Operational efficiency is more critical than ever in outside broadcast. The demands aren’t getting lighter and the schedules aren’t slowing down. See how an innovative, flexible platform that consolidates your signal chain, reduces your hardware footprint, and streamlines every part of your workflow can help your team work faster and stay focused on what matters most.
Outside broadcast (OB) production is more demanding than ever. Crews are covering more events, working under tighter timelines, and producing content that must meet studio-level standards. All of this is happening in mobile environments where space, power, and setup time are limited. In this context, operational efficiency isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the difference between keeping up and falling behind.
Traditional OB setups rely on a patchwork of dedicated hardware for routing, switching, multiviewing, and signal processing. But that approach adds complexity fast. More gear means more rack units, more power, more heat, and more points of failure. It also makes integration and reconfiguration more challenging when the production pace demands flexibility.
Hyperconverged platforms offer a more innovative approach. They combine multiple processing and routing functions into a single, software-defined system, resulting in significant gains in setup and operational efficiency, as well as long-term scalability.
The problem: Complexity slows everything down
When OB systems are built around separate devices for each function, crews spend more time wiring, troubleshooting, and managing workflows. This slows down everything, from setup and configuration to production and teardown. More gear also means more opportunities for failure, especially when working across different formats and signal types. Some customers also point out the opposite risk: relying on a single platform raises the stakes if it goes down, which is why proven reliability is critical.
The burden on engineers increases, too. They’re required to learn, maintain, and support a growing number of systems and interfaces. That limits agility on-site and increases training requirements.
For teams operating in fast-paced OB environments, every extra step in the signal path is a liability. That’s why the industry is moving toward integrated, software-driven solutions that simplify infrastructure without reducing capability.
The solution: Hyperconverged efficiency with Ultrix
Ross Video’s Ultrix platform is built from the ground up to solve this problem. It combines core production functions—multiviewing, signal processing, audio management, production switching and signal connectivity—into one integrated system. This single-platform approach makes a noticeable impact across every aspect of OB production.
With Ultrix, every input has access to a full range of processing tools. There’s no need to route signals to external gear for up/down conversion, audio embedding, frame sync, or multiviewing. That means fewer boxes, fewer cables, less power draw, and less time spent managing interconnections.
This kind of streamlining reduces complexity. It also frees up rack space for other equipment, simplifies cabling and cooling, and allows teams to reconfigure quickly between events. In mobile environments where every square inch counts, that’s a major gain.
Ross Video Ultrix Hyperconverged Production System delivers significant size, power, cabling and weight savings
Designed to scale with your workflow
Ultrix isn’t just efficient—it’s built to handle serious production demands. Depending on the model, the platform supports:
- Up to 288×288 video or 6144×6144 audio I/O in a single frame
- Built-in frame syncs on every input
- Clean/quiet switching
- Format conversion and timing alignment
- Proc amp/color correction with HDR conversion
- Audio embedding/de-embedding and internal multiviewers
- Full non-blocking multiviewer
- Software licensing model that lets you unlock features as needed
Because it’s software-defined, you can scale your OB setup without ripping out gear. New functionality is added via license—no downtime, no hardware swaps.
Ultrix also pairs seamlessly with:
- DashBoard for system-wide control and configuration
- Carbonite HyperMax combines high-end switching with signal routing in one frame
- Other Ross platforms, including openGear frames and Carbonite switchers, depending on your setup
Whether you’re running SDI, ST 2110, or a hybrid workflow, Ultrix gives you a single, unified foundation—one that’s easy to manage, flexible to scale, and rugged enough for the fast pace of outside broadcasting.
Real-world impact: Case studies in efficiency
CineLive, a mobile production company serving the corporate AV, SVOD, and broadcast sectors, redesigned its OB truck with Ultrix at the core. The result was a leaner, more agile setup that eliminated over 1,500 pounds of cable weight. They reduced system complexity while expanding the number of shows they could support, thanks to a platform that didn’t require constant rewiring or hardware swaps.
Vivaro Video also turned to Ultrix when building a flexible production truck to serve sports, entertainment, and news clients. With the platform’s software-defined architecture, they minimized setup time and maximized reusability between productions. Their crews could support multiple workflows without tearing down and rebuilding signal chains between shows.
Vatican Media took advantage of Ultrix’s hybrid signal support, integrating SDI and IP workflows without external converters or format-specific devices. For high-visibility global broadcasts, they needed a system that was both compact and bulletproof. Ultrix delivered both.
Vatican Media mobile production truck
The differentiator: Built-in processing on every input
What sets Ultrix apart isn’t just that it combines functions into one frame—it’s how those functions are distributed across the system. This matters even more in ST 2110 environments, where every discrete device has to decapsulate on input and re-encapsulate on output. By minimizing how often that happens, Ultrix saves significant processing power and streamlines IP workflows.
Every input and output can be assigned processing tools directly through software. That means:
- Frame syncs can be enabled on every SDI input
- Audio embedding/de-embedding can be applied exactly where it’s needed
- Processing happens locally, right at the point of signal entry or exit
This isn’t a shared pool of limited DSP resources. It’s a fully distributed architecture, giving each signal access to full functionality without relying on centralized hardware blocks. You’re never fighting for processing bandwidth or rerouting signals to hit a specific processor.
That flexibility matters when your OB truck is handling a mix of formats, frame rates, or delivery specs. Whether it’s live sports, news, or corporate events, Ultrix adjusts without compromise.
And because the platform is software-defined, you can:
- Unlock new features via license, without adding hardware
- Expand I/O or functionality as needed, without downtime
- Future-proof your truck for evolving standards and client demands
It’s not just about saving space—it’s about designing an OB workflow that stays lean, responsive, and ready for what’s next.
Ross Video Ultrix – Hyperconverged Production Platform
Better integration, less risk
Operational efficiency also means fewer chances for something to go wrong. With traditional setups, every connection point is a potential failure point. Ultrix minimizes the need for external patching, format converters, and signal routing adjustments. That reduces troubleshooting time and increases confidence during live events.
The platform supports SDI, ST 2110, NDI, HDMI, Fiber, and more—all within the same system. That gives OB teams the flexibility to match client and venue requirements without reconfiguring their core infrastructure. Whether working in hybrid IP environments or traditional baseband, Ultrix acts as a central bridge.
More time on production, less on setup
The biggest return on operational efficiency isn’t just measured in rack units. It shows up in time. Time saved on setup, time not spent troubleshooting, and time engineers can use to focus on delivering great content instead of managing the hardware.
For OB systems moving quickly from one show to the next, every hour matters. By eliminating unnecessary steps and consolidating control, Ultrix shortens the prep window and gives teams room to respond to last-minute changes without panic.
The bottom line
Operational efficiency isn’t just a metric, it’s a survival skill in outside broadcast. The demands aren’t getting lighter. The schedules aren’t slowing down. And expectations for quality keep rising.
Ultrix meets those demands with an innovative, flexible platform that consolidates your signal chain, reduces your hardware footprint, and simplifies every part of your workflow. It’s not just a way to modernize your truck. It’s a way to make your team faster, leaner, and more focused on the work that matters most.