How to use the PTZOptics NDI HX camera with Epiphan Pearl-2
How to use the PTZOptics NDI HX camera with Epiphan Pearl-2
The Network Device Interface (NDI) protocol is a powerful way to transmit and control video over IP (Internet Protocol). It is perfect for live video production as it provides for high-quality video and low-latency transmission. This guide covers setting up the PTZOptics NDI HX camera with the NDI protocol using the Epiphan Pearl-2 all-in-one NDI production system.
Epiphan Pearl NDI Setup
1. Set Camera Resolution
The recommended resolution is 1080p at 30 frames per second. For scenes with a lot of fast-moving action, such as sporting events, 1080p at 60 frames per second is recommended.
2. Attach External Monitor
For initial setup, you will need to use an external monitor to access the onscreen menu. You can either connect to a studio monitor using the built-in HDMI or SDI output, or use a capture device to send the video to a laptop.
Epiphan Pearl NDI Setup
3. Find the Camera’s IP Address
Now, set the camera to use DHCP. You can do this using the camera’s IR remote control using the code #*4. Now, reveal the camera’s IP address using *#4 on the remote.
4. Adjust the Network Settings for the Camera
It is recommended that the camera be set up with a static IP address. Dynamic addresses can change periodically, making it challenging to manage the camera. If you have multiple cameras, you can set up sequential IP addresses to make your setup cleaner. Just be sure to choose IP addresses in the same range as any additional devices connected via NDI. The address must also be on the same subnet.Another option is to make a MAC address reservation for the camera on your DHCP server.
5. Set Up a Name for the Camera
Go to the settings window and enter a unique name for the camera. If you are going to be setting up multiple cameras, it is best to develop a naming convention to make each camera easy to identify later in the Pearl UI.
6. Enable Time Sync
While in the camera’s UI menu, ensure that NTP time sync in enabled. That will be essential for the connection to the Pearl-2
7. Choose Quality Setting
Depending on the model of your camera, you may have two or three presets for quality. Those settings will either be high and low or high, medium, and low. Choose your setting and then click the “apply” button to reboot the camera. This is an essential step as, ideally, NDI traffic should not exceed 75 percent of the bandwidth of your network.
Each device on the network will add to the cumulative total of bandwidth usage. You may add a device at a bandwidth that is well within what is available on the network. However, if there are other devices, together, they may still exceed the 75% maximum.
8. Select Camera in the Pearl UI
Open the “Add Input” panel from the list of inputs. The Pearl should automatically detect the new camera and any other NDI sources on the network. Since we already know the name of the camera we configured, we can just select it from the lists.
9. Manage Additional Settings
We can now add a custom “no signal” image. We can also adjust the audio delay if needed.
10. Add the Camera to Workflows and Layouts
You are now ready to go with your PTZOptics NDI HX Camera with the Pearl-2!
Conclusion:
Network Device Interface (NDI) is a powerful protocol for video over IP, offering an ideal combination of high-quality video and low-latency transmission for live video production. In this quick-start video, we show you how to use the PTZOptics NDI HX camera with our Pearl-2 all-in-one production system. We go over networking and bandwidth requirements, how to add an NDI input to your Pearl-2 workflows and layouts, and more.
