Video Transports
NDI graphics output for visual radio studios
Graphics that travel over NDI need no capture card and no extra cable between machines. The Render Engine sends VRA graphics as an NDI source that vMix or OBS picks up as an input, and Camera Assist steers NDI PTZ cameras over the same network.
What VRA does with NDI.
Graphics as an NDI source
Each Render Engine output appears on the network as its own NDI source, ready to add as an input in vMix or OBS.
Same machine, no network load
Run the Render Engine on the vMix or OBS machine and the NDI stream stays inside that PC. On a separate machine, plan the network for it.
NDI PTZ cameras
Camera Assist moves and frames PTZ cameras over NDI. You pick them by model from VRA's camera list.
Rendered in your studio
The Render Engine draws the picture on your own machine. The browser is where your team designs and runs the graphics.
How to set it up.
Requirements
- VRA Output Player with NDI Runtime 6.
- An NDI receiver and network capacity for the selected video output.
- A compatible NDI input plugin for OBS; check that plugin's own OBS and runtime requirements.
Install NDI Runtime 6 on the studio machine, then install the Output Player.
Enable NDI in the VRA output settings and keep the automatic source name or set your own.
Select that source in the receiving production application. OBS needs a compatible NDI input plugin.
Check the picture and video format at the receiver before taking it on air.
NDI questions
Can I get VRA graphics into vMix or OBS over NDI? +
Yes. In vMix, add the VRA source as an NDI input. OBS needs an NDI input plugin such as DistroAV, which is separate from the websocket connection VRA uses for scene switching.
Which NDI version does VRA need? +
The Render Engine needs NDI Runtime 6 on its machine. Install the runtime before the Output Player app.
Does Camera Assist work with NDI PTZ cameras? +
Yes. NDI PTZ cameras are controlled over NDI. You add one by picking its model from VRA's camera list; NDI is not in the manual protocol picker.
Does NDI output replace my streaming encoder? +
No. It gives your mixer a production signal. Your existing mixer and encoder still handle the final program and the streaming destinations.
NDI
About NDI.
VRA uses NDI in two places.
The Render Engine, installed in the studio as the Output Player, sends each output as an NDI source named VRA- plus the output name, or a name you set. vMix takes it as an input directly; OBS needs an NDI input plugin such as DistroAV. Running the player on the vMix or OBS machine is the most efficient setup, because the stream then never crosses the network. On a separate machine, the network carries it and sets the limit on how many outputs you run.
Camera Assist controls PTZ cameras that speak NDI over NDI itself, picked by model from VRA's camera list.
NDI carries the picture. Deciding when it goes to program stays with your ATEM, vMix or OBS connection.
What you can do with this connection
The products behind it.
More integrations.
vMix
Automate vMix for your radio show. The studio microphones pick the input, VRA graphics arrive as one NDI input and the recording follows the rundown.
OBS
Automatic camera switching in OBS Studio: VRA changes the scene when a studio microphone opens, using the scenes you already built, and runs the recording.
Blackmagic DeckLink (SDI)
Get SDI graphics output from a Blackmagic DeckLink or UltraStudio. The VRA Render Engine sends a full picture, or fill and key on supported cards.
Check your studio setup with us.
Tell us your camera models, video switcher and radio automation. We will check the connections and show you the workflow that fits your station.