BirdDog NDI PTZ Cameras and Converters Simplify Worship Streaming

Eamon Drew, CMO of BirdDog, recently wrote an article for Starin House of Worship Magazine 2022 where he discusses how to live stream for houses of worship with NDI. NDI, or Network Device Interface, is a technology developed by NewTek that allows video signals to be transmitted over a local area network (LAN) using standard Ethernet cables. It is designed to make it easier and more cost-effective to set up video production systems, especially for churches and other organizations that may have limited resources.

One of the main benefits of using NDI for video production is that it allows users to connect multiple cameras and other video sources to a single network, eliminating the need for complex and expensive cable runs. This can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of setting up a video streaming system, as it eliminates the need for expensive capture cards, custom cables, and other specialized equipment.

In addition to reducing costs and complexity, using NDI to create a network of video sources also offers a number of other benefits. For example, it allows users to easily switch between different cameras and video sources in real-time, making it easy to create professional-quality video streams. It also allows users to easily share video content between different devices on the same network, making it easier to collaborate and work with others on video production projects. Overall, NDI is a powerful and versatile technology that can help organizations of all sizes stream high-quality video more easily and cost-effectively.

BirdDog are global leaders in NDI® products and have a huge range of PTZ (PanTilt-Zoom) Robotic cameras, NDI® converters, and software applications. BirdDog are proudly the first company in the world to put NDI® into a dedicated silicon chip.

So, How Do You Get Started with NDI?

"NDI® is plug and play format that requires very little configuration, offers extremely low latency, and is already compatible with millions of devices" 

Once you have NDI setup, it's time to choose your streaming platform. There are all kinds of software-only streaming solutions such as OBS Studio, Telestream Wirecast, vMix, ProPresenter, and many more. There are also dedicated hardware solutions such as NewTek TriCasters. 

The BirdDog NDI cameras are professional-grade PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras that are specifically designed to work with NDI. They offer high-quality video and audio, and can be easily controlled over the network using the NDI protocol. 

One of the main benefits of using NDI cameras is that they only require a single cable for video, audio, power (using Power over Ethernet, or PoE), and control. This simplifies the process of setting up and configuring the cameras, and makes it easier to deploy them in a variety of locations.

In addition to the convenience of a single cable, NDI cameras also offer other benefits such as the ability to transmit video over longer distances and the ability to use standard Ethernet switches to connect multiple cameras to the network.

Overall, the BirdDog NDI cameras are a great option for anyone looking to add professional-grade PTZ cameras to their video setup, and leverage the power of NDI to simplify setup and improve performance.

PTZ cameras can be very useful for House of Worship installations, as they allow you to capture high-quality video from multiple angles without the need for a dedicated camera operator for each camera. This can be especially useful in larger facilities where it may be difficult to have a camera operator for every camera.

There are several ways to control the pan, tilt, and zoom functions of the BirdDog PTZ cameras, as you mentioned. The dedicated PTZ keyboard from BirdDog is a specialized device that allows you to easily control the camera's movements, as well as access other features such as focus and iris control.

Another option is to use the free NewTek Studio Monitor software, which allows you to control multiple cameras and access a variety of features such as camera presets and video effects.

You can also use third-party hardware controllers to control the cameras, or even control them directly from within your streaming software platform. This can be especially useful if you are using a platform that supports PTZ control through the use of keyboard shortcuts or other controls.

Overall, the various control options available for the BirdDog PTZ cameras make it easy to capture high-quality video from multiple angles, and offer greater flexibility in how you choose to operate the cameras.

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