Mavis Studio’s iPad Update and Why It Matters
Mavis Studio is a live production iPad app that brings multi‑camera switching, graphics, audio mixing, recording, and streaming into a single touchscreen interface, aiming to replace fixed broadcast switchers with a portable, networked workflow that AV teams can deploy in smaller venues, classrooms, houses of worship, and touring productions without dedicated control rooms. Announced at InfoComm 2026, the latest update focuses on making portable AV production more practical and professional by adding NDI Preview mode, PTZ camera management, USB audio support, and 3D layouts. Together, these features shift more of the production stack into software, reducing the need for separate hardware switchers, PTZ controllers, and graphics systems. For integrators and operators who already build around IP video, the update is less about adding a few tricks and more about showing that an iPad can hold the center of a professional, networked live production workflow.
NDI Preview Lowers the Barrier to IP-Based Workflows
NDI support was already central to Mavis Studio, which could take NDI input and output to bring networked cameras and sources into an iPad-based workflow. The new NDI Preview mode changes how teams approach evaluation and deployment: operators now get five minutes of full NDI access, including camera feeds, tally, and PTZ camera control, before committing to a subscription. This trial window matters because any live production iPad app is only as reliable as the IP network behind it. By letting teams test bandwidth, latency, and source compatibility ahead of time, NDI Preview reduces risk for portable AV production setups that may move from venue to venue. According to Mavis, the goal is to help AV teams confirm how Studio fits into existing NDI camera fleets and switching topologies without budget decisions standing in the way of basic technical validation.
PTZ Camera Management Without Dedicated Hardware
One of the most significant additions is integrated PTZ camera management for supported NDI cameras. Instead of relying on a separate hardware joystick or controller, operators can now pan, tilt, zoom, and focus directly inside Mavis Studio. A redesigned control wheel adapts to context, switching between PTZ control, media playback, and 3D layout adjustment depending on the selected source, with nearby buttons for frequently used actions. For compact multi-camera rigs in conference rooms, houses of worship, or pop-up event spaces, replacing a physical PTZ desk with soft control on an iPad simplifies packing lists and cabling. It also better matches the way smaller crews work, where a single operator often needs to switch cameras, manage graphics, and adjust framing on the fly. This update positions Mavis Studio alongside newer NDI-aware production hubs while keeping everything on a touchscreen instead of a rack-mounted console.
USB Audio and 3D Layouts Bring Broadcast Polish On the Go
On the audio side, the addition of USB audio interface support lets users connect professional sound hardware directly into Mavis Studio, with up to four channels routed into the integrated audio desk and the same interface available for headphone monitoring. This reduces the need for extra mixers when running small shows, making the iPad the central point for both video and audio control. Visual polish gets a boost as well through new 3D layouts that allow operators to angle and position layers in three-dimensional space. Instead of relying on a separate graphics engine, show titles, picture-in-picture boxes, and branded elements can gain depth and motion from within the app. For touring productions and smaller venues, this combination of USB audio and 3D graphics turns a single tablet into a compact production room, improving production value without adding more gear to transport or maintain.
Democratizing Professional Live Production on Tablets
By folding NDI camera control, PTZ camera management, USB audio, and 3D layouts into one live production iPad app, Mavis Studio pushes professional workflows into more modest budgets and tighter spaces. AV teams, educators, and content creators gain access to features that once required a fixed control room with dedicated switchers, PTZ panels, and graphics systems. The iPad becomes the control surface for a networked production that can expand from a few NDI PTZ cameras to more complex shows, with the same interface traveling between venues. “Mavis Studio is about giving people the tools of a professional live production system in a format that is far more portable and accessible,” said Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis. For portable AV production, the message is clear: high-end live switching is no longer tied to heavy hardware; it can live on a touchscreen.
