Introduction
NDI (Network Device Interface), developed by NewTek (now under Vizrt), has fundamentally changed live video production.
Instead of using HDMI or SDI for every camera feed, NDI lets you transport high-quality, low-latency video over standard Ethernet networks — and often over Wi-Fi or even the public internet.
But there isn’t just one NDI format.
There are three major versions — NDI Full Bandwidth, NDI HX, and NDI HX3 — each with different strengths, weaknesses, bandwidth requirements, and use cases.
This guide explains everything you need to know so you can choose the right NDI format for:
- Live streaming
- Multi-camera studios
- Hybrid events
- House of worship
- Corporate AV
- LED wall / virtual production
- Remote interviews
- Broadcast-level switching
1. What Is NDI?
NDI is a software-driven, IP-based video transmission protocol that sends video, audio, and metadata over standard network infrastructure.
It requires:
- No SDI routers
- No specialized cabling
- No capture cards
- Just Ethernet + a switch
NDI supports:
- Video (SD → 4K → 8K depending on version)
- Alpha channel
- Audio (uncompressed)
- Tally
- PTZ camera control
- Timecode
- Metadata
- KVM control (remote keyboard/mouse)
NDI is designed for real-time production — meaning very low latency compared to traditional streaming protocols like RTMP or SRT.
2. The Three Versions of NDI
NDI exists in three main flavors:
| Version | Compression Type | Bandwidth | Latency | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDI Full Bandwidth | Visually lossless | Very high | Very low | Pro broadcast, studio |
| NDI HX | H.264 / H.265 (highly compressed) | Low | Moderate | Streaming, low-bandwidth |
| NDI HX3 | Hybrid modern codec | Medium | Low | Wireless, PTZ, hybrid production |
Let’s break down each one.
3. NDI Full Bandwidth (a.k.a. “NDI High Bandwidth”)
This is the original, highest-quality form of NDI.
- Uses NewTek’s proprietary intra-frame compression
- 8-bit or 10-bit video
- Alpha channel (for graphics, overlays)
- Extremely low latency (≈ 1 frame in many cases)
- Looks almost identical to SDI and HDMI
- Requires strong wired Ethernet (1000 Mbps minimum)
Typical Bitrates
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60 | Full bandwidth | 100–150 Mbps |
| 4K60 | Full bandwidth | 250–300+ Mbps |
Pros
✔ Best image quality
✔ Extremely low latency
✔ Ideal for multicam studios
✔ Supports alpha keying
✔ Instantaneous switching
✔ Best for virtual production & LED walls
Cons
✖ High bandwidth demands
✖ Requires wired network
✖ Not ideal for low-cost routers
✖ Not great over Wi-Fi
Best Use Cases
- Professional broadcast studios
- LED walls and virtual production
- Multi-camera streaming studios
- High-end corporate AV
- Pixel-perfect IMAG / events
- Any environment with a wired 1G or 10G switch
If you need uncompromised quality and have the bandwidth, NDI Full Bandwidth is king.
4. NDI HX (H.264/H.265 Compressed)
NDI HX (“High Efficiency”) was created to solve the biggest issue with full NDI:
Full NDI requires too much bandwidth for most networks.
NDI HX uses interframe codecs (H.264 or H.265), dramatically lowering bandwidth.
Typical Bitrates
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60 | H.264 | 8–20 Mbps |
| 4K30 | H.265 | 15–25 Mbps |
That’s a 10x–20x reduction compared to full NDI.
Pros
✔ Extremely low bandwidth usage
✔ Works over Wi-Fi
✔ Works on 100 Mbps networks
✔ More compatible with simple routers
✔ Great for remote cameras and PTZ systems
✔ Good for corporate AV & streaming
Cons
✖ Higher latency than full NDI
✖ Compression artifacts possible
✖ Not ideal for real-time switching
✖ Not suitable for keying or LED walls
Latency
Usually around 50–200 ms, depending on:
- Encoding
- Decoding
- Network congestion
- H.264 vs H.265
Still much lower than RTMP, SRT, or WebRTC in many cases.
Best Use Cases
- House of worship
- Corporate conference rooms
- School AV systems
- Wireless NDI workflows
- PTZ cameras
- Live-streaming setups with consumer gear
- Remote guests
NDI HX enables people to use NDI on ordinary networks.
5. NDI HX3 — The New Middle Ground
NDI HX3 was introduced to solve the limitations of both full NDI and traditional HX.
It sits perfectly between them.
What HX3 Tries to Achieve
✔ Much better quality than HX
✔ Much lower bandwidth than full NDI
✔ Lower latency than HX
✔ More reliable over Wi-Fi
✔ More flexible for hybrid productions
HX3 uses:
- NewTek’s updated codec engine
- Modern compression
- Lower-latency encoding pipeline
Typical Bitrates
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60 | HX3 | 60–80 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | HX3 | 45–60 Mbps |
4K modes are still emerging depending on manufacturer support.
Pros
✔ Almost full-NDI quality
✔ Lower bandwidth (50–80 Mbps)
✔ Very low latency (≈ 20–50 ms)
✔ Works on 1G networks easily
✔ Better for wireless setups than full NDI
Cons
✖ Higher CPU/GPU load
✖ Not supported everywhere yet
✖ Not as visually lossless as full NDI
Best Use Cases
- PTZ cameras
- Wireless NDI links
- Medium-sized streaming studios
- Hybrid events
- Installations needing low-latency switching
- YouTube/Twitch studios
HX3 will likely become the most common version in the next few years.
6. Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Bandwidth Comparison
| Format | 1080p60 Bandwidth |
|---|---|
| NDI Full Bandwidth | 100–150 Mbps |
| NDI HX3 | 60–80 Mbps |
| NDI HX (H.264) | 8–20 Mbps |
Latency Comparison
| Format | Typical Latency |
|---|---|
| NDI Full Bandwidth | 1–2 frames (~5–10 ms) |
| NDI HX3 | 20–50 ms |
| NDI HX | 50–200 ms |
Image Quality Comparison
| Format | Visual Quality |
|---|---|
| Full NDI | ★★★★★ (near-lossless) |
| NDI HX3 | ★★★★☆ |
| NDI HX | ★★★☆☆ |
7. Network Requirements
NDI Full Bandwidth
- Minimum Gigabit Ethernet
- Ideally 10GbE for multi-source environments
- Managed switch recommended
- Avoid Wi-Fi
- Cat6 or Cat6a cables
NDI HX
- Works over 100 Mbps Ethernet
- Works over Wi-Fi 5/6
- Can run on low-cost routers
- Good for remote setups
NDI HX3
- Works on 1G networks comfortably
- Works on Wi-Fi 6 (not ideal but possible)
- Best on managed switches
8. Use Case Matrix — Which Should You Choose?
| Workflow | Best Format |
|---|---|
| Professional broadcast studio | Full NDI |
| LED walls / virtual production | Full NDI |
| Large corporate AV system | NDI HX or HX3 |
| House of worship | NDI HX |
| PTZ camera network | HX or HX3 |
| Wireless camera feed | HX3 |
| Remote interviews | HX |
| Laptop → switcher using software encoder | HX3 |
| Gaming / creator streaming | HX3 or HX |
9. Practical Examples
Example 1: 4-Camera Streaming Studio
- Bandwidth available: 1G network
- Latency must be low
- Cameras must look clean
Recommended: NDI Full Bandwidth or NDI HX3
Example 2: Church Using PTZ Cameras
- Bandwidth limited
- Simple network
- Long cable runs
Recommended: NDI HX (H.264 or H.265)
Example 3: Wireless Camera Link
- Wi-Fi 6 environment
- Need low latency
- HX too compressed
Recommended: NDI HX3
Example 4: Virtual Production / LED Wall Camera
- Perfect color required
- Latency must be near zero
Recommended: Full NDI only
10. Compatibility Challenges
Not all devices support all NDI versions:
Cameras
- BirdDog, Panasonic, Canon PTZ: frequently support HX & HX3
- High-end studio cams: Full NDI only
- HDMI cameras via encoders: depends on device
Encoders
Brands with strong NDI support:
- BirdDog
- Kiloview
- Magewell
- NewTek
- OBSBOT (PTZ models)
Switchers
- TriCaster: supports all formats
- vMix: supports all
- OBS: supports HX/HX3 via plugins
- Blackmagic ATEM: does NOT support NDI natively
11. Is NDI Replacing SDI?
Short answer: Not yet — but in many environments, yes.
SDI Advantages
✔ Zero latency
✔ Extremely robust
✔ Long cable runs
✔ Industry standard for cameras
NDI Advantages
✔ Scalable
✔ Flexible routing
✔ Uses existing networks
✔ Much cheaper to deploy
✔ Supports software-based workflows
NDI is ideal for:
- Software-centric production
- Hybrid events
- Remote workflows
- PTZ networks
- Corporate AV
- Streaming studios
But cinema and broadcast cameras still rely on SDI, especially for high frame rates and long distances.
12. Future of NDI
The roadmap suggests:
- HX3 will replace HX in many products
- Full NDI will become 10-bit everywhere
- GPU acceleration will reduce latency
- More cameras will ship with built-in NDI
- Wi-Fi–native NDI gear will become standard
- NDI 6.0 or similar may introduce even smarter transport optimizations
IP video is the future — and NDI is currently the most accessible way to enter it.
Conclusion
NDI has transformed modern video production by allowing high-quality, low-latency video transport over standard networks.
✔ NDI Full Bandwidth = best quality, low latency, wired networks only
✔ NDI HX = low bitrate, higher latency, works everywhere, great for PTZ
✔ NDI HX3 = the perfect balance for modern streaming & wireless workflows
Understanding these versions ensures you choose the right format for your studio, event setup, or broadcast environment — while building a system that is scalable, reliable, and future-proof.