A Guide to Transitioning From an SDI Television Production System to Video Over IP - Part Eight - Upgrade SDI Hardware

Transitioning from SDI to Video over IP involves significant changes to the underlying SDI infrastructure, often necessitating the upgrade of various hardware components to ensure compatibility, efficiency, and performance in the new IP-centric environment.

You will need to develop a long term plan for equipment upgrades and replacements. Look at a trade out of IP Gateways versus replacing hardware with native ST 2110 I/O.

Here’s a detailed look at the types of hardware upgrades typically required and the considerations involved in making these changes:

1. Cameras and Capture Devices

IP-Compatible Cameras: Traditional SDI cameras might need to be replaced with new models that support direct IP output, capable of sending video streams over the network using standards like SMPTE ST 2110 or NDI. This eliminates the need for separate encoders or gateways, simplifying the workflow and reducing latency.

Capture Cards: For existing cameras that only have SDI outputs, upgrade to capture cards or external converters that can convert SDI signals to IP directly, allowing the continued use of these cameras in an IP workflow.

2. Production Switchers and Video/Audio Routers

If you have an existing system, this will be the hardest part of your SDI to Video Over IP transition.

Production Switchers: In an existing facility you will probably have an SDI production switcher in place. The first thing to do is ask the manufacturer if there is an upgrade path to Video Over IP. You will need to determine if these will be replaced or if you will do a phased transition using IP Gateways.

• Hybrid Switchers: These switchers are capable of handling both SDI and IP video signals. A hybrid approach is beneficial during a transition phase, allowing for the gradual phasing out of SDI sources and infrastructure. Hybrid switchers enable a broadcaster to continue using existing SDI equipment while introducing new IP sources and destinations.
• Native ST 2110 Switchers: Native switchers are designed exclusively for IP environments and can handle uncompressed video, audio, and data separately as per the ST 2110 standards. These switchers are ideal for environments where the infrastructure can fully support high-bandwidth needs and where all sources and outputs are IP-based.

Routing Switchers: Transitioning from SDI to Video over IP, particularly when considering a system like SMPTE ST 2110, involves substantial changes in core broadcast infrastructure, including the replacement of traditional SDI video and audio routing switchers.

• Hybrid Routing Switchers: These switchers are designed to support both traditional SDI and emerging IP workflows, providing a bridge between old and new technologies. They allow broadcasters to continue using their existing SDI equipment while gradually integrating IP-based technology, making the transition smoother and less disruptive.
• Native ST 2110 Routing Switchers: Fully native IP switchers are built to handle video and audio as separate IP streams, conforming to the SMPTE ST 2110 standards. This approach leverages the full potential of IP for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency but requires a more substantial initial overhaul of existing systems.

3. Servers and Storage

Media Servers: Upgrade to servers that can handle the processing demands of IP video streams, including transcoding, storing, and distributing multiple high-resolution streams concurrently.

Storage Solutions: Implement robust, high-speed storage solutions such as NAS (Network Attached Storage) or SAN (Storage Area Network) that can handle the high data rates and provide the redundancy and reliability required for professional media production.

4. Monitoring and Management Tools

Network Monitoring Tools: Deploy advanced network monitoring tools capable of real-time analytics to track the health and performance of the IP network, ensuring that all streams are being delivered with the required quality and without interruption.

Content Management: Upgrade content management systems to handle IP-based workflows, including the tagging, searching, and retrieval of IP-based media.

5. Interoperability and Standards Compliance

Standards-Based Equipment: Ensure that all new hardware is compliant with industry standards like SMPTE ST 2110 or NDI, depending on the chosen protocol. This ensures interoperability between different devices and software, reducing vendor lock-in and supporting a more flexible, scalable system.

6. Security Enhancements

Secure Hardware: Implement security-focused hardware upgrades, such as firewalls and encrypted network devices, to protect the network against unauthorized access and potential cyber threats common in IP-based systems.

7. Power and Cooling

Infrastructure Upgrades: As the new IP-compatible hardware may have different power and cooling requirements, assess and upgrade power supply systems and cooling mechanisms in the facility to accommodate these changes without risking overheating or power shortages.

Implementation Strategy

Phased Rollout: Consider a phased approach to hardware upgrades, starting with critical components that represent bottlenecks in the existing workflow. This minimizes disruptions and spreads out the financial impact over time.

Pilot Testing: Before full deployment, conduct pilot tests with the new hardware to ensure compatibility and performance expectations are met, allowing for adjustments before scaling up.

By carefully planning and implementing these hardware upgrades, production facilities or broadcasters can transition smoothly to a Video over IP setup, taking advantage of the enhanced capabilities and future-proofing their production environment.