SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific will feature its growing portfolio of hybrid SDI-IP routing, conversion, control and signal-management solutions during the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This year’s exhibit will focus on live, end–to–end demonstrations of the Utah Scientific’s advanced ST 2110 workflows, featuring On–Ramp, Pass–Through Cards, NBOSS, and the UTAH–400 Series 2 Gateway Router anchored by the company’s 10–year hardware warranty.

Utah Scientific will also showcase complementary high–density signal transport and distribution tools, including the MAXMUX multiplexing system and the UHD configurable distribution amplifier, demonstrating efficient ways to manage UHD and multi-signal environments.

The company’s fully integrated, hybrid SDI-ST 2110 workflow is built around On–Ramp, its 1RU SDI–to–ST 2110 gateway and processing engine. The unit supports hot–swappable encapsulation/de–encapsulation cards and 16 SFP cages on the front of the chassis to enable incremental migration to IP with a routable SDI backup of all signals.

On–Ramp is part of Utah Scientific’s E.D.G.E. (Equally Distributed Growth Environment) platform. Every node shares the same compact footprint, allowing routing capacity to be distributed exactly where needed. Users can connect nodes through a network switch to create a highly scalable routing environment with virtually unlimited growth.

On–Ramp is the newest E.D.G.E. device, which also includes MAXMUX (which can increase CWDM channel capacity from 18 to 72 channels) and UHD distribution amplifier, configurable through Utah Scientific software.

Pass–Through cards deliver hybrid 2110-SDI gateways without needing external gateway devices. They can be installed in any new or existing Series 2 router, providing ST 2110 encapsulation/de–encapsulation in addition to SDI routing. This gives users the option to migrate a single device from an SDI core to a hybrid core to an edge device.

The hybrid SDI-2110 products will be shown under the NBOSS control layer, the company’s NMOS control solution. Built on AMWA NMOS standards, NBOSS provides IS–04 discovery and IS–05 connection management, IS–09 system parameters and IEEE 1588 PTP awareness, enabling operators to switch 2110 flows as easily as SDI using Utah Scientific’s SC–4, hardware panels, Soft–LC or Web Panel interfaces.

See Utah Scientific in 2026 NAB booth N.941.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has expanded its Technology Partner Program, adding Audinate, Bitfocus and Skaarhoj, each of which offers solutions that enhance hybrid SDI/IP workflows.

The integrations with Utah Scientific build on the company’s focus on interoperability, which gives broadcasters, production facilities and AV organizations more ways to incorporate emerging technologies while preserving the tools and workflows upon which they rely.

“We are always looking for ways to help customers build hybrid systems that blend the best of SDI and IP,” said Brett Benson, CEO of Utah Scientific. “By integrating with innovative solutions from Audinate, Bitfocus and Skaarhoj, we’re giving users more freedom in how they move audio and video, automate device control and interact with our routing infrastructure. At the heart of every system are Utah Scientific products backed by our legendary 10–year warranty — and these new integrations make it even easier for organizations to streamline operations, reduce system complexity and adapt their workflows as production demands evolve.”

Through its new relationship with Audinate, Utah Scientific is implementing native Dante audio I/O within its routers, eliminating the need for external MADI–to–Dante conversion and greatly supplementing IP audio routing for engineers. This enhancement aligns directly with the Dante–enabled mixers and consoles widely used in broadcast and AV environments, making it easier for facilities to move high–channel–count audio over Ethernet and streamline their transition toward more flexible IP–based audio workflows.

Bitfocus introduces seamless interoperability with the company’s Buttons facility–wide control platform. As part of the Bitfocus Connections Program, Utah Scientific routers can now be switched and automated alongside other devices in a hybrid SDI/IP production environment. This enables facilities that rely on modern, flexible automation tools to incorporate Utah Scientific routing without custom engineering, proprietary interfaces or workflow workarounds.

The addition of Skaarhoj expands Utah Scientific’s control surface options by enabling the Skaarhoj AirFly Pro to function as a streamlined and cost–effective desktop control alternative. This integration gives operators a compact, affordable desktop control surface that complements Utah Scientific’s existing control solutions.

Utah Scientific’s broader partner ecosystem further strengthens a hybrid approach, encompassing companies whose technologies complement Utah Scientific’s routing and master control platforms across IP, SDI, and fiber–based workflows.

Other ecosystem partners include:

• Apantac, offering multiviewers for production monitoring.
• Arista with switches that anchor many large–scale ST 2110 deployments.
• Embrionix, offering ST 2110 processing, JPEG XS capabilities and SFP–based conversion tools supporting IP transition paths.
• Norwia with fiber–transport solutions for broadcasters.
• NETGEAR, offering its M4350 switch family for the foundation of IP infrastructures.

More information is available on the company’s website.

TORONTO—In 2019, I founded The Live Stream King, a Toronto-based livestreaming and audiovisual solutions provider. With more than 600 live streams under our belt, The Live Stream King has produced and streamed a range of events for clients such as Walmart, TD Bank and more. In 2025, we introduced a modular OB truck to expand the company’s offerings even further.

Over the past several years, I’ve seen the company grow exponentially, allowing us to service customers in diverse industries ranging from weddings to concerts and sports to religious gatherings. Our success in North America has been one of the many reasons why we launched an OB truck to achieve seamless setups and flexibility to meet our clients’ needs. Because many of the projects we work on require in-venue configurations, we opted for a modular approach that can be easily adjusted and allows us to use only what’s necessary for each project, no matter how small or big.

Designed To Stream
Our OB truck is equipped with Blackmagic Design products that allow us to deliver each project with precision. For large events, we usually use an ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K live production switcher paired with an ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel 10. For events that need a more mobile and compact setup, we use an ATEM Television Studio HD8 ISO live production switcher and for smaller productions, we rely on an ATEM SDI Extreme ISO live production switcher.

We also use an URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 as well as a Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and DaVinci Resolve Studio for editing. Recently, we started using the DaVinci Resolve Replay Editor for multicamera editing and replays for sports.

At the heart of our workflow, a Blackmagic Videohub 40x40 6G router is paired with the ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K, which is primarily used for large gigs where we need a lot of inputs/outputs. We also use a Videohub 20x20 with the ATEM SDI Extreme ISO to feed projectors, confidence monitors, screens and internal routing to our system, eliminating the need for multiple SDI splitters and resetting cables.

Signal flows are managed through our main Videohub 40x40 6G. By having a networked interface and app control in our iPads, every team member can make changes to their tasks and preferences as needed. The small preview screen on the Videohub 40x40 6G ensures that the appropriate signal is coming in when assigning it. For the truck setup, each person can use their iPad or the Videohub Smart Control Pro, allowing them to make changes to their own screens or inputs/outputs without having to be physically next to the switcher.

Videohub Setup
The Blackmagic Videohubs allow inputs to be assigned to any output very quickly, eliminating the need to manually unplug and plug cables. Sometimes we may want to send different feeds to different devices for display, recording, monitoring or GFX purposes, so having the Blackmagic Videohubs as our central component rather than tons of cables smooths out our workflow.

Looking back at some of the projects we worked on recently, like the Badminton and Racquetball Association winter competition, snocross racing events and plenty of conferences, I am amazed at how we were able to rely on the Blackmagic Videohubs to manage all of our SDI workflows so efficiently. Having input all cameras and media sources to the Blackmagic Videohub, then outputting them back into the ATEMs, monitors and the rest of the gear, was extremely easy and allowed us to deliver each project with superior quality.

For additional information, contact Blackmagic Design at 408-954-0500 or visit
www.blackmagicdesign.com.

JACKSON, Miss.—With a legacy of excellence and innovation, Jackson Academy’s Raider Network has become one of the largest and most influential high school broadcasting platforms in the nation.

We use a 35-foot production truck for broadcasting sporting events as well as band performances, school plays, choir competitions, and various other on- and off-campus events. Equipped with more than 15 cameras, 12 channels of instant replay, 48 channels of high-quality digital audio, and three channels of professional-level graphics, the truck ensures that every moment, every play, and every cheer is captured with precision, delivering an unforgettable experience for both the live audience and viewers at home.

Simplified Management
The backbone of our workflow includes a host of Blackmagic Design products, which have been instrumental in elevating the quality and capabilities of our broadcasts. The Blackmagic Videohub router—a pivotal component that simplifies our video stream management—is at the heart of our operations. This robust router handles video streams of all frame rates and sizes, seamlessly routing them to nearly every piece of equipment in our state-of-the-art broadcast truck. With 25 outputs connected to our ATEM Constellation 8K live production switcher, we enjoy unparalleled flexibility, enabling us to produce a wide range of content.

The router’s built-in fiber cards are a game-changer, allowing us to transmit video signals over miles via single-mode fiber optic cable. This ensures we can cover events regardless of location on campus. Our custom-made breakout boxes simplify signal flow management, making it incredibly easy to route video signals anywhere we need with just a click.

Integration with third-party software elevates our control over the Videohub, enabling us to manage routing both on site and remotely. This feature is particularly beneficial for offsite productions, ensuring we maintain seamless operations regardless of our physical location. Nearly all video signals pass through the router, which efficiently handles both video and audio, directing them precisely where needed and providing our production team with exceptional flexibility.

The Videohub also connects to three frame syncs, our Blackmagic Mini Converter SDI Distribution, the truck’s exterior patch panel, Blackmagic HyperDeck and HyperDeck Mini broadcast recorders, streaming computers, and more. This extensive connectivity allows us to maintain a versatile and adaptable production environment, ensuring that all our broadcasting needs are met efficiently.

NextGen Diverse Talent
With the Blackmagic Videohub router at the core of our setup, we are equipped to deliver high-quality, professional broadcasts that showcase the diverse talents and events at our school.

Jackson Academy’s Raider Network doesn’t just pursue broadcasting excellence but is also committed to nurturing the talents of the next generation, allowing broadcast students to run cameras, conduct replays, operate the scoreboard, serve as parabolic mic operators, and more.

It’s a journey that extends far beyond the realm of high school, equipping students with essential life skills and giving them a glimpse into the world of high-stress, live broadcasting. The Videohub, and all other Blackmagic Design gear, not only provides us with unparalleled quality and flexibility for our broadcasts but is easy to use and fast to learn, so even our students can use it.

Our awe-inspiring setup wouldn’t be possible without the cutting-edge technology that underpins the Raider Network’s operations. Blackmagic Design’s products ensure that Raider Network offers an immersive experience for its audiences like no other. l

Josh Hinkle is a graduate of the Jackson Academy Class of 2015 and Ole Miss (2019) and served on the Ole Miss production crew in conjunction with the SEC Network. He can be reached at joshhinkle4@gmail.com.

For additional information, contact Blackmagic Design at 408-954-0500 or visit www.blackmagicdesign.com.

RASTATT, Germany—Lawo will focus a large portion of its exhibit activities at the 2024 NAB Show, April 13-17, in Las Vegas, on providing operators with a unified platform addressing the requirements of users today and in the future.

All Lawo hardware and software products gravitate towards its HOME management platform for IP infrastructures, and the company also is welcoming third-party vendors to join in, it said.

Centralizing all processes from discovery and registration, stream routing and parameter tweaks to configuration changes, user management and allocating license credits where they are needed next provides operators with the flexibility, agility and speedy execution required in today’s hectic and budget-aware environment, it said.

Specifically, Lawo will feature:

• HOME Apps: Taking center stage at the Lawo NAB Show booth, the company’s HOME Apps include: HOME Multiviewer, HOME UDX Converter, HOME Stream Transcoder, HOME Graphic Inserter and the free Test Pattern/Test Tone Generator apps, each leveraging a flexible microservices architecture. They deliver exceptional processing capabilities with minimal compute power and energy consumption. The apps support SMPTE ST 2110, SRT, JPEG XS and NDI and operate seamlessly on standard servers on-premise, in remote data centers or in the public cloud.
• .edge Hyper-Density SDI/IP Conversion and Routing Platform: Lawo will show the significant evolution of its .edge platform with proven ability to handle 8K workflows and licensable options, such as proxy generation and JPEG XS compression—both addressing bandwidth constraints, streamlining IP pipeline use and optimizing workflows at the source with edge computing. The company recognizes the importance of standard or add-on SDI input functionality to ensure seamless integration of baseband tools into a network built on an IP backbone. All .edge add-on licenses can now be leveraged via Lawo’s Flex scheme. This includes allocating free subscription credits originally purchased for HOME Apps to functionality that may be required for .edge units.
• mc2/A_UHD Core/Power Core Platform: The latest software release for the platform will be featured at the NAB Show. Offering flexible bus routing, expanded AUX count (up to 256 busses), QSC Q-Sys proxy integration in HOME and Remote Show Control via OSC, Lawo’s mc2/A_UHD Core/Power Core Platform supports live performances as well as broadcast and AV applications. Additionally, NMOS support for the mc² Gateserver enhances device compatibility, facilitating seamless integration of third-party products into Lawo's ecosystem.

See Lawo at NAB Show booth C4110.

More information is available on the company’s website.

TORONTO—Imagine Communications has announced that it is launching a critical component for cloud/ground hybrid workflows with the introduction of Magellan Connect, a cloud-routing extension of its Magellan Control System. 

In what the company is billing as a first-of-its-kind offering, Magellan Connect creates an end-to-end routing environment that enables simple “single-take routing” to connect signals ― regardless of whether they originate or terminate on-premises or in the cloud. 

Imagine will demonstrate Magellan Connect as part of its market-leading on-prem and cloud management capabilities at IBC2023 between Sept. 15-18, RAI Amsterdam, stand 2.A15. 

“Imagine recognizes that the mix of ground and cloud is subject to individual economic and operational considerations,” said John Mailhot, CTO of Infrastructure, Imagine Communications. “With the launch of Magellan Connect, we’re helping our customers leverage the benefits of a mix of on-prem and cloud, maintain a consistent operational approach and transition at a pace that works with their business.”

In launching the product, Imagine explained that as television operations teams evaluate cloud-based approaches for augmenting their traditional on-prem solutions ― whether for disaster recovery or for operational capability expansion ― live-signal connectivity has become a paramount concern. 

Magellan Connect addresses these needs head-on, providing the same kinds of critical signal-management capability, through the same kinds of operational tools and interfaces, regardless of whether the channel is running on the ground or in the cloud, the company said. 

Already well-established for facility routing, Imagine’s Magellan Control System is equally compatible with SDI, SMPTE ST 2110, VSF TR-08 JPEG XS, and MPEG-2 TS signals. Magellan Connect extends these capabilities to the cloud, incorporating intelligent path-sharing and switching functions so that operationally, the cloud and ground act the same and have access to the same sources and destinations.  

In addition, Magellan Connect provides unique capabilities to the critical infrastructure of cloud-based channel origination systems, giving master control operators access to the same scope of source signals no matter where the channel is running, the company said. 

Following the traditional routing paradigm, Magellan Connect gives users a simple source-destination “take” operating method to get the right signal to the right place ― ground or cloud or hybrid ― leveraging established encoding and secure delivery techniques for signal transport along the ground/cloud signal path. 

At IBC2023, Imagine will demonstrate Magellan Connect as part of its overall integrated playout environment demonstration, routing live input signals to the inputs of cloud-hosted channel engines.  

“While the optimal mix of ground and cloud services may be different for any given customer, it is clear that operational flexibility is the main benefit of any cloud solution.," Mailhot added. "Magellan Connect provides this flexibility for signal management ― connecting sources and destinations in a consistent, familiar operational paradigm across ground, cloud, and mixed scenarios.”

For more information about Imagine Communications’ products and solutions, visit https://www.imaginecommunications.com. 

WUPPERTAL, Germany—A German public broadcaster has deployed a new media distribution and processing system from Riedel Communications to address ongoing needs for decentralized signal routing.

Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) is using 26 Riedel MediorNet MicroN UHD modules to replace a fixed routing system and deliver decentralized signal routing at the broadcaster’s main television studio in Leipzig. The modular and app-based structure of the MediorNet MicroN UHD is allowing the broadcaster to more easily configure the system to meet their needs, whether that be routing video signals or providing multiviewer capabilities, Riedel said.

The latest generation of the MediorNet MicroN family offers additional bandwidth, more I/O, higher resolutions and more processing power. At the Leipzig studio itself, 20 MicroN UHD modules are being used for signal routing in a standard configuration while six others have been configured as multiviewers using the MicroN UHD MultiViewer App. At the same time, the hi human interface by Broadcast Solutions is being used to integrate directly with the MicroN UHD modules to simplify configuration and reduce installation complexity.

“With the ever-increasing demands for higher-resolution video and increased connectivity, many broadcasters are coming to realize the need for decentralized routing in their operations,” said Marco Kraft, head of Sales Germany for Riedel Communications.

“From our point of view, the deployment at MDR provides a perfect example of how our MicroN UHD can make the transition painless,” he said. “Not only has it reduced system complexity and possible points of failure at MDR's Leipzig studio, but it's also increased operational efficiency and provided a solid foundation for future growth.”

Leading this year’s recurring themes and category catch-phrases were the inevitable and overworked IP and Cloud, followed closely by Workflow Orchestration, Virtualization and relative newcomer Artificial Intelligence, all well-intentioned to automate the routine, liberate creativity, and enable deeper-than-ever dives into metadata, both for content and—shades of George Orwell—its consumers.

MASTER CONTROL AUTOMATION & CHANNEL PLAYOUT

AVECO debuted Ad Juggler, an ad revenue optimization tool for live sports coverage. A single key-press instantaneously executes an “alternate list” video/graphic sponsorship when a peak audience-interest play occurs; events post to the as-run for traffic and billing reconciliation.

BITCENTRAL showcased Central Control with multiple redundancy modes and Join-in-Progress updates, plus enhanced user-interface efficiency with multichannel control and customizable maps to aggregate and view remotely managed channels.

BROADSTREAM introduced Media Exchange for transcoder-free PitchBlue and Pathfire file acquisition and native playout. Also, CompuSat integration for off-satellite recording, and closed-caption display within its OASYS Browser.

CINEGY brought v12 of Air, Desktop, and Capture, plus Multiviewer v14. Desktop added real-time access to live feeds and its Archive MAM content. Included tools support logging, editing, post-production, news, and import/export to non-linear editing and automation.

CRISPIN unveiled a Sonybased Disaster Recovery solution via its RapidPlayX Web GUI. The Cloud-native playlist software offers on-premises and virtual deployment flexibility for stations to stay on-air when their ground facility’s off-line. Also, user feedback-based Join-in-Progress enhancements.

DNF CONTROLS unveiled its Live Cloud Playout collaboration with AWS. Thirdparty automation “sees” its GTP-32 controller as a local server channel, although content is remote on Amazon S3, and updates status as clips are added or removed. Also GTP-V1, a new software-only virtual IP controller for video/KVM routers, switchers, multiviewers, servers, tally systems, and more regardless of physical location.

ENCO announced NewTek Network Device Interface (NDI) support for IP video, plus a new ClipBoard interface for its Media Operations Manager (MOM) playout automation. Also, live input cut-ins without external switcher and support for SCTE-35 triggers and CEA-608/708 Closed Caption pass-through.

EVERTZ featured OvertureRT-LIVE workflow integration with iPowow, a social media aggregator and moderator, to enhance the viewer experience through real-time interaction with favorite shows.

FLORICAL partnered with Harmonic to debut FéniX, a scalable automation/playout package for simple channel to highyield enterprise configurations. Acuitas, its COTS hardware channel-in-a-box platform, added SAN environment capabilities for greater channel scalability.

GRASS VALLEY unveiled its SAM-merged automation range: iTX Flex, a Cloudbased SaaS solution for rapid channel spin-up; iTX Integrated Platform, software-based SD, HD or UHD playout with HDR support; and iTX On-Demand for VOD workflows. Complementing them: Multi-channel/screen Morpheus for on-premises, virtualized or multifacility operations, and ICE (Integrated Channel Playout), now supporting graphic templates with dynamic realtime data.

HARMONIC expanded its media processing family with VOS SW Cluster software and VOS 360 SaaS. Both support Cloud and bare metal environments to speed OTT deployment and channel migrations with greater flexibility and lower cost-per-channel.

IMAGINE COMMUNICATIONS added “Vizrt Inside” graphics to Versio, its Cloud-native, microservices-based playout platform, plus version redundancy, geo-zone back-up synchronization, and Adobe Acrobat integration.

NVERZION debuted Aramyst to automate syndicated content acquisition, prep and playout from PitchBlue and Pathfire; also announced, a Utah Scientific partnership combining their master control offerings under the brand “Uinta.”

PEBBLE BEACH added low-latency NDI confidence monitoring for live, reactive channels, plus 3D graphics integration with Pixel Power and Ross for Orca, its virtualized IP solution for scalable playout using private or public Cloud infrastructure.

PIXEL POWER showcased the addition of NewTek’s NDI technology to its Stream-Master integrated playout platform to generate and monitor low latency proxies. The company also demonstrated Gallium Workflow Orchestration to automate adding/removing graphics, branding, content packaging and regionalization; and GalliumVOD for OTT, catch-up and multiplatform services.

PRIMESTREAM debuted IP stream ingest and transcoding, a SaaS-based Review and Approval system, 4K/UHD end-to-end workflows, a centralized configuration module, and public APIs for Xchange.

RUSHWORKS unveiled A-List Streamster, IP-based desktop scheduling and playback automation for Internet channels, with URL and NDI input/output support for YouTube and similar outlets.

NEWSROOM SYSTEMS & WORKFLOWS

AVID brought multiple Cloud-centric journalist apps to its MediaCentral platform, including: “Publish,” to repurpose on-air content for Web and social media; “Rundown,” for live news production; “Research,” news feed and social media consolidation; and “Maestro News,” to facilitate graphic workflows.

BITCENTRAL launched FUEL, designed to dynamically stream and monetize viewer-personalized news content, while boosting engagement and ad impressions. Fuel incorporates the necessary tools to version, upload, and publish to digital audiences anywhere. The company also highlighted functionality updates throughout its newsroom workflow, including multiple third-party integrations, enhanced Oasis collaboration, and heightened security.

DALET showcased smart journalist modules powered by Media Cortex, part of its Galaxy AI framework. Content Discovery creates contextual recommendations with auto-content tagging, topic extraction, and key phrase searches; Social Media Framework lets editorial teams harvest, analyze, produce and deliver fast-paced news with popularity tracking and an aggregator tool to identify and follow threads.

GRASS VALLEY augmented its newsroom workflows with social media tools for STRATUS 6.0; enhanced video, IT and cloud-based asset management in Momentum; and v11 of its Ignite newscast production automation with upgraded Event Builder, third-party switcher support, and editing via SAM’s Go!, Rio or Grass’s EDIUS.

ENCO showed advanced ENPS, Avid and Octopus plug-ins and a new MOS interface for its Media Operations Manager (MOM) playout platform. Journalists can search asset libraries within their NRCS interface to add graphics, audio or video to scripts; rundowns auto-synchronize and are controllable via MOS for play-to-air.

OCTOPUS featured v8.2 of its eponymous NRCS. Among enhancements: collaborative scripting, faster rundown editing with clip replacement and in/out point modification, plus direct posting to social media and new story slug shortcuts.

TRAFFIC, BUSINESS & RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

BROADVIEW SOFTWARE rolled-out Version 8, with tools for linking series, seasons and episodes; expanded live event metadata management; upgraded auto-promo placement; enhanced secondary event and ad break functionality; and streamlined workflows to create and publish bulk program content.

IMAGINE COMMUNICATIONS debuted xG Scorecard. Blending input from sales and traffic, operational databases, social media, ratings and more across the enterprise, it empowers media executives to organize, navigate, interpret and draw real-time insights from their data.

MYERS introduced Console, a Cloud-enabled single point-of-entry to the ProTrack suite with enhanced security and multi-factor authentication. Also, ProTrack’s transition to browser front-end with advanced sales capabilities and interactive scheduling grid, and a significant update to ProWeb scheduling.

OPERATIVE (formerly SintecMedia) released an open API and ContentDNA, a machine learning algorithm within OnTarget forecasting to its Cloud-based AOS sales, traffic, and content management ecosystem. Also, new alliances with MediaOcean and Freewheel, among others.

WIDEORBIT launched Cloud Analytics, a streamlined SaaS edition of its flagship business intelligence solution that lowers implementation costs, yet retains its powerful dashboards, integrated traffic data, and mobile access for improved sales and financial decision-making.

ARCHIVE & MEDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

AVID demonstrated On Demand, a Cloud-based SaaS platform to securely manage and deliver content to any device, anywhere, while automating transformation and QC tasks. Also, new AI Suite creates searchable rich metadata libraries, applying machine learning and cognitive services to content indexing, closed caption verification, scene and facial recognition, and speech-to-text conversion.

DALET introduced Galaxy five, the latest edition of its asset management and workflow orchestration platform. The new version adds AI across the workflow, hybrid infrastructures with on-premises and cloud deployments, and a core emphasis on social media.

EVERTZ showcased third-party integrations with Mediator-X, its Cloud-enabled asset management platform, including a file-based QC solution from Interra Systems; automated closed caption and video description verification, alignment and language identification with Avid|Illuminate; and scalable object storage with Cloudian HyperStore.

MASSTECH introduced its “Metadata Mining” concept: a framework to relay archive or production content to third-party AI services to create metadata such as voice-to-text, facial, object or location recognition, even sentiment recognition that can be converted into searchable metadata linked to specific stored assets, thereby expanding potential content discovery and monetization.

PRIME FOCUS TECHNOLOGIES added work order automation modules to its CLEAR Media ERP, including a Content Acquisition Portal to manage, evaluate, cata-logue and schedule; OTT Distribution for multi-platform VOD publishing; and Ingest for Satellite & Terrestrial Distribution for centralized capture, prep, QC and automated delivery to station master controls.

SONY announced full integration between Media Backbone NavigatorX and its Ci Media Cloud Platform, plus Avid and Adobe edit integration; HTML5 apps to ingest, organize, manage, and search across multiple departments and locations; and an Optical Disc Archive collaboration with Qualstar to develop an enterprise-class library system.

TEDIAL debuted AI-based SMARTLIVE, a metadata engine and production support tool for sports and live events. It automatically builds logs, player grids and schedules, captures actual multi-camera or multi-venue content, and creates highlight clips based on actions, keywords or logged occurrences for live production enhancement, archive, or publication to social media.

TMD showed Media-flex-UMS Orchestrator with third-party device controls and business system integrations for simple-to-complex software-defined workflows that adapt automatically based on metadata values. Companion Composer’s workflow designs may be cloned and edited in-house without programmers or costly professional services.

TVU NETWORKS unveiled its cloud-based MediaMind, consisting of Contribution Automation, AI Engine, Producer Pro, plus Real-Time Search and Workflow Engines. It precisely indexes video from the start of production based on AI-generated metadata, enabling production workgroups to efficiently locate and interact with content.

VERIZON DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES featured Path Monitoring for OTT, part of Volicon Media Intelligence, with end-to-end delivery chain visibility, including a “what aired” video affidavit. It simultaneously monitors, logs and records baseband or transport stream feeds to confirm content integrity across geo-separated locations.

VSN showed Explorer MAM with new auto-metadata detection using IBM, Google or Microsoft Azure integration to obtain real-time insights from content via facial and brand recognition, keywords, speakers, objects, and more. Explorer now includes Wedit (web-based editor) enabling users to edit videos and export EDLs from any location.

XYECH revealed new features for its MediaPulse facility management, including Azure PaaS support, Change Control for Approval Workflows, Personnel Entitlements and Payroll Penalties in Schedule Book, and Auto-Assign Resource.

SWITCHERS/VISION MIXING

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN launched ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K, an all-in-one live UHD switcher with integrated hardware control panel featuring eight independent 12G-SDI inputs, built-in Fair-light audio mixer, ATEM Advanced Chroma Keyer, multi-view, flash-based media players, creative transitions, DVE, and more.

BROADCAST PIX released a dual-channel BPfusion CG software option for its BPswitch production series. It streamlines data-intensive graphics creation via built-in NewBlueNTX multilayer 3D motion CG and auto-updates with IP-based scoreboard, Twitter, RSS, spreadsheet, and similar sports, election, and news data.

EVS debuted X-ONE, an all-in-one live production system with software-defined technology for small to mid-sized events. An intuitive touchscreen interface enables solo operators to create replays, control audio, mix video sources, and add graphics over live content with high quality broadcast-standard output.

FOR-A unwrapped a new 4K 3 M/E model for its HVS-6000 switcher platform with a maximum 64 inputs/48 outputs in 12G-SDI and 12RU, Designed for users upgrading from HD to full 4K, it’s future-scalable to 8K.

GRASS VALLEY introduced K-Frame X, which uses existing K-FRM boards plus a new 192x96 I/O video production engine. It supports TICO compression or uncompressed SMPTE ST-2110 4K, along with HDR, and operates from any GV Kayenne, Karrera or Korona switcher panel.

JLCOOPER ELECTRONICS upped its Proton and Ion switcher control surfaces with front panel input mapping, Hall-effect T-Bar, GPI-input, and QuickSwitch to support multiple Blackmagic ATEMs.

NEWTEK unveiled NDI 3.5–its widely accepted interface protocol–with performance, network connectivity, and device discovery enhancements. Flagship TriCaster gained LiveGraphics with real-time motion and dynamic, data-driven text and imagery via Adobe Photoshop or After Effects, and without needing proprietary hardware.

ROSS VIDEO launched Carbonite Black Solo13, a compact 13-in/6-out switcher and hardware panel combo. Acuity gained Floating 3D DVE; 2020 WCG HDR Conversion on Input and Output Processing Boards with HLG, PQ and Slog3 support; audio on the Global Store; and enhanced Custom Controls. Carbonite v13 added DashBoard Virtual-Panel; input/output Color Corrector and proc amp controls; color temperature presets; Any Bus Follow, and more.

RUSHWORKS updated its VDESK Radio/TV Production System with 3n1 multi-function PTZ camera and TALK-TAKE voice-activated, hands-off switching between host and guests.

SONY unveiled the XVS-9000, an advanced live switcher for 4K, HD and HDR content productions with up to 80-inputs/40-outputs in 4K or 160-inputs/80-outputs in HD, plus IP, 12G-SDI in 4K, and hybrids of both for large sporting and entertainment programming.

ROUTING

EVERTZ debuted the XRF4, a modular RF router with hot-swappable rear panels, 64x128 matrix, direct fiber-optic inputs, and control/monitoring touch-screen.

FOR-A launched the MFR-6000 SD/HD/3G/6G/12G, a router with 12G-SDI compatibility across a matrix of up to 144-in/outputs plus 4K and 8K support. A built-in Web server simplifies setup and it can be integrated within an SNMP system to monitor operational states, I/O signals, and cross-point status.

GRASS VALLEY introduced v1.5 of Convergent, its SDI/IP router with familiar interface to visualize IP network bandwidth; it supports SDN and IGMP, as well as audio breakaway, shuffling and AES profile conversion. Also new, the Sirius 840 Enterprise, a router with integrated MV 850 multi-viewer with support for SDI, AES, MADI, 4K UHD, IP and 12G, 840 with integral audio/video processing.

ROSS VIDEO debuted the Ultrix-FR5, a 5RU, 144x144 routing/AV processing platform featuring SD to 12G, clean/quiet switching, audio embedding/de-embedding, and up to 24 MultiViewers with 100 PIPs per head.

UTAH SCIENTIFIC unveiled a pass-through card for its 400 Series 2/3 routers or standalone operation. It converts SDI to IP while keeping the original SDI for use elsewhere. Twelve 3G/HD/SD signals can be switched in SDI with simultaneous IP copies (2022 or 2110) fed to IP fabric, easing the migration to IP-based workflows.

KVM SWITCHES

ADDER TECHNOLOGY introduced the ALIF100T, a dongle-sized USB power-capable KVM, part of its ADDER-Link INFINITY series. The diminutive unit consumes a quarter the power of conventional rack units yet delivers up to 1920x1200@60Hz via DVI or DisplayPort interface.

BLACK BOX debuted its Emerald Unified KVM Platform, a converged solution to distribute video, audio, and peripheral signals in hybrid environments, including IP and proprietary direct-connect networks, with mixed resolutions up to UHD/4K and beyond.

G&D NORTH AMERICA unwrapped a KVM-over-IP matrix with dynamic access, secure AES-128 encrypted operation, and control room functionality for monitoring, scripting and scenario-switching.

IHSE launched the Draco ultra-491 Series, HDMI extenders that pass video over long distances without quality loss in simple point-to-point applications or combined with enterprise or compact matrix switches. It can extend HDMI up to 10 kilometers over fiber or 140 meters usingCat-X cables. Digital audio options include AES/EBU and S/PDIF up to 96 kilohertz.

THINKLOGICAL introduced the TLX Client Integration module, a virtual machine processor and KVM extender offering secure, uncompressed signal management without adding latency, artifacts or dropped-frames. It’s deployable point-to-point or in-conjunction with a matrix switch for multi-source/destination connectivity in collaborative workflows.

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Like much of the equipment, procedures and relationships in the television industry, the role, function and technology of what we call routing switchers is changing. My skill at predicting technology change is probably no better than yours, but routing switcher evolution was one that I was able to bang square on the head.

Years ago, I was the editor of a long-forgotten and short-lived video technology magazine that was in the same publishing family as TV Technology. Exactly 17 years ago, we had an issue that focused on switchers in which I said, “The routing of signals is becoming less a function of ‘switching’ and more like the processing of e-mail or downloading a web file. The day will come when you won’t switch it—you’ll download it.”

Welcome to 2016. Couple that with the seachange from SD technology of 1999 to HD and beyond, and many switchers today bear little resemblance to switchers of a couple decades ago.

That said, there will probably always be a need for small routing switchers to fill specific tasks, such as engineering switchers, monitoring switchers and the like. It’s the big ones—and the ones that handle 4K video—that are dramatically different today.

“Routing switchers are still very relevant for smaller islands and in cases where the majority of I/O is still SDI,” said Mark Hilton, vice president of networking for Grass Valley in Montreal. “For larger operations with, for example, more than 576 inputs, SDI makes less sense given the functionality available with IP solutions.”

HIGHER BANDWIDTH

Grass Valley GV Node Larger applications lean heavily on IP solutions, as IP can handle higher bandwidth today than baseband routing switcher ports. Although 12G-SDI technology (which can handle uncompressed 4K video) is just starting to roll out in the industry, IP technology to handle similar bandwidths is already here.

“IP is much more suitable for handling large quantities of 4K signals, as the limitations of switching are not on a port basis, as it is the case on baseband, but on the overall bandwidth that is being switched,” said Svein Håvard Haugen, product manager at Nevion in Sandefjord, Norway. “So where a quad link would occupy a lot of ports or a 12G-SDI interface would require the whole infrastructure to be 12G-SDI, one can fill up 10G links or 40G [IP] links with data both of 4K or 3G signals. Although a 4K signal transported as a quad link into an IP domain would require two 10G links, these links could also contain the HD-SDI or 3GSDI monitoring channels together with audio and data as well. Also, IP allows for easier and cheaper scaling to larger routers when needed.”

Another concern with routing signals at these bandwidths are the cables and connectors needed. At these data rates, cable and connectors have to be manufactured to a higher degree of precision than ever before, and they have to be installed perfectly every time. A pinch in a strand that would cause barely perceptible distortion in an HD-SDI signal will ruin the transmission of a 12G-SDI signal.

4K ROUTING

Nevion Sublime X2 series switcher controls With the high level of interest in 4K, it’s no surprise that this interest spills over into 4K routing and distribution.

“Nevion sees a growing interest in 4K routing from its customers,” Haugen said. “Today the requests are mostly towards quad links, and a lot of the router sales Nevion has today are for 4K quad-link use. In 4K production environments, 4K often lives alongside regular 3G/HD-SDI—this allows one section of the router to be 3G/ HD, while another section is 4K.”

There are some 12G-SDI products out there if you know where to look.

“Utah Scientific built some of the first single-link 12G 4K routers, but it wasn’t as simple as it sounds since the bandwidth is quite a jump from 3G,” said Scott Barella, chief technology officer for Utah Scientific. “We see them going further as SDI matures even more and IP becomes viable with the 25G ports that should start appearing next year in earnest.”

Everyone is looking toward IP for the next generation of signal routing and distribution, so it’s not surprising that the cutting edge of routing switchers today incorporates both baseband and IP signals.

“Grass Valley’s GV Node is designed to work with an IP fabric from vendors such as Cisco and Arista, to provide the I/O and processing necessary as the industry migrates towards IP,” Hilton said. “We also would use modular IP gateway products where they make economic sense in cases where little-to-no processing of the signals is required. This scalable, distributed architecture combining IP COTS core with GVprovided edge devices [provides a] balance between generic IP and value-added broadcast solutions.”

Another example is PESA’s Cheetah Flex IP integrated router. It combines the PESA Blade system with the Cheetah digital video router product line, resulting in a hybrid baseband and IP-based infrastructure that supports up to 4K resolution as well as H.264 streaming video sources.

Utah Scientific addresses the IP/SDI future in its Utah-400 Series 2 router. It handles all existing 3G SDI signals and lets you add IP cards to address the upcoming IP transition. This, coupled with the switcher’s SC-4 control system, gives it the capability to add different levels to the system—including 4K.

Likewise, the Sirius 800 router from SAM (Snell Advanced Media) can handle virtually any industry signal, including SDI, AES, MADI, 4K and IP.

Of course, if you need a small routing switcher to manage a pool of similar signals, there are many available with a range of options and configurations. It used to be that routers were so physically big and expensive that they were used only for the most important centralized switching. Today, they are a small fraction of the size and price, making them perfect for islands of distribution connected to a main control facility. Companies such as Blackmagic Design, For-A, Evertz, Sierra Video and others make such switchers, and have a range of modules and accessories to integrate them into just about any system.

How long will the transition from baseband video switchers to IP routing take? Your guess is as good as mine, but that is clearly the direction that large routing systems are moving.

Riedel MicroN

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—At the IBC Show in September, Riedel will feature MicroN, an 80G media distribution network device for the company's MediorNet line of media transport and management solutions. Working seamlessly with the MediorNet MetroN core fiber router, MicroN is a high-density signal interface with a complete array of audio, video, and data inputs and outputs, including 24 SD/HD/3G-SDI I/Os, two MADI optical digital audio ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, two sync reference I/Os, and eight 10G SFP+ high-speed ports. MicroN offers routing and processing capabilities that can be tailored economically for productions of all sizes and complexity. A single unit serves as a stand-alone point-to-point router and processor while multiple interconnected units support scalable decentralized video routing.

Riedel will also feature the RSP-2318 Smartpanel, which the company touts as the world's first control panel designed to serve as a powerful multifunctional user interface. The device includes three high-resolution, sunlight-readable, multitouch color displays; premium-quality stereo audio; a multilingual character set; and 18 keys in 1RU.

Riedel will also have on hand its Tango Networked Communications Platform; MediorNet Modular, MediorNet Compact and MetroN; Performer, Artist, and Acrobat Communications Systems, and RockNet Fiber-Optic Converters and Console Interfaces.

Riedel will be in Stand 10.A31. For more information on the IBC Show, Sept. 11-15, visit www.ibc.org