iPad Live Production Grows Up
Mavis Studio is a live streaming software app that turns an iPad into a portable production studio, combining multi‑camera switching, media playback, graphics, audio mixing, recording and professional video streaming in one touch‑driven interface that replaces traditional broadcast control hardware for many day‑to‑day workflows. Announced at InfoComm 2026, the latest update aims to move iPad live production from “nice backup tool” to primary system for events, venues, educators and content creators. Mavis is positioning the iPad as a credible alternative to fixed AV racks by folding IP video, camera control, and multi‑channel audio into a single device that can travel in a backpack. For AV teams who need professional video streaming but want to avoid bulky rigs, the update signals how fast tablet‑based production is catching up with desktop switchers and hardware mixers.
NDI Preview and PTZ Control Bring Networked Cameras to the Fore
The update leans heavily on the NDI protocol iPad workflow that Mavis has been building. Mavis Studio already accepted NDI inputs and could output NDI back onto the network; now, NDI Preview mode gives users five minutes of full access to NDI features so they can test camera sources, tally and PTZ control before subscribing. For AV teams trialing IP‑based setups, that makes it easier to confirm bandwidth, routing and device compatibility without committing to a paid tier. PTZ support is another cornerstone: operators can pan, tilt, zoom and focus supported NDI PTZ cameras directly inside the app. A context‑aware control wheel switches between PTZ moves, media transport, and 3D layout adjustments, while custom buttons trigger frequent actions, shrinking what once required a separate joystick controller down to a single iPad screen.
USB Audio and 3D Layouts Enable Desktop‑Grade Shows
On the audio side, Mavis Studio now accepts USB audio interfaces, feeding up to four channels into its integrated audio desk. The same interface can handle headphone monitoring, so an operator can manage live sound, cue mixes and confidence checks without external mixers or extra monitoring hardware. Visually, expanded 3D layouts turn the iPad into a more flexible design canvas. Operators can position and angle layers in 3D space, stacking cameras, graphics and media in complex compositions for events, interviews, presentations and branded content. This reduces the need for a separate graphics system or downstream keyer. Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis, says the goal is to put “networked video, camera control, professional audio and flexible layouts all in one app,” allowing polished, multi‑layer shows to be run from a single tablet.
From Fixed Racks to Portable Production Studio
By merging NDI control, PTZ operation, USB audio and 3D design tools, Mavis Studio pushes iPad live production toward workflows that used to demand full broadcast racks. AV teams, houses of worship, corporate studios and educators can now treat an iPad as a primary switcher, graphics engine and recorder, not just a companion device. For InfoComm attendees, seeing the app on the NDI stand underlined a wider industry move toward tablet‑based production systems that are easier to deploy and share between rooms. The app is a free download, with watermarked outputs that can be cleared for USD 24.99 (approx. RM120) per month or USD 79.99 (approx. RM380) per year, while watermark removal plus NDI activation costs USD 39.99 (approx. RM190) per month or USD 129.99 (approx. RM620) per year. Those subscription options make professional video streaming setups more accessible than traditional capital‑intensive broadcast hardware.
