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Render Once

Writer: Chris EvansChris Evans
Feb 55 min read

Updated: Mar 6


NDI and After Effects Install Guide

LAST UPDATED Mar 2, 2025

FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE Contact Me.

Below is an updated, comprehensive guide on how to install NDI® Tools, enable NDI® output from Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro, and set up a basic air-gapped LAN. This step-by-step guide is designed to be easy to follow so that you can quickly get your NDI® workflow up and running.



1. Download and Install NDI® Tools all computers that will be used

  1. Visit the NDI® Tools website

    • Go to ndi.tv/tools (or search for “NDI Tools NewTek” if you don’t have the direct link).

    • Choose the correct version for your operating system (Windows or macOS).

  2. Run the installer

    • Locate the downloaded installer file (e.g., NDI Tools.exe on Windows).

    • Double-click to run it.

    • Follow the on-screen prompts to install.

    • When prompted to select components, ensure you install all relevant plugins (including the Adobe Creative Cloud plugin).

  3. Complete installation

    • Allow the installer to finish.

    • On Windows, you may be asked to permit driver installation (e.g., for the NDI virtual webcam).

    • Restart your computer.

At this stage, the core NDI® Tools are installed. Notable applications for Adobe workflows include:

  • NDI Virtual Input: Lets you use an NDI source as if it were a standard webcam.

  • NDI Studio Monitor: Lets you view NDI streams from other devices or software.

The specific plugin you need to send video from Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro is installed with the general NDI Tools installation.



2. Basic Air-Gapped LAN Network Setup

For projections in theatre, it is best practice to keep your projection system on a network that is not connected to the internet. Below is a simple setup to get you started:

  1. Gather the Hardware

    • One network switch or a home/office router (with or without DHCP capability).

    • Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6, or higher recommended).

    • Two or more computers on which you will run Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, NDI Studio Monitor, and other NDI® Tools.

  2. Connect Devices to the Switch or Router

    • Plug each computer into the switch/router via Ethernet cable.

    • If you are air-gapped, do not connect the switch/router to any internet source.

    • Ensure the switch/router is powered on.

  3. Assign IP Addresses

    • If your router/switch has DHCP enabled by default, each computer will automatically get an IP address.

    • If there is no DHCP service, you can manually assign addresses such as:

      • Computer A: 192.168.0.10 (Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0)

      • Computer B: 192.168.0.11 (Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0)

    • Make sure each device has a unique IP address on the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.0.x).

  4. Disable or Adjust Firewalls (If Necessary)

    • On Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced settings to allow inbound/outbound connections for NDI-related processes (or disable the firewall entirely if security constraints permit).

    • On macOS, check System Settings > Network > Firewall or Security & Privacy > Firewall, and add exceptions for NDI Tools or turn off the firewall if permissible in your environment.

    • Since this network is air-gapped, you may find it easier to disable firewalls to ensure smooth data flow.

  5. Verify Connectivity

    • On each computer, try pinging the other (e.g., ping 192.168.0.11) to confirm they can “see” each other.

    • Once confirmed, you have a stable local network for NDI traffic without any external internet connection.



3. Enable NDI® in Adobe After Effects

  1. Close After Effects if it’s running.

    • The plugin must load when After Effects starts.

  2. Launch After Effects after NDI® Tools is installed.

    • Open an existing project or create a new project and composition.

  3. Enable Mercury Transmit

    • Go to Edit (Windows) or After Effects (macOS) > Preferences > Video Preview.

    • Check Enable Mercury Transmit in the Video Preview section.

  4. Select NDI® Output

    • In the Transmit options, locate “NDI Output” or “NewTek NDI Output.”

    • Check the box to enable NDI.

    • If multiple outputs appear (e.g., secondary monitor), ensure NDI is the one you need active.

  5. Confirm and Save

    • Click OK.

    • After Effects will now send an NDI stream when you preview or play your composition.

  6. View the NDI Stream (Optional)

    • Open NDI Studio Monitor (installed with NDI Tools).

    • In the Studio Monitor’s source dropdown (top-left), select your After Effects machine.

    • You should see a real-time preview of your composition.



4. Enable NDI® in Adobe Premiere Pro

  1. Close Premiere Pro if it’s open.

    • Like After Effects, the plugin loads at startup.

  2. Open Premiere Pro after NDI® Tools installation.

    • Open or create a project.

  3. Check Mercury Transmit Settings

    • Go to Edit (Windows) or Premiere Pro (macOS) > Preferences > Playback.

    • Look under Video Device.

  4. Enable NDI® Output

    • Check the box for “NDI Output” or “NewTek NDI Output” if listed.

    • Uncheck or leave other displays checked based on your workflow needs.

  5. Audio Device (Optional)

    • Within Preferences > Playback, confirm your desired Audio Device.

    • For an air-gapped environment, just ensure the default or system sound device is set correctly.

  6. Click OK

    • Premiere Pro will now broadcast its Program Monitor through NDI.

  7. Verify Output

    • Open NDI Studio Monitor on the same machine or another on your air-gapped LAN.

    • Select the Premiere Pro source in the dropdown.

    • You’ll see the current timeline playback live.



5. Using NDI Studio Monitor

After enabling NDI outputs from Adobe software:

  1. Launch NDI Studio Monitor

    • On Windows, it’s in Start Menu → NDI Tools → Studio Monitor.

    • On macOS, find it in Applications or search via Spotlight.

  2. Select Your Source

    • In the top-left corner of Studio Monitor, click the dropdown menu.

    • Look for the machine name running After Effects or Premiere Pro (e.g., MACHINE_NAME (Adobe Premiere Pro)).

  3. Monitor and Optional Settings

    • You can view the real-time output.

    • Studio Monitor offers additional controls, such as full-screen display, overlay info, etc.



6. Troubleshooting Tips

  1. NDI® device not appearing in Mercury Transmit

    • Ensure you have the latest NDI® Tools installed.

    • Restart Adobe applications after installation.

    • Restart your machine.

    • Confirm the Adobe plugin was selected during the NDI Tools install.

  2. NDI source not visible in Studio Monitor

    • When NDI streams are first started, some programs take a few moments to recognize them. If minutes have passed, something is wrong.

    • Double-check that both computers are on the same IP subnet in your air-gapped LAN.

    • Adjust or disable firewall settings.

  3. No audio

    • In After Effects or Premiere Pro preferences, confirm that the audio output is set correctly.

    • Verify that system audio settings match your output requirements.

    • If all else fails, you can send audio via an NDI stream. This is a separate stream that is selected as your computer's audio output device. This NDI stream will also need to be added to the playback software.

  4. Performance issues

    • NDI can be network-intensive at high resolutions. Lower the resolution or use proxies in Premiere Pro if needed.

    • Make sure the hardware meets the recommended requirements for real-time NDI streaming.

  5. Check compatibility

    • Update Adobe CC to the latest version.

    • Use a newer version of NDI Tools if older versions cause issues.



7. Showing Adobe on your Projectors


 
 
 

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