"Next-generation live distribution system" using NDI

hello everyone. I'm Masayuki Taguchi from Entertainment Co., Ltd.

"NDI", which can transmit video and audio via a network, has different characteristics from conventional interfaces such as HDMI and SDI.

As for topics related to NDI, I see many articles that introduce specifications and technical information, but "How are you actually using it?" "What is convenient?" "What can you achieve that you couldn't do before?" The current situation is that specific on-site cases and usage methods such as "" are not well summarized.

This time, as a web director, we will unveil the know-how of professionals who have practiced live distribution direction of various cases at once, and we will explain with examples in the actual field while unraveling the charm of "NDI unique".

Unique charm of NDI

Until now, the general method for routing cameras and video mixers is to connect the inputs and outputs of devices with cables such as HDMI and SDI. NDI, which we will discuss this time, is a method of transmitting video and audio via a network. You can send video and audio signals to your home or corporate local network and receive the source arbitrarily on another terminal.

The biggest attraction of NDI is that it can send and receive video and audio on a one-to-n basis. Video and audio transmitted within the network can be received by PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc. connected to the same network. You can also send and receive wirelessly via wireless LAN. This makes it possible to realize "what was difficult even if you tried to do it" and "what you couldn't do even if you tried to do it" with a high degree of freedom with a simple configuration.

* If the camera does not support NDI, you can convert HDMI or SDI signals to NDI by using the NDI encoder.Conversely, if you use an NDI decoder, you can also convert NDI signals to HDMI or SDI.

Case (1) "Flexible return monitor environment"

In the field of live distribution, performers are often provided with a "return monitor". For example, when trying to meet the needs of "I want to monitor different video sources for each performer!", The handling of video signal distributors and cables tends to be complicated.

With NDI, you can return your PC, tablet or smartphone and use it as a monitor. If it is a smartphone or tablet, it will be possible to make it wireless, and it will be possible to place it inconspicuously in the hands of the performers. We can arrange a flexible monitor environment with excellent flexibility. Since you only need to install the NDI monitor tool on your PC or smartphone, it is easy and convenient to use the smartphones of the performers and staff as a monitor only during the production.

Case (2) "Wireless competition environment"

During the live stream, the performers' remarks and emergency instructions are transmitted. Generally, a sketchbook or whiteboard is used. While analog tools are easy to use, they can be confusing or confusing to the performers due to sudden competition.

NDI can also be applied to such situations. As a concrete method, we prepare a tablet for competition (we use an iPad with a handwriting application installed) and send the screen to the performer's tablet terminal via NDI.

If you tell the performers in advance that "If something happens, I will send instructions to this tablet", even if it is a sudden response, the site will not flutter and smooth progress can be realized. increase. In addition, it is also attractive to be able to put out a competition such as "send specific instructions only to specific performers".

Case (3) "Creating an optimal recording environment for backup"

Backup recording of livestream content is one of the annoying challenges. Normally, a dedicated recorder is prepared for recording, but backup recording of multiple systems tends to complicate the equipment and cables.

The free software "NDI Studio Monitor" provided by NewTek is recommended for backup recording because it has a file recording function in addition to video and audio monitoring. Moreover, this software can be started multiple times on one PC at the same time. It is ideal for backing up multi-materials for post-editing as it allows you to record individually while monitoring different sources individually (although it requires CPU and GPU power).

Case (4) "PowerPoint slide distribution convenient for hybrid events"

NDI can also be conveniently used for hybrid events that are broadcast live from offline venues. For example, when a speaker uses a slide such as PowerPoint, the slide show is often projected on the screen of the venue and the "Presenter Tool" is displayed on the PC screen at hand to proceed with the presentation.

The presenter tool displays "information that the speaker wants to check during the presentation" such as the dialogue manuscript and the slide on the next page, but when the speaker's eyes are on the PC screen at hand, the head goes down or the camera It may be out of your line of sight.

Therefore, by using the free software "NDI Screen Capture" provided by NewTek to send the PC screen itself in NDI, you can receive each screen on any device.

By the way, in order to send the slide show screen and the presenter tool by NDI respectively, the PC needs to be in the dual display state, but if you want to "do not want to connect a monitor to the PC" or "operate wirelessly", a little You need to know the trick, and you can virtually prepare a dual display state by inserting a "dummy plug" into the external monitor output terminal of your PC.

This allows the slideshow footage to be sent to the screen while the presenter tool footage to be displayed on another monitor (such as a PC or tablet). Of course, since you can send and receive "1 to n", you can easily prepare multiple monitors for the presenter tool and place multiple monitors in a position where the speaker's line of sight can be kept (near the camera, near the audience seats, etc.). ..

In addition, by "checking the next slide on the operator side", switching synchronized with the talk of the speaker and on-site response such as "the next slide must adjust the PinP area ..." will be smooth.

In addition, there may be multiple speakers at an offline venue event. When sending the video signal of the PC brought by the speaker to the screen or video mixer, the reconnection and switch are troublesome, but this can also be solved by NDI.

By installing the software "NDI Screen Capture" introduced earlier on each PC and sending each screen with NDI, the staff and operators can select the source to send, and the screen of the next speaker can be displayed in advance. It is possible to seamlessly handle "screen conversion (conversion of speakers)" such as monitor check.

By the way, this time we delivered the theme of "next generation live distribution system using NDI". Many people think of NDI as an alternative technology to HDMI and SDI, but I think that its appeal is brought out by "utilization unique to NDI."

I hope this article will give you a hint of your livestreaming work. Please look forward to it next time!

Introduction of reference site

▶ Book "Live Delivery Handbook" (Genkosha / Masayuki Taguchi)

▶ "Live distribution direction" to support planning and management is being distributed free of charge on the website of Entermina Co., Ltd.

▶ Masayuki Taguchi's webinar archive

▶ Summary of live distribution & video distribution know-how

Masayuki Taguchi (Representative Director / Web Director of Entertainment Co., Ltd.) In 1999, after becoming independent as a freelance web director, he established Desktop Works Co., Ltd. (currently Entermina Co., Ltd.). While working on the direction of corporate websites, he is active in a wide range of activities such as art direction for Ghost in the Shell tribute album, production of SKYPerfecTV! "Desktop TV", and hosting seminar events. We develop original services such as the web director training institution "Web Director School", the web direction support tool "Web Director Notebook", the book "Direction Thinking", and the industry's first attempt to visualize the capabilities of the Web Director "Direction Test". He is also enthusiastic about video production and video distribution, and has delivered more than 1,300 live streams in the six years from 2014 to 2020.

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