Grass Valley, a Belden Brand, presented a series of IP-enabled solutions at IBC 2014
which concluded on 16 September in Amsterdam. The company aims to keep
broadcasters, content owners and service providers future-ready as they navigate the
changing landscape of television and now offers a non-proprietary SDN (software
defined networks)–based solution for managing an IP network.
The breakthrough SDN-enabled control application is ideal for broadcasters seeking to
accommodate viewers’ demands for high-quality live programming, delivered in real
time and on demand across multiple platforms, as IP-based workflows are equipped
to handle changing bandwidth, scalability and flexibility requirements. SDN-enabled
control is key to establishing a familiar, broadcast-centric control environment which
supports a hybrid workflow, controlling both serial digital interface (SDI) and IP
simultaneously, and builds a bridge to the future.
Mike Cronk, senior vice president of strategic marketing at Grass Valley said, “The
SDN-enabled system is the foundation of our unique approach and design of a control
system for broadcasters to make the transition to IP. It enables them to use available
third-party routers and switches and a control architecture they’re already familiar
with. This flexible platform will evolve into our integrated configuration and control
system for future-proof performance, expansion and reliability as customers embrace
IP.’
With Grass Valley’s SDN-based control application, broadcasters will be able to control
SDI and IP routing using the same common control panel surface already in their
facility. It will also support the use of third-party IT routers and switches and provides
a reliable means for switching video and audio in the IP realm alongside standard
SDI, using a new integrated router configuration and control system. The solution is
designed to function in both production and playout applications.
Other IP-enabled Grass Valley products also made their European debut at IBC 2014
including current modular and router products like the NVISON 8500 IP Gateway and
the IRG 3401 IP Gateway module for Densite.
The NVISION 8500 IP Gateway converts and packetises real-time, uncompressed,
baseband video using SMPTE 2022-6 for transport over 10 GbE Ethernet networks.
Once SDI signals are packetised, they can easily be distributed rack-to-rack, truck-to-
truck, between floors of a facility and even between buildings or campuses, over IP
networks. All signals support frame-accurate switching for use in live production
environments. The IRG-3401 IP Gateway is a high-density, bidirectional DVB-ASI/IP
gateway card, which runs on the Densite modular platform. The IRG-3401 IP Gateway
card makes it possible for broadcasters to keep incoming DVB-ASI signals from
remote locations fully operational, and jitter-free, while connecting them to IP
networks.
Other solutions in Grass Valley’s IP portfolio include: IRD-3802/3811 MPEG decoders,
SME-1901/11 streaming media encoders; the Axino-400 IP transport stream loudness
processor and the Kaleido IP series of multiviewers.
“The road to IP is just now being paved,’ said Cronk. “Customers can expect to see a
steady stream of IP-enabled solutions from Grass Valley as we deliver on the promise
to keep our customers future-ready.’
