NewTek Flex
Image courtesy: NewTek

NewTek has launched a new control panel designed for use with Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras, the NewTek Flex. With the Flex control panel, you can take direct control of PTZ devices, audio connections, audio and video mixing and talkback, all connected with NDI.

NDI

Network Device Interface (NDI) is a royalty-free software specification developed by NewTek. It enables video-compatible products to communicate, deliver, and receive high-definition video over a computer network. It also gives you high-quality, low-latency video that is frame accurate and suitable for switching in a live production environment.

Control

You can connect the NewTek Flex control panel to a network with NDI and immediately control any video switcher on the network. It also means you can directly control audio and video mixing, along with PTZ control and talkback, in one unit. In addition, the Flex control panel gives you audio input and output. This instantly expands the onboard input and output of any TriCaster allowing for more external sources to enter the NDI ecosystem directly from the panel.

Build

The Flex control panel is slightly smaller than previous Tricaster control panels. It measures 25 inches (63.5cm) by 9.1 inches (23.1cm) and is only 3.8 inches (9.6cm) deep. It also features practical RGB lighting, variable T-Bar illumination, and dynamic LCD label displays. This will help you quickly and easily find the controls you need while working on a real-time video operation.

What we think

The new Flex control panel from NewTek enables you to adapt to any workflow. It also gives you greater control than NewTek’s existing panels. The Flex is a professional product with a price to match. However, it means that operators no longer need to be physically tethered to video switchers with fixed cable runs. You can simply connect to a network with NDI and have control of any video switcher on that network.

Pricing and availability

The NewTek Flex control panel is available now. It is priced at $9,495.

Pete Tomkies is a freelance cinematographer and camera operator from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's latest short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world.