NDISyphon is a small utility created by VIDVOX that converts NDI feeds to Syphon feeds (and vice versa). Very useful when working with both NDI and Qlab (which doesn’t inherently support NDI)
COST: Free
NDI Syphon
OBS
The Open Broadcast Software Project or OBS is a free and open-source software that is used for video recording and live streaming. Since it is open source, there are a lot of available plugins to extend functionality and there is a very active modding community. Originally only available via a plugin, OBS now has integrated Virtual Camera functionality. This allows you to take your OBS composition and turn it into a camera feed that can be used anywhere where a regular camera input would be taken (Zoom etc). This function opens up a wide range of streaming and remote working possibilities without requiring expensive software or hardware. OBS has a highly customizable interface but because of this can seem a little intimidating to new users.
Chroma keying can be done directly in OBS and can be pretty clean when paired with quality lighting. The combination of OBS, chroma-keying, and vdo.ninja can be quite powerful for long-distance collaboration where the desired outcome is for multiple feeds to exist in the same virtual space.
OBS has plugins that add functionality for NDI and Spout
COST: Free
Projects that used OBS:
Packet Sender
Packet Sender is an open-source utility available on MacOS and Windows that allows for sending of TCP and UDP packets. Extremely useful when troubleshooting network commands (such as shutter commands to a projector or cues to a microprocessor.
COST: Free
Syphon Virtual Webcam
Created by TroikaTronix/Isadora, Syphon Virtual Webcam is a small utility that converts syphon feeds into a virtual webcam. Useful when using a program that doesn’t inherently support virtual cameras/NDI or when NDI might be too heavy for the system.
COST: Free
TouchDesigner
TouchDesigner is a node-based visual programming language available for Windows and macOS. It creates real-time interactive content and can be used in performance, installations and to create other pieces of media. TouchDesigner really shines when paired with some form of real-time data that can be used to drive visuals and it is capable of rendering in both 2D and 3D. As a creative coding tool, TouchDesigner has almost infinite possibilities and the cap of what can be programmed is usually based on what hardware is running it and the skill of the programmer.
TouchDesigner is able to take input from almost any digital source and can output to pretty much anything that can be controlled digitally. This makes it an excellent choice when working with any form of sensor.
TouchDesigner can stream to any RTMP destination which allows to it connect to services such as Vimeo, Twitch, or Youtube Live
Using nodes, which in TouchDesigner are referred to as ‘operators’, users are able to create complex networks which generate or manipulate content. What makes it so flexible and open however is also what can make it difficult for new users. Without some instruction or the time to explore users can get lost in the myriad of possible nodes and unlike Isadora, TouchDesigner has no built-in cueing system.
There are several nodes that come with specific hardware recommendations, if you run into trouble it’s always worth checking the wiki
COST:
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Free for Non-Commercial license
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Educational license: $300USD
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Commercial license: $600USD
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Pro license: $2200 USD
Projects that used TouchDesigner:
