ToolsOnAir earns NDI certification for macOS capture and playout products

The certification of macOS-native tools signals the deepening maturity of software-defined production environments on Apple silicon. By formalizing support for SCTE-104 and CEA-708 metadata over NDI, ToolsOnAir is bridging the gap between flexible IP transport and the rigid compliance requirements of tier-1 linear broadcasting. This allows regional stations and mid-market broadcasters to deploy NDI-based automated playout without sacrificing the signaling data required for dynamic ad insertion and accessibility. For the broader ecosystem, it validates NDI as a viable alternative to more expensive ST 2110 deployments for metadata-heavy workflows. Watch for ToolsOnAir to expand these metadata capabilities into the Linux-based versions of its capture engine later this year.

The push for standardized metadata over IP has become a central focus for the NDI ecosystem in 2026. Per AVNetwork (March 2025), NDI recently launched the 'Metadata Lab' initiative to formalize bidirectional XML exchange standards. ToolsOnAir was a primary collaborator in this effort, specifically contributing to the definition of the NDI VANC Metadata Standard. This standardization is critical for the industry's shift toward hybrid workflows that mix NDI with legacy SDI and newer ST 2110 infrastructure, as specified in recent technical white papers from the NDI technical team.

Technically, the integration relies on the NDI 6.3 SDK, which debuted in early 2026. According to TVBEurope (January 2026), NDI 6.3 introduced advanced diagnostic tools including sender-level monitoring and real-time statistics for packet loss and jitter. This SDK version significantly improved how VANC data—traditionally used in SDI to carry 10-bit ancillary packets—is mapped into NDI streams. These technical gains are vital for macOS-based productions, which Coherent Market Insights (June 2026) estimates will account for 58% of the global professional music and audio production software market share, driving a similar demand for highly stable, low-latency video monitoring on the platform.

Furthermore, the focus on SCTE-104 signaling aligns with broader market trends in automated playout. Per NewscastStudio (December 2025), broadcasters are increasingly prioritizing 'operational AI' and metadata automation to lower total cost of ownership. By embedding SCTE markers directly into the NDI stream during playout, developers like ToolsOnAir enable more efficient downstream conversion to SCTE-35, which is required for targeted ad insertion in streaming and OTT platforms. This capability is expected to be a major differentiator at upcoming industry shows, as broadcasters look to modernize aging headend equipment with software-defined alternatives.