The broadcast industry's shift to IP-based workflows is accelerating, driven by the need to lower operational costs and enhance production efficiency. The adoption of SMPTE ST 2110 is a key factor in this transformation.
“For the longest time, it seemed SMPTE 2110 sat in the shadows, but this year, it came to the forefront as more broadcasters looked to take advantage of the uncompressed, low latency workflows it enables,” said Paul Turner, director of product management at AJA Video Systems.
This transition offers significant advantages in signal management and resource use. A single 25 GigE SMPTE ST 2110 cable can carry multiple 4K/UltraHD signals or numerous HD feeds bidirectionally, reducing rack space and power needs compared to traditional SDI infrastructure, Turner noted.
Broadcasters are adopting IP strategically, not replacing entire infrastructures at once.
“Many broadcasters are taking a slow but steady adoption approach and integrating SMPTE ST 2110 or NDI technologies into their infrastructures where it makes sense,” Turner said.
The move to IP-based distribution is gaining speed as satellite costs climb and 5G expands.
Robert Szabo-Rowe, head of engineering and product management at Tata Communications Media, explained that broadcasters are speeding up their transition to IP-based distribution as the technology proves reliable, fault-tolerant, and flexible. Cost remains a key factor.
Blackmagic Design is focusing on making IP workflows more accessible and affordable.
“IP-based workflows can be executed in a more accessible, flexible and cost-effective way; for example, by using 10G Ethernet, SMPTE-2110 IP video products can be smaller, lower power and more affordable,” said Bob Caniglia, director of sales operations at Blackmagic Design.
The transition demands new skills for broadcast engineers. “You can’t just mirror the fault finding and integration approaches of SDI when moving to IP; it’s more complex and less plug-and-play than SDI,” Turner noted. “Your video engineers must understand the basics of how network switches work, traffic shaping rules, NMOS, etc.”
To ease implementation, manufacturers are creating simpler IP integration solutions. Blackmagic Design’s 2110 IP converters enable point-to-point connections without complex switch configurations, using standard Ethernet cables and remote power for SMPTE-2110 IP video.
IP infrastructure supports new operational models.
David Isola, director of product marketing at Black Box, pointed out that IP-based systems let broadcasters shift from dedicated broadcast hardware to more flexible, software-defined environments, reducing equipment and maintenance costs.
Remote production is a major benefit of IP migration. IP-based workflows allow centralizing production resources while maintaining distributed operations, cutting equipment and personnel transport costs.
“Remote and distributed production seem a logical sustainability response that simply makes good business sense. Broadcasters can produce more content using fewer resources while maintaining high production standards,” Szabo-Rowe said.
The IP transition affects all aspects of broadcast operations.
Chris Scheck, head of marketing content at Lawo, noted that IP infrastructure helps broadcasters manage remote production and encourages distributed workflows. App-based processing reduces reliance on specialized hardware, using standard IT servers.
Implementation strategies vary. Some broadcasters replace entire infrastructures when building new facilities, while others take an incremental approach, adding IP capabilities during upgrades. This depends on infrastructure age, resources, and operational needs.
As the industry continues its IP transition, manufacturers are developing products bridging traditional and IP-based workflows. This preserves existing investments while adding IP where it's most effective, enabling a managed transition that fits operational and budget needs.