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BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder

BH #BIBD4KQUAD • MFR #BD4KQUAD
6 reviews
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BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder
Key Features
  • Up to UHD 4K/60 Input
  • Full-Bandwidth I-Frame Compression
  • 4 x 12G-SDI Selectable Inputs/Outputs
  • 3.5mm Audio Input/Output
Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. This compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminum case and features four 12G-SDI selectable inputs/outputs. An HDMI 2.0 output is available but is currently inactive until an expected future firmware update. When the output becomes active, a built-in cross converter will allow you to loop out an SDI input via the HDMI port.
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Expected availability: 2-4 Weeks
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$2,099.00
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BirdDog BD4K Overview

Based on BirdDog's custom NDI silicon chip, the BirdDog 4K Quad NDI Encoder/Decoder supports up to UHD 4K/60 video input for distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression. This compact device is housed in an aircraft-grade aluminum case and features four 12G-SDI selectable inputs/outputs. An HDMI 2.0 output is available but is currently inactive until an expected future firmware update. When the output becomes active, a built-in cross converter will allow you to loop out an SDI input via the HDMI port.

Another major feature is an SFP+ expansion slot that supports SFP+ modules for fiber connectivity and Ethernet protocols from 1-10 GbE (you may require a free firmware update that's already available from BirdDog). A Tally system with a large bicolor Tally light is also built for indicating which camera is live to on-air talent. The Tally system also 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 Quad 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 SDI or HDMI.

Key Features
  • Up to UHD 4K/60 video input
  • Distribution on NDI networks in full-bandwidth I-frame compression
  • 4 x 12G-SDI selectable inputs/outputs
  • HDMI 2.0 output (currently inactive until an expected future firmware update)
  • 3.5mm audio input/output
  • Built-in cross converter (can be used when the expected firmware update for the HDMI output becomes available)
  • SFP+ expansion slot (a firmware update may be required and is already available on the BirdDog website)
  • 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 SDI/HDMI
  • Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
Network Connectivity
  • Ethernet RJ45 1000baseT with integrated PoE
  • Open SFP+ Cage (10GB SFP+ adapters sold separately)
  • Embedded Web configuration panel
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 slider 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

BirdDog BD4K Specs

Inputs/Outputs
Inputs/Outputs
4x BNC (12G-SDI) (Switchable)
Audio Inputs
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS
Video Outputs
1x HDMI (2.0)
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
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
Output Video Format
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
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
Standards
HDR Support
No
Hardware
Tally Light
Yes
Wireless
No
Power
Power I/O
1x Barrel (12 VDC ) Input
1x RJ45 Input
Power Consumption
Device: 16 W
General
Dimensions
5.31 x 3.35 x 0.98" / 13.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 cm
Weight
0.7 lb / 320 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.02 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
7.5 x 6.2 x 4.2"

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.

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