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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
  • Host Mode
  • Encoder Settings
  • Join mode
  • Using NDI Bridge Locally

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  1. Using NDI
  2. NDI Tools
  3. NDI Tools for Windows

Bridge

Simplify Remote NDI Workflows.

Last updated 3 months ago

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Download NDI Tools .

NDI Bridge enables the interconnection of remote NDI infrastructures, incorporating multipoint capabilities. It delivers local convenience on a global scale as it handles all the complexity of remote sources, supporting all of the benefits of NDI, including:

  • Video Transcoding for transmitting streams over the internet using or compression

  • support (due to h.264 compression's resolution limitations, it is only possible to use HD resolution with an alpha channel or UHD without it. HEVC supports all reasonable resolutions with and without alpha)

  • Multichannel audio support

  • controls

  • Tally support

  • (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) support

  • Custom metadata

This system is comprised of three key components:


Host Mode

In Host mode, you can configure the following settings:

  • Groups to Share: Share specific NDI Groups defined in the NDI local network by the NDI Access Managers.

  • Bridge Name: Define a specific name for the connected bridge system. This name helps to identify the sources shared through a remote Bridge.

The Bridge Name specified must be unique.

  • Server IP Address: This field is automatically populated by default on Bridge startup; the application automatically discovers the public IP address of the wan connection. However, NDI Bridge Host/Join can be used inside a local area network or over an existing VPN; a local Bridge Join can connect to a local Host using the physical Host IP Address.

  • Port: Define the network port used by the remote Bridge Join to establish the connection with the Host through a ().

  • Encryption Key: Encryption ensures that only authorized parties can access the connection and data transmission between Bridge applications.

The strength of the key, determined by its length and complexity, is crucial to the security of the encrypted data.

  • Resolve Public IP and Port: This option allows the Bridge Application to automatically find and verify the public IP address and the port forwarding configuration.

  • Buffer: The buffer setting in NDI Bridge is a configurable option that determines the amount of video data the system temporarily stores (or buffers) during transmission. This setting helps manage the data flow and can improve the stability of the video stream, especially over networks with varying latency or bandwidth. By adjusting the buffer, you can find a compromise between lower latency and smoother video playback, depending on the network conditions and performance requirements.

Encoder Settings

Adjust encoder settings to define how signals are shared across the wide-area network.

Check Compatibility: Verifies if the system can support h.264 and h.265 (HEVC) encoding and decoding.

Output: Configure how NDI Bridge manages the stream transcoding:

Transcoding format
Video codec
Audio codec

NDI HX

H.264 or HEVC

Opus (Max. 255 audio ch per stream)

NDI High Bandwidth

SpeedHQ

Passthrough PCM Uncompressed

Do Not Transcode

N/A

Opus (Max. 255 audio ch per stream)


Join mode

Through Join mode, you can connect your local NDI network to a remote Host. On the menu, you can configure the following settings:

  • Groups to Share: Share specific NDI Groups defined in the NDI local network by the NDI Access Managers.

  • Bridge Name: Define a specific name for the connected bridge system. This name helps to identify the sources shared through a remote Bridge.

The Bridge Name specified must be unique.

  • Server IP Address: define the public IP address of the remote Bridge Host.

  • Port: Define the network port used by the remote Bridge Join to establish the connection with the Host through a ().

  • Encryption Key: Encryption ensures that only authorized parties can access the connection and data transmission between Bridge applications.

The strength of the key, determined by its length and complexity, is crucial to the security of the encrypted data.

  • Resolve Public IP and Port: This option allows the Bridge Application to automatically find and verify the public IP address and the port forwarding configuration.

  • Buffer: The NDI Bridge buffer setting is a configurable option that determines the amount of video data the system temporarily stores (or buffers) during transmission. This setting helps manage the data flow and can improve the stability of the video stream, especially over networks with varying latency or bandwidth. By adjusting the buffer, you can find a compromise between lower latency and smoother video playback, depending on the network conditions and performance requirements.


Using NDI Bridge Locally

NDI Bridge can be used inside a local area network using the Local mode for the following use cases:

Transcoding NDI High Bandwidth to NDI HX, which can be useful for distributing NDI streams with a lighter codec (h.264 or h.265).

Unicast repeater: By default, NDI transmitters use unicast, and the network interface's capacity limits their output capability. When an NDI stream needs to be shared with multiple receivers, NDI Bridge can be employed to leverage a larger network capacity by using Bridge in local mode. In the encoding settings, the "Do Not Transcode" option can be selected. This allows the NDI Bridge to replicate the requested stream to multiple receivers, overcoming the limited unicast capacity of the original NDI transmitter.

Here's how to configure Local Mode:

  1. Select the Local tab.

  2. Click Start to activate the NDI Bridge in Local mode.

To troubleshoot common issues hover your cursor over the yellow exclamation point for a tool tip of the issue

In Windows 10 and above, the HEVC decoder is an additional license that can be purchased through the .

Enter the and bridge name.

Adjust the .

An NDI Bridge executable can also be launched using the following .

⚒️
Microsoft Store App
NDI Access Manager groups
Encoder Settings
command line arguments
here
Host
Join
Local
Screenshot of Host menu on NDI Bridge (Windows)
Screenshot of Encoder Settins menu on NDI Bridge (Windows)
Screenshot of Compatibility Check menu on NDI Bridge (Windows)
Screenshot of Join menu on NDI Bridge (Windows)
Screenshot of Local menu on NDI Bridge (Windows)