Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K 12G-SDI NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. The compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminium case and features a 12G-SDI input and 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 individual outputs. It also has a built-in cross converter that allows the SDI input to be looped out via the HDMI output.

Another major feature is an SFP+ expansion slot that supports SFP+ modules for fiber connectivity and Ethernet protocols from 1-10GbE. A tally system with a large bicolor tally light is also built for indicating which camera is live to on-air talent. The tally system also allows user-selectable tally borders on loop out. The device is complete with 3.5mm audio input/output, a 4-line OLED display, and USB 3.0 interface. It can be powered by a standard power supply or over PoE+.

The 4K 12G-SDI NDI Encoder/Decoder comes with the BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software, which supports up to four BirdDog devices. Comms Lite is Windows compatible and offers features such as director push to talk, mute camera operator, auto-detect NDI sources, monitor camera audio, and shortcut to web console. For a more complete version of the application, an optional upgrade is available to Comms Pro. The Encoder/Decoder is also compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software, which helps you decode NDI back to SDI or HDMI.

Up to UHD 4K/60 Input    Full-Bandwidth I-Frame Compression    12G-SDI Input, 12G-SDI/HDMI 2.0 Output    3.5mm Audio Input/Output    Built-In Cross Converter    SFP+ Expansion Slot    Tally Light; Select Tally on Loop Out    PoE+ Support    Comms Lite Intercom Software (Windows)    PTZ Control via Optional USB Dongle

• Up to UHD 4K/60 video input
• Distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression
• 12G-SDI input
• 12G-SDI output
• HDMI 2.0 output
• 3.5mm audio input/output
• Built-in cross converter
• SFP+ expansion slot
• Bicolor tally light
• Selectable tally indicator on video loop outputs
• PoE+ support
• 4-line OLED display
• Includes BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software for Windows (upgradeable to the complete Comms Pro application)
• Compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software for decoding NDI back to HDMI/SDI
• Aircraft-grade aluminium housing
• Control any PTZ camera that supports NDI, NDI|HX, or Visca over IP using an optional USB-to-Ethernet dongle

• Ethernet RJ45 1000baseT with integrated PoE

• Open SFP+ Cage (10GB SFP+ adapters sold separately)

• Embedded Web configuration panel

• USB to RJ45 for additional network in device support

• USB to RJ45 for VISCA over IP PTZ control

• USB to Serial PTZ control (RS-232)

• USB ISO recording

• Windows 10 and above compatible

• Groups: 1

• Max BirdDog devices per group: 4

• Live video windows: 4

• Director Push to Talk buttons: 1

• Director to All

• BirdDog to Director

• Mute Camera Operator

• Shortcut to Web Console

• Monitor Camera Audio

• Auto-detect NDI sources

• Volume sider bar

• BirdDog Push to Talk

• Director to Group

• BirdDog Operator Broadcast

• Mix Minus

• Keyboard shortcuts / hot case

• Refresh NDI Sources

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can one unit simultaneously provide 2 ins & 2 outs?

A: It cannot do that.

Q: 2. If connecting the 4k Quad to a Network switcher, will each SDI-Input be seen as independent NDI sources or just 1-combined NDI?

A: When converting from SDI to NDI, the BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder will output each SDI input as a separate NDI stream.

Q: 3. can I use 2 of these to: 1) Turn SDI to NDI, TX across my network. 2.) use 2nd box to decode the NDI back to an SDI signal

A: The 4K HDMI unit is just an HDMI Encoder or Decoder. You will need a 4K SDI unit to encode SDI into NDI. Depending on how you want the signal to come out, you will need either an SDI or HDMI unit.

Q: 4. Is this NDI only? Does it support RTMP, SRT, or RTSP protocol?

A: Correct, the BirdDog Mini HDMI to NDI Encoder/Decoder will only encoded/decode NDI onto a video source, it will not generate RTMP, SRT, or RTSP.

Q: 5. The 12G-SDI non-QUAD unit has a separate input and output connector. Can it encode one NDI stream to the network while decoding a different NDI stream from the network at the same time?

A: The outputs would be looped-out signals from the input, which supports only one NDI stream. A different NDI stream from the input is not possible.

Q: 6. AS of today 6/10/22 can this device do 4x UHD 60fps without dropping massive frames? Does the SPF+ module work and does the HDMI output work. Is there sound? The is device could not do any of that as of 2020 but curious if the firmware finally delivered what was promised?

A: The BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/DecoderBH #BIBD4KQUAD is designed to deliver the specified frame rates without any drop-out issues: Input: Input Video Format SDI: UHD 4K: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080p: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080i: 50/59.94 fps 720p: 50/59.94/60 fps Output: Video Output Connectors 1 x HDMI (HDMI 2.0) Output Video Format SDI UHD 4K: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080p: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080i: 50/59.94 fps 720p: 50/59.94/60 fps HDMI: UHD 4K: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080p: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080i: 50/59.94 fps 720p: 50/59.94/60 fps NOTE: HDMI output will be possible once an expected future firmware update is available to activate the HDMI output port.

Q: 7. Is this one unit or two? Send and receive or is it a unit that does both?

A: This is one box. It is an encoder/decoder so it does both send and receive.

Q: 8. Using Titler Live software for lower thirds output in alpha channel over NDI. Will this device support alpha channel input to an Atem2 switcher?

A: Yes, the BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder will accept NDI from sources such as Titler Live and out the signal through HDMI to feed to various destinations like Blackmagic switchers. The BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder using the BirdDog Studio v3.1 update allows NDI decode alpha channel support over the HDMI output.

Q: 9. Will BirdDog 4K 12G-SDI NDI Encoder/Decoder Silicon 2 update add NDi-HX encoding decoding?

A: Yes, the 4K encoder/decoder line will all get the options of full NDI, NDI HX, SRT, and RTMP for the Ethernet jack.

Q: 10. Will this interfere with any PTZ control if plugged into the same router? ie. to control & video with 1 Ethernet.

A: No, the BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder should not impact other cameras connected to your router as far as control.