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To create an NDI stream, run a sender suited to your content—Scan Converter for a computer screen, vMix for a production output, NDI Capture for an iPhone screen, or an NDI-capable camera app for phone video—then select that source in receiving software such as vMix. Both ends need a network that permits NDI traffic and discovery. Sending a source into vMix and sending a vMix output out over NDI are different workflows.
Choose the sender that matches what you want to share
| What you want to send | Sender | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Computer desktop or application window | NDI Scan Converter; on Windows, NDI Screen Capture HX is another documented option | Choose the desktop or application capture mode and configure audio on the sending computer. |
| vMix Program, Preview, Multiview, or another production source | vMix NDI output | Enable the output you need; output availability depends on the vMix edition. |
| iPhone screen | NDI Capture | This is for screen sharing, not using the phone camera as a video source. |
| Phone camera video | NDI-capable mobile camera app such as Larix Broadcaster | NDI lists Larix Broadcaster with NDI HX2 output for iOS and Android; confirm current app and platform support. |
Prepare the network
Connect the sender and receiver to a network that allows them to discover each other and carry the stream. vMix describes NDI operation on Gigabit-enabled networks and says network sources can appear in its NDI input list. NDI’s current Scan Converter macOS product page lists a 1 Gbps local-area network minimum for that product; this is not a universal bandwidth guarantee for every NDI format, resolution, or device. If you need additional wired ports, a gigabit Ethernet switch may be useful, but it is optional when your existing network already meets the need.
- For the Mac Scan Converter offering, NDI lists 6 GB RAM or better and a 1 Gbps LAN minimum; the page lists version 6.3.2. Check the current product page for updated requirements.
- Put sender and receiver on the intended LAN and check that local firewall or network policy permits NDI traffic and discovery. Exact firewall ports are not specified here, so do not open guessed ports.
- Inspect which network interface each device is using if a computer has multiple wired or wireless connections.
Send a computer screen with NDI Scan Converter
Mac: select the desktop or an application
- Install NDI Tools and launch Scan Converter.
- Open the Scan Converter File menu and choose whether to share the whole desktop or an application window.
- Set the desired sound source through macOS system sound settings. Check that Scan Converter’s Mute Audio option is off if you want sound included.
- Leave Scan Converter running while the receiver selects its advertised source.
NDI Scan Converter makes the computer screen available to another NDI-enabled device. NDI’s Mac documentation describes selecting the desktop or an application and configuring captured sound through system audio settings.
Windows: use Screen Capture HX
- Launch NDI Screen Capture HX from the NDI Launcher.
- Configure the available capture settings for bandwidth, resolution, frame rate, audio source, pointer capture, and optional KVM as needed.
- Start sharing the desktop video and audio, then choose the advertised source in the receiving application.
Screen Capture HX uses a GPU-accelerated H.264 or HEVC path. The available controls and results depend on the sender hardware and receiver compatibility; no single bitrate per resolution is established here.
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- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, DVDs, DSLR, Camera, Security Camera and set top box. Note: Video input supports 4K30/60Hz and 1080p120/144Hz. Does not support 4K120Hz/144Hz. Output supports up to 2K30Hz.
- 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply required, true PnP. Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically as a webcam. Detect input and adjust output automatically. Won't occupy CPU, optional audio capture. No freeze with correct setting.
- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency technology makes it easier for you to transmit live streaming to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, OBS, Potplayer and VLC.
- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
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Send a vMix production output over NDI
- In vMix, open Settings → Outputs / NDI.
- Enable the output feed you want to transmit. Output 1 is Program and carries the Master stereo mix.
- Configure other outputs independently if required. vMix can also export cameras, calls, and audio inputs as NDI sources.
- Keep the relevant output enabled and running, then select it in the receiving device’s NDI source browser.
The number of available vMix outputs depends on the edition. Sending a vMix output is not the same as adding an external NDI source as a vMix input.
Use a mobile device as the source
Share an iPhone screen
NDI Capture is NDI’s iPhone screen-sharing app. Start screen sharing in the app, then choose the iPhone source in the NDI-enabled receiver. The official page lists version 1.8; app versions can change, so check the current listing.
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- Network Source to USB UVC Output – Decodes one NDI, NDI HX2/HX3, H.264 or H.265 stream over Ethernet and outputs it via USB as a standard UVC webcam device up to 1080p60.
- Wide Protocol Compatibility – Supports NDI High Bandwidth, NDI HX2/HX3, RTSP, RTMP, SRT, HTTP, RTP, and UDP streams for flexible IP-video integration.
- USB-C 3.0 Interface – Outputs video and audio through USB as a driver-free UVC/UAC device on Windows, macOS, and Linux — works instantly with most software.
- High-Quality Video & Audio – Decodes and outputs uncompressed YUY2/NV12 at 1080p60 or MJPEG at 1080p30, with 2-channel, 16-bit 48 kHz audio for reliable conferencing or streaming.
- PTZ Control & Remote Management – Supports PTZ control via NDI or VISCA over UDP, plus a web-based configuration interface and HTTP API for remote administration.
Send phone camera video
Use a mobile camera app that explicitly supports NDI output. NDI’s product finder lists Larix Broadcaster for iOS and Android with NDI HX2 output. Confirm the current app version, platform support, and NDI output availability before relying on it. A screen-capture app and a camera contribution app perform different jobs.
Add the NDI source in vMix
- In vMix, select Add Input.
- Choose NDI / Desktop Capture.
- Select the detected sender from the source list. vMix shows sources with preview thumbnails and groups them by computer or device.
- If the source is not listed, check the sender and network before trying again.
For another NDI receiver, open its source browser and select the sender’s advertised stream. NDI documents viewing Scan Converter output in an NDI-enabled application such as Video Monitor.
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- 【Real-Time IP Workflow】1920×1080@60fps NDI encoder, enabling frame-accurate synchronization for live streaming teams, sports events, game streaming, and multi-camera production. The NDI encoder converts HDMI signals into full NDI video streams with latency below 65 milliseconds, ensuring seamless synchronization of video motion and fast-paced actions. Compatible with vMix/OBS/Wirecast integration.
- 【Flexible IP to Display】A bidirectional all-in-one device that functions as both an NDI encoder and NDI decoder. When used as an decoder, it converts NDI streams into 1080p60 HDMI signals. Decode NDI signals from the production console to HDMI large screens for real-time multi-camera monitoring, project vMix NDI video streams onto meeting room displays, or route live signals to broadcast monitors. Eliminate complex cabling—a single Ethernet cable can simultaneously transmit power and signals. (Select encoder or decoder mode via the NDI backend network interface).
- 【IP-Based Wiring Infrastructure】Using an HDMI-to-NDI converter, a single network cable can replace long-distance HDMI cabling (up to 100 meters), enabling both power supply (PoE+) and network transmission over a single cable, significantly simplifying on-site cabling. Also supports PoE+ or Type-C interface 5V power supply, reducing cabling costs. It is an ideal solution for educational live streaming and recording classrooms, as well as enterprise IT management IP-based production.
- 【Real-Time Status Monitoring】The HDMI decoder is equipped with a Tally indicator light and an LCD screen that displays real-time information, including IP address, network status, encoding/decoding status, video resolution, audio input/output status, and indicator light status. Without the need for a computer, you can monitor the latest program updates in real-time during live events.
- 【Real-Time Monitoring via Uncompressed HDMI Signal Loop-Out】The NDI live streaming encoder supports HDMI loop-out functionality, enabling near-zero latency signal pass-through. This allows for real-time video signal monitoring without interrupting NDI encoder processing and transmission. This provides a simpler setup solution for video production or live streaming.
Choose standard NDI or NDI HX
NDI HX is intended to deliver similar video quality at a lower bitrate than NDI High Bandwidth, which can help where network capacity is constrained, including Wi-Fi or WAN contexts. The trade-off is a compressed codec path: NDI’s encoding documentation lists SpeedHQ for High Bandwidth and H.264/H.265 for HX 2–3. HX Screen Capture uses GPU acceleration and H.264 or HEVC.
Choose according to the sender modes available, receiver codec compatibility, network capacity, and available CPU or GPU resources. Neither mode is universally better, and a specific bitrate or visual result cannot be guaranteed from the format name alone.
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Troubleshoot missing sources, stutter, and missing audio
vMix cannot see the NDI source
- Confirm the sender is running and actively sharing.
- Check that both devices are connected to a network that allows NDI discovery and traffic.
- Check local firewall and network policy, and confirm each device is using the intended network interface.
- Verify the source is enabled at the sender—for example, the required vMix output must be enabled in Settings → Outputs / NDI.
The source stutters on Wi-Fi or an unstable network
In vMix, try Low Bandwidth Mode or enable Increase Buffer Size for the NDI input. vMix’s guide says the increased buffer can improve smoothness on unstable or wireless networks at the cost of approximately five frames of added latency.
The screen arrives without sound
Check the sender’s selected audio source and mute setting. On Mac Scan Converter, use macOS sound settings to select the captured audio and make sure Mute Audio is not enabled.
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An HX source fails to decode or perform well
Check that the receiver supports the HX codec being sent and that the sender has suitable GPU capability for its GPU-accelerated capture path. If the network is not the limiting factor, compare a supported sender mode rather than assuming HX will suit every receiver.
Or let it run in the cloud
NDI sends a live source across your local network; it is not the same as keeping a pre-recorded YouTube channel live around the clock. If your goal is a continuous YouTube stream from uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos; it does not broadcast a camera feed.
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- Nothing has to stay on at home: the stream runs in the cloud with your computer off.
- Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made, at one flat price per slot.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card; one free day per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo or start the free day.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
