Exploring the Shift to IP Workflows

The media industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward IP-based workflows, and Avid is at the forefront with innovative solutions. Avid | Stream IO meets the demands of both SDI and IP-based productions, enabling broadcasters to embrace next-generation technologies with ease.

To spotlight Avid | Stream IO’s groundbreaking features and capabilities, Avid recently hosted a virtual discussion exploring the shift to IP workflows with insight from Avid experts, Martin Appleton, Product Manager for Video Servers and Graphics, and Craig Wilson, Product Evangelist for Video and Media. Hosted by Daliah Naor, Avid Director of Solution Marketing, the “Journey to IP-Based Ingest and Playout” session showcased why Avid | Stream IO is a game changer for broadcast operations.

What is Avid | Stream IO?

Avid Stream | IO is a versatile, software-based server solution designed to address the diverse needs of broadcasting ingest and playout. Supporting off-the-shelf hardware, it accommodates broadcasters’ unique production requirements and budgets. The system supports SDI, SMPTE 2110 (video over IP), and compressed IP streams like SRT and RTMP, facilitating a smooth transition from traditional to IP-based workflows.

Flexible and Scalable

This adaptability allows broadcasters to begin with SDI infrastructure and gradually transition to IP, providing a smooth, futureproof solution as their needs evolve. Users can mix and match SDI and IP signals within the same system, enhancing flexibility. The platform is adjustable, supporting setups from small 2-channel systems to larger 8-channel configurations.

“SDI remains the backbone of many installations, but the industry is on a journey to IP,” Appleton says. “What is required are solutions to help broadcasters progress to their destination. With support for SDI since the launch in 2023 and a growing range of options, Avid | Stream IO has already been adopted by customers across the globe.”

The system also supports clean and dirty feeds via NDI, reducing the need for additional outputs.

“So customers can really choose to start with the kind of hardware they need for their productions now, which might be SDI-based, and then switch to 2110 when they're ready to make that transition,” Appleton says.

Transition Made Easy

One of Avid | Stream IO’s standout features is its ability to simplify the transition from SDI to IP. Broadcasters can upgrade infrastructure while retaining familiar workflows, minimizing disruption and maximizing investment.

“We’re not just adding features—we’re futureproofing broadcasters’ investments by ensuring compatibility with evolving standards and expanding functionality without requiring additional hardware,” Martin remarks.

Key Features

Appleton highlighted several features that set Avid | Stream IO apart:

• Codec and Resolution Flexibility: Supports multiple codecs and resolutions on each channel, including Avid DNxHD, Avid DNxHR, and XDCAM. Recent updates add Avid DNxHD 1080p50 and 59.94 for more versatile workflows.
• Powerful File IO Interfaces: Integration with Avid NEXIS storage through an embedded client enables OP-Atom export and OP1A import/export for simultaneous editing and ingest workflows, compatible with Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Flexible Control Options: Integrates with Avid MediaCentral | Acquire, Capture, and Command and supports third-party systems via GPI and VDCP.
• Transition to IP: With support for SMPTE 2110 and the NVIDIA ConnectX platform, broadcasters can begin with SDI and transition to IP by simply updating the video IO interface. No need for costly hardware upgrades.
• Built-In Security and Stability Enhancements: Continuous OS updates ensure compliance with modern IT security standards and optimizes platform performance.

What’s New

The virtual event introduced enhanced features that make Avid | Stream IO even more versatile, with added support for uncompressed video over IP using the SMPTE 2110 protocol, plus support for compressed IP streams like SRT and RTMP. New routing templates make setup for both ingest and playout simpler than ever. The release also includes the Avid DNxHD 1080p50 and 5994 formats, as well as expanded hardware options, with Supermicro servers now qualified in addition to Dell and HP.

Avid | Stream IO already enables playlist creation, ingest template configuration, integration with Avid's control applications like MediaCentral | Acquire, Capture, and Command, and seamless integration with third-party devices, facilitating the industry's transition from SDI to IP. This latest update further enhances Avid | Stream IO's capabilities.

A key update is the addition of support for SMPTE 2110 protocol. The industry has been steadily transitioning from SDI to IP over the past eight years, and it's gaining momentum. By utilizing NVIDIA Connect exports, we’re offering ready-to-use IP solutions for servers. Customers can start with SDI and, when ready, easily transition to IP by swapping out the boards in their servers—no need to change the software version or licenses. Just switch to the 2110 profile, and they’re all set. As 2110 standards evolve, we’ll continue to add new protocols to Avid | Stream IO as they’re certified.

SRT and RTMP ingest and playout are also being introduced in this release. While MediaCentral | Stream already offers SRT and RTMP, it doesn’t include the full range of features that Avid | Stream IO provides. To ensure customers using MediaCentral | Stream can access Avid | Stream IO’s advanced capabilities, Avid has enabled transition to Avid | Stream IO this year. This provides not only SRT and RTMP support but access the other powerful features of Avid | Stream IO as well.

In response to customer requests, Avid is expanding its Avid DNxHD profile support, including the addition of 1080p50 and 5994. Hardware options are also being broadened by certifying Supermicro hardware in addition to Dell and HP, giving customers more flexibility to choose hardware based on budget or availability in their region.

FastServe Gen 2 hardware is certified for compatibility with Avid | Stream IO, so customers with this hardware can migrate easily.

As part of Avid’s ongoing commitment to platform security and stability, a series of OS updates is being implemented to ensure the software runs optimally and meets modern IT security standards.

“We’re continuously improving not just the features, but the underlying platform as well,” Appleton says.

Live Demo Avid | Stream IO’s Strengths

Wilson gave a live demonstration showcasing Avid | Stream IO’s capabilities. He walked viewers through configuring routing templates for both compressed and uncompressed IP ingest using SRT and RTMP protocols. The demo also highlighted the ability to configure the system for video over IP using SMPTE 2110, making it easier than ever to manage both SDI and IP-based signals in the same system.

“This really is where we begin to move Avid | Stream IO from the world of SDI recording and playout into the world of IP-based ingest and playout,” Wilson comments. “And that's IP- based both for compressed and uncompressed IP.”

The intuitive user interface allows operators to create ingest templates, manage file exports, and build custom playlists with ease. Wilson demonstrated the various channel views and discussed how Avid | Stream IO integrates with other tools like MediaCentral | Command and third-party playout devices.

The system supports a wide range of formats and resolutions, from proxy recording to UHD, and offers multi-resolution recording.

Why Choose Avid | Stream IO?

Avid | Stream IO is more than a server. It’s a comprehensive, futureproof solution designed to evolve with the industry. Its ability to bridge the gap between SDI and IP workflows, support diverse codecs, and integrate with both Avid and third-party systems, equips broadcasters with the tools needed to navigate the shift to IP-based production.

The 2024.10 release reaffirms Avid’s commitment to innovation, offering features that meet the demands of today while anticipating the needs of tomorrow.

If you missed the “Journey to IP-Based Ingest and Playout” virtual event, explore the on-demand recording to learn how Avid | Stream IO can keep your operations ahead in the ever-evolving broadcast landscape.