NDI is useful in projection mapping when the video source and the projector computer do not need to live in the same place. A camera feed, OBS scene, graphics system or another visual application can publish video to the network; the mapping computer receives it and fits that live feed onto the physical surface.
- NDI is a network workflow: treat the network as part of the video system.
- Wired Ethernet is the safest default for important live shows.
- Use HoloMapper for the physical geometry and NDI for transport.
- If everything is on one Windows computer, Spout may be lighter than sending video through the network stack.
What is NDI?
NDI (Network Device Interface) is a video-connectivity standard for identifying and exchanging high-quality, low-latency video, audio, controls and metadata over IP networks. Instead of connecting every source with a dedicated HDMI/SDI cable, compatible software and hardware can discover and route streams across the network.
That flexibility is valuable in event spaces, installations and studios where the content-generation computer, cameras and projector machine may be physically separated.
Basic NDI → HoloMapper workflow
- Start an NDI-capable sender: camera converter, OBS workflow, VJ tool, graphics app or another HoloMapper output.
- Connect the sender and HoloMapper computer to the same working network.
- Open HoloMapper and add an NDI source.
- Select the discovered sender.
- Place that live video on a quad or other mapped surface.
- Warp the geometry to the physical object.
- Send the clean result to the projector/external display.
HoloMapper also supports NDI output, so it can sit in the middle of a larger live-video chain rather than only at the end.
Treat the network like video infrastructure
Live video is demanding. A network that feels perfectly fine for web browsing can still drop or stutter when several high-quality video streams arrive at once. For important work:
- Prefer wired Gigabit or faster Ethernet where practical.
- Avoid routing critical NDI through a congested guest Wi-Fi network.
- Keep switches and adapters known-good and powered reliably.
- Watch for firewall rules, VLAN isolation and managed-switch features that block discovery.
- Budget network capacity for every simultaneous stream, not just one.
Projection mapping use cases for NDI
Live camera mapped onto scenery
Send a camera or vision-mixer output over NDI, then warp the feed onto a stage piece, wall or custom object.
Remote graphics computer
Run TouchDesigner, OBS, generative graphics or another application on a dedicated machine and send its output to the mapping workstation.
Distributed venue
Move feeds across rooms without building a direct video-cable path for every source.
Record or stream the mapped output
Send HoloMapper’s NDI output to OBS or another production tool for capture, monitoring or broadcast.
Latency, quality and when to use Spout instead
NDI is designed for low-latency IP video, but the signal still depends on encoding mode, network conditions, switches, adapters and receiving software. For a same-PC Windows workflow, Spout can share GPU textures locally with near-zero overhead and is often the better local transport.
For a clear comparison, read NDI vs Spout for projection mapping.
NDI troubleshooting checklist
- Sender is actually publishing an NDI stream
- Receiver and sender are on reachable network segments
- Firewall permits the application/network profile
- No client isolation on Wi-Fi
- Network switch is not overloaded
- Source resolution/frame rate is reasonable
- Only necessary streams are active
Frequently asked questions
Does HoloMapper support NDI input and output?
Yes. HoloMapper currently supports NDI input and output workflows alongside imported media and Spout.
Do I need internet for NDI projection mapping?
No. NDI is commonly used on a local IP network. Internet access is not required simply to move a stream between devices on the same LAN.
Should I use Wi-Fi for NDI?
Wi-Fi can work, but wired Ethernet is the safer choice for important shows because live video is sensitive to congestion, packet loss and changing wireless conditions.
Sources and further reading
Product capabilities and platform notes can change. These official or primary sources are useful for checking current details:
