The Future of PTZ Cameras is Here
The PTZ camera market has recently seen the addition of two impressive contenders: the Birddog X1 and X1 Ultra. These models have been designed to cater to for HD and 4K productions at an incredible price point, boasting a range of features that elevate the filming experience and image output. In this blog post, we will explore the key specifications, features, and differences between the Birddog X1 and X1 Ultra to help you decide which model is right for you.
The Birddog X1 series is the first of the new generation of PTZs from Birddog, with the cameras achieving fantastic performance with a user-friendly design, and a great price point. Both the X1 and X1 Ultra offer excellent image quality, advanced connectivity options, and robust build quality, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets.
Birddog X1
The Birddog X1 is the entry level model of the new range, a HD PTZ with 20x optical zoom, aimed at small to mid-level productions who need a reliable camera with high-quality video output. It offers a range of features that make it a versatile tool for various shooting scenarios.
Birddog X1 Ultra
The Birddog X1 Ultra, on the other hand, is geared towards professionals who require 4K production workflows. Built on around the same base of the X1, but with an upgrading imaging module, ultimately if you want to adopt a 4K30p workflow then the X1 Ultra is the one to go for.
Comparison Chart
To give you a clearer picture of how the Birddog X1 and X1 Ultra stack up against each other, here’s a detailed comparison chart:
| X1 | X1 ULTRA | |
|---|---|---|
| Image Sensor | Sony 1/2.8” CMOS • FULL HD | Sony 1/2.8” CMOS • ULTRA HD |
| Optical zoom | 20x | 12x |
| Video formats supported | 1080p @ 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25fps 720p @ 60/50/30/25fps | 2160p @ 30/29.97/25fps 1080p @ 30/29.97/25fps 720p @ 30/29.97/25fps |
| Horizontal angle of view | 55.8° (W) – 3.2° (T) | 70.28º (W) – 6.57º (T) |
| Vertical angle of view | 32.2° (W) – 1.8° (T) | 42.06º (W) – 3.76º (T) |
| Pan/Tilt Rotation | ±175°, -90°～+90° |
| Video Output Interfaces | HDMI, USB-C UVC 1.1, Network |
| Video Compression Format | H.264, H.265 |
| Encoder Network Protocols | NDI|HX2, NDI|HX3, SRT, RTSP, RTMP |
| Network Interfaces | 100M adaptive Ethernet port; POE IEEE802.3af, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ac |
| Control Protocols | VISCA Baud Rate: 38400/9600/4800/2400, VISCA-IP, NDI |
| 3rd Party Control Protocols | Support for Q-sys, Crestron and BitFocus Companion modules is scheduled for August 2024 |
| Dimensions | 171.6*192.6*171.6mm/ 260*217*197mm (before/ after packing) |
Image Quality
The most significant difference between the two models lies in their image quality. The X1 offers HD resolution at up 60fps, which is more than adequate for most projects. However, the X1 Ultra takes it a step further with 4K resolution at 30fps, providing an incredibly sharp and smooth visual experience. This makes the X1 Ultra an excellent choice for productions that require top-tier image quality.
Sensor and Lens
Both the X1 and the X1 ultra share the same sized sensor, which is a Sony 1 / 2.8 inch CMOS – so you know you’re going to get great image quality and a decent level of low light performance. The optics however are different within each model, there’s a 20x optical zoom range in the X1, and in the 4K variant, the X1 Ultra there’s a 12x. The Ultra not having the same zoom range does mean that the lens is slightly faster at the telephoto end, opening up to F/2.7 as opposed to F/3.5. The X1 Ultra also has a much wider field of view at the widest end of the zoom range, offering 70.28 degrees horizontally, as opposed to the 55.8 degrees on the X1. So if you need to put a camera in a tight spot to get a wide FoV the X1 Ultra is the one to go for.
Both cameras have stand out tally system on the front of the camera, which Birddog call the Halo tally, which wraps around the front of the lens – if you need your presenters to be able to identify the live camera, this system is one of the most visible on the market.
Connectivity
Both models come with HDMI, USB-C, and IP video outputs. There is both ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity for getting it on a network. It is worth noting that control can be done wirelessly, along with video transmission too, which certainly adds a whole new level of flexibility when it comes to deployment. If there is local power ran to the camera, this can be put in situ and be controlled and transmit completely cable free.
There’s an e-ink display on the side of the camera, that has all the key info of the camera displayed, there’s also a QR code to take you quickly to the web user interface of the camera, and room for adding custom branding. A standout key selling point is that the HDMI output can also act as an independent HDMI decoder, perfect for routing back a confidence monitors or teleprompter for the presenter over the one ethernet cable to the camera.
NDI HX3
Birddog were pioneers in the NDI space, offering a full ecosystem of products that supported the visually lossless and ultra low latency of full bandwidth NDI. This new generation of products sees them migrating their focus to the new flavour of compressed NDI, which is NDI HX3.
Why you might ask?
Well NDI HX3 has significantly improved on the compression compared to HX2, the image quality is fantastic for the much more manageable data rates it requires, but also the latency is now close enough to full bandwidth NDI that when you put them side by side, by the naked eye it’s almost impossible to tell which is which. Birddog have put a lot of time and effort into making their NDI HX3 offering this low when it comes to latency, a lot of that is around how they interpret the image, they encode line by line instead of frame by frame (which is what most other manufactures do) which leads to a latency of just over 80 milliseconds for these cameras. Using NDI HX3 means that the cameras don’t need to have an FPGA for processing, which reduces the power required to run the cameras (just POE and not POE+, or POE++), and the overall cost of the product.
Subject Tracking
Both cameras featuring AI presenter tracking straight out of the box, the processing is done by the camera itself so requires no host machine to run. Subject tracking adds versatility to these cameras, whether you’re manning a multicamera production on your own and you want to a few cameras auto tracking the action to take the ease of (yet add production value), or your just wanting a simple lecture capture solution that can be set and forget, having this at your disposal adds another string to the X1 bow.
Conclusion
Both the Birddog X1 and X1 Ultra add a lot of flexibility at a competitive price point – you’ll not find other PTZs on the market that offer the features that these do at this price. Choosing between the two will depend on your specific needs and of course budget to spend. Regardless of your choice, Birddog’s latest offerings are sure to enhance your filming experience and help you create great looking content with ease.
Birddog X1 PTZ Camera
Birddog X1 Ultra PTZ Camera
For more information, please contact us either through our ‘Live Chat’ function, email: [email protected] or by phone: 0203 137 2901; we’re always here and happy to help.
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