Using Avid Media Composer with Remoto Playback
Master the essentials of Avid Media Composer for seamless playback, enhancing your editing workflow and efficiency.
Written by Sara Griffith
Updated at April 24th, 2026
Table of Contents
NDI & Blackmagic UltraStudio (SDI / Thunderbolt) Setup Guide
This guide explains how to stream video and audio from Avid Media Composer into Remoto Playback using either:
- NDI (software-based, no hardware required)
- Blackmagic UltraStudio (professional SDI hardware output)
Overview
There are two supported workflows:
Option 1 — NDI (No Hardware Required)
- Video → NDI
- Audio → Desktop Audio (NDI) or virtual audio device
Option 2 — Blackmagic UltraStudio (Hardware)
- Video → SDI output
- Audio → Embedded SDI or external audio routing
- Playback receives signal via Thunderbolt
Option 1: NDI Workflow
Step 1: Enable NDI Output in Media Composer
- In Avid Media Composer, click the Hardware/Software Broadcasting button
- From the dropdown:
- Enable NDI Output
- Enable Desktop Audio
Step 2: Configure Audio in Media Composer
- Open Audio Project Settings
- Under Hardware:
- Select your system audio output or a virtual audio device (for example: Pro Tools Audio Bridge)
Important: NDI audio is enabled through Desktop Audio. Do not attempt to select NDI as an audio device.
Step 3: Configure Playback
In Playback → Streaming Settings:
- Video Input → Select NDI (look for a source with “Avid” in the name)
- Audio Input → Select:
- NDI audio (if available), OR
- The same audio device used in Media Composer
If configured correctly:
- Resolution and frame rate will populate automatically
Step 4: Start Broadcasting
- In Media Composer, click the Broadcast button
- Confirm:
- The icon is blinking
- Tooltip reads “Software is broadcasting”
Step 5: Verify Signal
- Start playback in Media Composer
- In Playback's Session Settings, click Preview
- Confirm:
- Video appears correctly
- Audio is present and in sync
Option 2: Blackmagic UltraStudio Workflow (SDI Hardware)
Using a Blackmagic UltraStudio, Media Composer outputs video via SDI.
Important: SDI Loopback Requirement
Playback requires an SDI loopback when using Blackmagic UltraStudio.
What this means:
- Connect SDI OUT to SDI IN using a cable
Why this is required:
- Playback only detects signals on inputs, not outputs
- Looping the signal back allows Playback to see the video feed
Without loopback:
- Playback will not detect any video signal
Step 1: Configure Video Output in Media Composer
- Go to Settings → Video Output Tool
- Select your Blackmagic UltraStudio device
- Enable full-screen playback via hardware
Step 2: Configure Audio Output
- Open Audio Project Settings
- Under Hardware:
- Select Blackmagic UltraStudio to embed audio into SDI
OR
- Use a separate audio device if preferred
Step 3: Configure Playback
In Playback → Streaming Settings:
- Video Input → Select Thunderbolt / Blackmagic device
- Select the UltraStudio input feed
- Audio Input:
- Embedded SDI audio, OR
- Matching audio device
Step 4: Verify Signal
- Start playback in Media Composer
- In Playback, click Preview
- Confirm:
- Video appears
- Audio is present
Monitoring and Feedback Note
When using Blackmagic for both output and input:
- Do not route Playback audio back into the capture path
- To avoid feedback:
- Mute the stream audio in Playback, or
- Monitor directly from Media Composer
- Route call audio to a different output (not Blackmagic)
Audio Routing Best Practices
When additional routing is needed:
- Use a virtual audio driver such as:
- Pro Tools Audio Bridge
- BlackHole
Media Composer supports only one audio output device, so additional configuration may be required.
Optional: Dual Monitoring
- Open Audio MIDI Setup (macOS)
- Create an Aggregate Device
- Combine:
- Virtual audio device
- Headphones or speakers
Important Limitation: Timecoded Markers
Playback’s timecoded markers feature is not supported when using Avid Media Composer as the source.
This is because Media Composer does not generate a sync signal (such as MTC or embedded timecode over NDI or SDI) that Playback can follow.
As a result:
- Playback cannot lock to a shared timecode reference
- Timecoded markers will not align to the timeline
- Marker-based sync workflows are unavailable
Playback operates using software-based sync only in this setup.
Troubleshooting
NDI Issues
- Broadcast not started in Media Composer
- Wrong NDI source selected in Playback
- Desktop Audio not enabled
- Audio device mismatch between Media Composer and Playback
- Network issues preventing NDI discovery
Blackmagic UltraStudio Issues
- SDI loopback not connected (most common issue)
- Incorrect device selected in Media Composer
- Playback not set to Thunderbolt input
- Unsupported video format or frame rate
- No signal appearing due to missing input feed
Audio Issues
- Audio device not matching between Media Composer and Playback
- Audio routed to wrong output device
- Feedback loop caused by routing Playback audio back into capture
- No audio embedded in SDI signal
- Virtual audio device not selected correctly
Final Checklist
NDI Workflow
- NDI enabled in Media Composer
- Desktop Audio enabled
- Broadcast started
- Playback preview working
Blackmagic Workflow
- UltraStudio selected in Media Composer
- SDI output active
- SDI loopback connected
- Playback detects Thunderbolt input
- Audio routed correctly