NDI vs. Dante AV: Find the Perfect Networked Video Solution for Your System

Posted on by Florante Ancheta

Networked video is a huge topic in the modern AV system, after all who wouldn’t want to utilize their existing network cabling and installation to deliver video instead of needing to wire up everything with new cables? However when we approach networked video there are two big players in the space and the question becomes which one should I choose? NDI or Dante AV? Obviously both allow for sending of high quality video and audio through standard networks. However they both approach the challenge of delivering the video in different ways and there are differences based on their philosophies. 

For integrators, choosing the right ecosystem depends on what your client wants to prioritize. Whether you want a more universal solution or something that has the best synchronization possible, here is a practical breakdown of NDI vs Dante AV.

1. NDI (Network Device Interface)

NDI, developed by Vizrt (formerly NewTek), is designed to make video accessible to any device on a network. It is a software-driven protocol that turns every PC, camera, and switcher into a networked node.

  • NDI High Bandwidth: Uses “SpeedHQ” compression. It offers extremely high quality with relatively low latency (around 1 frame). It requires significant bandwidth (100–150 Mbps for a 1080p60 stream).
  • NDI|HX (High Efficiency): Uses H.264 or H.265 compression. This is designed for standard 1Gbps networks where you need to run many cameras simultaneously without overloading the switch.
  • Network Requirements: Works on standard 1Gbps Ethernet. While “mDNS” is used for discovery, it is generally very “plug-and-play” on local subnets.
  • Interoperability: This is NDI’s greatest strength. It is natively supported by almost all software production tools (vMix, OBS, Wirecast) and a massive range of PTZ cameras, including the BZBGEAR ADAMO series.

2. Dante AV (Ultra and AV-H)

Audinate’s Dante is the gold standard for digital audio, and Dante AV brings that same “one-click” routing philosophy to video.

Dante AV Ultra

This is the high-performance tier. It uses a dedicated hardware chip (FPGA) to ensure that audio and video are perfectly synchronized to a sub-microsecond level.

  • Compression: Uses Colibri codec (JPEG 2000 based). It is visually lossless.
  • Latency: Ultra-low (sub-frame).
  • Interoperability: It works seamlessly with the Dante Controller software. If you already have a Dante audio network, Dante AV Ultra video follows the exact same routing logic.

Dante AV-H

Recognizing the need for a more software-friendly version, Audinate released AV-H. Like NDI|HX, it uses H.264/H.265 compression.

  • Practicality: It allows manufacturers to add Dante management to existing H.26x-based cameras. It provides the ease of Dante routing without requiring the expensive Ultra hardware chip.

3. Practical Comparison: Which One Do You Need?

 

4. Real-World Integration Scenarios

Scenario A: The Live Streaming Studio (Choose NDI)

If you are running a production using Blackmagic Design switchers and software like vMix, NDI is the clear winner. Its ability to be “seen” by computer software without specialized capture cards makes it the most cost-effective and flexible choice for content creators.

Scenario B: The Managed Corporate Campus (Choose Dante AV)

If your facility already runs on a Dante audio backbone (using Dante-enabled ceiling mics and DSPs), adding Dante AV is the logical step. Using a single software interface (Dante Controller) to route both your audio and your video ensures that lipsync issues are a thing of the past.

Scenario C: High-End eSports (Choose Dante AV Ultra)

In eSports, where a single frame of lag can be the difference between a win and a loss, the sub-frame latency of Dante AV Ultra is often preferred for the players’ “Observer” feeds and main stage displays.

Summary: Sourcing Your Ecosystem at BZB Express

At BZB Express, we carry the hardware to support both paths. Whether you need an NDI-native PTZ camera from BZBGEAR or a Dante AV-enabled encoder/decoder to tie into your existing Audinate network, our sales engineers can help you verify your network topology.

Ready to network your video? Browse our NDI Solutions or explore our Dante-enabled hardware to find the perfect fit for your infrastructure.