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BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder

BH #BIBD4KHDMI • MFR #BD4KHDMI
6 reviews
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BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder
Key Features
  • Up to UHD 4K/60 Input
  • Full-Bandwidth I-Frame Compression
  • HDMI 2.0 Input, HDMI 2.0/12G-SDI Output
  • 3.5mm Audio Input/Output
Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. The compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminium case and features an HDMI 2.0 input and HDMI 2.0 and 12G-SDI individual outputs. It also has a built-in cross converter that allows the HDMI input to be looped out via the 12G-SDI output.
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$999.00
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BirdDog BD4K Overview

Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. The compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminium case and features an HDMI 2.0 input and HDMI 2.0 and 12G-SDI individual outputs. It also has a built-in cross converter that allows the HDMI input to be looped out via the 12G-SDI output.

Another major feature is an SFP+ expansion slot that supports SFP+ modules for fiber connectivity and Ethernet protocols from 1-10GbE. A tally system with a large bicolor tally light is built-in for indicating which camera is live to on-air talent. The tally system allows user-selectable tally borders on loop out. The device is complete with 3.5mm audio input/output, a 4-line OLED display, and USB 3.0 interface. It can be powered by a standard power supply or over PoE+.

The 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder comes with the BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software, which supports up to four BirdDog devices. Comms Lite is Windows compatible and offers features such as director push to talk, mute camera operator, auto-detect NDI sources, monitor camera audio, and shortcut to web console. For a more complete version of the application, an optional upgrade is available to Comms Pro. The Encoder/Decoder is also compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software, which helps you decode NDI back to HDMI or SDI.

Key Features
  • Up to UHD 4K/60 video input
  • Distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression
  • HDMI 2.0 input
  • HDMI 2.0 output
  • 12G-SDI output
  • 3.5mm audio input/output
  • Built-in cross converter
  • SFP+ expansion slot
  • Bicolor tally light
  • Selectable tally indicator on video loop outputs
  • PoE+ support
  • 4-line OLED display
  • Includes BirdDog Comms Lite audio intercom software for Windows (upgradeable to the complete Comms Pro application)
  • Compatible with the optional BirdDog Central software for decoding NDI back to HDMI/SDI
  • Aircraft-grade aluminium housing
  • Control any PTZ camera that supports NDI, NDI|HX, or Visca over IP using an optional USB-to-Ethernet dongle
Network Connectivity
  • Ethernet RJ45 1000baseT with integrated PoE
  • Open SFP+ Cage (10GB SFP+ adapters sold separately)
  • Embedded Web configuration panel
External Interface Support (Requires Optional Cables)
  • USB to RJ45 for additional network in device support
  • USB to RJ45 for VISCA over IP PTZ control
  • USB to Serial PTZ control (RS-232)
  • USB ISO recording
Included Comms Lite Software
  • Windows 10 and above compatible
  • Groups: 1
  • Max BirdDog devices per group: 4
  • Live video windows: 4
  • Director push-to-talk buttons: 1
  • Director to all
  • BirdDog to director
  • Mute camera operator
  • Shortcut to web console
  • Monitor camera audio
  • Auto-detect NDI sources
  • Volume sider bar
Additional Features with Optional Comms Pro Upgrade
  • BirdDog push to talk
  • Director to group
  • BirdDog operator broadcast
  • Mix minus
  • Keyboard shortcuts / hot case
  • Refresh NDI sources
EAN: 9354873000034

BirdDog BD4K Specs

Inputs/Outputs
Video Inputs
1x HDMI (2.0)
Audio Inputs
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS
Video Outputs
1x HDMI (2.0)
1x BNC (12G-SDI)
Audio Outputs
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo
Other I/O
1x USB-A PoE
Expansion Slots
1x SFP+ Slot
Format Support
Input Video Format
HDMI
UHD 4K at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080i at 50/59.94 fps
720p at 50/59.94/60 fps
Output Video Format
HDMI
UHD 4K at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080i at 50/59.94 fps
720p at 50/59.94/60 fps
SDI
UHD 4K at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps
1080i at 50/59.94 fps
720p at 50/59.94/60 fps
Standards
HDR Support
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Hardware
Tally Light
Yes
Wireless
Yes
Power
Power I/O
1x Barrel (12 VDC ) Input
1x RJ45 Input
Power Consumption
Device: 16 W
General
Dimensions
5.3 x 3.3 x 1" / 13.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 cm
Weight
0.6 lb / 260 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.96 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
7 x 5.3 x 4"

BirdDog BD4K Reviews

Works great! IF you understand the nuances of NDI

By Jay Tee
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-11-28

This unit does exactly what you needed to do, once you get it to an up-to-date firmware. I think that was my biggest challenge with this was at first I could not find the correct firmware for it. The version five firmware that’s listed on the support page of their website, cannot be upgraded to unless you’re already on version five. The problem is these things do not ship with that new version. They shipped with an extremely old buggy version 1.1 that will not work. However, if you go to their previous releases, you will find up to a version 21. There’s about 10 previous versions on there, and you will have to upgrade the unit through each version one by one to get it to want to work with the newest version 21. Once you do that, the unit actually works amazing. Now understand this is a full NDI encoder, so those expecting it to be HX need to look for something else. Additionally, if you’re looking to use this with V-Mix, VMIX only outputs full NDI. There is a trick documented online to get HX feeds, but it adds some delay. So yeah it does take a little TLC to get this thing to function correctly. But if your goal is to use full NDI, and you have a network that supports it, once you get through the lack of documentation and the firmware weirdness, this QUAD 4K is rock solid and I’ve never had a single problem on a show.

Finally working reliably

By Jacob
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-06-27

I had purchased these units about 18 months ago and they were totally unusable, and ended up returning them (the other review here is mine). They've finally got this thing working reliably and I use it in a 24/7 environment without issue. Did knock 1 star as they originally advertised it as it could be a mix of encode and decode, but that eventually changed to all of one or the other.

See any errors on this page?

can I use 2 of these to: 1) Turn SDI to NDI, TX ...

can I use 2 of these to: 1) Turn SDI to NDI, TX across my network. 2.) use 2nd box to decode the NDI back to an SDI signal
Asked by: Henry
The 4K HDMI unit is just an HDMI Encoder or Decoder. You will need a 4K SDI unit to encode SDI into NDI. Depending on how you want the signal to come out, you will need either an SDI or HDMI unit.
Answered by: Nick Y
Date published: 2021-01-28

how much latency from UHD 4K 60fps HDMI input to ...

how much latency from UHD 4K 60fps HDMI input to NDI stream?
Asked by: Damian
From 1080p25 HD SDI to NDI and back to 1080p25 HD SDI it takes at least 2 frames. So end to end latency min. 2 frames, encoding 1 decoding 1 for HD. With 60fps that would be about 17ms for encoding only in HD. For 24 fps it is about 42ms in HD oder over 80ms end to end!
Answered by: Chris
Date published: 2020-11-02

Does this unit encode hdmi to ndi and also allow y

Does this unit encode hdmi to ndi and also allow you to decode a different ndi source out to the hdmi and sdi ports?
Asked by: Donovan
The BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder does not perform simultaneous encoding/decoding.
Answered by: Jonathan S
Date published: 2026-09-15

Using Titler Live software for lower thirds ...

Using Titler Live software for lower thirds output in alpha channel over NDI. Will this device support alpha channel input to an Atem2 switcher?
Asked by: Michael
Yes, the BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder will accept NDI from sources such as Titler Live and out the signal through HDMI to feed to various destinations like Blackmagic switchers. The BirdDog 4K HDMI 2.0 NDI Encoder/Decoder using the BirdDog Studio v3.1 update allows NDI decode alpha channel support over the HDMI output.
Answered by: Richard
Date published: 2022-12-03

Can this product handle four simultaneous UHD 4K ...

Can this product handle four simultaneous UHD 4K inputs converted to NDI? can it handle the reverse?
Asked by: John
Yes, this has Four 12G-SDI connections that are selectable between and input or output. This is both an Encoder/Decoder.
Answered by: Joe P
Date published: 2020-11-11

Am I able to have 4 1080p59.94 (3G-SDI) video ...

Am I able to have 4 1080p59.94 (3G-SDI) video feeds running through this instead of 4k?
Asked by: Jacob
Yes, the unit supports up to 4K, as follows: SDI: UHD 4K: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080p: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080i: 50/59.94 fps 720p: 50/59.94/60 fps HDMI UHD 4K: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080p: 23.98/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 1080i: 50/59.94 fps 720p: 50/59.94/60 fps
Answered by: Bruno
Date published: 2023-09-15

Does this equipment work or not? Also, based on ...

Does this equipment work or not? Also, based on BD Website, the BNCs can be independently assigned as an encoder or decoder; is this not true?
Asked by: Matt
The 4K Quads will be able to do that, once the final firmware is released. It is not in that current state, but eventually that feature is planned to be on the QUAD. Right now, you can ENCODE all or DECODE all.
Answered by: Nick Y
Date published: 2021-04-12

Can I use this to decode four P400 cameras from ...

Can I use this to decode four P400 cameras from NDI to SDI ? Will it then output each camera on its own SDI out?
Asked by: Lewis
Yes, this can be accomplished while also using their central pro software: https://bird-dog.tv/centralpro-overview/
Answered by: stephenc
Date published: 2021-08-30
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