchers and SDI TX infrastructure. Integrates NDI production into existing SDI broadcast infrastructure without replacing equipment.
Ideal for: 4K NDI to 4K HDMI 2.0 display. For 4K IMAG screens in large venues, 4K production monitoring and 4K overflow displays receiving NDI from a 4K production system.
Ideal for: The unique decoder — NDI or SRT → USB UVC webcam. BirdDog or Pro Convert HDMI Plus cameras appear in Zoom/Teams without any driver or capture card. The hardware solution for NDI cameras in conferencing.
Ideal for: The flagship decoder — 4K NDI to simultaneous 4K HDMI 2.0, 3G-SDI and composite. The definitive decoder for broadcast facilities integrating 4K NDI into existing SDI infrastructure.
BirdDog — Full NDI · Tally · Intercom · SFP+ Fibre
BirdDog — Encoder
BirdDog MINI
POA
InputHDMI 1.4
Max res.1080p60
NDI typeFull NDI
Tally✓
Intercom—
SFP+—
Ideal for: Entry-level BirdDog with tally. HDMI camera to Full NDI. PoE+. Tally light output for camera on-air status. No intercom or SFP+ fibre. For single-camera broadcast setups where tally is essential but intercom is not required.
Ideal for: 4K HDMI with tally, intercom, SFP+ fibre and HDMI+SDI loop-through. The professional broadcast multi-camera encoder for studios where the director cues camera operators via intercom and cameras in positions over 100m from the network switch need SFP+ fibre.
Ideal for: 12G-SDI 4K60 encoder with tally, intercom and SFP+ fibre. For broadcast cameras in sports venues, large arenas and stadium positions where the camera is connected via fibre, tally and intercom are required for professional broadcast operation.
Ideal for: Four bidirectional ports — each independently configured as encoder (HDMI/SDI → NDI) or decoder (NDI → HDMI/SDI). For replay systems, multiviewer feeds and monitoring matrices where some ports receive NDI and some output NDI simultaneously. Tally and intercom on all ports.
Ideal for: BirdDog's Original Gen 4 — 12G-SDI 4K60 encoder with tally, intercom and SFP+ fibre. Flagship broadcast NDI encoder for the highest-specification multi-camera live production environments.
Ideal for: Professional 4K H.265 encoder with NDI|HX2, SRT and RTMP simultaneously. HDMI and SDI inputs. Wi-Fi. For facilities where lower bandwidth is a constraint — Wi-Fi cameras, 100 Mbps networks and remote locations where Full NDI bandwidth is not available.
Ideal for: Two completely independent 4K H.265 encoder channels in one unit. Two cameras → two NDI|HX2 streams + SRT + RTMP simultaneously per channel. Half the cost and rack space of two single-channel encoders.
Clear recommendations matched to common deployment scenarios.
📹
HDMI camera → NDI network (no tally)
Magewell Pro Convert HDMI Plus
Full NDI + SRT + RTMP simultaneously. PoE. HDMI loop-through. Most cost-effective HDMI-to-NDI encoder for broadcast, lecture and corporate. £383 ex-VAT.
🎬
Broadcast multi-camera with tally + intercom
BirdDog 4K HDMI or 4K SDI
Full NDI, tally, intercom (IFB), SFP+ fibre, HDMI+SDI loop-through. For professional broadcast where camera operators need on-air tally and director cuing via intercom.
📡
Camera 100m+ from network switch
BirdDog 4K HDMI or 4K SDI (SFP+)
SFP+ fibre port on BirdDog encoders enables network connection over hundreds of metres using standard single-mode or multi-mode fibre — far beyond Cat 6 100m limit.
🏟️
12G-SDI 4K broadcast cameras
Magewell 12G SDI 4K Plus or BirdDog 4K SDI / OG4
Magewell: 12G-SDI → Full NDI + SRT simultaneously, £693. BirdDog: adds tally and intercom. Choose Magewell for SRT simultaneous streaming; BirdDog for tally + intercom requirements.
💻
NDI camera as Zoom / Teams webcam
Magewell Pro Convert IP to USB
NDI or SRT → USB UVC webcam. Any NDI camera appears in Zoom/Teams camera dropdown. Hardware solution — more reliable than OBS Virtual Camera for permanent meeting rooms. £369 ex-VAT.
🖥️
NDI → monitor + broadcast SDI + analogue
Magewell Pro Convert NDI to AIO
Three simultaneous physical outputs from one NDI source. HDMI to display, SDI to broadcast router, composite to legacy. Most versatile and lowest-cost decoder. £338 ex-VAT.
📶
Wi-Fi cameras or 100 Mbps network
Kiloview S2 UHD 4K
NDI|HX2 uses H.265 — 5–40 Mbps vs Full NDI's 150–500 Mbps. Works on Wi-Fi and 100 Mbps infrastructure where Full NDI's bandwidth requirement would saturate the network.
📹
Two cameras, one encoder unit
Kiloview E3 Dual Channel 4K
Two independent 4K NDI|HX2 encoder channels in one unit. Half the rack space and cost per channel vs two singles. Each channel streams independently to NDI + SRT + RTMP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Full NDI and NDI|HX2?
Full NDI transmits at 100–500 Mbps per source — functionally lossless with one-frame latency. Requires Gigabit Ethernet. NDI|HX2 uses H.265 at 5–40 Mbps — works on Wi-Fi and 100 Mbps networks but with slightly more latency and mild compression. Magewell Pro Convert and BirdDog output Full NDI. Kiloview outputs NDI|HX2. For broadcast production environments, Full NDI is preferred.
What is tally and which brands support it?
Tally is a red/green light on the camera showing the operator when their camera is on-air. BirdDog encoders include a tally port — the production software (vMix, Director) sends tally signals back through the NDI network to the encoder, which activates the camera tally light. Magewell and Kiloview do not include tally ports — a separate tally controller is required.
What is SFP+ and when do I need it?
SFP+ allows connection over fibre optic cable to distances far beyond Cat 6 Ethernet's 100m limit. BirdDog 4K HDMI, 4K SDI, QUAD and OG4 include SFP+ ports. If your camera position is more than approximately 90m from the nearest Gigabit switch, specify a BirdDog encoder with SFP+ and a compatible fibre SFP+ transceiver. Magewell Pro Convert and Kiloview use only standard Gigabit Ethernet (100m Cat 6 max).
Can I mix Magewell and BirdDog sources in the same production?
Yes — Full NDI from Magewell and Full NDI from BirdDog both appear as NDI sources in vMix, OBS, Wirecast and Director simultaneously. They are auto-discovered by the same mDNS process and both appear in the NDI source picker. The only consideration is latency: if the NDI encoders have different processing latencies, frame-locked switching may show a brief mismatch — match encoder models for critical live switching.
Do I need IGMP snooping on my network switch?
Yes, if you have more than approximately 3–4 simultaneous Full NDI sources. Full NDI uses IP multicast. Without IGMP snooping, NDI multicast traffic floods all switch ports — 8 sources at 150 Mbps each = 1.2 Gbps sent to every port simultaneously, crashing the network. Enable IGMP snooping in your managed switch settings before deploying Full NDI at scale.
Can I stream to YouTube while also outputting NDI?
Yes — with Magewell Pro Convert encoders. They output Full NDI to the local network AND SRT or RTMP to YouTube or any streaming platform simultaneously from the same encoder. BirdDog encoders do not have SRT or RTMP output. Kiloview encoders output NDI|HX2 and SRT/RTMP simultaneously.
Specifying an NDI production network?
Our technical team can advise on encoders, decoders, switch specification and IGMP configuration for any scale of NDI deployment — from a single camera to a full broadcast facility.
Disclaimer: Specifications, pricing and availability correct at time of publication (June 2026) and subject to change. Full NDI bandwidth figures are approximate and vary with resolution, frame rate and scene content. NDI|HX2 latency depends on encoder settings and network conditions. BirdDog tally and intercom functionality requires compatible NDI production software to send signals back through the network. IGMP snooping requirements depend on network switch model and firmware — consult your switch vendor documentation. SFP+ fibre transceiver and cable not included with BirdDog devices. All NDI trademarks are property of Vizrt Group. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. nuuo.co.uk is a trading name of iView Data Ltd, Leicester, UK.
