AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G 3G-SDI to NDI Converter

AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G 3G-SDI to NDI Converter

The AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G is a high-density, bidirectional 3G-SDI to NDI and NDI to 3G-SDI converter designed for professional broadcast, AV, sports production, eSports, entertainment, security, and surveillance workflows. This 1RU NDI gateway supports multi-channel HD and 4K/UltraHD video up to 60p, providing a flexible way to connect SDI infrastructure with modern NDI networks.

With 16 bidirectional 3G-SDI connections, dual 10GigE network interfaces, support for NDI 4, NDI 5, and NDI 6, and simultaneous encoding and decoding capabilities, BRIDGE NDI 3G provides a scalable solution for high-density professional video conversion.

Key Features

• 3G-SDI to NDI and NDI to 3G-SDI bidirectional conversion
• Supports 16 channels of SD/HD or 4 channels of 4K/UltraHD up to 60p
• Supports NDI 4, NDI 5, and NDI 6
• 16 bidirectional 3G-SDI I/O connections
• Dual 10GigE interfaces for NDI media and control
• Supports 4K/UltraHD up to 60p, including full-raster DCI 4K up to 4096x2160
• Simultaneous NDI encode and decode for flexible SDI and NDI workflows
• Supports Video + Key workflows with alpha channel
• Up to 16 channels of embedded audio
• Supports VITC1, VITC2, LTC, and Time-of-Day timecode
• Genlock with external reference support
• Selectable 8-bit and 16-bit 4:2:2 NDI encoding profiles
• Buffer controls for low-latency tuning
• Remote WebUI and local GUI control
• NDI network source and destination discovery
• Redundant Discovery Server compatible
• Dual power supplies for critical application redundancy
• Compact 1RU rackmount design
• Includes DIN 1.0/2.3 to BNC connectors
• Three-year warranty

High-Density 3G-SDI to NDI and NDI to SDI Conversion

BRIDGE NDI 3G provides high-density conversion between 3G-SDI and NDI in a single 1RU appliance. It can encode incoming SDI signals to NDI, decode NDI sources to SDI, or perform both operations simultaneously.

For HD workflows, the system can support up to 16 simultaneous 3G-SDI inputs or outputs. These channels can also be grouped for Video and Key workflows or combined into 4K/UltraHD configurations.

This makes BRIDGE NDI 3G useful for broadcast facilities, live sports production, studios, production trucks, eSports venues, houses of worship, corporate AV environments, and other installations that need to connect SDI equipment to an NDI network.

4K/UltraHD Video up to 60p

BRIDGE NDI 3G supports 4K/UltraHD video up to 60p, allowing professional video facilities to move high-resolution content between SDI and NDI workflows.

The 16 SDI channels can be configured into dual- or quad-channel 4K/UltraHD groups. The converter supports both Square Division and 2SI methods for 4K/UltraHD SDI workflows.

BRIDGE NDI 3G also supports the full DCI 4K raster of 4096x2160, making it suitable for digital cinema and other applications where maintaining the native raster and aspect ratio is important.

Flexible NDI Encoding and Decoding

BRIDGE NDI 3G can be configured for all-encode, all-decode, or combined encode/decode operation.

All-Encode Mode

In an all-encode configuration, BRIDGE NDI 3G converts incoming SDI signals into NDI outputs. It supports:

• Up to 16 simultaneous 3G-SDI HD inputs at up to 60p
• Up to 16 simultaneous 1080p NDI encodes
• Up to 8 simultaneous HD Video + Key encodes
• Up to 4 simultaneous 4K/UltraHD encodes at up to 60p

All-Decode Mode

In an all-decode configuration, BRIDGE NDI 3G converts NDI or NDI HX sources into SDI outputs. It supports:

• Up to 16 simultaneous HD NDI/NDI HX inputs
• Up to 16 simultaneous 1080p SDI outputs
• Up to 8 simultaneous HD Video + Key decodes
• Up to 4 simultaneous 4K/UltraHD decodes at up to 60p

Combined Encode and Decode

For facilities that need bidirectional conversion, BRIDGE NDI 3G can encode SDI to NDI while simultaneously decoding NDI to SDI. An all-HD workflow can support up to eight channels in each direction, providing a practical gateway between SDI and NDI production areas.

Professional Audio, Timecode, and Video Tools

BRIDGE NDI 3G provides the video and audio features required for professional production environments. SDI supports YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit video with up to 16 embedded audio channels, while NDI supports UYVY 4:2:2 8-bit and P216 4:2:2 16-bit output.

System-wide audio can be configured for 2, 8, or 16 channels across SDI and NDI I/O. Timecode support includes VITC1, VITC2, LTC, and Time-of-Day, with automatic or manually configured modes.

Additional tools include:

• Genlock and external reference support
• Video blackout and mute controls
• Individual or grouped audio muting
• Test patterns for installation and studio setup
• Buffer controls for low-latency tuning
• Progressive and interlaced video support

NDI Network Discovery and Management

BRIDGE NDI 3G includes a dedicated interface for discovering and managing NDI sources and destinations across the network. The system scans the NDI network and provides tools for searching, naming, and favoriting sources.

For larger NDI installations, BRIDGE NDI 3G is compatible with a Redundant Discovery Server. Using a dedicated discovery server can help manage source discovery in high-volume NDI environments while providing centralized visibility into the network.

Remote WebUI and Local Control

Administrators can manage BRIDGE NDI 3G remotely through a web browser or operate it locally using a mouse, keyboard, and compatible VGA monitor. The same user interface provides access to configuration, monitoring, NDI network management, and system controls.

This remote management capability makes BRIDGE NDI 3G well suited to facilities where video infrastructure needs to be configured and monitored without direct access to the rack.

Enterprise 1RU Hardware Design

BRIDGE NDI 3G is housed in a compact 1RU rackmount chassis with 16 bidirectional 3G-SDI connections using DIN 1.0/2.3 connectors. The included DIN 1.0/2.3-to-BNC adapters simplify connection to existing SDI infrastructure.

Dual 10GigE interfaces handle NDI media and control, while dual power supplies provide power redundancy for critical installations.

Professional NDI and SDI Conversion

From multi-camera sports production and broadcast facilities to AV systems, eSports, entertainment venues, and surveillance applications, the AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G provides a high-density way to connect professional SDI equipment with NDI networks. Its combination of 3G-SDI I/O, 4K/UltraHD support, NDI compatibility, Video + Key workflows, professional audio and timecode, 10GigE networking, and flexible encode/decode configurations makes it adaptable to a wide range of IP video environments.

• Video Formats
  • (4K) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 
  • (UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 
  • (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 
  • (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60 
  • (HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60 
  • (SD) 525i 59.94, 625i 50
• Video Codecs
  • NDI
  • NDI HX (input only)
• Audio Streams/Codecs
  • NDI (uncompressed float)
  • SDI (PCM)
• Color Component Sampling, Color Space, and Bit Depth
• SDI
  • YCbCr, 4:2:2, 10-bit
  • NDI
  • UYVY, 4:2:2, 8-bit
  • UYVA, 4:2:2, 8-bit
  • P216, 4:2:2, 16-bit (output only)
• Video Processing
  • Scaling
  • Letterbox/Pillarbox
  • Video/Key Pair (2x SDI to 1x NDI + Alpha, or, 1x NDI + Alpha to 2x SDI)
  • Reclocking for integer/fractional rate conversion
• Audio Processing
  • Audio reference level per video channel / group (up to 16 audio channels)
  • Sample Rate conversion
• Performance
  • Up to 16x HD (NDI/SDI)
  • Up to 4x 4K (NDI/SDI)
  • Ultimate performance based on network conditions, concurrent video processing, and other parameters
• NDI Video Input
  • NDI (approx. 100–250Mbit/s)
  • NDI HX (approx. 8-20Mbit/s)
• NDI Video Output
  • NDI (approx. 100–250Mbit/s)
• SDI Video Input Digital
  • 3G-SDI, SMPTE-424, 10-bit 
  • 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M, 10-bit
  • 270Mb-SDI, SMPTE 259M-C, 10-bit
• SDI Video Output Digital
  • 3G-SDI, SMPTE-424, 10-bit 
  • 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M, 10-bit 
  • 270Mb-SDI, SMPTE 259M-C, 10-bit
• NDI Audio Input: Up to 16-channel, uncompressed float, 48 kHz sample rate, per NDI connection
• NDI Audio Output: Up to 16-channel, uncompressed float, 48 kHz sample rate, per NDI connection
• SDI Audio Input Digital: Up to 16-channel, 16 and 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous per SDI connection
• SDI Audio Output Digital: Up to 16-channel, 16 and 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous per SDI connection
• Reference: Dual Analog Color Black or HD Tri-level sync
• Timecode: VITC1, VITC2, LTC (embedded), Time-of-Day
• Network Mode: Unicast for each RX requesting a stream, TX to replicate the same stream, can impact TX performance if too many RXs request source
• Configuration and Monitoring
  • NDI 5.5 or NDI 4 library can be used via interface toggle
  • Browser via network attached client system
  • Local “Kiosk” interface via monitor (VGA), keyboard, and mouse (not included)
  • Local Dual Channel Audio via USB sound card (included)
  • REST API
• Form Factor
  • 1RU turnkey system 
  • 18x Din 1.0/2.3 BNC: 16SDI I/O, 2Ref (3G/1.5G-SDI compatible) 
  • 2x 10 GigE 
  • Local interface via VGA and USB 
  • OS custom image 
  • Updates via download
• Size (w x d x h): 17.2” x 16.9" x 1.7" (436.88 x 429.26 x 43.18 mm)
• Weight: 18 lb. (8.2kg) server only
• Power
  • 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz (Dual, redundant power supplies)
  • 190W typical, 245W Maximum
• Safe Operating Temperature: 5 to 35 C (41 to 95 F)
• Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 8-90% noncondensing
• Nonoperating Relative Humidity: 5-95% noncondensing

• AJA BRIDGE NDI 3G 3G-SDI to NDI Converter
• 2 x North American AC Power Cord
• 18 x BNC Adapter Cable
• USB Sound Card
• Warranty: Limited 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty