Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. The compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminium case and features an HDMI 2.0 input and HDMI 2.0 and 12G-SDI individual outputs. It also has a built-in cross converter that allows the HDMI input to be looped out via the 12G-SDI output.

Another major feature is an SFP+ expansion slot that supports SFP+ modules for fiber connectivity and Ethernet protocols from 1-10GbE. A tally system with a large bicolor tally light is built-in for indicating which camera is live to on-air talent. The tally system allows user-selectable tally borders on loop out. The device is complete with 3.5mm audio input/output, a 4-line OLED display, and USB 3.0 interface. It can be powered by a standard power supply or over PoE+.

The 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder comes with the BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software, which supports up to four BirdDog devices. Comms Lite is Windows compatible and offers features such as director push to talk, mute camera operator, auto-detect NDI sources, monitor camera audio, and shortcut to web console. For a more complete version of the application, an optional upgrade is available to Comms Pro. The Encoder/Decoder is also compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software, which helps you decode NDI back to HDMI or SDI.

Key Features

• Up to UHD 4K/60 video input
• Distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression
• HDMI 2.0 input
• HDMI 2.0 output
• 12G-SDI output
• 3.5mm audio input/output
• Built-in cross converter
• SFP+ expansion slot
• Bicolor tally light
• Selectable tally indicator on video loop outputs
• PoE+ support
• 4-line OLED display
• Includes BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software for Windows (upgradeable to the complete Comms Pro application)
• Compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software for decoding NDI back to HDMI/SDI
• Aircraft-grade aluminium housing
• Control any PTZ camera that supports NDI, NDI|HX, or Visca over IP using an optional USB-to-Ethernet dongle

Network Connectivity

• Ethernet RJ45 1000baseT with integrated PoE
• Open SFP+ Cage (10GB SFP+ adapters sold separately)
• Embedded Web configuration panel

External Interface Support (Requires Optional Cables)

• USB to RJ45 for additional network in device support
• USB to RJ45 for VISCA over IP PTZ control
• USB to Serial PTZ control (RS-232)
• USB ISO recording

Included Comms Lite Software

• Windows 10 and above compatible
• Groups: 1
• Max BirdDog devices per group: 4
• Live video windows: 4
• Director push-to-talk buttons: 1
• Director to all
• BirdDog to director
• Mute camera operator
• Shortcut to web console
• Monitor camera audio
• Auto-detect NDI sources
• Volume sider bar

Additional Features with Optional Comms Pro Upgrade

• BirdDog push to talk
• Director to group
• BirdDog operator broadcast
• Mix minus
• Keyboard shortcuts / hot case
• Refresh NDI sources