Intros and openers
Start the show with a clean video package without turning your encoder into a media bin.
Current release: 1.9.4 Build 10016
A-B Roll:NDI Playback Deckfor Mac Live Production
Roll show media from a dedicated A/B playback surface. A-B Roll is a dual-deck NDI media player for Mac live productions that need reliable video roll-ins, show packages, bumpers, loops, and client media without crowding the main encoder.
Built for OBS, Wirecast, vMix, NDI Monitor, and Mac-based production workflows. Learn more about A-B Roll as an NDI playback deck or NDI media player for Mac. Need help or want to send feedback? Email adam@mixup.live. Read our Privacy Policy. View Release Notes.
NDI playback deckMac NDI media playerPersistent NDI outputPer-well loop controlv1.9.4
A dedicated playback deck keeps show media out of the main encoder.
The bigger the show gets, the more the encoder becomes a crowded control room: cameras, scenes, audio, graphics, recordings, guests, chat, overlays, and every last-minute video file. A-B Roll gives NDI playback its own focused place to live.
Keep the encoder cleanBring A-B Roll into your show as clean NDI sources instead of stuffing every clip into the main production file.
Reduce live-show pressureSeparate playback from the software responsible for switching, streaming, recording, and keeping the show online.
Give roll-ins a homeUse a dedicated surface for intros, bumpers, pre-recorded segments, loops, and holding media.
What it is
A practical NDI media player for real live shows.
A-B Roll is the place where show media gets loaded, checked, cued, monitored, and sent into the production as NDI. It gives operators a focused Mac playback deck for the moment when someone says, “roll the clip.”
Use it for livestreams, podcasts, webinars, education, corporate events, sports shows, and small production teams that need reliable A/B media playback.
✓Load media into two independent player wells.
✓Bring NDI sources into A-B Roll and send playback back out over NDI.
✓Watch audio levels and monitor playback with more confidence.
✓Keep show media separate from the main encoder or switcher.
Workflow comparison
Where A-B Roll fits in an NDI production workflow.
Use A-B Roll when playback deserves a dedicated operator surface, clean NDI output, and a simpler way to cue show media during live production.
| Workflow need | Typical approach | A-B Roll advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Play video roll-ins | Load clips into OBS, Wirecast, vMix scenes, or a crowded media bin. | Run roll-ins from a focused dual-deck NDI playback surface. |
| Run show packages and bumpers | Manage files manually while the live show is already in progress. | Keep intros, bumpers, packages, loops, and holding clips ready in A/B wells. |
| Send playback into production | Capture a display, window, or app-specific media source. | Send clean NDI playback sources into OBS, Wirecast, vMix, NDI Monitor, and compatible receivers. |
| Keep the encoder stable | Add more scenes, sources, media files, and last-minute changes to the main encoder. | Separate playback responsibility from switching, streaming, recording, and graphics. |
| Confidence monitor media | Watch playback inside the same overloaded production app. | Use focused player wells, playlist controls, level visibility, and monitoring for operator confidence. |
Use it for the things that interrupt the live show
Roll-ins, packages, loops, and the files clients send too late.
A-B Roll is built for the practical media moments that deserve more confidence than a buried source inside a crowded encoder scene collection.
Bumpers and client media
Keep show media ready to roll from a dedicated deck instead of hunting through scenes.
Pre-recorded segments
Load interviews, explainers, highlight reels, or show packages into A/B playback wells.
Countdowns and intermission loops
Give waiting-room, break, and reset media a stable place outside the main show file.
Holding media
Have a slate, loop, or holding video ready when the live show needs cover.
NDI production networks
Feed playback into OBS, Wirecast, vMix, NDI Monitor, and compatible NDI workflows.
Current focus
Make the core playback deck excellent first.
A-B Roll 1.9.4 focuses on operator workflow: persistent local playlists, resizable rundowns, playlist ordering, keyboard shortcuts, loaded-item tracking, and filename tooltips.
Player A + Player B
Operate two player wells independently so one clip can be ready while another is in use.
Persistent NDI output
Enable NDI outputs before media is loaded, keep sources alive after clearing media, and give downstream tools stable placeholder output.
Audio confidence
Keep an eye on levels and monitoring so media audio is not a mystery when the show is live.
Predictable source swaps
Move between empty wells, media, still images, and placeholder output with more reliable NDI behavior.
Still-image output
Still images now output over NDI in a predictable 16:9 frame, with transparent images composited over black.
Per-well Loop
Media files can loop independently in each player well, with loop controls shown only when they are relevant.
Where it is headed
From practical playback deck to show-ready operator station.
We are keeping the center of gravity simple: practical NDI playback first. Automation and remote operation come after the deck feels trustworthy.
Now
The current build is focused on operator workflow, playlist persistence, faster shortcuts, and playback confidence.
- Persistent local playlist/rundown
- Resizable playlist sidebar
- Move Up / Move Down playlist ordering
- Q/W/A/S/Z/X operator shortcuts
- Filename hover tooltips
Next
The next layer is speed, confidence, and show operation.
- Drag-to-reorder playlist support
- Improved fullscreen/program output handling
- Rundown workflow polish
- Stream Deck / Bitfocus Companion control
- More operator workflow polish
Release feedback
A-B Roll is actively improving, and real production setups matter.
- Test source persistence in OBS, Wirecast, vMix, and NDI Monitor
- Try media, still-image, unload, and placeholder transitions
- Please report Mac model, macOS version, NDI receiver app, screenshots, and logs
The bigger idea
Someday, the person rolling clips may not be in the same room as the encoder.
A-B Roll starts as a local NDI playback deck. Longer term, remote playback could let another operator handle show media from somewhere else while the main encoder stays focused on the live stream. That is the kind of automation we care about: human, practical, and useful under pressure.
Pricing
Start free. Upgrade when A-B Roll earns its place in your workflow.
Download A-B Roll, test the playback workflow, and upgrade to Pro when you are ready for production use.
Free
$0
Test A-B Roll with basic playback and NDI workflow.
- Try the dedicated dual-deck playback workflow
- Test A-B Roll with your Mac and production setup
- Evaluate whether a separate playback deck fits your show
Best for production
A-B Roll Pro
$69 USD
One-time purchase. Includes activation on up to 2 Macs.
- Unlock clean NDI output
- Remove Free asset limits and watermark
- Support continued development
Download
Get A-B Roll 1.9.4 for Mac.
Download the current macOS release, install A-B Roll, and test persistent playlists, resizable rundowns, playlist ordering, keyboard shortcuts, and the dedicated dual-deck workflow in your own production setup. Existing users can also use A-B Roll → Check for Updates…
Feedback
Help harden the playback deck.
Test A-B Roll with your real Mac, your real encoder, your real NDI tools, and the weird media files that show up right before a live production. Operator feedback shapes what ships next.
A-B Roll FAQ
Common questions.
What is A-B Roll?
A-B Roll is a dedicated dual-deck NDI playback deck and media player for Mac live production workflows.
Can I use A-B Roll with OBS, Wirecast, or vMix?
Yes. A-B Roll is built for NDI-friendly production workflows and can feed playback into OBS, Wirecast, vMix, NDI Monitor, and other compatible NDI receivers.
Does A-B Roll support NDI?
Yes. A-B Roll is built around NDI-friendly live production workflows, including NDI input, persistent NDI output, stable placeholder sources for empty wells, and still-image output over NDI.
What kinds of media is A-B Roll designed to play?
A-B Roll is designed for video roll-ins, intros, show packages, pre-recorded segments, countdowns, loops, holding clips, still-image slates, and other live-show media.
Does it have hotkeys, loop mode, or rundown mode?
Yes. A-B Roll supports per-well Loop playback, operator keyboard shortcuts, and persistent local playlist/rundown workflows.
Where do I download it?
The Mac download is available from this page. Use any Download for Mac button to install A-B Roll.