# Start and stop an NDI stream on Pearl-2

NDI® (Network Device Interface) is used to transmit low-latency video content over Gigabit networks at broadcast quality with no audio compression. Pearl-2 supports up to four unicast NDI output streams at 1920×1080@30 fps.

You can assign the NDI stream a unique name using alphanumeric characters. The name appears in parenthesis after the Pearl-2 serial number and three-letter prefix as part of the NDI stream ID as seen by other NDI resources on the network.

For example: **PLTTSG999901** (*name*)

where *name* is the unique alphanumeric name you assign the stream and **PLT** is the three-digit prefix that identifies this as a Pearl-2 system.

Pearl-2 shows up as an NDI resource to other NDI resources on the network as soon as you start an NDI stream. All NDI devices on the same network as Pearl-2 can access the unicast stream.

**Important considerations**

- Pearl-2 can unicast up to four 1920×1080 NDI streams simultaneously. However, NDI allows receivers to request a lower quality stream. If that happens, Pearl-2 will send two streams: one at the original resolution and a second one at the lower resolution. This has an impact on the CPU performance of Pearl-2

- We recommend having at least 125 Mbps Ethernet for a single 1920×1080 30 fps stream using NDI, and between 8 and 20 Mbps for a single 1920×1080 30 fps stream using NDI|HX.

To stream using NDI:

- Log in to the Admin panel as **admin**.

-  From the Channels menu, select a channel and click **Streaming**. The Streaming configuration page opens.

- Click **New stream** and choose **NDI Streaming**. The new stream is created using the default name *Stream 1*.

- Click the stream name to see the stream settings.

- (Optional) Uncheck **Single touch control** if you don't want this stream to be started and stopped using Single Touch streaming and recording control. This is enabled by default.

- Enter a unique *name* for Pearl-2 in the **Name** field. The name you enter appears in parenthesis after the serial number of Pearl-2 and the three-letter prefix. For example: PLTTSG999901 (*name*)

- (Optional) Enter a **Group** to assign the stream to a specific NDI group (if applicable).

- (Optional) Rename the stream. Click the current name and enter a different name, then press **Enter**.

- Click **Apply**.

- To start streaming, click **Start** or click **Start all** to simultaneously start this stream and any other streams you have configured for this channel.

- Click **Delete this stream** at any time to delete the stream.

> product: pearl-2 · topic: streaming · source: pearl-2-userguide.md · updated: Oct 13, 2026