Kiloview 3G-SDI/NDI Bidirectional Converter

The Kiloview N3 (often classified or cataloged as KIL-N3 or N3-S) is a professional, pocket-sized 3G-SDI to NDI bidirectional hardware converter. Driven by a custom FPGA chip architecture, this device operates as a software-switchable, half-duplex transceiver. It is built to seamlessly serve as either an Encoder (compressing raw 3G-SDI camera signals into a low-latency network IP stream) or a Decoder (extracting an IP video stream from your network and outputting it via baseband 3G-SDI).

Optimized for Full HD 1080p60 operations, the N3 focuses strictly on high-bandwidth, visually lossless Full NDI (SpeedHQ), making it a reliable and cost-effective choice for sports broadcasting, corporate AV, houses of worship, and remote multi-cam setups.

Core Engineering and Operational Features

• True Half-Duplex Bidirectional Flex: The hardware module's mode is easily toggled via its internal web-based GUI. In Encoding Mode, it ingests a 3G-SDI signal from a broadcast camera and publishes it as an auto-discoverable source on the NDI network. In Decoding Mode, the system reverses processing, accepting network NDI feeds and converting them to baseband 3G-SDI.

• Lossless Physical Loop-Through Monitoring: When configured as an encoder, the second physical BNC interface functions as a true, zero-latency SDI loop-out port. This allows the camera crew to run a local on-field confidence monitor while the processing core compiles the primary stream for transport across the network switch.

• Lag-Free Decoder Channel Switching: When running as a hardware decoder, the N3 uses Kiloview’s specialized frame-buffer management technology. Operators can preset up to 10 distinct network NDI target addresses (mapped 0–9). Switching between these streams triggers instantly, bypassing the annoying black frames, visual stuttering, or frozen macroblocks typical of manual network handshakes.

• Flexible Wide-Voltage Power Array: Designed for field versatility, the N3 can draw standard Power over Ethernet (PoE 802.3af) via its Gigabit interface port, or operate over a wide 5V to 18V DC input loop via its USB-C port. This means it can be safely powered by a standard smartphone power bank, a laptop USB port, or an on-camera D-Tap battery link.

• Oversized PGM/PVW Tally Indicator: A large, bright, and distinct LED Tally light block is integrated directly into the face of the durable metal enclosure. It communicates bi-directionally with NDI-compatible production switchers (such as NewTek TriCaster, vMix, or OBS Studio), glowing Bright Red for Program (PGM) and Vibrant Green for Preview (PVW) to guide on-camera talent.

• Bi-Directional Voice Intercom Support: The unit includes a 3.5mm analog TRRS audio interface that can input microphone signals or output headphone feeds. When coupled with the Kiloview Intercom Server (KIS) ecosystem, the N3 transforms into a remote belt-pack node, establishing a voice intercom circuit between your master control room director and the camera team.

• PTZ Telemetry and USB Control: The hardware natively routes pan, tilt, zoom, and focus telemetry across the network. By attaching a USB-to-serial expansion adapter cable to the N3, operators can transmit standard VISCA, Pelco-D, or Pelco-P data lines over IP directly to a target PTZ camera assembly.

Hardware Technical Specifications Matrix

💡 Operational System Tips for the N3 Converter

The Full NDI Gigabit Switch Bandwidth Limit: Because the N3 operates exclusively in high-bandwidth Full NDI, it places immediate data demands on your network switches. A single 1080p60 stream requires a continuous 125 Megabits per second of throughput. While a basic 1GbE network switch can theoretically handle several streams, populating a multi-cam live venue with 6 or more N3 units running simultaneously can consume over 750 Mbps of your bandwidth budget. This approach matches the real-world performance ceiling of a standard gigabit link. To avoid packet drops or visual frame tearing, backhaul your local edge switches to your core switch network using high-capacity 10GbE SFP+ fiber optic uplinks.

• Deploying the USB Keypad Quick-Switch Station: If you are using the N3 in decoding mode to drive a projector, a TV wall, or a client confidence display at an event, you can connect an inexpensive USB numeric keypad into the converter's expansion slot via a USB adapter. Map your network's primary NDI camera feeds to the 0–9 keys inside the web management portal. Once saved, your production team can shift the physical display output across 10 completely different cameras with a single keypress, creating a localized, lightweight hardware switching terminal.

• High-Density Rack Consolidation: For master control rooms, flypacks, or OB vans that use multiple N3 modules, avoid a messy cluster of power bricks behind your gear rack. The lateral edges of the N3 feature specialized alignment channels designed for Kiloview's mechanical RU01 (1RU) and RU03 (3RU) rackmount frames. This allows you to slide, lock, and organize multiple edge converters side-by-side using integrated thumb-screws, keeping your studio space clean and improving overall airflow.