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Codecs and formats are adapting to
meet new content demands while en-
abling more efficient pipelines from pro-
duction to distribution.
The transition to IP-based workflows
from SDI-based systems has been ongo-
ing for several years, with codecs playing a
crucial role in determining how efficiently
video can move through these networks.
As the industry continues to refine these
workflows, the focus is increasingly on the
seamless integration of various technolo-
gies.
SMPTE ST 2110, the suite of standards
that defines how to send digital media over
IP networks has seen accelerating adop-
tion as more pieces of the IP video ecosys-
tem converge. Unlike older technologies
that bundled video, audio, and ancillary
data into a single transport stream, ST
2110 separates these elements into indi-
vidual essence streams, allowing for more
flexible routing and processing.
“It’s certainly going to be another big
year for SMPTE 2110, especially as more
of the IP video workflow pieces come to-
gether,” said Abe Abt, senior product con-
sultant at AJA Video Systems. “IP video in
general will be a huge topic, as it simplifies
processes and makes infrastructure more
scalable.”
The complexity of bridging different
technologies remains challenging as many
facilities operate hybrid environments that
combine traditional SDI infrastructure with
newer IP technologies. This transition pe-
riod necessitates careful consideration
of how different codecs and compression
methods interact across these disparate
systems, with particular attention to latency,
quality and bandwidth requirements.
“Many workflows are still hybrid, and pro-
fessionals need gateway solutions to go be-
tween different IP codecs, formats, and pro-
tocols from 2110 to SRT JPEG XS and more,
as well as between baseband (SDI, HDMI,
etc.) and IP technologies,” Abt added.
JPEG XS leading low-latency
revolution
JPEG XS has emerged as a crucial tech-
nology for high-quality, low-latency trans-
mission — particularly for live production
environments. The codec’s ability to de-
liver visually lossless video with minimal
processing delay makes it ideal for remote
production workflows.
“Growing adoption of JPEG XS for
high-quality,
low-latency
transmission
is perfect for remote production of live
sports,” said Rob Szabó-Rowe, global
head of engineering and product man-
agement at Tata Communications. “JPEG
XS enables the transport of SMPTE 2110
streams, which supports the production of
and delivery of higher-resolution video to
meet consumer demand for 4K and HDR
content.”
Last year’s Olympic Games in Paris
demonstrated the real-world potential of
these technologies at scale.
“Last summer in Paris we saw a re-
al-world proof of concept, demonstrating
how SMPTE ST 2110 and JPEG XS infra-
structure can serve as a direct on-ramp
to cloud-native workflows at scale,” said
Steve Reynolds, chief executive officer
at Imagine Communications. “Tradition-
ally, live production required sending IP
streams to the cloud as an intermediary,
then returning them to the ground for
broadcast. What Paris proved is that this
step is not always necessary.”
Industry insiders note that JPEG XS may
soon find applications beyond traditional
broadcast environments.
“Content that is designed to be watched
anywhere, on-demand and on any device
naturally requires high-quality, low-laten-
cy content workflows,” said Ben Shirley,
product manager at MainConcept. “This is
an ongoing challenge that the industry has
been battling for some years now, and one
that has recently been jumpstarted by the
adoption of JPEG XS in many live stream-
ing workflows.”
Adapting codecs
for creator content
The explosive growth of short-form
and creator content is reshaping codec
requirements as these formats gain main-
stream distribution across multiple plat-
forms.
“Short form and creator content in par-
ticular is creating a storm. Social media,
streaming services and other mainstream
content formats are rapidly adopting a
head-on approach to short form content,”
Shirley explained. “This is fast developing
a rich and exciting future for the creator
economy, currently worth approximately
$250 billion.”
While
newer
codecs
continue
to
Codec formats see more adoption,
will still evolve in creator universe
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