# What is NDI?

<div class="draggable no-draggable-children sticky top-0 p-3 mb-1.5 flex items-center justify-between z-10 h-header-height font-semibold bg-token-main-surface-primary max-md:hidden" id="bkmrk-ndi-%28network-device-"><div class="gap-2 flex items-center pr-1 leading-[0]"><div class="flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden rounded-full"></div><button aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-label="Open Profile Menu" class="flex h-10 w-10 items-center justify-center rounded-full hover:bg-token-main-surface-secondary focus-visible:bg-token-main-surface-secondary focus-visible:outline-0" data-state="closed" data-testid="profile-button" id="bkmrk-" type="button"></button>**NDI (Network Device Interface)** is a technology developed by NewTek that allows video, audio, and data to be shared across a local network in real-time. It’s commonly used in live production environments but has endless possibilities for creative applications, especially in theater, performance art, and interactive installations.</div></div><article class="w-full scroll-mb-[var(--thread-trailing-height,150px)] text-token-text-primary focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-[-4px]" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-testid="conversation-turn-3" dir="auto" id="bkmrk-simply-said%3B-imagine"><div class="m-auto text-base py-[18px] px-3 md:px-4 w-full md:px-5 lg:px-4 xl:px-5"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fcc9c65d-69bd-4bf1-808c-df8d8cc04e9d" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Simply said; Imagine you have a projector, a computer, and a camera, and you want them all to "talk" to each other without using a bunch of messy cables. NDI lets these devices send and receive high-quality video and audio over your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as if they were physically connected. It’s like sending video files across your network instantly—without needing to export or transfer anything.

<div class="m-auto text-base py-[18px] px-3 md:px-4 w-full md:px-5 lg:px-4 xl:px-5"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fcc9c65d-69bd-4bf1-808c-df8d8cc04e9d" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **What Can You Do with NDI?**

<div class="m-auto text-base py-[18px] px-3 md:px-4 w-full md:px-5 lg:px-4 xl:px-5"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fcc9c65d-69bd-4bf1-808c-df8d8cc04e9d" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **Stream Video Between Devices:**
    
    
    - Send live video from one computer to another (e.g., send a TouchDesigner, Isadora or Resolume output to a projection laptop).
    - Use your phone or tablet as a wireless camera for your performance or installation.
2. **Mix Media in Real-Time:**
    
    
    - Combine multiple video feeds in software like OBS Studio or VJ tools like Resolume for live shows.
    - Add live effects or layers to your video feeds.
3. **Integrate with Performance Tools:**
    
    
    - Share a live camera feed on stage with a projection in real-time.
    - Sync visuals with music or sound effects in live performances.
4. **Collaborative Artwork:**
    
    
    - Share content between artists' devices in a multi-user environment, such as during a workshop or live performance.
    - Use it for interactive installations where different pieces of hardware (cameras, projectors, or phones) are part of the experience.

---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **Why should I use NDI?**

<div class="m-auto text-base py-[18px] px-3 md:px-4 w-full md:px-5 lg:px-4 xl:px-5"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fcc9c65d-69bd-4bf1-808c-df8d8cc04e9d" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">- **Flexibility:** No need to move everything into one computer. Let every device do what it does best while connecting them via a network.
- **Cost-Effective:** Avoid buying expensive video switchers or capture cards; NDI works with your existing network.
- **Collaboration:** Great for team projects where multiple artists contribute video, sound, or interaction in real-time.
- **Live Creativity:** Perform and tweak visuals or sounds on the fly, ideal for improvisational art or performances.

---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **What Do You Need?**

<div class="m-auto text-base py-[18px] px-3 md:px-4 w-full md:px-5 lg:px-4 xl:px-5"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fcc9c65d-69bd-4bf1-808c-df8d8cc04e9d" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. A device that supports NDI (most computers and some cameras do, check out apps like [ZIGCAM (mac)](https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/zigcam/id1570755292 "ZigCam") or [NDI CAMERA (android)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.specialprojects.stream "not tested").
2. Software like **OBS Studio**, **TouchDesigner**, **Isadora** or **Resolume**, which can send or receive NDI streams.
3. A local network (Ethernet is better for speed; Wi-Fi works but might have delays, especially with more than 1 stream).

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article>want to know more:  
[what-is-ndi-everything-you-need-to-know](https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-ndi-everything-you-need-to-know "techradar")