Feature Request: Add SDI and NDI Encoding/Decoding Support

[sfahadshahzad]

Summary

MistServer currently supports a wide range of streaming formats and protocols, including RTP/SDP, RTMP, RTSP, WebRTC, and more. However, it does not natively support SDI (Serial Digital Interface) or NDI (Network Device Interface) for either encoding (ingest) or decoding (output).

This feature request proposes the addition of both SDI and NDI encoding and decoding support. This would allow MistServer to ingest video/audio directly from SDI/NDI sources and output to SDI/NDI devices/networks, significantly expanding its usefulness in broadcast and live production workflows.

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Details

1. SDI Support

• Encoding/Ingest: Ability to capture SDI signals (video/audio) from supported SDI hardware (e.g., Blackmagic, AJA, Bluefish cards) and ingest them as live streams in MistServer.
• Decoding/Playout: Ability to output MistServer streams to SDI hardware for traditional broadcast playout.
• Potential Libraries: Integration with existing open source or vendor SDKs (e.g., DeckLink SDK, Video4Linux, AJA SDK).
• Use Cases: Broadcast ingest, live event playout, conversion between IP and SDI workflows.

2. NDI Support

• Encoding/Ingest: Ability to receive NDI streams as input sources to MistServer.
• Decoding/Playout: Ability to publish MistServer streams as NDI outputs on the local network.
• Potential Libraries: Integration with the official NewTek NDI SDK.
• Use Cases: Live production, software switchers, IP-based studio environments.

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Benefits

• Bridges IP and baseband (SDI) broadcast environments.
• Enables MistServer to participate in modern NDI-based production systems.
• Opens up new workflows for broadcast, live events, and hybrid IP/SDI/NDI operations.

Request

Please consider adding both SDI and NDI encoding and decoding support as outlined above. This would make MistServer a more versatile option for professional broadcast and production environments.

Thank you!

[Rokamun]

Hey There,

Apologies I now noticed we never answered this one. I suspect it happened due to the chaos that followed exhibiting at IBC2025.

SDI
We actually did finish SDI support for BlackMagic hardware and are planning to add more cards. The main challenge is that this feature has been made for a partner and we're not quite done discussing the exact details on how to release the feature. We should be able to provide documentation and how to use SDI in the (hopefully near) future.

NDI
This is currently under development, we've got a first working version to test, however that doesn't mean it's close to release yet as it will need to go through rigorous testing still.

So yes, both are very much on our roadmap and hopefully sooner than later even!