Imagine a world where video flows as freely as data—where cameras, screens, and servers connect without the spaghetti of cables and rigid hardware limitations. That world is here. The shift from SDI to IP-based streaming is transforming live production, broadcast, and ProAV environments, unlocking flexibility, scalability, and innovation that were unimaginable in the SDI era. Let’s explore how this evolution happened and why it matters for the future of video.
The SDI Era: Reliable but Rigid
For decades, SDI (Serial Digital Interface) ruled live video production. Introduced in the late ’80s, SDI offered rock-solid reliability and near-zero latency. But its architecture was inherently inflexible:
- One cable per signal
- Expensive routers
- Massive infrastructure upgrades for every resolution jump
From HD-SDI to 12G-SDI for 4K, scaling meant complexity and cost skyrocketed. In small setups, SDI remains simple and foolproof. Yet as productions grew—multi-camera, multi-angle, UHD—the limitations became clear, paving the way for IP.
SMPTE ST 2110: Broadcast Goes IP
In 2017, SMPTE introduced ST 2110, a suite of standards for transporting uncompressed video, audio, and ancillary data over managed IP networks. Key innovations:
- Essence separation: Video, audio, and metadata as individual streams
- Built on RTP and PTPv2 for precise timing
- 10GbE or higher bandwidth for real-time UHD workflows
ST 2110 debuted at the 2018 Winter Olympics and scaled massively for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The benefits? Flexibility, remote production, and pristine quality—“SDI over IP packets.” The challenge? Rigorous engineering: multicast, QoS, PTP clocks, and high-performance switches.
IPMX: ProAV’s Answer
While broadcasters embraced ST 2110, ProAV needed a lighter, more accessible standard. Enter IPMX (IP Media Experience), developed by AIMS Alliance. IPMX inherits ST 2110’s core principles but adds:
- JPEG XS compression for 4K over 1GbE
- HDCP support for protected content
- Plug-and-play device discovery
Think of IPMX as the HDMI of IP—open, interoperable, and ready to unify today’s fragmented AV-over-IP landscape. With demos showing sub-100µs latency and major vendors onboard, IPMX is poised to revolutionize conference rooms, theaters, and live events.
Real-World Impact
From Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge to the Paris 2024 Olympics, IP-based video is already powering immersive experiences and global broadcasts. Synchronizing video, audio, and effects over a common network clock enables precision and creativity that SDI could never match. And as IPMX matures, expect AV deployments to become simpler, smarter, and more scalable.
Where NETGEAR AV Switches Fit In
This IP revolution demands robust, reliable networking—and that’s where NETGEAR AV switches shine. Purpose-built for ProAV, NETGEAR switches deliver the high-bandwidth, multicast-ready backbone essential for ST 2110 and IPMX workflows. Features include:
- PTP & (ST2110 on selected models) support for precise timing
- Advanced QoS for jitter-free performance
- Intuitive management via NETGEAR Engage
Whether you’re designing a broadcast studio or a corporate AV system, NETGEAR ensures your transition to IP is seamless, secure, and future-proof.
Closing Thought
The move from SDI to IP isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a creative leap forward. With standards like ST 2110 and IPMX, and with NETGEAR AV switches at the core, the future of video transport is flexible, scalable, and ready for anything.
In the next blog post, I’ll tell you the history of Showcontrol, so stay tuned!
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Eric Lindeman, NETGEAR ProAV Staff Systems Engineer Benelux
For more information about NETGEAR AV Switching, please contact the NETGEAR Pro AV Design Team via email: ProAVdesign@netgear.com
If you’d like to delve deeper into AV over IP switching, I invite you to check out our Online Academy via the link: https://academy.netgear.com/
On our training portal, you can find both AV and IT-related training courses. These courses are free to attend after registration, and at the end of each course, you can take an exam to earn a certificate.
