With an eye toward the IP future, NewTek is introducing its Advanced IP Workflow, a live production paradigm developed to allow production switchers to communicate with cameras and other video sources connected on a network, assign any of them as inputs, and deliver video encoded in real-time over standard Ethernet networks.
This model debuts at IBC in a new version of TriCaster Advanced Edition, and central to workflow is the Network Device Interface (NDI) open IP protocol that NewTek unwrapped on Wednesday.
NDI allows any enabled device on a standard Ethernet connection to be recognised as a video source or destination as part of an IP production workflow. It will work automatically on NewTek products and devices from manufacturers working with NewTek on the effort.
NDI’s backwards compatibility means that along with NewTek, technology from companies including Brainstorm, CasparCG, CharacterWorks, ChyronHego, ClassX, Compix, EasyWorship, Gnural Net, Graphics Outfitters, LiveXpert, Media 5, PlayBox Technology, Teradek, Vizrt and Wasp3D will be NDI-enabled. NewTek has also collaborated with AJA and DELTACAST to enable their capture cards to act as NDI senders or receivers; support for Blackmagic Design cards will also be provided. Boland, JVC, LiveU, Microsoft Skype TX, NewsMaker, Panasonic, PESA, Sienna and Wowza are also working on providing NDI-based technologies. A free SDK will be available for download in Q4.
The Tricaster software upgrade is available to any current pro-line model including the TriCaster Mini, and will give those TriCasters’ Advanced IP Workflow capabilities allowing for an additional four inputs — cameras or any supported video source on a LAN. Users can have all source inputs be IP-based if they choose or mix IP sources with local SDI sources. The software will launch in Q4.
“NewTek Advanced IP Workflow is infinitely more than a replacement for traditional SDI workflow,” said Dr. Andrew Cross, president and chief technology officer for NewTek. “It works with existing SDI cameras, yet does not require heavy investment in SDI-sized Ethernet bandwidth or separate control systems.”
Stand 7.K11
