NAB 2026: NDI|HX’s Future and the LA Connection
▼ Summary
– The author is a long-time supporter of the NDI technology.
– New licensing fees for the NDI HX codec are a source of concern.
– The response from hardware manufacturers to these fees is also problematic.
– These combined factors threaten the future stability of NDI HX.
– The author believes the future of the NDI HX format is now uncertain.
The future of NDI|HX, a cornerstone of many live production workflows, faces significant uncertainty as we approach NAB 2026. This concern stems directly from the introduction of new codec licensing fees and the cautious, often negative, reaction from hardware manufacturers. For professionals who have built reliable systems around this technology, the current trajectory feels unsustainable. The industry’s pivot toward Los Angeles as a major production hub only intensifies the scrutiny, as large-scale operations there demand both cost-effectiveness and robust technical partnerships. If key manufacturers decide the new financial model is prohibitive, support for HX could rapidly erode, leaving a substantial gap in the market for affordable, high-quality IP video transport. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether this protocol remains a viable tool or becomes a cautionary tale about fragmenting a successful ecosystem.
(Source: Streamingmedia.com)
