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🛠️ Tools🗂️ SDK📄 White Paper
  • Getting Started
    • 🟣What is NDI?
    • 🆕Release Notes
    • 📄White Paper
      • Discovery & Registration
        • mDNS
        • Discovery Service
        • Manual Connection
        • NDI Groups
      • NDI Protocols
        • Reliable UDP - NDI 5
        • Multipath TCP - NDI 4
        • UDP with Forward Error Correction – NDI 3
        • Single TCP – NDI 1
      • NDI Related Network Ports
      • Getting video across the network
      • Network Layout
      • Bandwidth
        • NDI High Bandwidth based on SpeedHQ2 (8bit 4:2:2)
        • NDI High Bandwidth based on SpeedHQ7 (8bit 4:2:2:4)
        • NDI HX2 h.264 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX2 h.265 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX3 h.264 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX3 h.265 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI Proxy and bandwidth optimization
      • Network Interface Settings
      • NIC Selection
      • Encoding and Decoding
      • Multicast
      • NDI Administrative Settings
      • Synchronization
      • NDI in the Cloud
    • Glossary
      • NDI Terminology
      • Industry Terminology
  • Using NDI
    • Introduction
    • NDI for Video
      • Digital Video Basics
      • NDI Video Codecs and Format Matrix
      • NDI Encoding Support Matrix
        • Practical NDI Receivers Format Support
        • Practical NDI Transmitters Support
        • Summary Table
      • Interoperability Scenarios
    • NDI for Audio
      • Digital Audio Fundamentals
      • Audio Over IP
      • Technical Facts About NDI for Audio
      • Use Cases
      • Products Using NDI for Audio
    • ⚒️NDI Tools
      • Release Notes
      • Installing NDI Tools
        • Software License Agreement
        • Privacy Policy
      • NDI Tools Launcher
      • NDI Tools for Windows
        • Access Manager
        • Bridge
          • NDI Bridge automation
          • Configuring Port Forwarding
          • Bridge Tool Logging
        • Remote
        • Router
        • Screen Capture
        • Screen Capture HX
        • Studio Monitor
        • Test Patterns
        • Webcam Input
        • Discovery
          • Getting Started with Discovery
          • Discovery Server Additional Information
      • NDI Tools for Mac
        • Access Manager
        • Scan Converter
        • Router
        • Test Patterns
        • Video Monitor
        • Virtual Input
        • Discovery
          • Getting Started with Discovery Service
          • Discovery Server Additional Information
          • Launch Discovery Server using Command Line for MacOS
      • Plugins
        • NDI for After Effects
        • NDI for Premiere Pro
        • NDI Output for Final Cut Pro
        • NDI for VLC
        • Audio Direct
        • OBS
    • Utilities
      • Analysis
    • Using NDI with Software
      • Getting Started with NDI in OBS for Windows or Mac
      • Using OBS Studio as a Commentary System
      • Using NDI Tools as a virtual camera in Mac
      • Using NDI and Dante on the same Network
      • Use OBS video + audio on Zoom with macOS
    • Using NDI with Hardware
      • NDI HX upgrades for cameras
      • How to Activate Panasonic Cameras for NDI HX1 — Step-by-Step
      • Recommended Network Switch Settings for NDI
  • Developing with NDI
    • Introduction
    • 📂SDK
      • Release Notes
      • Licensing
      • Software Distribution
        • Header Files
        • Binary Files
        • Redistributables
        • Content Files
        • Libraries
        • NDI-SEND
        • NDI-FIND
        • NDI-RECEIVE
        • Utilities
        • Command Line Tools
      • CPU Requirements
      • Dynamic Loading of NDI Libraries
      • Performance and Implementation
      • Startup and Shutdown
      • Example Code
      • Port Numbers
      • 🔧Configuration Files
      • Platform Considerations
      • NDI-SEND
      • NDI-FIND
      • NDI-RECV
      • NDI-Recv Discovery, Monitor, and Control
      • NDI Routing
      • HDR
      • Command Line Tools
      • Frame Types
        • Video Frames
        • Audio Frames
        • Metadata Frames
      • Windows DirectShow Filter
      • 3rd Party Rights
      • Support
    • Advanced SDK
      • Release Notes
      • Licensing
      • Overview
      • Configuration Files
      • NDI SDK Review
        • Sending
          • Asynchronous Sending Completions
          • NDI Sending On High Latency Connections
        • Receiving
          • Custom Allocators
            • Video Allocators
            • Audio Allocators
          • Dynamic Bandwidth Adjustment
          • NDI RECV Event Monitoring and Commands
        • Finding
        • Video Formats
          • Receiver Codec Support Level
          • Frame Synchronization
      • Genlock
      • AV Sync
        • Guidelines
        • Creating and Destroying Devices
        • Recovering Audio
      • Using H.264, H.265, and AAC Codecs
        • Sending Audio Frames
        • Sending Video Frames
        • H.264 Support
        • H.265 Support
        • AAC Support
        • OPUS Support
        • Latency of Compressed Streams
        • Stream Validation
      • External Tally Support
      • KVM Support
      • NDI Advanced SDK FPGA Example Designs
        • Prebuilt uSD Images
        • NDI FPGA Reference Design
          • FPGA Projects
            • Changelog
          • C++ Application Code
            • Changelog
          • linux_kernel
            • Changelog
          • uSD Image Builder
            • Changelog
        • Changelog
    • Utilities
      • Unreal Engine SDK
        • Release Notes
        • Licensing
        • NDI Plugin Installation
        • Simple Setup of Broadcast and Receivers
        • NDI Broadcast Actor
        • NDI Receiver Actor
        • NDI Media Assets
        • Getting Started with Example Blueprint Projects
        • Advanced
      • Free Audio
      • Bridge Service
        • Installation
          • Silent Installation
        • Configuration
          • Web UI
          • Configuration File
          • Manual API Key Management
        • Webhooks
        • WebSockets
        • API
    • NDI Certified
      • Certification Guidelines
        • Interoperability Requirements
        • Technical Requirements
      • Certification Process
        • Pre-certification Checklist
        • Device Testing Methods
          • Camera
          • HDMI Encoder
          • SDI Encoder
          • Decoder
          • NDI Controller
          • NDI Monitor
          • Multicast Testing
        • Detailed process
    • Metadata
      • Metadata Sources
      • Metadata for XML
      • XML Validation
      • Metadata Elements
      • Proposed New Metadata Messages
      • PTZ and Control Messages
      • Undocumented Mysteries
  • Developer Guides
    • Decoding with NDI
    • NDI Bridge Deployment
    • Receiver Discoverability, Monitoring, and Control Overview
  • FAQ
    • Index
    • NDI Tools
      • What is the NDI Analysis Tool and where do I get it from?
      • Why does my NDI connection stay active once the source is offline?
      • Why are my changes to the NDI JSON configuration file not being saved?
      • Why is the license for my Panasonic camera not active?
      • How does registration for NDI Tools work?
      • The time code on my file is incorrect, how do I change it?
      • How can I make NDI Tools launch automatically?
      • What is the NDI ECCN?
      • How Do I Uninstall NDI Software?
      • Does Discovery Server support Command Line on MacOS?
      • How do I use NDI output with Microsoft Teams
      • Where is Screen Capture (HX) for Mac?
    • NDI Certified
      • What is the NDI Certification Program?
      • Why did you start this certification program?​
      • What happens to my device after it's certified?
      • Is certification mandatory to be a partner of NDI?​
      • I am an OEM manufacturer, can my products be certified?​
      • How long does the certification process take?
      • How do I become certified?​
      • What happens if my product doesn’t meet the requirements for Certification?​
      • Are there any fees to become NDI Certified?
    • Common Issues
      • I'm having trouble getting multicast set up.
      • I'm having trouble with my NDI HX License
      • Why can't I find my Android 14-based NDI devices on my network?
      • Why won’t NDI Tools install on my Windows PC?
      • How do I enable NDI in “New” Microsoft Teams (Windows only)?
      • Why can’t HX Capture display the full resolution of my iPad or iPhone?
      • The NDI HX Camera app won't launch on older phones and iOS
      • Why won't MacOS Sonoma (14.1) recognize NDI Tools as a virtual camera?
      • I'm having issues with Virtual Input for macOS
      • I'm having issues with Final Cut Pro
      • NDI Camera App Issue
    • SDK
      • Where can I find the source code for the FPGA board?
      • What system resources are required to support a design including the NDI FPGA Codecs?
      • Why can’t my h264/265 video be received by an NDI receiver when using the embedded SDK?
      • I haven't received the email with the download.
      • Can I use the Unreal SDK on Mac?
      • What are the Differences Between the NDI SDK and the NDI Advanced SDK
    • ✨NDI 6
      • Do I need to upgrade to NDI 6 if I'm not using the new features?
      • Is there a fee to upgrade to NDI 6
      • Why doesn't my existing Vendor ID work with NDI 6?
      • How can I get a previous version of NDI Tools or the SDK?
    • NDI HX License Upgrades
      • What is happening with NDI HX Upgrades?
      • Will my existing HX-upgraded camera be affected?
      • I bought a camera before June 30, 2025, but didn't buy an HX license. Can I still get one?
      • I bought a license and a camera but didn't redeem it until after. Can I still get an HX license?
      • If my HX upgrade fails can I transfer the license?
      • Can I sell my upgraded HX camera and keep the license?
      • Will my NDI version work with my current HX license?
      • What does the HX upgrade sunset program mean for camera manufacturers?
      • What will NDI Support do for licenses after the sunset date?
      • I factory reset my camera and forgot the license. Can you help me get it back?
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On this page
  • Introduction
  • Network Model
  • NDI Receiving Device
  • NDI Receiver Inputs
  • NDI Discovery Server
  • NDI Discovery Tool
  • Third Party Access to Discovery Server
  • Available Monitoring Parameters
  • Control
  • Communication and Security

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  1. Developer Guides

Receiver Discoverability, Monitoring, and Control Overview

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Last updated 1 day ago

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Introduction

NDI 6.2 introduces new functionality to all NDI receivers, any device or application capable of receiving an NDI stream. This functionality allows NDI Receivers to be discoverable, similar to how NDI Senders are discoverable on the network. Users can also monitor the Receivers and get information on the stream they are connected to. Finally, users can control the Receiver to connect to any available sources.

Network Model

A high level overview of how the relevant parts of the system connect together.

NDI Receiving Device

In the NDI device or application receiving NDI streams, the feature introduced in NDI SDK 6.2 will be used to create a Receiver Advertiser which registers individual receivers. The Advertiser is responsible for communicating with the Discovery Server using an IP address configured at the application layer.

NDI Receiver Inputs

Individual receivers need to be grouped together to create a Receiver Input. The individual receivers represent the different stream components of the NDI stream such as video, audio, and metadata. This grouping facilitates discoverability, monitoring, and control by allowing users to view and refer to these as distinct inputs instead of the individual receiver components.

NDI Discovery Server

While the NDI Discovery Server continues to be available as a command line utility, it is also available as a Windows or Linux service. This makes it easier to manage or integrate directly into software applications.

The Discovery Server registers all NDI devices on the network and collects their information, accessible via the new NDI Discovery tool or any third-party application interfacing to the Service.

It essentially acts as the central broker for all discovery, monitoring, and control. The Discovery Server is lightweight and can be run on very small, lower end systems.

NDI Receivers can only be discovered by the Discovery Server when they are registered to it. NDI Senders can still be discovered automatically without a Discovery Server and do not change from existing functionality.

NDI Discovery Tool

This is a Windows and Mac based client application, packaged with NDI Tools to provide a user-friendly front-end interface for the Discovery Server. The client allows users to see a list of discovered Senders and Receivers. Users can expand the Receivers tab to see monitoring information and select a source for it to connect to.

Third Party Access to Discovery Server

The ability to monitor and control NDI Receivers is available to any third-party developer via the NDI Advanced SDK. Using the Advanced SDK, a Receiver Listener is created which communicates with the Discovery Server receiving information about all discovered Receivers and allowing control of them.

Available Monitoring Parameters

Alpha presence

Indicate whether there is alpha in the stream

Audio channels

Number of audio channels present

Audio Format

Audio format and codec

Audio presence

Indicate whether there is audio in the stream and per channel

Audio receive mode

Will indicate the transmission method for the audio stream (SingleTCP, RUDP, multicast etc)

Audio sample rate

Will indicate the sample rate for the connected source that has audio

Connection state

Will indicate if the receiver is connected/disconnected to a source

Frame rate

Frame rate of connected stream

Resolution

Resolution of connected stream (width x height)

Source name

Name of sender and stream that receiver is connected to

Source URL

Will indicate the IP address and Port number for the connected stream (e.g. 192.1.15.11:5961)

Video codec

NDI format and codec

Video color primaries

Indicates the HDR color information if connected stream is HDR

Video frame type

Indicates if the video stream is progressive/interlaced/interleaved streams

Video matrix coefficients

Indicates the HDR color information if connected stream is HDR

Video presence

Indicate whether there is video in the stream

Video receive mode

Will indicate the transmission method for the video stream (SingleTCP, RUDP, multicast etc)

Video transfer function

Indicates the HDR color information if connected stream is HDR

Control

In this release, it is possible to control the receiver to select which NDI source it connects to.

It can only connect to sources that have also been discovered by the Discovery Server.

Communication and Security

All communications between NDI Receivers, the Discovery Server and NDI Discovery tool, and third-party applications using the Advanced SDK use XML messages with a basic level of security.

In this initial release there is no encryption or authentication applied. A Receiver need only register to the IP of a Discovery Server to communicate with it. Applications must use NDI's propriety API calls provided in the Advanced SDK.

Developers can add authentication at the application layer to prevent unauthorized access to the application and the ability to monitor or control NDI devices.