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      • Discovery & Registration
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        • Reliable UDP - NDI 5
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      • 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)
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    • Introduction
    • NDI for Video
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      • Using OBS Studio as a Commentary System
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      • Using NDI and Dante on the same Network
      • Use OBS video + audio on Zoom with macOS
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    • 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?
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      • How do I use NDI output with Microsoft Teams
      • The time code on my file is incorrect, how do I change it?
      • Where is Screen Capture (HX) for Mac?
      • How can I make NDI Tools launch automatically?
      • What is the NDI ECCN?
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      • Why did you start this certification program?​
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      • 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 β€œNew” 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
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      • 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
  • Introduction
  • Understanding the Protocols: NDI vs Dante
  • NDI (Network Device Interface)
  • Dante Audio
  • NDI and Dante on a 1G Network: Real-World Observations
  • NDI Transport Protocols and Network Behavior

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  1. Using NDI
  2. Using NDI with Software

Using NDI and Dante on the same Network

Introduction

Running Dante and NDI in different networks or VLANs is always the recommended choice but this sometimes requires complex network infrastructure that is not always feasible.

As IP-based audio and video solutions become standard in live production and broadcast environments, a common question arises:

Can NDI and Dante coexist on the same network?

The answer is yes, but only under the right conditions.

Understanding the Protocols: NDI vs Dante

NDI (Network Device Interface)

NDI is a video-over-IP protocol optimized for ease of use and versatility. Its key characteristics include:

  • Uses various transport methods: TCP, UDP, Multi-TCP, and R-UDP.

  • No centralized synchronization mechanism.

  • Audio and video are embedded together and rely on best-effort delivery.

  • Can be bandwidth-intensive, especially full-bandwidth NDI (100–300 Mbps per stream).

Dante Audio

Dante, developed by Audinate, is designed for professional, low-latency audio transport over IP. Its key characteristics include:

  • Ultra-low latency (typically <1 ms)

  • Uses PTP (Precision Time Protocol, IEEE 1588) for tight synchronization between all devices

  • Each audio stream is typically mono, point-to-point

  • Highly sensitive to jitter and network congestion

NDI and Dante on a 1G Network: Real-World Observations

Scenario 1: A Single Computer Running NDI and Dante

A single computer (e.g., running vMix or TriCaster) receives NDI streams and handles Dante audio via the same 1G NIC. As long as it only receives NDI streams, Dante works fine. Once the computer transmits NDI streams, Dante experiences:

  • Increased latency

  • Audio glitches

  • Eventually, Dante devices may mute audio completely due to PTP sync loss

Why does this happen?

NDI video streams can flood the NIC and switch buffers. Since Dante relies on highly predictable packet timing and synchronized clocks (via PTP), any jitter or delay in network delivery, especially in PTP packets, can cause the system to desynchronize, leading to audio dropouts.

Scenario 2: 10G Backbone with 1G Endpoint

The main NDI+Dante computer is connected via 10G to a core switch. A second switch, connected via 1G uplink, serves a Dante commentary station. Everything runs smoothly until an NDI decoder is added to the second switch and starts receiving a video stream from the main computer. Suddenly, the Dante commentary position experiences PTP errors and intermittent audio mute. Replacing the second switch with a 10G model and using a 10G uplink immediately resolves the issue.

Why does this happen?

Traffic from an NDI receiver saturates the uplink. Simply having an NDI transmitter alone doesn't cause this traffic surge. NDI streams are unicast and only begin flowing when a receiver connects. When the receiver is on the 1G switch and pulls full-bandwidth NDI from the 10G host, the 1G uplink becomes a bottleneck. This bottleneck causes latency and jitter, especially affecting:

  • PTP clock sync packets

  • Time-sensitive Dante audio packets

Consequently, sync is lost and Dante audio mutes. By contrast, if the NDI transmitter is on the 1G switch without an active receiver, the traffic isn't triggered, and Dante remains unaffected.

NDI Transport Protocols and Network Behavior

NDI supports multiple transport types, but not all are equally suitable in mixed environments.

Protocol
Suitable with Dante?
Notes

TCP

With care

Requires proper flow control; can introduce delay under congestion

UDP

Better

Predictable; ideal for real-time flows

R-UDP

Recommended

Reliable UDP; good compromise between speed and reliability

Multi-TCP

Avoid

Creates multiple TCP streams with independent buffers; bad for real-time sync like Dante

Flow Control must be enabled on all switches for stable coexistence.

Best Practices for NDI + Dante on the Same Network

To make it work reliably: 1. Use a 10G network backbone for any shared segments carrying both Dante and NDI. 2. Avoid Multi-TCP mode in NDI, especially in mixed Dante environments. 3. Enable flow control on all switch ports. 4. Use managed switches that support IEEE 802.1p traffic prioritization (to prioritize PTP and Dante audio) 5. Monitor the Dante Clock status and latency metrics on all endpoints. 6. Avoid 1G uplinks where video and audio traffic are mixed.

Conclusion

NDI and Dante can coexist on the same network, but only if the network is properly designed to handle their demands. Dante's strict timing requirements make it particularly vulnerable to congestion and jitter, while NDI’s high-bandwidth nature can easily monopolize links if not carefully managed.

Proper switch configuration, bandwidth planning, and protocol awareness are essential to ensure stable, high-performance operation in mixed NDI + Dante environments.

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Last updated 14 days ago

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