Stream Smarter, Not Harder: Harnessing NDI Technology with the YoloLiv YoloBox Ultra

By Marcus Swales | Technical Product Specialist, Holdan

While "all in one" products typically have limitations, the YoloBox Ultra breaks this stereotype. This portable multi-camera encoder, switcher, monitor, recorder, and streamer is a versatile powerhouse that promises to transform your streaming experience. In this blog, we'll delve into the myriad features and functionalities of the YoloBox Ultra and discuss its seamless integration with NDI technology.

Unveiling the YoloBox Ultra

The 8” YoloBox Ultra greets users with a sleek android style interface housing three distinct modes: live streaming, monitor mode, and the innovative vertical streaming mode. This multifaceted approach provides unparalleled flexibility for content creators. On the physical inputs, we have 4 HDMI’s, 2 USB’s, Ethernet, USB-C and on the audio end Line in & Mic in plus a headphone input for monitoring audio. The YoloBox Ultra’s other ports include 1 HDMI out, an SD card option for storage and uploading content (the USB port can also be used for this), a sim card port and a ¼” thread for mounting.

Feature Highlights

• ISO Recording Capability: With the YoloBox Ultra, you can easily record individual camera streams alongside the program stream, facilitating post-production editing or backup recordings. Thanks to a recent firmware update ISO recording now supports HDMI, USB, NDI & SRT inputs.
• Network Bonding for Reliable Connectivity: Ensure a stable internet connection by combining multiple internet connections, including SIM cards, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. This robust network bonding feature minimises the risk of connectivity issues and the signal dropping during live streams.
• Versatile Audio Options: Mix and adjust audio levels from multiple sources with ease, offering enhanced flexibility for capturing high-quality audio. Whether you're using external microphones, audio interfaces, or other audio sources, the YoloBox Ultra has you covered.
• Auto-Switching: Effortlessly transition between multiple camera angles for smooth, professional-looking productions. The YoloBox Ultra's auto-switching feature simplifies the process of switching between different sources, ensuring seamless transitions throughout your stream. This can be invaluable on small productions, or one person set ups.
• Multi-Platform Streaming: Reach a wider audience across various social media platforms simultaneously. Whether you're streaming to Facebook, YouTube, or other platforms, the YoloBox Ultra makes it easy to expand your reach and engage with your audience. Stream on up to 3 landscape platforms and 2 vertical platforms simultaneously up to 4K or use the recently added 2K options. 2K presents a compelling choice that strikes a perfect balance between exceptional visual quality and bandwidth efficiency.
• Guest Caller Integration: Seamlessly bring in live guest callers during streams, opening up endless possibilities for interactive content. Whether you're conducting interviews, hosting Q&A sessions, or collaborating with other creators, guest caller integration adds a new dimension to your streams. Simply input the incoming guests email address and they receive a link to join from their preferred device.
• Image Overlays and Multimedia Integration: Enhance your live streams with dynamic visuals, branding elements, and multimedia content. Whether you're adding logos, lower-thirds, or pre-recorded videos, the YoloBox Ultra offers seamless integration with a wide range of multimedia assets. Choose between premade overlays, scoreboards, comment integration or upload your own content via USB or SD card.
• App Control and Remote Management: A new feature currently in beta is the control app. Expand the already versatile YoloBox Ultra, by adding an additional screen that offers mirrored controls to the YoloBox interface. Remotely manage streams and switch between camera angles using a smartphone or tablet. With the YoloBox app, you have full control over your streams, giving you the flexibility to focus on your content without being tied to your streaming setup.
• Expanding Camera Options with NDI: Seamlessly integrate up to 3 NDI HX3 devices into your setup, enabling stable connections via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This feature significantly expands your camera options, allowing for greater versatility in your productions with a simple, networked camera solution.

NDI Integration on YoloBox Ultra

The YoloBox Ultra leverages the power of NDI technology to streamline your live streaming workflow. We’ve tested out the NDI input process and found it effortless, like adding any other input it’s as simple as selecting the option you’d like, and the NDI source is available as a source within seconds. Recently released firmware updates now mean NDI inputs are compatible with H.265 encoding, guaranteeing efficient video compression without sacrificing quality. This allows you to take advantage of minimised bandwidth needs while preserving outstanding video.

The YoloBox Ultra not only brings in NDI devices but also output video to NDI-enabled devices. You can easily select either the Program or other video sources for the NDI output. Whether you're capturing NDI sources or outputting videos to NDI-enabled devices, the YoloBox Ultra ensures seamless integration with your existing setup.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the YoloBox Ultra emerges as the ultimate live-streaming solution, combining versatility, functionality, and ease of use. Elevate your live streams to the next level with its extensive feature set and intuitive design. Experience the power of YoloBox Ultra today and revolutionise your streaming endeavors! If you have any query’s or require support reach out to us, our technical team will be happy to support.