BirdDog 4K HDMI
Convert any HDMI 2.0 4K60 source to Full NDI with simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs. SFP+ for 10GbE, OLED display, tally, audio intercom and PoE+ in aircraft-grade aluminium.
- HDMI 2.0 input at 4K60 — accepts 4K cameras, AV sources and presentation equipment at full Ultra HD 60fps resolution for Full NDI encoding
- Simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs — pass the source signal through to a broadcast monitor via SDI and a confidence screen via HDMI at the same time, without a separate splitter
- Full NDI encoding — the highest quality NDI standard, approximately one frame latency, functionally lossless — not NDI|HX, not compressed. Full NDI for production workflows where quality is non-negotiable
- SFP+ port for 10GbE connectivity — connect over 10 Gigabit Ethernet via copper or optical fibre SFP+ module for high-bandwidth Full NDI transport across large networks
- Built-in tally, audio intercom and PoE+ — camera operator tally light, two-way intercom circuit and power all carried over a single Ethernet cable
- Aircraft-grade aluminium construction — broadcast-grade build quality for permanent studio installation and repeated handling in production environments
What is the BirdDog 4K HDMI?
The BirdDog 4K HDMI is a professional Full NDI encoder for HDMI sources — the device that brings any HDMI 2.0 camera or source into a Full NDI production network at 4K60. Where consumer and prosumer NDI encoders output NDI|HX (compressed NDI), the BirdDog 4K HDMI outputs Full NDI — the uncompressed, broadcast-grade NDI standard used in professional production networks where one frame of latency and functionally lossless quality are the requirements.
The combination of HDMI 2.0 input, simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs, and SFP+ 10GbE connectivity covers the most demanding broadcast integration requirements from a single compact device.
Full NDI vs NDI|HX
Full NDI carries approximately 100-250 Mbps per 1080p60 source — significantly more than NDI|HX. It requires Gigabit Ethernet minimum and ideally 10GbE for multiple simultaneous Full NDI streams. The higher bandwidth delivers functionally lossless quality and approximately one frame of latency — acceptable for professional broadcast switching where NDI|HX latency (2-4 frames) is not.
Loop outputs — no signal splitting
The simultaneous HDMI and 12G-SDI loop outputs are a significant operational advantage. A HDMI camera connected to the 4K HDMI can simultaneously feed: its Full NDI signal to the production network, a 12G-SDI output to a broadcast monitor or router at the camera position, and an HDMI output to a confidence screen or local display — all from one encoder without a separate signal distribution amplifier or splitter.
SFP+ for large network infrastructure
Full NDI at 4K60 requires significant network bandwidth. The SFP+ port allows the 4K HDMI to connect directly to a 10GbE switch via copper DAC cable or optical SFP+ module, providing the bandwidth for Full NDI at 4K60 without saturating a Gigabit infrastructure. In studios with existing 10GbE backbone, the SFP+ connection is the correct way to deploy the 4K HDMI.
| Video Input | |
| HDMI Input | HDMI 2.0 (Type A) — up to 4K60 |
| Loop Outputs | |
| HDMI Loop Out | HDMI (Type A) — simultaneous loop through |
| 12G-SDI Loop Out | BNC 12G-SDI — simultaneous loop through with cross-conversion |
| Cross Converter | Built-in — convert between HDMI and SDI signal standards |
| NDI Output | |
| NDI Standard | Full NDI (not NDI|HX) — functionally lossless |
| Max NDI Resolution | 4K Ultra HD at 60fps |
| Network | |
| Ethernet | 1× Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| SFP+ | 1× SFP+ — 10GbE copper DAC or optical fibre |
| Broadcast Features | |
| Tally | Built-in tally light control |
| Audio Intercom | Built-in two-way intercom over Ethernet |
| Status Display | OLED front-panel display |
| Power | |
| Power | PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) via Ethernet |
| Housing | Aircraft-grade aluminium |
| Product Information | |
| SKU / Model | BD-4K-HDMI |
| 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 HDMI is for broadcast and production studios deploying Full NDI infrastructure with HDMI 4K cameras requiring simultaneous SDI and HDMI loop outputs at the camera position.
Broadcast Studio HDMI Cameras
Convert HDMI 4K cameras — PTZ cameras, studio cameras with HDMI output, cinema cameras — to Full NDI for the production network while maintaining simultaneous HDMI and SDI loops for monitoring.
Production Studio NDI Migration
Migrate an HDMI-based studio infrastructure to Full NDI without removing existing monitors and SDI routing infrastructure — the loop outputs maintain the existing signal paths.
Sports Production
4K HDMI PTZ cameras at fixed positions throughout a venue encoded to Full NDI via the 4K HDMI, with 12G-SDI loop feeding local monitors at each camera position.
University Broadcast Studios
Teaching broadcast studios with HDMI cameras deploying a Full NDI infrastructure for vMix or Magewell Director-based multi-camera production.
Corporate Studio
Corporate content production studios with HDMI cameras requiring Full NDI for low-latency switching in vMix or Wirecast production workflows.
AV Integrators
Specified for broadcast facility designs where Full NDI quality is required and HDMI source cameras need simultaneous SDI and HDMI loop outputs at each camera position.
Why Full NDI instead of NDI|HX?
Full NDI is functionally lossless and has approximately one frame of latency — the correct choice when quality and low latency are the priorities (live production switching, colour-critical monitoring). NDI|HX is compressed H.265, which saves bandwidth at the cost of 2-4 frames of additional latency and some compression. For confidence monitoring and non-critical distribution, NDI|HX is acceptable. For live broadcast switching and professional production, Full NDI is the standard.
What is the SFP+ port for?
SFP+ provides 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity via a standard SFP+ cage. A copper DAC cable connects directly to a 10GbE switch port. An optical SFP+ module connects via single or multi-mode fibre for longer runs. Full NDI at 4K60 requires approximately 3-4 Gbps — a 10GbE connection handles multiple Full NDI 4K streams where a single Gigabit connection would be saturated.
What is the built-in cross converter?
The cross converter converts between HDMI and SDI signal standards within the loop output path. An HDMI 2.0 input can produce an SDI output at a different format or frame rate, enabling signal format bridging at the camera position without additional hardware.
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.