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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
      • NDI Tools for Mac
        • Access Manager
        • Scan Converter
        • Router
        • Test Patterns
        • Video Monitor
        • Virtual Input
      • 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 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
        • 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
  • 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 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?
      • 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
  • Cache
  • Channel
  • Codec
  • Device
  • Domain
  • DNS
  • Ethernet
  • Format
  • Genlock
  • HDCP
  • Host
  • IGMP
  • IP
  • IPv4
  • IPv6
  • LAN
  • Layer 2
  • Layer 3
  • MAC Address
  • Mbps
  • mDNS
  • Monitor
  • OSI
  • Packet (Frame)
  • Port
  • PPS (Picture Parameter Set NALU)
  • QoS
  • Router
  • SPS (Sequence Parameter Set NALU)
  • Subnet
  • TCP
  • TTL
  • UDP
  • WAN

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  1. Getting Started
  2. Glossary

Industry Terminology

The following is an ever-growing list of terms that relate to networking and audiovisual technology.

Cache

Cache refers to a reserved section of computer memory or an independent high-speed storage device used to accelerate access and retrieval of commonly used data.

Channel

Tyically an audio channel is usually a single mono audio input on a device. Less commonly could refer to video components such as luma channel or alpha channel etc.

Codec

A codec (compressor-decompressor) is a technology or software used to encode and decode data, specifically for audio, video, or multimedia files. Codecs compress data to reduce file size for easier storage or transmission and then decompress it for playback or editing.

Device

Any hardware capable of communicating over a network using the Internet Protocol (IP) or NDI network. A device can be a source or destination or both while the function of the machine could be sending or receiving.

Domain

A domain refers to a LAN subnetwork of users, systems, devices, and servers. Domain can also refer to the IP address of a website on the Internet.

DNS

DNS (Domain Name System) is a system used by the Internet and private networks to translate domain names into IP addresses.

Ethernet

Ethernet, standardized as IEEE 802.3, refers to a series of LAN (Local Area Network) technologies used to connect computers and other devices to a home or business network. Ethernet is a physical and data link layer networking protocol that supports data transfer rates starting at 10 Mbps, typically over twisted pair cabling, but also fiber optic and coaxial cabling.

Format

Specific details of a signal, eg: resolution, frame-rate, codec encoding, etc.

Genlock

A process used to synchronize a video source by allowing devices to lock their video signals to a common external reference signal (often referred to as a sync signal or black burst), It is used in video production and broadcasting to ensure that multiple video devices, such as cameras, switchers, and monitors, operate in perfect sync.

HDCP

High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection developed to prevent unauthorized copying of digital content as it travels across connections like HDMI, display port, etc. It is commonly used in high-definition content transmission between devices such as Blu-ray players, TVs, computers, and gaming consoles.

Host

A specific machine, device, or computer that is connected to a network that can provide or consume services, resources, or data.

IGMP

IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) is the protocol used in IP multicasting that allows a host to report its multicast group membership to networked routers in order to receive data, messages, or content addressed to the designated multicast group.

IP

IP (Internet Protocol) is the communications protocol for the Internet, many wide area networks (WANs), and most local area networks (LANs) that define the rules, formats, and address scheme for exchanging datagrams or packets between a source computer or device and a destination computer or device.

IPv4

IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) is the fourth and most used version of the Internet Protocol. IPv4 uses a 32-bit IP address scheme for network identification and communication, with each unique IP address expressed as four numbers (between 0 and 255) separated by decimal points.

IPv6

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, developed to eventually replace IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). IPv6 uses a 128-bit IP address scheme for network identification and communication, with each unique IP address expressed as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (numbers from 0-9 or letters from A-F) separated by colons. In addition to exponentially increasing the number of available IP addresses, IPv6 simplifies and streamlines network communication while increasing security, compatibility, and efficiency.

LAN

LAN (Local Area Network) is a network that connects computers and devices in a room, building or group of buildings. LANs are typically deployed in homes, offices, and schools, where users share access to the same server, resources, and data storage. A system of LANs can also be connected to form a WAN (Wide Area Network).

Layer 2

Layer 2 refers to the OSI networking model's second layer or Data Link layer. A layer 2 switch uses hardware-based switching to transmit data between connected devices based on their MAC (Media Access Control) layer addresses.

Layer 3

Layer 3 refers to the OSI networking model's third layer or Network layer. A layer 3 switch uses hardware-based switching to transmit data between connected devices based on their IP addresses.

MAC Address

MAC (Media Access Control) address refers to a unique physical address identifying a network node.

Mbps

Mbps (Megabits per second) is a unit of measurement for data transfer speed, with one megabit equal to one million bits. Network transmissions are commonly measured in Mbps.

mDNS

mDNS (multicast DNS) refers to the use of IP multicast with DNS to translate domain names into IP addresses and provide service discovery in a network that does not have access to a DNS server.

Monitor

Device used to display or view a video signal or listen to an audio signal. Also defineed as the act of examining details of an audio or video stream

OSI

The OSI (Open System Interconnection) reference model is a standard that defines worldwide network communication, developed by ISO (International Organization for Standardization). The OSI reference model divides network communication into seven layers: 1) Physical, 2) Data Link, 3) Network, 4) Transport, 5) Session, 6) Presentation, and 7) Application.

Packet (Frame)

A packet, also known as a frame or datagram, is a unit of data transmitted over a packet-switched network, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

Port

A port is a communications channel for data transmission to and from a computer on a network. Each port is identified by a 16-bit number between 0 and 65535, with each process, application, or service using a specific port, or multiple ports, for data transmission.

PPS (Picture Parameter Set NALU)

Details a decoder needs to decode the video data, such as resolution, frame rate, and other parameters. They must be included in the video stream for the decoder to interpret the video correctly.

QoS

QoS (Quality of Service) is the measure of performance for systems or networks, with considerations that include availability, bandwidth, latency, and reliability. QoS can also refer to prioritizing network traffic to ensure a minimum or required level of service, predictability, and/or control.

Router

  1. A networking device capable of transporting IP data based on Layer 3 details (IP Address and subnet details).

  2. An SDI router (Serial Digital Interface router) is a device used to route and manage video signals in broadcast and production environments. It allows multiple SDI video sources, such as cameras, servers, and playback devices, to connected to and switch between various destinations, such as monitors, recorders, or live feeds.

SPS (Sequence Parameter Set NALU)

Details a decoder needs to decode the video data, such as resolution, frame rate, and other parameters. They must be included in the video stream for the decoder to interpret the video correctly.

Subnet

Subnet (short for subnetwork) refers to a distinct subdivision of an IP network, usually created for performance or security purposes. Subnets typically include the computers, systems, and devices in one location, office, or building, with all nodes sharing the same IP address prefix.

TCP

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a network communications protocol that enables two host systems to establish a connection and exchange data packets, ensuring that data is delivered to the correct destination. TCP is typically grouped with IP (Internet Protocol) and is known collectively as TCP/IP.

TTL

UDP

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is an alternative protocol to TCP that is used when reliable delivery of data packets is not required. UDP is typically used for applications where timeliness is of higher priority than accuracy, such as streaming media, teleconferencing, and voice-over IP (VoIP).

WAN

WAN (Wide Area Network) is a network that spans a relatively broad geographical area, such as a state, region, or nation. WANs typically connect multiple smaller networks, such as LANs (Local Area Network) and MANs (Metropolitan Area Network). The Internet is an example of a WAN.


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Time to live (TTL) or hop limit is a mechanism that limits the lifespan or lifetime of data in a computer or network. TTL may be implemented as a or attached to or embedded in the data. Once the prescribed event count or timespan has elapsed, data is discarded or revalidated. In , TTL prevents a data packet from circulating indefinitely. In applications, TTL is commonly used to improve performance and manage the of data.

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