Sony Launches Networked Media Interface

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 Sony’s 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.

Networked Media Interface supporters
As of today, 10 leading companies support Sony’s effort to promote the Networked Media Interface: Altera Corporation / Cisco Systems / Evertz / Imagine Communications / Juniper Networks /Macnica Americas / Matrox Electronics Systems / Rohde & Schwarz DVS / Vizrt / Xilinx

JT-NM (Joint Task Force on Networked Media) is a joint Task Force established in April 2013, sponsored by EBU, SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) and VSF (Video Service Forum). It's objective is to stimulate new business opportunities through the exchange of professional media across networks, taking advantage of affordable IT-based technology.

BCE is a European leader in technical services in the areas of television, radio, production and postproduction, telecommunication and IT. With its long experience on the media market, our team provides you high quality services and will always find the solution that matches your project and budget. With more than 200 high qualified and motivated people, BCE serves about 400 clients in various sectors, such as TV channels, radio stations, film distributors, producers, advertising companies, telecommunications operators and public services.

Sony is the leading supplier of AV/IT solutions to businesses across a wide variety of sectors including, Media and Broadcast, Video Security and Retail, Transport & Large Venue markets. It delivers products, systems and applications to enable the creation, manipulation and distribution of digital audio-visual content that add value to businesses and their customers.  With over 25 years’ experience in delivering innovative market-leading products, Sony is ideally placed to deliver exceptional quality and value to its customers. Sony's Professional Services division, its systems integration arm, offers its customers access to the expertise and local knowledge of skilled professionals across Europe. Collaborating with a network of established technology partners, Sony delivers end-to-end solutions that address the customer's needs, integrating software and systems to achieve each organisation’s individual business goals.