BirdDog supports NDI 5 across product line with introduction of Play Cloud Connect Tools

BirdDog is supporting NDI 5, the latest version of the NDI IP system, across all hardware products including Flex Family, 4K Family, Studio NDI, Mini, all PTZ camera models, and the upcoming Wallplates, and SDM range. Support for NDI 5 will roll into BirdDog products when it becomes available later in the second quarter.

BirdDog Play and Cloud Connect brings new flexibility to NDI-based workflows.

Also new from BirdDog is Cloud Connect, a suite of applications for Apple TV, Android TV, iPhone, iPad, Android mobile devices and BirdDog Play that allows editors to output their timeline to those devices for remote viewing with as little as two frames latency. Editors working on Avid, Adobe, or Apple Final Cut Pro can share their timeline with directors and others so they can give real-time feedback from the comfort of their home watching on a big screen.

The company says Cloud Connect allows for super-fast and high-quality monitoring anywhere in the world with NDI source to screen latency as low as two frames. With Cloud Connect, remote editorial workflows and remote live productions are faster and easier than ever, according to the company.

“Cloud Connect is culmination of all the pieces of BirdDog development coming together and something we’ve been working on for a long time,” said Dan Miall, BirdDog co-founder and CEO. “With Cloud Connect we are delivering the dream of truly collaborative remote editorial workflows, and seamless remote productions.”

Miall says Cloud Connect makes remote editorial and live broadcast workflows more seamless than ever and anyone needing to be part of a production is now able to collaborate on devices they already own, in geographically distant locations.

“Building on the proven reach of BirdDog Cloud, Cloud Connect embraces some key new technology to allow Dante audio integration and optimise media delivery with high quality video codecs,” he said.

Cloud Connect addresses remote productions in a faster and more interactive way than ever before, according to the company. All Cloud Connect mobile device apps include PTZ control from any NDI enabled PTZ, not just BirdDog NDI PTZ cameras. This includes NDI and NDI HX cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Marshall, NewTek, PTZ Optics, Canon, and many more.

“Being able to control a PTZ camera from the other side world with your iPad is pretty incredible,” adds Eamon Drew, BirdDog co-founder and CMO. “With near zero latency it is a tactile experience that I’ve just never experienced before and really delivers on the dream of being able to control a show from anywhere in the world.”

Also new is BirdDog Play, which the company says is a revolutionary, low cost, NDI Player that can display any local NDI source on the network, as well as tie into BirdDog Cloud Connect to bring remote sources to Play from anywhere in the world.

“Play really breaks the technology barriers for browsing and viewing NDI sources. Set up is a breeze and at $149 it’s sure to enable some amazing workflows and installations,” explains Miall. “Being able to connect to the Cloud Connect platform and bring NDI sources from remote locations in makes it more flexible than any NDI Decoder or Player on the market today.”

Play supports many video formats both local and remote, fully implementing NDI 5 including high-bandwidth and NDI | HX2 formats, BirdDog Cloud Connect and NDI Remote with resolution support on some formats up to UHD 2160p60. Designed for easy installation, PLAY includes a rubberised, magnetic base to mount securely to the rear of a display or on your desk. Integrating technology like CEC means users can use their existing remote control for their display to navigate the rich UI with ease.

BirdDog Play and BirdDog Cloud Connect will be available publicly in Q3, 2021 with a limited beta programme available for Cloud Connect via a signup on the BirdDog website.