BirdDog Studio NDI converter

The BirdDog Studio NDI was BirdDog’s first NDI encoder and decoder. It has 3G-SDI and HDMI inputs and outputs and works up to 1080p60 with full NDI. BirdDog no longer sells it but still supports it. So many rigs still have one in the rack. Showcaller AI connects to the BirdDog Studio NDI through the Bridge App on your show network. Then you check and change it by voice or chat. The BirdDog NDI converter integration page lists every Tool Function.

Sources on a BirdDog Studio NDI

When the Studio decodes, Showcaller lists the NDI sources it can see. Then it connects the decoder to a source by name. Because a switch changes the picture, Showcaller asks you to confirm it first. After the switch, it reads the decode status to check the new source. It also tells you which source is connected right now. When a source is missing, Showcaller refreshes the list. These functions are in every plan.

Encode, decode and NDI settings

From the Pro plan, Showcaller reads and changes both encode and decode settings. For example, BirdDog lists the stream name, bitrate mode, tally and NDI audio. It also sets the encode and decode transport, such as TCP, UDP or multicast. In addition, Showcaller sets the NDI group name, the discovery server and off-subnet sources. It sets the analog audio gain and output select, too. Then it reads back the group name, discovery server and audio settings. However, encode settings, decode settings and transport are reported as the converter answered.

Mode and recovery

Showcaller reads whether the Studio is in encode or decode mode. Meanwhile, the video output interface function does not apply, because BirdDog’s API has none on the Studio. With Enterprise, Showcaller resets the NDI source list, restarts video or reboots the unit. It asks you before each of these steps. For full specs, see BirdDog’s Studio NDI page.