How broadcasters can make an incremental move to an all-IP environment posted: 24/07/2019
by Olivier Suard, Vice President of Marketing, Nevion
According to research carried out on behalf of Nevion, in 2018, over 40% of global broadcasters had already started moving towards IP. Since then, this trend has become increasingly prevalent as broadcasters want to leverage the flexibility of IP to transform their workflows to do more with less .
The key to an effective and cost-efficient move to IP lies in considering how to move incrementally to the new technology, leveraging, where possible, existing investments.
Processing and connectivity
The move to IP is largely focused on the network, rather than the production equipment: broadcasters most commonly are or envisage using a mixture of SDI and IP equipment connected to an all-IP network. Adaption equipment is normally used to connect the SDI equipment to the IP core network. That said, connecting a lot of SDI equipment to an IP network may work out to be quite expensive. Furthermore, it might not be necessary, as that equipment will often be used together within the confines of a studio or control room. In these baseband islands , converting SDI signals to IP and back to SDI may be superfluous and using baseband routing technology may be the most cost-effective way to distribute signals.
Similarly, signal processing, such as audio embedding onto SDI signals or SDI frame synchronization, may be best done directly in a baseband environment rather than converting to IP, processing and converting back to baseband. Some may argue that broadcasters should, therefore, keep the existing large Master Control Room (MCR) matrices to handle this. This, however, is likely to be overkill in many cases. Also, if all the equipment needs to be connected centrally, it doesn't help solve the cabling headache.
Consequently, the most cost-effective distribution and routing for such islands is likely to be compact SDI routers located within the baseband islands. As these routers take on part of the job done by the MCR routers, they also need to offer a high level of redundancy and include SDI processing capabilities. These baseband islands can then be connected to the rest of the IP network through adaption equipment.
The use of fiber technology
The transport of baseband signals beyond studios has traditionally been handled by fiber, with technology providing the interface onto and from the fiber. As the industry moves to IP, the requirement for high data-rate transporting will continue to grow - with uncompressed HD requiring a minimum of 10GbE data rates. Fiber remains ideally suited to transport signals any distance longer than a typical patch cable.
While IP is transported over fiber, the conversion of baseband to optical links is still a less costly solution than baseband to IP conversions. Hence, if equipment located far away is baseband, it can be a more cost-efficient solution to transport the signals through baseband EO converters. As a result, optical transport technology will continue to be relevant in an IP world and any investment in that technology for the transport of signals today is an investment in the transport network of the future - using fiber to transport IP as well as baseband.
Mixed environments
While adaption equipment can ensure that the SDI world is connected to the IP world, and vice versa, a crucial issue is how to orchestrate and control flows between the two environments. Most media network management and control systems have been developed for SDI technology and cannot manage IP. Conversely, IP network management systems don't handle SDI. This is particularly problematic where the preferred option of a broadcaster is to keep some form of SDI routing in the network, for example, within specific studios. This calls for a versatile orchestration and SDN (Software Defined Network) control system that can handle both SDI and IP environments.
These systems hold a complete view of the network and can control both IP and SDI routers, as well as adaption equipment and other appliances. Therefore, this type of orchestration and SDN control system can provide deterministic paths through a mixed SDI/IP network infrastructure, which makes it possible for broadcasters to have the mixed SDI/IP environment most suitable for them.
Nevion slx-Series 2
In other words, with the right orchestration and SDN control systems, broadcasters don't need to move to an all-IP network at once. Instead, broadcasters can choose equipment based on functionality and cost, rather than SDI or IP connectivity and gain greater flexibility which makes for a more cost-effective transition to IP.
Broadcast control systems
Production staff are typically used to a specific broadcast control interface and are often reluctant to move away from it. However, popular broadcast control systems are not designed to control IP networks. The solution is to ensure that the broadcast control system can interface with the orchestration layer which is typically done via APIs provided by the broadcast control system and implemented in the orchestration system.
A tight coupling of the familiar broadcast control systems and the orchestration layer ensures that production staff can maintain their existing method of working, even as the underlying network technology evolves.
A smooth transition to IP
Building an all-IP network from scratch is a luxury reserved for those broadcasters moving to new facilities and starting with a greenfield site. For most broadcasters who are using IP to build out capacity or are adding new IP studios or control rooms, it's essential, for both practical and financial reasons, to maintain some SDI capability in the network.
Fortunately for broadcasters, the moving from baseband to IP can be an incremental transition wi
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
How broadcasters can make an incremental move to an all-IP environment posted: 24/07/2019 
