AJA on building for present and future workflows

Sponsored by AJA

Predicting what lies ahead in a rapidly evolving industry like Media and Entertainment can be challenging, but trade shows like NAB and MPTS often provide insight into where workflows are heading. With MPTS now behind us and IBC just a few months away, we spoke with Andy Bellamy, EMEA Technical Director at AJA Video Systems, about the company’s latest products and the trends he’s following closely.

We’re nearly halfway through 2026. What new technology has AJA released?

We’ve launched new solutions for SMPTE ST 2110 workflows, while also expanding our very popular line of openGear products. Our team has demoed these at tradeshows across the globe, while also showcasing new and field-tested solutions that help broadcast, production, post, and AV pros stay on the cutting edge but also tackle today’s infrastructure hurdles.

Our new BRIDGE LIVE IP, announced at NAB earlier this year, lets productions move compressed IP media into and out of ST 2110 network infrastructures. Built in collaboration with Comprimato, who we acquired in April, it brings many of the core remote production, video contribution, and streaming capabilities of our BRIDGE LIVE SDI-based models to 10/25GbE ST 2110 workflows.

During the show, we also announced a new, free v2.0 update coming soon for our IP25-R ST 2110 to 12G-SDI/HDMI converter. The release introduces 12G-SDI to ST 2110/HDMI conversion capabilities through a new transmit (Tx) mode, plus new features when in receive (Rx) mode.

Additionally, our new OG-GEN10, an openGear-compatible HD/SD/AES-11 sync generator, has attracted attention at global tradeshows and events since launching at NAB. Nine HD/SD reference outputs and one AES-11 reference output mean users can lock more equipment to a master clock for reliable audio and video synchronization.

And with IBC around the corner, there’s more to come from AJA in the next few months, so stay tuned for updates on our what’s new page and social channels.

Why is AJA expanding its BRIDGE LIVE line to include a SMPTE ST 2110 device?

ST 2110 is becoming more common now that 2110 capable network switches are more affordable. It’s highly desirable for its ability to split uncompressed video and audio into separate packets, providing speed, redundancy, and greater flexibility.

Plus, it supports uncompressed live event production with a smaller gear footprint. However, many of our customers are also still working with compressed IP media and need the flexibility to work with both in the same environment.

BRIDGE LIVE IP provides a bridge between compressed media and ST 2110 workflows, ensuring customers get the highest possible quality content. I like to think of it as a small but mighty remote production command center in a 1RU server chassis that effortlessly connects to studios, facilities, and venues over the public internet.

What makes a product like BRIDGE LIVE IP attractive to modern productions?

There are very few devices on the market that match BRIDGE LIVE IP’s capabilities in a single 1RU solution. It offers bi-directional SMPTE ST 2110 conversion to/from popular IP video codecs, standards, and protocols, with flexible encoding, decoding, and transcoding functionality.

Professionals can leverage it to decode nearly any flavor of IP media or transport stream to bring it into an ST 2110 network, including H.262, H.264, and H.265, as well MPEG-TS, HLS, RMTP, RTMPS, and SRT. Optional licenses also support NDI, JPEG XS, and JPEG 2000.

Conversely, streams can be decoded and packaged from a 2110 network for distribution to platforms or production partners that require compressed media formats. Real-time stream-based transcoding to and from these formats is exceptionally valuable; for example, BRIDGE LIVE IP effortlessly transcodes from an incoming UltraHD 2110 stream to H.265 for live streaming. The possibilities are virtually endless.

The device transmits and receives up to four channels of UltraHDp60 or up to eight channels of 1080p60 HD, which provides phenomenal stream power. The ability to mix and match audio is another advantage; it’s a huge time and money saver for productions. And these features I’ve mentioned only just scratch the surface of what’s possible with this device.

What purpose does an update like IP25-R v2.0 serve for modern productions?

AJA has always focused on delivering continual value to customers through updates. As the market continues to traverse the worlds of IP and baseband, getting ST 2110 signals to baseband monitors for scopes, confidence monitoring, and multiviewing is only half the story, which AJA recognized.

Being able to transmit 12G-SDI signals to SMPTE ST 2110 or HDMI equipment was the other half. We knew adding this functionality through a free firmware update would be a game changer. It will allow customers to reverse the device’s original Rx mode, so they can take content from the baseband 12G-SDI world and bring it into ST 2110 and HDMI devices.

Why did AJA develop the OG-GEN10?

Sync generation is the bedrock of any production, whether working on set, at a remote venue, or in a studio. It’s a metronome that ensures every piece of equipment in the chain is in lock step so that timing is in sync and frame accurate.

We developed the OG-GEN10 with that in mind. Many of our GEN10 Mini-Converter customers were asking for the same functionality in an openGear form factor with DashBoard software control and redundant power, and OG-GEN10 delivers.

How do you see OG-GEN10 being deployed across production environments?

OG-GEN10 has two banks of outputs, which support simultaneous HD tri-level and SD sync, allowing users to toggle between various HD formats for HD sync and Color Black or Color Bars for SD sync. It serves a diverse range of production environments.

For example, for virtual productions using AJA KONA I/O cards to ingest live camera feeds into Unreal Engine, OG-GEN10 locks all those cards to the house reference. This avoids drift and ensures the real camera movements are in sync with the virtual set. The production team can cut between those cameras perfectly to ensure everything is in sync.

The card also provides a master clock for post facilities to sync I/O cards and capture devices, and it is very applicable to on set and live production environments, which often involve multiple cameras that must be synchronized.

What’s driving the demand for openGear solutions from AJA?

Rack space comes at a premium, and the openGear architecture enables up to 10 different cards to sit into just 2RU with redundant power. Teams can also mix and match openGear-compatible solutions from different providers and configure and control them from Ross’ DashBoard software. The technology has been wildly popular with our customer base.

Where can people learn more?

Visit our What’s New Page for the latest product announcements and updates, and keep an eye out for AJA at future events, where we’ll also showcase the new technology.