GRIESHEIM, Germany—A major broadcaster in Norway has placed a large order for arkona technologies’ BLADE//runner AT300 offering IP gateway functionality, AV processing, ultra-low latency video compression and audio shuffling.

The arkona AT300 gateway offers exceptional video and audio density, as well as robust buffering capabilities for signal alignment. It relies upon an FPGA-based design that delivers minimal end-to-end processing delay, which is critical in IP-based workflows, the company said.

"The arkona AT300 delivers impressive density for JPEG XS, coupled with low processing latency between compressed and uncompressed signals, making it a strong choice for our ultra-low-latency requirements,” an evaluation report from the Norwegian broadcaster said. “As our platform will rely on JPEG XS for signal distribution across the WAN, the AT300’s ability to handle these signals at scale without introducing significant alterations is crucial."

Another reason for the broadcaster’s choice was the BLADE//runner platform’s dedicated audio-only app with superior audio routing, shuffling and processing capabilities. Offering a high-density solution for audio streams, it supports shuffling capabilities in all apps that handle video. As a dedicated audio-only app, it sets a new benchmark in audio processing density and performance, the company said.

The broadcaster placed the order with Danmon Group, arkona’s partner in the Nordics.

More information is available on the company’s website.

AMSTERDAM—Grass Valley has launched the ACE-3901 Next Generation 12G Modular Agile Computing Engine and the XIP-3911-GRID firmware for the XIP Modular Processing Platform at IBC 2024.

The launches mark a significant evolution in Grass Valley’s Densité Modular Platform, offering a higher level of processing power and density for media companies navigating the migration from SDI to IP workflows, it said.

The ACE-3901 is the company’s pinnacle of modular processing. It is designed to meet the growing demand for high-density IP gateway solutions. It delivers the highest IP input/output density in the market, offering up to 400Gb IP bandwidth per module and up to 256 12G-SDI or 384 3G-SDI gateways within a single 4RU Densité frame, the company said.

It provides up to a tenfold increase in density and a fivefold reduction in cost per channel, maximizing media company’s existing SDI infrastructure while embracing the flexibility and scalability of IP technology, it said.

The ACE (Agile Computing Engine) platform is centered on the GV Media Universe, offering a seamless integration of modular devices as distributed edge processing units within a larger system. This setup allows for a hybrid approach, combining modular hardware, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computing and software to create a highly flexible and agile solution tailored to a media company’s needs, it said. 

With the ability to control and configure the system from anywhere, ACE enables versatile design and management of dense media processing It can also operate as a standalone gateway and processing device offering comprehensive APIs and third-party control options for easy integration with existing systems, Grass Valley said.

The new XIP-3911-GRID firmware addresses a critical pain point in SaaS applications running on COTS servers. Grass Valley’s innovations with AMPP Grid in the last year have allowed users to go beyond processing capabilities of a single COTS server appliance, the company said.

Traditional COTS servers continue to be limited by their PCI expansion slots, often restricting SDI inputs/outputs to 12 or fewer signals. The XIP-3911-GRID solves this by providing an SDI gateway interface directly to AMPP GRID leveraging FPGA modular hardware, enabling a single 1RU server to handle up to 128 AMPP GRID signals, it said.

This innovation increases the I/O density of on-premises edge compute workflows with minimal footprint, it said.

“With the ACE-3901 and XIP-3911-GRID, we’re delivering solutions that not only address current challenges but also future-proof our customers’ investments,” said Lee Buchanan, vice president of networking at Grass Valley.

“As the market continues its transition from SDI to IP, there remains a significant volume of SDI equipment in use that cannot be immediately replaced. The ACE-3901 offers a cost-effective solution for integrating existing infrastructure with IP technology, while the XIP-3911-GRID enhances the flexibility and scalability of edge compute workflows in hybrid environments.”

See Grass Valley at IBC 2024 Stand 9.A01.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SIOUX FALLS, SD—Sencore will showcase its range of internet delivery and commercial AV solutions including its newly released Centra Gateway at the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 15-19. 

Centra is Sencore’s new end-to-end holistic network management platform, which debuted at IBC2022. Centra will be complimented by Sencore’s extensive product range, which this year includes new additions in the field of ATSC 3.0 and UHD decoding.

Centra can be deployed either as software on-prem, in the cloud or hardware appliance. Operating across a range of operational layers, Centra gives network engineers—as well as operators without any technical background—full eyes across their media chain, on multiple levels, from a centralized, intuitive interface, according to the company. In addition, it  automates an extensive range of tasks, achieving maximum efficiency and reliability while minimizing complexity and OpEx.

The core functionality of the platform is the reception, transmission, and conversion of internet protocols for optimized distribution of video. Protocols supported include RIST, SRT, Zixi, and HLS, along with MPEG over IP, allowing users to leverage the benefits associated with RIST and SRT protocols in terms of reliability, low latency, packet-drop compensation and forward error correction. Further, Centra automatically communicates with Edge devices to ascertain capacity, required protocol and other relevant conditions, and then distributes on that basis. Constant metrics assessing latency across network links allow for Centra to optimize transport according to resources and need. 

Sencore will also reveal new enhancements to its VideoBRIDGE monitoring system, which has now been upgraded with a new 4-port RF blade capable of monitoring ATSC 3.0 broadcasts and critical new SCTE 35 ad insertion monitoring features. With this expanded functionality, the VideoBRIDGE system continues to represent an end-to-end monitoring tool of unparalleled functionality and density, allowing customers to monitor signals and streams from ingest, through processing, and to final delivery, all while ensuring ad revenue and regulatory compliance, Sencore said.

For commercial AV solutions, Sencore will demo a range of products—along with consultation, implementation, and financing services—to support applications from worship and hospitality, to large-scale OTT and private cable. New additions include the Impulse 400D: a powerful and cost-effective 4K UHD receiver decoder/gateway that support MPEG-2/H.264/H.265 (HEVC) UHD/HD/SD decoding, re-multiplexing and re-transmission across industry standard protocols and IP infrastructures.

Aaron Doughten, Sr. Product Manager at Sencore, said Centra “is the culmination of 70 years of expertise in audiovisual transmission, and Sencore’s early experience as suppliers of equipment for IP-based content delivery. While the provision of this equipment remains crucial to Sencore, we have incorporated years of accumulated knowledge and experience into Centra. This sets us apart from competitors and enables broadcasters to engage in flexible, agile delivery with reduced complexity, increased reliability and lower operational expenses, all through a single and intuitive platform”.

Sencore will be in Booth W2500 in the West Hall of the LVCC.

WHITTLESFORD, England—A trio of new IP gateways are now being shipped by Crystal Vision, all of which are compatible with both ST 2110 and ST 2022 video.

The Crystal Vision IP gateways—M-GWSDIIP-6, M-GWIPSDI-6 and M-GWIPIP-6—are software apps running on the Marble-V1 media processor hardware that are designed for transporting uncompressed video over 10GbE IP networks. IP inputs and outputs are individually selectable between ST 2022 and ST 2110, allowing the gateways to be used with both protocols, including at the same time if required.

The M-GWSDIIP-6 and M-GWIPSDI-6 gateways are meant for integrating SDI into an IP environment and IP into an SDI environment. The M-GWIPIP-6 is an IP to IP translator app for when different IP areas are connected together. Each gateway features six channels and have flexible internal routing, removing the need for additional distribution amplifiers and routing switches.

All three gateways are now available for purchase.

For more information, visit www.crystalvision.tv.