BirdDog 4K BACKPACK
Full NDI 4K60 encoder designed to mount directly onto broadcast cameras. HDMI 2.0 input with simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs. Single Ethernet carries video, power, tally and intercom.
- Designed to mount directly onto broadcast cameras — VESA or accessory shoe mounting brings the Full NDI encoder to the camera rather than requiring separate installation at the camera position
- HDMI 2.0 input at 4K60 — accepts full Ultra HD 60fps from HDMI cameras with the BACKPACK mounted directly on the camera body or accessory rail
- Simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs — maintain feeds to a camera-top monitor (HDMI) and broadcast infrastructure (12G-SDI) while simultaneously encoding to Full NDI
- Single Ethernet carries everything — Full NDI video, PoE+ power, tally and audio intercom all over one Cat 6 cable from the camera position to the network switch
- Full NDI encoding — functionally lossless, one frame latency, the correct choice for professional broadcast switching
- Converts any HDMI camera into a networked Full NDI source while maintaining the camera's existing output feeds for monitoring and broadcast infrastructure
What is the BirdDog 4K BACKPACK?
The 4K BACKPACK mounts directly onto a camera — on a VESA mount, cold shoe or accessory rail — turning any HDMI camera into a Full NDI source without a separate encoder at a fixed camera position. The camera's HDMI output feeds the BACKPACK's HDMI 2.0 input. From there, Full NDI goes to the network via Ethernet, and the loop outputs (HDMI and 12G-SDI) continue to a camera-top monitor and any broadcast downstream device.
This camera-mounted approach is particularly relevant for mobile cameras in live production — cameras that move around the studio or venue, where a fixed encoder at a camera position is not appropriate. The BACKPACK moves with the camera, maintaining its NDI presence on the network regardless of where the camera is positioned.
Loop outputs at the camera position
The simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs on the BACKPACK are significant for professional camera workflows. A broadcast camera with the BACKPACK mounted can simultaneously output: Full NDI to the production network over Ethernet, HDMI to a camera-top EVF or field monitor, and 12G-SDI to the venue's SDI routing infrastructure or a portable recording device — all from one camera connection via the BACKPACK.
Compared to the FLEX 4K IN
Both encode HDMI 2.0 to Full NDI 4K60. The BACKPACK adds simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs and camera-mounting capability. The FLEX 4K IN is smaller and adds PTZ control over Ethernet, but without loop outputs. Choose the BACKPACK for camera-mounted applications where maintaining existing camera output feeds is a requirement.
| Video Input | |
| HDMI Input | HDMI 2.0 (Type A) — up to 4K60 |
| Loop Outputs | |
| HDMI Loop Out | HDMI (Type A) — simultaneous loop |
| 12G-SDI Loop Out | BNC 12G-SDI — simultaneous loop |
| NDI Output | |
| NDI Standard | Full NDI — 4K60 |
| Single Ethernet — all functions | |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Power | PoE+ via Ethernet |
| Tally | Camera tally over Ethernet |
| Audio Intercom | Two-way intercom over Ethernet |
| Physical | |
| Mounting | Camera-mountable — VESA and accessory shoe |
| Housing | Aircraft-grade aluminium |
| Product Information | |
| SKU / Model | BD-4K-BACKPACK |
| Warranty | 2-year BirdDog warranty |
| Pricing | Price on Application — contact us for a quote |
Specifications correct at time of publication. Contact us to confirm before specification.
The 4K BACKPACK is for mobile camera operations in live production where Full NDI is required alongside existing HDMI and SDI loop outputs.
Mobile Studio Camera NDI
Mount on a mobile studio camera. The single Ethernet tether to a PoE+ switch carries Full NDI video back to the production network wherever the camera moves in the studio.
Sports Roving Cameras
Camera operators moving around a venue with the BACKPACK on-camera — the Ethernet cable feeds back to a nearby switch and the camera appears as a Full NDI source in the production regardless of position.
ENG and Field Production
Convert a field camera's HDMI output to Full NDI for a small venue or field production setup. Loop outputs maintain the camera-top monitor feed and SDI recording connection simultaneously.
Teaching Studio Cameras
Mobile cameras in teaching broadcast studios where students move cameras around the set — the BACKPACK maintains the NDI network presence on the move.
Houses of Worship Handheld
A roving camera operated by a camera operator during a service, connected to the production network via a trailing Ethernet cable, with the BACKPACK's loop outputs feeding a wireless video transmitter alongside the NDI feed.
AV Integration
Camera-mounted NDI integration for any production where maintaining existing camera output feeds (HDMI monitor, SDI recorder) is required alongside NDI network distribution.
Is the 4K BACKPACK only for HDMI cameras?
Yes — the 4K BACKPACK accepts HDMI 2.0 input. For SDI broadcast cameras requiring a camera-mounted NDI encoder with SDI input and loop outputs, contact us to discuss other BirdDog options.
What loop output formats does the BACKPACK provide?
Simultaneous HDMI (Type A) and 12G-SDI (BNC) loop outputs. Both carry the source signal passed through from the HDMI input, with the 12G-SDI output providing cross-conversion from HDMI.
All BirdDog devices output Full NDI — the highest quality NDI standard — making them immediately compatible with any NDI-capable production software on the local network.
NDI Production SoftwareBirdDog devices output Full NDI and are discovered automatically by all NDI-capable production software on the same Gigabit network subnet via mDNS. No manual IP configuration required.
Video Conferencing (via NDI plugin)Contact us to confirm compatibility with a specific platform or version not listed above.