直播视频与NDI和PTZ

Producing and delivering live-streamed video is now more affordable and accessible than ever before. With NewTek’s Network Device Interface (NDI) technology and remotely controlled pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, it’s even easier to set up and operate complex productions with minimal staff requirements.

Traditional live production setups can require miles of cables to each camera, 无线电耳机系统, 每个摄像机至少有一个人. NDI connectivity and PTZ cameras enable a producer to minimize cable requirements while enhancing opportunities for creativity in camera placement and use. 这样的设置可以事半功倍, and it gives us a glimpse into what the future of live production could look like.

定义和细节

那么，什么是NDI? 圣安东尼奥, 德克萨斯州NewTek, TriCaster现场制作系统的开发者, 2015年在IBC上发布了NDI, 这是一项相对较新的技术. 简而言之, NDI allows a user to utilize existing gigabit 网work infrastructure to connect a wide range of devices together through standard ether网 cables and ports. Since many PTZ cameras are now offered with Power over Ether网 (PoE), 这也意味着控制, 信号, 电力可以通过一根电缆而不是三根电缆传输. NDI uses the multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) discovery standard to broadcast and locate sources across a 网work. 一旦源设置在交换机上, 有视频, 未压缩的音频, 从每个源发送元数据. Typically, cameras will be sending a 1080i 信号 with variable bitrate around 100Mbps. 新科科技最新的TriCaster, TC1 (下面的图1)，可以在60p下处理4K.

图1. NewTek TriCaster TC1

NDI-compatible equipment is available from a wide array of manufacturers, 尽管NewTek提供了最多的选择. 这家公司卖照相机。, 转换器, 现场生产系统(如TriCaster系列), 图形软件包, 以及其他工具和配件. 许多其他制造商，包括PTZOptics (下面的图2), Streambox, Panopto, Magewell, vMix, 松下, and Marshall all offer a range of NDI gear such as cameras and 转换器. Converters such as the NewTek Connect Spark ensure that even existing or older camera systems don’t have to be replaced in order to take advantage of NDI. 生产商可以转换HDMI, SDI, and even 4K UHD cameras at the camera and add them to the list of available sources on the 网work.

图2. The 2018 流媒体 Readers’ Choice Award-winning PTZOptics 20X-SDI

The most important aspect of NDI is that it is available to anyone with a royalty-free license. NewTek even maintains an SDK that’s compatible with mobile, Windows, Linux, and macOS. Software developers and hardware manufacturers can integrate NDI into their products at zero up-front or ongoing cost.

PTZ is a relatively old technology that most producers are already familiar with. 即便如此, the camera systems that could be classified as PTZ have exploded and blurred the lines in recent years. 其核心是, a PTZ camera is the typical dome or lens-on-a-stick style like you see in many houses of worship and small- or medium-sized conference rooms. 这些紧凑的系统在大多数情况下都很有能力. They’re powered either by wall plug or ether网 cable and can be placed nearly anywhere either permanently or temporarily. 倒置天花板装置的图像翻转, IP控制, and long optical zooms are commonplace features among all manufacturers. For the vast majority of live production setups, the basic PTZ camera is adequate.

One might argue that there are other PTZ cameras available to producers that don’t fit the standard definition. For example, drones are increasingly being added to live shoots to provide a unique angle. 在赛车界, the National Hot Rod Association’s 2018 Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals production included a DJI drone in its mix. 轨道上还有一个靠侧壁的摄像头. 毫无疑问, the camera on the track was something cheap in case it was destroyed by a stray top fuel dragster, but a PTZ camera could easily have replaced it and added interest with the ability to follow the cars as they passed. Even newer systems like Spidercam and FlyLine share the capabilities of PTZ cameras while also having the advantage of long-range travel by cable.