The Video tab within the Advanced Settings of each source in Iris provides precise configuration controls over how your camera outputs its signal into the Iris environment. Whether your source is connected via USB, HDMI, SDI, or IP, this tab allows you to manage the format, resolution, frame rate, encoder profile, and streaming behavior, ensuring your signal is optimized for your production needs.
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This article explores the three major sections of the Video tab:

These tools give you the ability to route high-performance signals from your source into Iris with flexibility across bandwidth profiles and IP networks.

The Output section determines how your camera or encoder feeds video into Iris.
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Each output method supports different frame rate ceilings:

Note: Some cameras or encoders may lock output rates based on physical port configurations or internal firmware constraints. Iris will show only what’s available based on the selected driver.
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This refers to the frequency at which your camera’s image is refreshed, typically expressed in Hertz (Hz). Available refresh rate options depend on your camera’s internal capabilities and may correspond with regional standards (e.g., 60Hz in North America, 50Hz in PAL regions).
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Encoder profiles determine the compression level and stream complexity. Options typically include:

Choosing the right profile depends on your available upload bandwidth and your visual quality requirements. For cloud-based production, “Main” or “High” is often optimal.
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If your camera or encoder supports NDI, the NDI sub-tab allows you to manage how it behaves on your IP network within Iris.
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This determines the quality and bandwidth profile of your NDI stream. Available format presets typically include:

Choose a format that matches your network’s capacity and the visual demands of your production.
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This toggle configures the camera, not Iris. Switching it on tells the camera to register its own NDI output with a discovery server on your network, which lets other NDI software on that network find the camera’s stream.

Enable this to use multicast streaming, which allows multiple devices to receive the same stream without duplicating bandwidth use per device.

Important: Your network hardware (switches and routers) must support multicast protocols for this feature to work reliably.

The RTSP sub-tab allows you to configure RTSP output settings from your source into Iris, including secure access and encoding format.
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Enable this toggle to require a username and password for devices attempting to access the RTSP stream. This is particularly important for:

Credentials are typically provided by your camera manufacturer. You can find these in:

Choose the desired compression format for your RTSP stream:

Use H.264 for compatibility, H.265 for advanced workflows, and MJPEG only when minimal latency is absolutely necessary and bandwidth is not a constraint.

1. Why can't I see all output ports or frame rates listed?

The options available in the Output tab depend on your camera model and selected driver. Some ports may be disabled or locked by firmware.
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2. What’s the difference between Refresh Rate and FPS?

FPS refers to how many frames per second your camera sends, while Refresh Rate relates to how often the image is updated internally. Both affect motion smoothness.
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3. Should I enable NDI Discovery Server and Multicast?

Only if your network is set up for them. One thing to keep in mind about the NDI Discovery Server toggle: it registers the camera’s own output with a discovery server for the benefit of other NDI software. It has no effect on how Iris finds cameras, and it will not let Iris pick up a camera that sits on a different subnet.
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4. Where do I find my RTSP username and password?

Check the product manual or the web interface of your camera. Default credentials may also be listed on a label or card included in the packaging.
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5. Can I change encoding types on the fly?

Yes, but doing so may briefly interrupt the stream. Be sure to test changes before a live session or production.
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6. How do I test if my RTSP stream is protected?

Try connecting to it from a third-party player (like VLC). Iris will prompt for credentials if the RTSP stream is protected.

1. Tuning NDI Stream Quality for a Multicam Shoot

In a multicam setup using NDI, select “Medium” or “High” in the NDI format settings to balance quality across your network.
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2. Creating an Encrypted RTSP Feed for a Control Room

Enable RTSP Authorization and use H.265 encoding for efficient, secure delivery to a remote switcher or viewer.
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3. Optimizing USB Output to Match Streaming Encoder FPS

Select 60 FPS from the Output tab for USB to maintain a high refresh rate for live broadcast smoothness.
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4. Reducing Bandwidth Use in a Campus Environment

Use the NDI Multicast Server feature to serve the same camera feed to multiple workstations without redundant traffic.
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5. Aligning Encoder Profile with Remote Collaboration Needs

For remote cloud workflows, “Main” or “High” profiles strike the best balance of clarity and performance.

The Video tab in Advanced Settings gives you control over how your camera communicates with Iris, from output settings to protocol-level streaming configuration. By understanding how to configure Output, NDI, and RTSP parameters, you can tailor each video source to your technical requirements and production goals. Whether you're streaming over the cloud, integrating into local switchers, or balancing bandwidth on a constrained network, these tools ensure your signals are stable, secure, and visually clear.