BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter
Showcaller AI controls a BirdDog 4K QUAD by voice or chat. It lists NDI sources, connects a decoder, and sets encode settings, NDI groups and the discovery server.
Overview
The BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter with Showcaller
The BirdDog 4K QUAD has four 12G-SDI connectors, and each one works as an input or an output. It converts SDI to full-bandwidth NDI and NDI back to SDI, up to 4Kp60. So one box can feed or receive several feeds at a rack position. Showcaller AI connects to the BirdDog 4K QUAD through the Bridge App on your show network. Then you check it and change it by voice or chat. The BirdDog NDI converter integration page lists every Tool Function.
What Showcaller does on the BirdDog 4K QUAD
First, Showcaller reads device info, the hostname and the hardware version. Next, it lists the NDI sources the QUAD can see. Then it connects a decoder to a source by name, after you confirm. After the switch, it reads the decode status to check the source. If a source is missing, Showcaller refreshes the list. These functions are in every plan. From the Pro plan, it reads and changes encode and decode settings. It also sets the NDI group name, the discovery server and off-subnet sources. In addition, it sets the analog audio in and out gain. Finally, with Enterprise, it resets the source list, restarts video or reboots the unit.
What is different on the QUAD
The QUAD has a smaller set of Tool Functions than the 4K SDI. For example, Showcaller does not offer encode transport on this model. Similarly, it does not offer the video output interface, because BirdDog’s API has none on the QUAD. BirdDog’s API also has no analog output select here, so only the gains apply. Showcaller reads whether the converter is in encode or decode mode. However, BirdDog reports that mode switching over its API does not work on the QUAD. So set the mode on the BirdUI web page. Also note that Showcaller’s requests do not name a QUAD channel by number.
Read-back after a change
After a change, Showcaller reads back the group name, the discovery server and the audio gains. However, encode settings, decode settings and decode transport are reported as the converter answered. For full specs, see BirdDog’s 4K Family page.
What you can do
Run the BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter by voice or chat
Find and connect sources
List the NDI sources the QUAD sees and connect a decoder to one by name. Showcaller confirms first and checks the decode status. Starter.
Encode and decode settings
Read or change encode settings, decode settings and decode transport. Pro.
NDI groups and discovery
Set the NDI group name, the discovery server and off-subnet sources. Group and server changes are read back. Pro.
Audio gain
Read or set the analog audio in and out gain, from 0 to 100. There is no output select on the QUAD. Pro.
Recover the unit
Reset the NDI source list, restart the video engine or reboot the QUAD, after you confirm. Enterprise.
Specifications
BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter at a glance
Video
- Video connectors
- 4 x 12G-SDI, each selectable as input or output; 1 x HDMI 2.0 output (BirdDog: not enabled yet, coming with a firmware update)
- Video formats
- UHD 3840x2160 and HD 1080p at 23.98 to 60 fps; 1080i at 50 and 59.94; 720p at 50, 59.94 and 60
- NDI codecs
- NDI full bandwidth (i-frame); no NDI HX
- Channel modes
- BirdDog's update for 4K QUAD offers 4x encode, 4x decode or 2x2
Audio
- SDI audio
- 2 channels, 48 kHz, in and out
- 3.5 mm audio
- Microphone input and stereo headphone output for BirdDog Comms
Control & network
- Network
- RJ45 1000BaseT with PoE, plus an open SFP+ cage for 10GbE (SFP+ modules sold separately)
- Status and tally
- 4-line OLED status display, bi-color tally light, selectable tally border on loop outputs
Physical
- Size and weight
- 135 x 85 x 25 mm; 320 g
- Power
- 12 V DC (16 W) or PoE+ (802.3at)
Specifications from the manufacturer. Check the product page for the current details.
Connection
Connecting the BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter
- Control protocol
- BirdDog's RESTful API over HTTP on port 8080, through the Showcaller Bridge App. The API needs no password.
- What Showcaller needs
- The converter's IP address, shown on its OLED display, and the model BirdDog QUAD.
- Network
- Connect the converter to the same network as the computer running the Bridge App. Port 80 is the BirdUI web page; Showcaller uses port 8080.
- Firmware
- Built on BirdDog's REST API 2.0. Showcaller reads the firmware version when it connects.
- First check
- Showcaller runs Get device info, then lists the NDI sources the converter can see.
Tool Functions
Everything Showcaller can do with BirdDog NDI Converter
The BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter uses the BirdDog NDI Converter integration. Each group shows the plan it is included from.
FAQ
Questions about the BirdDog 4K QUAD NDI converter
Can Showcaller connect a BirdDog 4K QUAD decoder to an NDI source?
Yes, in every plan. Showcaller lists the sources the QUAD can see and connects to one by name. It asks you first, then reads the decode status to check the switch. Its requests do not name a QUAD channel by number.
Which functions are missing on the QUAD?
Encode transport and the video output interface. BirdDog's API does not offer them on the QUAD, so Showcaller hides them. The analog output select is also missing, but the audio gains work.
Can Showcaller switch the QUAD between encode and decode?
No. BirdDog reports that mode switching over its API does not work on the QUAD. Change the mode on the BirdUI web page. Showcaller can still read the current mode.
Does the QUAD send NDI HX?
No. BirdDog's spec table lists full-bandwidth NDI only for the 4K QUAD. The 4K SDI and 4K HDMI also offer NDI HX2 and HX3.
Same integration
Other BirdDog NDI Converter models
BirdDog Flex DecodeModel page
BirdDog Flex EncodeModel page
BirdDog HDMI4KModel page
BirdDog PlayModel page- BirdDog SDI4KModel page
BirdDog StudioModel page
