Sony, in collaboration with 10 of the worlds leading broadcast industry organisations, has launched the Networked Media Interface. The new AV over IP interface delivers low latency and noise-free switching of HD and 4K video, audio, and metadata, as part of IP-based networking. The Networked Media Interface packetizes video, audio, and metadata, enabling real-time transmission […]
Sony, in collaboration with 10 of the worlds leading broadcast industry organisations, has launched the Networked Media Interface. The new AV over IP interface delivers low latency and noise-free switching of HD and 4K video, audio, and metadata, as part of IP-based networking.
The Networked Media Interface packetizes video, audio, and metadata, enabling real-time transmission between video-production products via standard network infrastructures. This technology will further enhance Sonys IP Live Production system by increasing efficiency and reducing cost for the broadcasting of live studio and sports production.
Sony is developing Low Latency Video Codec (LLVC) technology, which supports the video compression required for 4K 60p transmission over 10 Gbps Ethernet. The creation of SMPTE Registered Disclosure Document (RDD) for this codec technology is currently in process. Sony has also adopted SMPTE ST 2022-6 and ST 2022-7, a technology which transports uncompressed HD-SDI over IP network.
Sony has played a major role in the driving take-up of IP-based networking and has taken significant steps to enhance its interoperability throughout the professional video production industry. Sony is contributing to standardization of SMPTE 2059, a Precision Time protocol that permits the seamless switching of different devices over IP to achieve broadcast quality IP genlocking. Sony is working with SMPTE, VSF and JT-NM to create a unified future standard.
To promote the widespread use of the new AV over IP interface across various video-production products, Sony plans to initiate licensing of the Networked Media Interface in the near future. This licensing will entail developing tools and technical specifications that enable the deployment of related products.
Networked Media Interface
The new Networked Media Interface combines the latest IP network technologies with a current SDI standard interface to support any resolution of video transmission. While conventional systems require multiple different types of cables to carry various signal types (video, audio, reference, metadata and control data), the Networked Media Interface requires only a single standard network cable passing through conventional network switches.
Sony has combined unique new technology with already established standards to achieve reliable, scalable and stable transmission. This new solution supports direct connection of numerous types of production devices onto the IP network via an existing Layer-3 IP switch infrastructure. Furthermore, it enables simultaneous transmission to multiple points and real time noise-free source switching, handling SD, HD and 4K video resolutions together.
The new IP Live Production system has been designed to be flexible and scalable, since users have the ability to migrate to greater numbers of devices and higher video resolutions including HD to 4K over time.
