#Kiloview N4 HDMI / NDI Bidirectional Converter

The Kiloview N4 (cataloged as KV-N4) is a professional, pocket-sized HDMI to NDI bidirectional hardware converter. Driven by a high-performance internal FPGA processing matrix, it functions as a software-switchable, half-duplex transceiver. It is capable of acting as an Encoder (compressing raw HDMI camera video into a low-latency network stream) or a Decoder (extracting an IP stream from your network and outputting it via physical HDMI to an engineering monitor, projector, or hardware switcher).

While its 4K sibling (the N40) handles ultra-high resolutions, the N4 is optimized for Full HD 1080p60 operations, making it a highly cost-effective tool for standard broadcast setups, houses of worship, corporate presentation rooms, and eSports venues. It focuses strictly on high-bandwidth, visually lossless Full NDI (SpeedHQ), delivering pristine color reproduction with sub-frame network latency.

Core Engineering and Operational Features

• True Half-Duplex Bidirectional Flex: The operational profile can be toggled through its integrated web dashboard. In Encoding Mode, it ingests a baseband HDMI signal and broadcasts it onto your local IP network as an auto-discoverable NDI source. In Decoding Mode, the architecture reverses, turning the box into a client that receives network NDI feeds and converts them back to baseband HDMI.

• Lossless Local Loop-Through Monitoring: When configured in its encoder state, the second physical HDMI interface functions as a true, zero-latency loop-out. This allows field operators to run a local on-camera confidence monitor while the processing core compresses the primary data packet for distribution over the network switch.

• Instant, Glitch-Free Decoder Channel Switching: When running as a hardware decoder, the N4 uses Kiloview’s specialized frame-buffer management technology. Operators can preset up to 9 distinct network NDI target stream addresses inside the web panel. Switching between these sources triggers instantly—completely eliminating the black frames, visual stuttering, or frozen macroblocks typical of manual network handshakes.

• Wide-Voltage Power Architecture: The N4 offers flexible power distribution options for field and mobile use. It 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 allows the unit to be safely powered by a standard smartphone power bank, a laptop USB port, or a D-Tap battery connection on a field camera rig.

• Oversized PGM/PVW Tally Indicator: A large, highly visible LED Tally light block is built 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 N4 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 Expansion: The hardware natively routes pan, tilt, zoom, and focus telemetry across the network. By attaching a USB-to-serial expansion adapter cable to the N4, 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 N4 Converter

The Full NDI Gigabit Switch Bandwidth Limit: Because the N4 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 N4 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 N4 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 N4 modules, avoid a messy cluster of power bricks behind your gear rack. The lateral edges of the N4 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.