What the New Mavis Studio Update Brings to iPad Live Production
Mavis Studio’s latest update turns an iPad into a professional live production hub by combining NDI network video, PTZ camera control, USB audio and 3D layouts inside a single touch-first app for switching, graphics, playback, streaming and recording. The app targets AV teams, integrators, venues, education, houses of worship and creators who need broadcast‑style workflows without fixed racks of hardware. At InfoComm, Mavis framed the release as a way to make professional AV production more portable, connected and accessible. Multi‑camera switching, media management, audio mixing and output to streams or recorders all run on the tablet, which changes the expectations for professional tablet production. Instead of a cart full of mixers and controllers, operators can run an entire show from one screen, while still tying into networked cameras and pro audio gear. For many workflows, the iPad now moves from a companion device to the central production system.
NDI Preview and Networked Video: iPad as an IP Production Node
The update doubles down on NDI video streaming, treating the iPad as a full IP production node. Mavis Studio already handled NDI input and output, so networked cameras, graphics systems and remote computers could appear as switchable sources. The new NDI Preview mode adds five minutes of full NDI access, letting teams test camera feeds, tally and PTZ control before they commit to a subscription. For AV teams moving toward IP workflows, this preview window is practical: they can check network performance, verify discovery of NDI cameras, and confirm that Mavis slots cleanly into existing routing. According to Mavis, this makes it easier for teams “to confirm network performance, test compatible sources and understand how Mavis Studio fits into an existing production environment.” In effect, the iPad becomes a portable NDI endpoint that can join larger systems or run small, network‑only shows on its own.
Integrated PTZ Camera Control from the iPad Interface
Mavis Studio’s new PTZ camera control turns the iPad into both switcher and controller for supported NDI PTZ cameras. Operators can pan, tilt, zoom and focus directly inside the app, without a separate joystick panel. A redesigned control wheel sits at the heart of this feature, adapting its function based on the selected source: PTZ control for cameras, media transport for clips, or 3D layout adjustment for compositing. Customisable buttons give fast access to common actions, useful when one person is running cameras and switching at once. This is well suited to compact multi‑camera productions, where physical control surfaces, extra crew or large desks are hard to justify. For iPad live production setups in classrooms, conference rooms or small venues, the combination of NDI video and software‑based PTZ camera control means one operator can frame shots, cut between angles and manage layouts from a single touchscreen.
USB Audio and 3D Layouts Push Tablet Production Toward Broadcast Quality
On the audio side, Mavis Studio now supports USB audio interfaces, bringing professional microphones, mixers and outboard gear straight into the iPad live production environment. Up to four channels feed the built‑in audio desk, and the same interface can handle headphone monitoring, so operators can check sources and program sound without adding extra hardware layers. This closes a key gap in professional tablet production, where audio has often lagged behind video capabilities. Creative control also steps up through expanded 3D layouts. Operators can position and angle layers in 3D space, building multi‑camera compositions, picture‑in‑picture views and branded frames without a dedicated graphics system. For events, interviews and corporate presentations, this means more flexible, polished looks from a single device. As Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis, said, the app is about giving people “the tools of a professional live production system in a format that is far more portable and accessible.”
Pricing, Access and Where This Leaves iPad Live Production
Mavis Studio is available as a free download from the App Store, with a watermark applied on all outputs. Removing the watermark costs USD 24.99 (approx. RM120) per month or USD 79.99 (approx. RM380) per year. To remove the watermark and activate NDI together costs USD 39.99 (approx. RM190) per month or USD 129.99 (approx. RM620) per year. These options let teams try the interface and basic workflows at no cost, then scale up to full NDI video streaming and clean outputs as needs grow. With multi‑camera switching, NDI integration, PTZ camera control, USB audio support and advanced 3D layouts in one app, the latest Mavis Studio update positions the iPad as a realistic replacement for many traditional live production racks. For mobile crews and fixed installations alike, iPad live production now looks far closer to broadcast‑grade than a few years ago.
