Pro Convert Decoders Firmware Update: Enhancing NDI Discovery for Optimized Network Workflow

Magewell Pro Convert decoders support the NDI Discovery feature from firmware V1.2.213. With it you can see the status of your decoders from the NDI Discovery tool and choose which NDI stream each decoder shows, without logging in to each unit. The feature comes from NDI Advanced SDK Version 6.2, which NDI® released in July 2025 with improved discovery for decoders. This article gives a step-by-step guide to setting it up.

The NDI Discovery tool is part of NDI 6 Tools and works together with a Discovery Server to show the NDI devices on your network in one place. It lists every registered NDI sender with its device name, IP address, stream port and other details. It also groups active receivers by hostname, so you can see which systems are receiving each stream. You can set or change the IP address and port of the Discovery Server in the tool and check the connection status, which makes NDI networks quicker to set up and to troubleshoot.

II. Preparation of Equipment and Environment

You will need the following equipment and environment:

• PC with NDI 6 Tools Installed: This article references a Windows-based computer as an example, but NDI 6 Tools are also compatible with macOS.
• Magewell Pro Convert Series Decoder: This article uses the Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI as an example. (hereinafter referred to as "decoder")
• Ethernet Switch and Monitor: For setting up the test network environment.
• Ethernet and HDMI Cables: For connecting the devices.

III. Detailed Operation Steps

(i) Decoder Configuration

Set the Decoder as the NDI Discovery Server. Log in to the Decoder's Web UI. In the menu bar, click on "Sources" → "NDI OPTIONS", and enter the decoder's IP address in the "Server IP" field (e.g., 10.10.38.185). Click "Apply".

(ii) NDI 6 Tools Configuration

• Launch NDI 6 Tools Software .
• Start Test Patterns Tool : Open the "Test Patterns" tool as the NDI sender.

• Start Discovery Tool : Open the "Discovery" tool and click on "Settings".
• Connect to Discovery Server : Enter the configured NDI Discovery Server address (e.g., 10.10.38.185) in the "Setup Discovery Server" field and click "Connect". If "Connected to Discovery Server at 10.10.38.185" is displayed, then the connection is successful.

IV. Monitoring and Management

• View Receiver Information : Click on "Receivers" to see the decoder's name. Click on the drop-down option to the right of the "VIDEO" box to select the NDI stream sent by the computer via "Test Patterns".

• Monitor Stream Information : After selection, you can monitor the NDI sender's device name, IP address, port, audio/video parameters, etc. In addition, the decoder can decode and output the NDI stream sent by "Test Patterns" and display it on the monitor.

With firmware V1.2.213, Magewell Pro Convert decoders support the NDI Discovery feature, so they can be monitored and managed from the NDI Discovery tool. On a network with several decoders this saves time: you can see what each one is receiving and change its source from one screen. That makes day-to-day maintenance of an NDI network simpler and gives you more flexibility during a production. We hope this guide helps you put the NDI Discovery tool to work on your own network.

Other Blog tutorials:

• NDI Router Tutorial: A Practical Guide to Easily Manage NDI Network Video Signal Routing.

Read it here.

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