Video Inputs

Serial Digital Interface (SDI) is a standard for transmitting digital video signals over a coaxial cable. It was first developed in the 1980s and has become widely used in the broadcast and professional video industries. SDI is designed to transmit uncompressed digital video signals with high reliability and low latency. It is capable of transmitting video at various resolutions and frame rates, including standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), and ultra-high definition (UHD or 4K). There are several types of SDI standards, including SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, and 12G-SDI. Each standard has its own bandwidth and data rate capabilities, with higher standards capable of transmitting higher-resolution and higher-frame-rate video. 

SMPTE 2110 is a standard for transmitting professional-quality video and audio over IP networks, developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). It was first published in 2017 and has since become widely adopted in the broadcast industry. The standard defines a set of protocols for separating video, audio, and ancillary data into separate IP streams. This allows for greater flexibility in the distribution and processing of media, as each component can be independently managed and routed.

SMPTE 2110 only works on local 10gbit networks.

SMPTE 2110 includes several parts, each of which addresses a different aspect of the transmission process. The key parts include:

• SMPTE ST 2110-10: System timing and synchronization
• SMPTE ST 2110-20: Uncompressed video over IP
• SMPTE ST 2110-30: Uncompressed audio over IP
• SMPTE ST 2110-40: Ancillary data over IP

Together, these parts define a comprehensive system for transmitting professional video and audio over IP networks. By using standardized protocols and interfaces, SMPTE 2110 enables interoperability between different manufacturers and vendors, making it easier to build complex media networks. Overall, SMPTE 2110 represents a promising option in the broadcast industry's transition to IP-based workflows.

Network Device Interface (NDI) is a video-over-IP protocol developed by NewTek, a company that produces video production equipment and software. NDI allows for high-quality, low-latency video and audio transmission over standard Ethernet networks. NDI is designed to be used with a wide range of video production equipment, including cameras, switchers, and video editing software. It works by converting video and audio signals into IP packets, which can then be transmitted. One of the key advantages of NDI is that it eliminates the need for specialized video cabling and hardware, such as SDI cables and capture cards. This can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of video production setups. NDI also offers other benefits, such as the ability to transmit multiple video and audio streams over a single network cable, support for high-quality video formats such as 4K and HDR, and compatibility. NDI has become increasingly popular in the video production industry.

NDI protocol works on local networks.
NDI protocol operates with compressed videos, so they can be transferred through 1 Gbit networks.
NOTE: In practice, the compressed state of the videos is barely, if at all, noticeable. However, you may find that with certain applications, this could cause a problem.
NDI protocol starting with version 5.0 allows for transferring videos through www (World Wide Web). This requires a higher data compression ratio than the local networks do. In its current state of development, it also offers less shielding for the data stream, as more uncontrolled elements can be present in the system.

For your PC to be used with NDI, you only need a network card.

Read more on setting up NDI connections with Aximmetry here.

On how to set up an NDI input, please find more information in this article.

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and it is a digital interface standard for transmitting high-quality audio and video signals between devices. HDMI was first introduced in 2002 and has since become the most common type of interface for consumer-grade video and audio connections. HDMI supports various video resolutions and refresh rates, including standard definition (480p), high definition (720p, 1080p), and ultra-high definition (4K, 8K). It also supports a variety of audio formats, including stereo, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound, and newer immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. One of the main advantages of HDMI is that it is a single-cable solution for both audio and video transmission, which simplifies the process of setting up and connecting devices. HDMI cables also support bidirectional communication, which means that devices can send and receive signals to each other for features such as automatic device detection and control. HDMI has gone through several iterations, with newer versions offering improved features such as higher bandwidth, better color depth, and support for newer audio formats. The most recent version of HDMI is HDMI 2.1, which offers support for 8K video at 60Hz and dynamic HDR.

SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is an open-source video transport protocol developed by Haivision, which is designed to enable reliable, low-latency video streaming over unreliable networks, such as the internet. SRT uses end-to-end encryption to secure video streams, making it a secure way to transport sensitive video content. One of the key advantages of SRT is its low latency. It is also used in cloud-based video services. Overall, SRT is a flexible, reliable, and secure video transport protocol that is well-suited for a wide range of video streaming applications. Its open-source nature makes it accessible and customizable, which has contributed to its growing popularity in the video streaming industry.

In order for your PC to be used with SRT, you only need a network card.

On how to set up an SRT input, please find more information in this article.