NETGEAR M4250 Switches Are The Best Option For NDI Workflows

Shawn recently posted his review of the NETGEAR M4250 Network Switch to Streaming Media. NDI has indeed gained significant traction since its initial release in 2016, and it has become a widely adopted protocol for sending audio and video signals over Ethernet.

The NDI Marketplace serves as a directory of official NDI products from various companies. While it includes a range of manufacturers such as NewTek, Panasonic, Canon, BirdDog, PTZOptics, Sony, JVC, HuddleCamHD, Marshall, Datavideo, Ikan, Magewell, Teradek, Kiloview, Deltacast, Netgear, and vMix, it might not necessarily include every single company or product associated with the NDI ecosystem. There are indeed other notable companies like OBS, XSplit, Chyron, Vizrt, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom that have integrated NDI support into their software or services, even if they may not be listed in the NDI Marketplace.

Choosing the right NDI products for your workflows depends on your specific requirements and preferences. It's great to hear that you are using Canon CR-N500 PTZ cameras and Microsoft Teams for acquisition. vMix is a popular choice for software video switching, streaming, and recording, and it offers support for a wide range of input types, including SDI, HDMI, and NDI. This allows you to seamlessly integrate different sources into your productions.

Decoders, such as the BirdDog Play, are essential for displaying NDI video on projectors, monitors, or secondary screens at a venue. Testing the BirdDog Play will help you determine if it meets your needs and serves as a reliable alternative to SDI for your specific use cases.

The NDI ecosystem offers a diverse range of products and solutions, allowing you to build flexible and efficient video production workflows. As you continue to explore and experiment with different products, you'll be able to refine your setup and achieve the desired results.

Managed Network Switch

Network switches are a crucial component of an NDI workflow, and it's important to ensure that they are properly configured to support the demands of live video production. While network management might initially seem intimidating, there are solutions available that can simplify the process.

The Netgear M4250 AV line of switches is a recommended option for NDI workflows. It is worth noting that the NDI Marketplace lists the Netgear M4250 as the only option under Network Products, indicating its compatibility and suitability for NDI setups. This can provide reassurance and simplify the decision-making process for users looking for a reliable network switch for their NDI workflows.

Using a switch specifically designed for audiovisual applications, such as the Netgear M4250 AV line, can offer advantages in terms of ease of use and optimized performance. These switches are often pre-configured with recommended settings for NDI, making it easier to set up and manage your network for NDI video streaming.

While other managed switches can also be configured to work with NDI, they may require navigating through a user interface designed for general network management. This can add complexity, especially for users who are less familiar with network configuration.

Ultimately, the choice of network switch depends on your specific needs and preferences. If simplicity and a streamlined setup process are important to you, the Netgear M4250 AV line is indeed a recommended option due to its compatibility with NDI workflows and its listing in the NDI Marketplace.

Power over Ethernet

PoE allows for the transmission of power alongside data over Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate power cables and adapters. This streamlined setup can reduce clutter and simplify the installation process.

The Netgear M4250 line, with support for both PoE+ and PoE++ standards, offers a range of power delivery options. PoE+ can provide 15.4 or 30 watts of power, while PoE++ expands on that with power delivery options of 60W, 75W, and 90W. This versatility ensures that you can power various devices, including PTZ cameras, with a single Ethernet cable, reducing the number of cables and power adapters required.

Centralized power control is another advantage of PoE. By powering devices through the switch, you gain the ability to control their power state by simply powering the switch on or off. This centralized control allows for efficient management and simplifies the process of powering devices.

The Netgear M4250 series enables you to activate or disable PoE delivery on a per-port basis. This level of control ensures that you can tailor the power settings to your specific requirements. Additionally, the M4250 line supports the 802.3af and 802.3at standards, which include automatic detection capabilities. This means that PoE power will only be sent when it is required by the connected devices. This eliminates concerns about accidentally providing power to non-PoE devices.

It's worth noting that not all PoE injectors and switches support automatic detection, as some may rely on passive PoE power delivery. The Netgear M4250 line's support for standards-based PoE ensures compatibility and reliable power delivery for PoE-enabled devices in your NDI workflow.

By leveraging PoE and utilizing the power management features of the Netgear M4250 line, you can simplify your setup, reduce cable clutter, and efficiently manage power for your NDI devices.

Netgear M4250 Line

The M4250 series offers a range of options to cater to various power requirements and budgets in an NDI workflow. The line includes different form factors, including desktop, 1RU, and 2RU rackmount models, allowing you to choose the most suitable option based on your setup and space considerations. Each switch within the M4250 series has its own processor, RAM, and an internal power supply with an IEC connector.

The GSM4210PD Desktop and GSM4212P 1RU models are entry-level options that offer 8x gigabit Ethernet POE+ (30W) ports, 1x or 2x gigabit SFP ports, a switching capacity of 20Gbps or 24Gbps, and a total POE+ budget of 110W or 125W. These models are suitable for powering a few PoE+ devices like your Canon N500 PTZ cameras, with each camera consuming up to 19.6W. With these entry-level switches, you can power approximately five or six cameras.

If you require more power or need to support higher power-hungry devices such as the Canon N700, BirdDog P4K, or Panasonic AW-UE150K POE++ cameras, you would need an M4250 model that supports POE++ with a higher power budget. The GSM4212UX is a model similar to the GSM4212P but has a POE++ power support and a total budget of 720W, along with a 60Gbps switching capacity.

For larger setups or applications with more demanding power requirements, the higher-end models in the M4250 line provide even higher power budgets and more POE ports. The GSM4248UX is a 40-port POE++ model, offering a substantial power budget of 2,280W and three IEC power connectors.

Considering the specific power requirements of your devices, budget constraints, and the scale of your NDI workflow, you can choose the appropriate model from the Netgear M4250 line that best suits your needs.

Read the full article from Streaming Media HERE