BirdDog O4 – a true cinema-quality outdoor PTZ camera

For permanent outdoor installations where uptime and picture integrity are mission-critical, the BirdDog O4 stands out as a single-head system that unifies SDI, IP and fiber workflows. Its core is a large 1/1.8″ 8.4 MP CMOS sensor driving native 4K60 capture with wide dynamic range, paired with a 30× optical zoom (6.9–215 mm) for long-range framing without sacrificing modulation transfer or color response. The die-cast aluminium body is IP66 sealed and operates from –40 °C to +60 °C, aided by an integrated heater and a hydrophobic front element that keeps optics clear in rain, sleet and dust.

Imaging and lens
The O4’s 1/1.8″ format raises the photosite area compared with smaller 1/2.8″ PTZ systems, delivering lower noise, stronger highlight handling and a more cinematic roll-off in daylight and sodium-lit night scenes. Multi-exposure HDR, 2D/3D noise reduction and a >50 dB signal-to-noise ratio keep fine texture intact in low-illumination coverage. The integrated lens spans 60°–2° horizontal angle of view, with f/1.35–4.6 aperture for responsiveness at deep telephoto. Autofocus and manual control are both available, and exposure presets support Auto, Shutter, Iris and Brightness modes with flicker reduction for 50/60 Hz lighting.

Night visibility and stability
A precision 500 m IR laser provides reference illumination for long-range night monitoring. The O4 couples that with black-and-white switching and tuned gain to keep motion legible rather than smeared. The sealed undercarriage routes cabling through three weatherproof glands with strain relief, preventing capillary ingress and reducing wind-borne vibration coupling to connectors. Marine-grade coatings resist salt and pollutants on exposed sites such as stadium bowls, transport hubs and coastal perimeters.

Pan/tilt mechanics and robotics
The unit offers ±170° pan and –30° to +90° tilt with variable speeds from 0.05°/s for subtle on-air reframes to 90°/s for live sport cutaways. Up to 255 presets enable rapid, repeatable moves; FreeD metadata is output via UDP and embedded in NDI streams for AR/VR graphics engines, so tracked overlays remain locked during pans and zooms. The geometry remains tight even at extension thanks to lens-motor calibration and backlash control appropriate for broadcast remotes.

Connectivity for mixed infrastructures
12G-SDI provides a latency-minimised path to switchers, while an SFP+ slot enables fiber and 1–10 GbE carriage. On the network side, it can deliver Full NDI and NDI|HX3 simultaneously, or run NDI in parallel with SRT/RTMP/RTSP for contribution workflows. Dante AV-H can be enabled via license for audio/video routing into Dante domains. Embedded audio over SDI and NDI is complemented by a 6.35 mm TRS input for local sources. Control protocols include NDI, VISCA-IP, REST API 2.0 and KBD panels, all surfaced through the modern BirdUI.

Power, installation and reliability
Power is via PoE++ over copper or 24 V DC (40 W max). All I/O resides inside a sealed base with a removable plate, keeping connections protected once commissioned. The 200 × 330 × 226 mm body weighs 7.6 kg, giving inertia that resists gust-induced shake on masts. The hydrophobic front glass has a smudge-resistant coating that beads water without wipers; the integrated heater prevents icing and maintains dew-point margins so optics stay clear in sleet or fog. For integrators, the clean mechanical design simplifies weatherproof routing without external junction boxes.

Signal formats and frame rates
The camera outputs UHD 3840×2160 at 50/59.94/60p, plus a full matrix of HD modes at 1080p, 1080i and 720p for regional facilities. That makes the O4 comfortable in hybrid control rooms where UHD program is cut alongside HD replay and contribution feeds. NDI transport leverages high-bandwidth or HX3 profiles depending on networking policy; SRT provides encrypted contribution over constrained links.

Color science and matching
A comprehensive color matrix and gamma tools allow matching to system cameras and cine bodies for multi-camera shows. In practice, the elevated sensor area yields better tonality in skin and signage, avoiding the waxy compression look that smaller chips exhibit under stadium lighting. With careful matrix alignment and knee control, highlights retain detail under arc lamps while deep shadows in seating rows remain stable.

Use cases
With 30× optical reach (60× in HD with precision zoom mode) and night-vision assistance, O4 covers penalty boxes, finish lines, parade routes, car-park perimeters and building facades. It becomes a fixed broadcast head for weather-resistant positions where a traditional box lens would be impractical, and a remote camera for streaming venues that need a continuous IP feed plus SDI for local IMAG.

Operations and monitoring
The BirdUI presents exposure, color and tracking profiles including “fast” behaviours for sports and “smooth” behaviours for ceremonies and corporate events. Tally over NDI is supported, and FreeD adds confidence for augmented-graphics pipelines. The base layout makes service simple: RJ-45, SDI and SFP+ sit inside the sealed well, reachable once the cover is removed, then isolated again from rain and dust. Latency over 12G-SDI is negligible for tight switching on air

Why this camera fits cinema-quality outdoor work
Cinema quality outdoors means tonal latitude, motion cadence and color separation that hold under hard light and adverse weather. The O4’s 1/1.8″ sensor, deep processing and coated optics keep colorimetry neutral and noise restrained, so pictures grade predictably. The IP66 chassis, heater and hydrophobic window preserve that quality in storms across SDI, NDI and fiber workflows.

Key specs
• 1/1.8″ 8.4 MP CMOS; UHD 4K60.
• 30× optical (6.9–215 mm); H/V/D 60–2° / 34–1.1° / 67–2.3°; f/1.35–4.6.
• –40 °C to +60 °C, IP66, heater, hydrophobic front glass.
• 12G-SDI, HDMI, SFP+; RJ-45 PoE++; Full NDI / NDI|HX3; SRT/RTMP/RTSP; Dante AV-H (license).
• Pan ±170°, tilt –30°/+90°, 0.05–90°/s; 255 presets; FreeD.
• TRS 6.35 mm input; embedded audio.

Integration and control
Control spans NDI, VISCA over IP and a modern REST API 2.0, so the head can be driven from switchers, PTZ panels or custom dashboards. Adjustable speed curves give soft starts and stops, and flicker profiles for 50/60 Hz lighting help hold exposure under LED stadiums. Up to 255 recallable positions accelerate venue-wide operation.

Networking and security
Media and control can be split across VLANs with QoS, while SRT adds AES encryption for contribution links. The SFP+ cage accepts fiber for long runs and 1–10 GbE; Full NDI at 10 GbE is campus-ready, with NDI|HX3 and RTMP/RTSP for constrained networks. Dante AV-H activation drops the camera into existing Dante grids.

Mounting and environmental practice
At 7.6 kg and 200 × 330 × 226 mm, O4 suits pole, parapet and gantry mounts. The hydrophobic front glass and heater prevent dew at dawn and maintain a clear window in rain and sleet. A sealed undercarriage with three cable glands and strain relief protects RJ-45, SDI and SFP+ from grit and spray.

Operational economics
Simultaneous Full NDI / HX3, 12G-SDI and SFP+ reduce external converters and points of failure. PoE++ simplifies power distribution and remote recovery via BirdUI keeps truck rolls down.

Where to order
For EU integration projects, see the AVGear product page for availability and formal quotations: BirdDog O4 Grey Outdoor PTZ Camera.