BirdDog FLEX 4K IN

4K Full NDI Encoder with Tally, Comms, PTZ Control, PoE+, and DC Power Output

• Flex 4K Family
• Halo Tally system built in
• Adaptive bit rate
• Free software includes: Central Lite, Dashboard & Comms Lite
• 100% Recyclable packaging
• Three models to choose from:
  • FLEX 4K IN
    4K Full NDI Encoder with Tally, Comms, PTZ Control, PoE+, and DC Power Output.
  • 4K BACKPACK
    4K Full NDI Encoder with Tally, Comms, PTZ Control, PoE+, DC Power Output, and L-Series Battery Mount.
  • FLEX 4K OUT
    4K Full NDI Decoder with Tally, Comms, PTZ Control, and PoE.

THE SMALLEST 4K NDI ON THE PLANET

4K NDI® in an incredibly small package. Flex delivers everything you have come to expect from BirdDog’s one cable solution including Tally, Audio Intercom, Video, Audio, PTZ Control, and Power all down a single Ethernet cable. With 3 models to choose from in the Flex Family is a Flex to perfect for your workflow needs.

SMALL IS THE NEW BIG

With a footprint only slightly larger than a credit card, the Flex 4K NDI Encoders and Decoders are the smallest on the planet. Because sometimes the biggest things are also the smallest.

COOL TOUCH THERMALS

Sometimes the biggest features are also the least obvious. Flex 4K NDI has unmatched thermal design and whisper quiet fans to keep Flex cool and fresh even on the hottest days and in direct sunlight.

ONE CABLE TO RULE THEM ALL. NOW WITH ADDED POWER

BirdDog’s revolutionary Studio NDI gave the world NDI, Power, Video, Audio, Tally, and Audio Intercom all done a single Ethernet cable. Flex 4K IN and Flex 4K BACKPACK take it one step even further and provides an additional 15w extra power allowing you to use the DC output to power your monitor, recorder, or even your camera.

HALO TALLY. IT JUST WORKS

Flex’s revolutionary Halo Tally system is built right into the Flex Family and it requires zero configuration when connected with any NDI enabled software based production system. The Halo Tally is designed to be seen by the camera operators as well as the on air talent.

FLEX 4K BACKPACK. UPGRADE YOUR MONITOR

Flex BACKPACK is the ultimate upgrade for your camera top monitor recorder. Featuring an NP style battery connection, and 15w power output, it allows you to encode NDI, power your monitor, and record all at the same time. With great power comes great responsibility.

ADAPTIVE BIT RATE. SLIDE YOUR WAY TO GLORY

Full NDI® is a variable bit rate codec. In normal circumstances BirdDog recommends allowing around 140Mbps in HD, or 6 streams per 1GbE cable with some headroom. In 4K it is recommended to allow around 300Mbps or 3 streams with some headroom to allow for any unforeseen spikes.

THE ULTIMATE PTZ SIDEKICK

If you aren’t lucky enough to own a BirdDog PTZ camera with full NDI natively then Flex can become the ultimate sidekick. Plug in HDMI to encode beautiful and Full NDI, and attach a PTZ control cable to have PTZ passthrough control. Perfect upgrade for your PTZ camera while waiting for Santa to bring you a BirdDog.

100% RECYCLABLE PACKAGING

Every element of Flex packaging is 100% recyclable and soy based ink is used to further reduce the BirdDog foot print. There are no printed manuals inside the box, instead you can download the most up to date version anytime from our website.

FREE SOFTWARE TOOLS

CENTRAL LITE

Team up Central Lite with any NDI® source, including all BirdDog hardware capable of creating NDI® sources, you can now drive your NDI® streams to any BirdDog Studio NDI or Mini to decode NDI® back to SDI or HDMI.

DASHBOARD

Open up a web browser (Chrome preferred) on the same network as Flex and login into Dashboard for total control of all settings. Change resolutions and frame rates, unlock new features with the latest firmware, and more.

COMMS LITE

Comms Lite is your free Audio Intercom solution. With support for four BirdDog devices, plus a director, Comms Lite is a great way to start using Audio Intercom in your live productions.

Flex 4K Family – Tech Specs

Feature	FLEX 4K IN	FLEX 4K OUT	FLEX 4K BACKPACK
SUPPORTED VIDEO FORMAT
UHD 2160p	25.00, 29.97, 30.00
HD 1080p	25.00, 29.97, 30.00, 50.00, 59.94, 60.00
HD 1080i	50.00, 59.94
HD 720p	50.00, 59.94, 60.00
VIDEO I/O CONNECTIVITY
HDMI 1.4b Input		-
HDMI 1.4b Output	-		-
AUDIO INPUT
HDMI	2Ch, 48kHz	-	2Ch, 48kHz
3.5mm AUDIO	Microphone/line input
AUDIO OUTPUT
HDMI	-	2Ch, 48kHz	-
3.5mm AUDIO	Stereo Headphone/line output
VIDEO CODEC SUPPORT
NDI (Full bandwidth i-frame compression)
TALLY
Integrated Tricolour Halo Tally
PTZ CONTROL
2.5mm 4-pole RS232 (VISCA)
NETWORK CONNECTIVITY
Ethernet RJ45 1000baseT w/integrated PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Embedded Web configuration Panel
WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Size	107×63×31mm		107×63×42.5mm
Weight	140g		150g
POWER
PoE (Power over Ethernet)	PoE+ 802.3at
DC Input	DC 12v (30w max)
DC Output	DC 12v (15w max)	-	DC 12v (15w max)
NP style Battery Output	-	-