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Does the RØDECaster Video Support Full NDI?

  • Updated

The RØDECaster Video is specifically optimised for the high-efficiency, low-bandwidth NDI HX protocol. It does not natively support full-bandwidth NDI, often referred to as NDI SpeedHQ.

NDI HX is a highly efficient format that requires significantly less network bandwidth and processing power, making it ideal for a seamless experience on an all-in-one device, and it's supported by a wide range of NDI cameras and software solutions.

However, some professional systems often default to outputting the full-bandwidth NDI SpeedHQ. This format has significantly higher processing demands, and as the RØDECaster Video is currently best optimised for NDI HX, it doesn't natively support a Speed HQ input at this stage. 

If you are seeing an "unsupported format" error, it is likely because your source device is outputting NDI SpeedHQ. Additionally, please ensure your video source is set to output a 1080p resolution in the YUV colour space for compatibility.

Full NDI vs. NDI|HX Versions

NDI HX2 NDI HX3 Full NDI (not supported)
NDI|HX2 further optimised network efficiency for remote video contributions NDI|HX3 support H.264 and H.265, optimising network performance without sacrificing quality.  Full NDI, NDI High Bandwidth, can have the highest quality and lowest latency, but it demands significantly more bandwidth. 
  • Codec: AVC (H.264) and HEVC (H.265)
  • Bandwidth at 1080p60: H.264: ~16 Mbps / H.265: ~11 Mbps
  • Bandwidth at 2160p60: H.264: ~30 Mbps / H.265: ~21 Mbps
  • Glass-to-glass latency: Very low - under 150ms on average
  • Platform integration possibility: CPU, GPU, FPGA
  • Quality: No visible compression artefacts
  • Codec: AVC (H.264) and HEVC (H.265)
  • Bandwidth at 1080p60: H.264: ~62 Mbps / H.265: ~50 Mbps
  • Bandwidth at 2160p60: H.264: ~110 Mbps / H.265: ~84 Mbps
  • Glass-to-glass latency: Ultra low - under 100ms on average
  • Platform integration possibility: CPU, GPU, FPGA
  • Quality: No visible compression artefacts
  • Codec: SpeedHQ (proprietary codec based on MPEG-2)
  • Bandwidth at 1080p60: ~130 Mbps
  • Bandwidth at 2160p60: ~250 Mbps
  • Glass-to-glass latency: Ultra-low
  • Platform integration possibility: CPU, FPGA
  • Quality: Almost lossless
Please note: NDI HX1 is not compatible with RCV/S. Using older cameras may encounter an "unsupported format" error.


How to Connect Your NDI Video Source to the RØDECaster Video

Here are the best ways to get your NDI sources working with the RØDECaster Video If you are seeing an "unsupported format" error.


Use a Native NDI HX Source (Recommended) 
The easiest way to ensure compatibility is to use a camera or software that outputs a native NDI HX signal. Many modern PTZ cameras, broadcast applications, and mobile apps use this format.

Use an NDI Bridge for SpeedHQ Sources 
If your camera can only output full-bandwidth NDI (SpeedHQ), you can use an NDI Bridge. This is a piece of software or hardware that sits on your network and converts the SpeedHQ signal into the more efficient NDI HX format before it reaches your RØDECaster Video.

  • Note: This is an advanced network configuration and may require dedicated hardware for best results.
     

Use NDI Software on a Computer 
You can send an NDI HX signal from a Mac or PC using the official NDI Tools. Applications like NDI Screen Capture allow you to share your screen or a specific application window as a compatible video source for your RØDECaster Video.

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