Connect an NDI camera

Step-by-step guide to connect an NDI camera to your network.

Connect an NDI camera

This guide shows how to add an NDI camera to your network and make it available as a source.

Prerequisites

  • NDI-capable camera
  • Network switch (Gigabit recommended)
  • Ethernet cable (Cat5e or better)
  • PC with NDI Tools (for testing)

Step 1: Physical connection

Standard cabling

  1. Connect the camera to the switch via Ethernet
  2. Connect power
    • Power adapter OR
    • POE (Power over Ethernet) via POE switch

POE cabling

For POE-capable cameras and switches:

  1. Plug in only the Ethernet cable
  2. Power is delivered over the cable
  3. No separate adapter needed

POE standards: IEEE 802.3af (15W), 802.3at (30W), 802.3bt (60–100W). Check which your camera needs.

Step 2: Get the IP address

Option A: DHCP (automatic)

Most cameras get an IP automatically from the router/DHCP server.

Find the IP:

  1. Open the router UI (often 192.168.1.1)
  2. View the DHCP client list
  3. Look for the camera (often identifiable by name)

Option B: NDI Studio Monitor

  1. Install NDI Tools
  2. Launch NDI Studio Monitor
  3. The camera appears automatically
  4. Right-click → "Web Configuration" shows the IP

Option C: Manufacturer software

Most vendors provide discovery tools:

  • PTZOptics: PTZOptics Camera Management
  • BirdDog: BirdDog Central
  • Panasonic: Panasonic EasyIP Setup

Step 3: Configure the camera

Open the web interface

  1. Open a browser
  2. Enter the camera IP
  3. Log in (default password: see manual)

Key settings

Network

SettingRecommendation
IP modeStatic (for a fixed IP)
Static IPe.g., 192.168.1.100
Subnet255.255.255.0
GatewayRouter IP

Use static IPs for cameras so the address doesn’t change.

Video

SettingRecommendation
Resolution1920×1080
Framerate50 or 60 fps
CodecH.264 (for NDI

NDI

SettingRecommendation
NDI enabledYes
NDI nameDescriptive (e.g., "Camera-Minbar")
NDI discoveryOn

Step 4: Test the connection

With NDI Studio Monitor

  1. Launch NDI Studio Monitor
  2. Click the menu icon
  3. Select your camera
  4. The video should appear

With OBS Studio

  1. Install OBS Studio and the NDI plugin
  2. Add a new source → "NDI Source"
  3. Choose your camera from the list
  4. The feed appears in OBS

Troubleshooting

Multiple cameras

Naming

Give each camera a unique name:

  • Camera-Minbar
  • Camera-Side
  • Camera-Rear

IP planning

Reserve an IP range for cameras:

  • Camera 1: 192.168.1.100
  • Camera 2: 192.168.1.101
  • Camera 3: 192.168.1.102
  • ...

Documentation

Keep a list:

NameIP addressLocationLogin
Camera-Minbar192.168.1.100Prayer halladmin/password
Camera-Side192.168.1.101Side walladmin/password

Next steps

Control an NDI camera

Stream from an NDI camera

On this page

Connect an NDI cameraPrerequisitesStep 1: Physical connectionStandard cablingPOE cablingStep 2: Get the IP addressOption A: DHCP (automatic)Option B: NDI Studio MonitorOption C: Manufacturer softwareStep 3: Configure the cameraOpen the web interfaceKey settingsStep 4: Test the connectionWith NDI Studio MonitorWith OBS StudioTroubleshootingMultiple camerasNamingIP planningDocumentationNext steps