The One with NDI

A first look at the ZowieBox - a 4K HDMI NDI encoder/decoder (and a whole lot more)
ZowieBox on Amazon (affiliate link) amzn.to/3S2eqkM
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Amazon affiliate links to products used in this channel:
Cameras
Obsbot Tiny 2 amzn.to/3EL5NTL
Mevo Start amzn.to/30geG48
NearStream VM33 amzn.to/44073gM
Emeet StreamCam One amzn.to/3E1qL0t
Zowietek PTZ NDI amzn.to/3eP6HFw
GoPro amzn.to/3I0LfXr
Sony Handycam amzn.to/3nAAh2m
iPhone amzn.to/32wshsb
Mics
Ulanzi J12 amzn.to/3ErbCW4
Rode VideoMicro amzn.to/3dWoPsl
Deity Duo amzn.to/3JrM50O
RODE Wireless Go amzn.to/3jdUk2G
HollyLand Lark 150 amzn.to/3uG5xzA
FiFine amzn.to/3qxQLcv
Mounts
Obsbot Me amzn.to/3r2o9Ix
Pivo Pod amzn.to/36imwwd
Pivo Pod Max amzn.to/45amDXz
Magnetic Ball Mount amzn.to/3krkEd9
Two Pack Ball Mount amzn.to/2UmxVZZ
Articulated Camera Mount amzn.to/2QB3Fbz
Tripods
6’ Boom Arm Tripod amzn.to/41jU1cQ (original not available, this is as close as I could find)
9’ Tripod (light stand) amzn.to/32otBO4
AmazonBasics Monopod amzn.to/30bSyYD
Equipment
Yolobox Pro amzn.to/3ndbCkr
Tripod Laptop Stand amzn.to/3GAzzJo
UVC to HDMI Converter amzn.to/3cJFtyR
Backpack amzn.to/3oSotK7
iPad amzn.to/3ovCBth
Samsung Tab amzn.to/3NVqi4s
Logitech Touch Combo amzn.to/2Wm4ecl
Smart Plug amzn.to/3rVSuJ1
Reusable Zip Ties amzn.to/3Be5EoW
Hohem iSteady Multi Gimbal amzn.to/328Euzt
Ender 5 3D Printer amzn.to/38cjBrq
Verizon 8800L MiFi amzn.to/3n3jSSq
Portable Battery w/AC Outlet amzn.to/3B93mrM
USB-C to Ethernet Adapter (Non POE) amzn.to/3gADUlx
#zowietek #Streaming #camera #HDMI #NDI #ZowieBox

[@arthuraubinjr8038]

Jason, this looks like such a great addition to my setup. You find such great products, thank you for the review.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

There’s a lot to this one. Thanks!

[@BAdams138]

Quite a bunch of features for the money. Thank you again for a wonderful review.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

The decoder side of this is pretty cool too! Will find an NDI camera on the network and give you an HDMI output of said camera. Thanks Bruce!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Tested the decoder side of this box today. Poe out of my church network to the ZowieBox. Decoder turned on in the dashboard. HDMI out of the ZowieBox into the YoloBox Pro. Worked like a charm!

[@AmazeStudios]

How’s the latency?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@AmazeStudios running it into the Mevo Multicam software it matches the latency setting perfectly.

[@erikpaullive]

I was just looking at this device 2 days ago. CF camera hooked up to my hdmi transmitter from CF that then plugs into the encoder and now I have a very simple CF camera setup for mevo.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I'm so glad there are smart people who can explain the good stuff to the rest of us. You're awesome!

[@cbussportsradio]

Cool info Jason as always...gonna test with my Hollyland Mars 400s pro...neat possibilities here !!!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Great application. Let us know how it works for you!

[@FelixDamianFilms]

Great device. I use it to backup recording the video from a PTZ camera. I was wondering if it could be used to stream in 4K to KZbin.

[@DJGeek]

I just order one. I am going to use it to receive a NDI source from my network and output it to a HDMI switcher

[@908WPC]

So I’m wondering if this could solve my issue with water polo. Since the water is constantly moving, the video streams always looks choppy. If I have a handycam connected to here, would I still be able to set the zowiebx to sideline?

[@NewsomeHSJV]

can you connect a nearstream vm33 wirelessly to the zowie box to convert it to ndi?

[@danielstiefel5677]

will this also record to an sd card (4k) and then output NDI so the software can pick it up?

[@bassboatconcepts3866]

Ugg you guys bought them all.. If someone has one and don't like it please let me know.. Ty

[@zatoichiable]

is this a capture card too?

[@douglasdweck8691]

Can I use this to encode my Directv HDMI output so I can watch remotely, outside my LAN? Preferably using iPhone and Android phones. Not sure which app can play NDI. Or will I not be using NDI? Just h265? I know I can use the Broadlink App with their device to change the channels on the DirecTV box. Trying to replace my now depricated SlingBox.

[@anthonywise8365]

Can the zowie box support being a rmtp device and encode to ndi? I am looking to add the DJI Pocket 3 to send video via stream to a rmtp device such as the Zowie box then encode the signal to Ndi and use with the mevo multicam app and the ecam software. Your thoughts?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I have not explored the RTMP features of it yet but will and let you know what I find.

[@VickersDoorter]

Great detail and explanation. Out of interest, does this do full bandwidth NDI or just NDI HX?

[@lsmith77]

only HX

[@latoshha]

It works with ndi tools as I understand it?

[@patthesoundguy]

My question is does it encode and decode at the same time? It's probably asking too much of something like that, but it sure would incredible to have a source encoding into the box going to the computer and decode to send projection or a monitor back out at the same time.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

No, it is a toggle switch. One or the other.

[@patthesoundguy]

@@JasonHoffmanYT still it seems to be an amazing deal for what it does 👍

[@elcororadio]

I have a question, does it encode USB camera such as the Logitech Rally to NDI?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

No. You’d have to go thru a uvc to hdmi converter before the zowiebox

[@pcislocked]

It is definitely on the expensive side for any single use case but this thing is insanely flexible and can do like 5 different things, so maybe its worth it for field people where they constantly change their setup per job... not really for me tho, cool device nonetheless. Edit: not sure if you mentioned it or not but it even has power over ethernet AND 12v output so you can use that to power something like wireless audio receiver... damn

[@pcislocked]

also youtube giving more and more slots to indie/smaller creators on the home page is really nice

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@pcislocked Glad to know home page is where this hit! For NDI capabilities only it may be a bit high, but I haven't found cheaper. The real value here, like you said, is the extra features. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@PtsBProductions]

We bought this device after it was sold out and was re-sold at 160+ dollars. And after a week and a half of having it this is absolutely worth the price. Define device that’s cheaper let alone that can do two of the five things simultaneously that this device can do. In Less than two days of unboxing the Zowie Box, We had it live streaming to KZbin and Facebook , While viewing an operating on two different profiles through the web browser. The Administrative profile was logged in directly through the hotspot, built into the Zowie box. The second profile was logged in locally to the direct LAN connection. Then just to push this a little bit further, by day three or streaming out live two streaming sites, sending an NDI connection to a remote computer for monitoring, and recording into H.265 at exceptionally high rates. (this is the first and a long search for H.265 codex recording capabilities, not only does this device have it, but the customization of the bit is seldom found. We essentially had this device doing five things simultaneously. And the temperature never went over 131 Fahrenheit. Again, we can’t stress enough. This device is a Swiss Army knife of streaming devices and just like a Swiss Army knife. You need to serves its purpose but unlike a Swiss Army knife using any more than one to let impractical. With the Zoe box it’s not possible but it’s practical. No, we are not … We’re just really happy with this product. And we’ve been really happy with just about every product. And finally, to make it really hit home. We have spent several years trying to spend our money on mobile, all-in-one solutions. Everyone of the top namebrand products we have purchased, ended up being a disappointment and someway. And almost always was more expensive than it should’ve been. That all changed with this device . And they’re still has yet to be a video that truly represents the capability of this sub $200 device..

[@rickgodley1018]

If I get this, will I need the YoloBox Pro as well? My goal is to be as efficient a rapid deployment force as possible. Currently I use my Predator computer with VMix, Restream, with 4 cameras if needed, and my Rodecaster for audio. I am open to all helps and tips. Thanks in advance

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

No, YoloBox does not make use of NDI.

[@lsmith77]

The Ultra has .. and hopefully eventually also the Pro but it would be even more amazing for the Mini if this would allow us to that way overcome the physical connector limitations since the Mini has the same CPU as the Pro

[@angelsilverio3039]

I have a DJI pocket 3 that I’d like to use as an extra angle you our church livestream. However it will only send video to facebook/KZbin syndications and also rtmp. With this box would I be able to send video to it and then plug the decoder to our atem and have the video feed?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Yes, it will work just as you described.

[@larrygoby]

When recording, is it 420 8-bit, 422 10-bit, HDR, RAW, or something else?

[@larrygoby]

It is my understanding that it does not support HDR and can do 420 8-bit.

[@Miura_Berton]

Hi. I'm using it too. Do you know how to turn off the sound when restarting?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Sorry to have missed this comment. Are you talking about startup sounds from this unit?

[@Miura_Berton]

@@JasonHoffmanYTYes!I want to mute.

[@sluggersimagination463]

Does the ZowieBox need a signal to send the NDI signal to Mevo Pro? or Does it have its own signal through the system?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I’m not following your question. ZB needs power and network connection. The signal received from a camera will be converted to NDI and made available on the network.

[@MikeGrayeb]

Wow! A lot of features in a small form factor. Looks interesting. It also looks like it can be powered over ethernet from a POE+ switch? Thanks for the great overview video!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I have some more testing to do but there are great possibilities with this one. Thanks!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

It will not encode full NDI nor NDI|HB

[@sbjohnso]

If I have a camera that is already NDI....like a Mevo Start or AvKans PTZ-x20-NDI and want to use an ATEM Mini Pro HDMI switcher.......Will this connect to the NDI camera via the network and then plug directly into the ATEM box via HDMI.....easy as pie? This is the decoder side......or do I have to have 2 of these talking to each other. Encoding and Decoding?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I knew it wouldn’t take long for the questions to outpace what I understand about this device LOL. BUT if what I see here is correct, your description is accurate. The encoding/decoding is selectable in software so you are doing one or the other. No need for two. I dont have access to an ATEM so I’m going to ask my contact at ZowieTek and double check…

[@sbjohnso]

@@JasonHoffmanYT I would think you could substitute your YoloBox for the ATEM and simulate the same setup.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@sbjohnso makes sense, I’ll give it a shot

[@uklivestreaming8748]

@@JasonHoffmanYT I'd be most interested to see what you discover... I have just bought one of these boxes - primarily to record the output of my PTZ camera but maybe extend the flexibility to use NDI into my 4 cam ATEM setup.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@uklivestreaming8748@sbjohnso ZowieTek says yes it works like you described AND I just tested it into my YoloBox Pro: poe from my church network to the zowiebox, hdmi out of the zowiebox to YBP. Logged into the dashboard and switched it to decoder mode. Beautiful shot of the NDI camera from my network to the YBP. Works like a charm

[@WalterBoring]

I don't see it now on amazon.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

They've had a hard time keeping it in stock.

[@tedcalcaterra9587]

Having trouble getting Mevo Multicam to recognize my NDI source. Using this encoder going through a slate Ax router. I have a camcorder plugged in via hdmi. My Mevo cameras work great but no NDI source. Any suggestions

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

How is your ZowieBox connected to your network?

[@tedcalcaterra9587]

Thanks for the reply. I use a LAN cord from Zowiebox. To back of slate router

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@tedcalcaterra9587 Great, just making sure it was a physical connection. Have you turned on NDI mode (it may be called encoder mode) in the ZowieBox settings?

[@tedcalcaterra9587]

No sir. I will check that when i get home.

[@LA12Livestreams]

Is the NDI licence included or is it and extra purchase ?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

It is included

[@LA12Livestreams]

@@JasonHoffmanYT Thank You

[@LA12Livestreams]

Tried and returned, sadly it does not decode HEVC NDI which is how I run my Mevos and wont encode at 50fps only 60 ! - Biggest downside is the WIFI side of it appears to only be for access to web UI, no wireless linking of NDI sources. Other than that it worked well@@JasonHoffmanYT

[@Urbanmediashowcase]

can this run 24/7? Great video.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

It can

[@Urbanmediashowcase]

@@JasonHoffmanYTthank you for responding. I appreciate it.

[@plrpilot]

This looks just like the BirdDog 4k encoder/decoder at 1/3 of the price!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

I’ve never had the bird in hand (see what I did there) but do see the similarities.

[@alexhtel]

yah, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if anyone has monitored the network traffic out of this thing? hopefully it's not sending footage somewhere else unawares. It's a great price compared to what the major brands have out on the market.

[@plrpilot]

@@alexhtel I purchased a couple and they are nowhere near the quality of the BirdDog devices. I've had some issues with a few of the TVs I connected to directly with HDMI. But as a transmitter, it seems to work ok. It feels very unfinished in terms of the UI. The BirdDog devices we also use have a full-featured API that allows for remote device restarts and re-routing of traffic...but they're a lot more expensive, too. As far as traffic, I haven't monitored them, but we have firewall rules that specifically prevent them from leaving the vlan that that they're assigned. I'll put some monitoring rules on them to log requests sent outside of the network.

[@alexhtel]

ok! thanks for the response... the price is so good that it reminds me of some of the hacked android boxes that are being sold and stealing information. I'm still learning about networking on top of all this too. Great to hear you have used BirdDog devices to be able to compare! The BirdDog encoder is quite expensive but the player is somewhat affordable depending on how many are needed.@@plrpilot

[@datSpookyDude]

Beans, beans, the musical fruit. The more you eat, the more you toot. Beans, beans, good for the heart. The more you eat, the more you fart!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

😂

[@louisharris7741]

Jason, can this be considered as the poor man's Zolobox?

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

It works well with the Yolobox but dont see it replacing it.

[@MarkRodenburg]

NDI HX for HX2,3 you need a license

[@undergroundnews_dk]

It's missing wifi maybe but else its usefull ;)

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

You mean Wi-Fi to connect to your cameras on network? Because it has it allows you to connect to its dashboard via WiFi on your smartphone.

[@undergroundnews_dk]

@@JasonHoffmanYT yes.. with a battery and maybe wifi it would be usefull to connect a cam and stream via wifi hotspot. I do this with a raspberry and capture card and can stream, rtmp or srt but no NDI ;) this box would be very usefull if wifi was added maybe on the USB connecter if no was inside. But I am not sure if your dashbord acces is via your router with wifi but I think it maybe and its connected to the router with rj45.

[@lsmith77]

“ZowieBox supports popular USB Type-C charger, WIFI, hotspot, DC output and a range of innovative modern features.” so can the Zowiebox be used to connect a camera via Wifi?

[@wisemasterbuilder]

Fantastic! Can you get us some 50% Discount Vouchers?!!!

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Hey I’ll ask and see what they’ll offer! thanks

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Got a 15% coupon for the next week! Look in the video description.

[@wisemasterbuilder]

@@JasonHoffmanYT Faithful & True like The Spirit of TRUTH that Dwells iNside. Thank You!

[@wisemasterbuilder]

@@JasonHoffmanYT Where IS The BUY Linkage Button with Discount iNput? Looks like Amazon is out and didn't see anything in your store.

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

@@wisemasterbuilder only place I know of to get them is Amazon. Surely they’ll have more in soon

[@fuckjthottties4678]

This was a very interesting video no idea what an ndi is but super interesting

[@JasonHoffmanYT]

Glad you liked it