Module provides on/off-ramps for SDI to IP conversion in single, space saving platform

Imagine Communications, a global leader in video infrastructure, advertising systems and workflow management solutions serving media networks, broadcast stations, digital media, communication service provider and enterprise markets, today introduced the Selenio™ Uncompressed-Over-IP (UCIP) gateway module, which will be demonstrated at NAB 2015. The Selenio UCIP is another key enabler in Imagine Communications’ software-defined networking (SDN) framework that supports media companies through the hybrid transition from traditional baseband to IP-enabled networks and workflows, in addition to the company’s industry-leading Platinum routers and Magellan™ SDN Orchestrator.

Harnessing the any slot, any service power of the Selenio™ Media Convergence Platform (MCP), the multichannel Selenio UCIP gateway module converts SDI baseband signals to IP streams and IP to SDI signals in a single, space-saving platform. This new, easy-to-configure module provides up to 112 UCIP channels per Selenio MCP 3RU frame. The Selenio MCP platform’s expandable design enables flexible, slot-by-slot selection for UCIP, JPEG2000 and H.264/MPEG-2 functionality.  Additional modules can be added at any time for functions such as frame syncs, video/audio expanders, encoders, decoders, and multiplexers.

“Technology advances have accelerated the prospect of handling all content – realtime streams as well as files – over an IP network,” said Brick Eksten, vice president, product strategy, networking, distribution and workflow, Imagine Communications. “With the Selenio UCIP as a major gateway component in our SDN portfolio, media companies are freed from the distance and routing limitations of SDI.  Selenio UCIP provides the on-ramp and off-ramp for uncompressed signals over IP, enabling our customers gain the benefits of transitioning their existing SDI facilities into the next generation hybrid networks and workflows of the future.”

The Selenio UCIP module provides uncompressed signal transmission at high bitrates and quality for superior editable video, and is especially well-suited to low-latency broadcast contribution applications such as sports, live events and studio-to-studio production. At a live event venue, for example, a Selenio UCIP module might convert multiple SDI sources to baseband over IP, utilizing SMPTE 2022 standards, for IP-based transport to a national playout center. This new capability can substantially improve signal quality and eliminate the SDI distance and routing limitations of the past.

The Selenio UCIP module fully supports SMPTE 2022 parts 5, 6, 7 to implement uncompressed video over IP.  To ensure seamless transitions between the IP and SDI domains, the UCIP provides an independent frame sync for each IP video source, to lock all SDI outputs to the frame reference. The UCIP also provides clean/quiet switching between input IP sources. These features separate the Imagine Communications UCIP from similar gateway products, providing the necessary flexibility and reliability to enable hybrid IP/Baseband networks to be created today.

For more information, please visit booth N2702 at NAB 2015 or visit www.imaginecommunications.com.

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About Imagine Communications

Imagine Communications empowers the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation. Broadcasters, networks, video service providers and enterprises around the world rely on our optimized, futureproof, multiscreen video and revenue enablement solutions every day to support their mission-critical operations. Today, nearly half of the world’s video channels traverse our products, and our software solutions drive close to a third of global ad revenue. Through continuous innovation, we are delivering the most advanced IP, cloud-enabled, software-defined network and workflow solutions in the industry. Visit www.imaginecommunications.com for more information, and follow us on Twitter @imagine_comms.