AMD Innovation – Elevating Connection Through NDI Integration  

Ready to implement in a wide range of devices thanks to integrations with AMD’s Zynq and Kria lines, NDI video connectivity technology provides the solution to many enduring IP networking challenges – from device discovery and registration to ease of expansion as Broadcast and Pro AV needs continue evolving.

Challenge

From houses of worship to corporate facilities, the demand for equipment and infrastructure that support high-quality, latency-free video has never been more significant. In addition, the need to accommodate less rigid production methods – including hybrid and remote production – means there is a need for more flexible technologies.  

So, it is easy to see why SDI has been gradually supplanted by IP, which allows combining audio, video, and data onto a single Ethernet cable, enabling content to be edited, separated, mixed, and transported across IP networks locally and globally.   

But with features such as signaling, audio return channels, and subtitling often being utilized during the content creation process – not to mention the advent of bandwidth-heavy formats such as UHD 4K – network management can still be very challenging.  

As one of the leading global chip manufacturers, AMD wanted to provide its customers with a video connectivity technology that makes it possible to manage complex bandwidth requirements while balancing the needs of low latency, high quality, and frame-synchronized audio and video. And NDI is the answer. 

Solution

NDI addresses many networking basics for content creators, including network device discovery and registration automation. This is achieved via mDNS (multicast Domain Name System), which allows all endpoints – such as cameras, displays, and switchers – to automatically detect and work with other devices on the same subnet.  

Consequently, there is no requirement for device set-up and registration. Expansion beyond the local network is straightforward, too, thanks to a free tools suite with NDI containing utilities to implement an mDNS gateway that facilities the global movement of NDI streams.  

To support incorporating its technology into third-party devices, NDI partnered with AMD to provide NDI High Bandwidth implementations on both AMD 28nm Zynq 7000 devices and 16nm Zynq Ultrascale+TM MPSoC devices. In addition, through the personalization features of NDI Advanced, developers can easily integrate NDI and get to market quickly.  

This flexibility is one of the reasons why the NDI integration within AMD devices can become a powerful feature for hardware manufacturers. 

Adaptability to different use cases in AV over IP is key, you connect everything, and it just works. NDI and their implementation on AMD’s SOC families continue to grow in popularity and gain traction in both Broadcast and Pro AV. The NDI team is a very strategic and critical component of all our efforts in the vast AV over IP space.

Ramesh Iyer, Senior Director for Broadcast, Pro AV and Consumer market 

Meanwhile, for customers seeking a hardware module to integrate NDI, an AMD KRIA SOM can support integration into a product using the provided pre-built NDI feature available on app stores.  

Outcomes

NDI-enabled AMD chips deliver outstanding results and adapt to the different needs of Broadcast and Pro AV hardware manufacturers, according to Ramesh Iyer: 

Customers have already leveraged the NDI SDK on AMD’s Zynq 7000 and Zynq Ultrascale+ families to implement a single chip 4K60 AV over IP product. Typical examples of NDI-enabled products through an AMD device are PTZ cameras, network converters, professional displays, and many more that will be launched in the future.