No. All Pro Convert encoders and decoders are standalone hardware devices. They connect directly to your network via Ethernet and are configured through a browser-based Web UI. No PC, no drivers, no software installation required.
Pro Convert encoders take a physical video signal (HDMI or SDI) as input and output an NDI or IP stream over your network. Pro Convert decoders do the reverse — they receive an NDI or IP stream from the network and convert it back to a physical HDMI or SDI output for a display or downstream device.
Pro Convert decoders support a wide range of IP protocols including NDI High Bandwidth, NDI|HX, NDI|HX2, NDI|HX3, RTSP, HTTP, HLS, RTMP Pull/Push, and MPEG-TS over UDP, SRT, and RTP. Pro Convert encoders output Full NDI only.
Pro Convert encoders support Full NDI (NDI High Bandwidth). Pro Convert decoders support both Full NDI and NDI|HX, as well as NDI|HX2 and NDI|HX3. Always check the specific product page for the NDI version supported, as it varies by model.
Yes. All Pro Convert encoders and decoders support Power over Ethernet (PoE+, 802.3at). This means a single Ethernet cable provides both data and power — no separate power supply is needed when connected to a PoE+ switch or PoE+ injector.
Most Pro Convert encoders support up to 4096×2160 at 60fps input with 4:4:4, 8-bit colour. Output NDI is typically 4:2:2, 8-bit. The Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus and HDMI 4K Plus models support 4K. Entry-level models are limited to 2K/1080p. Always check the spec sheet for your specific model.
Pro Convert devices use DHCP by default — connect them to your network and they will automatically obtain an IP address. For NDI workflows, all NDI devices must be on the same LAN subnet. For large deployments across subnets, NDI discovery servers or mDNS routing may be needed. Magewell recommends a dedicated LAN for NDI traffic to avoid packet loss.
Yes. Pro Convert devices are fully compatible with any NDI-compliant device from any manufacturer. They work with NDI-enabled software such as vMix, OBS (with NDI plugin), Wirecast, and NewTek products, as well as other hardware NDI devices.
Yes. Packet loss rate is visible in the device Web UI under the network status section. If you are experiencing packet loss, Magewell recommends setting up a dedicated LAN for NDI devices, as packet loss is almost always caused by network congestion or jitter rather than the device itself.
Yes. Magewell Control Hub software provides centralised management of all Pro Convert encoders and decoders on your network. Control Hub is available as a free download and can monitor device status, push configuration changes, and manage firmware updates across the entire fleet from a single interface.
A Pro Convert encoder and decoder pair typically achieves end-to-end latency of approximately 1–3 video frames over a well-managed local network. In practice on a Gigabit LAN, this is around 33–100ms at 1080p30. NDI|HX variants have lower bandwidth but slightly higher latency than Full NDI.
Yes. Pro Convert decoders that support MPEG-TS over SRT can use AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 encryption for secure stream transport. This is useful for contribution workflows over the public internet or across untrusted networks.