What is Hyperconverged Infrastructure in Video Production?

Imagine having the power to supercharge your production capabilities with a few clicks of a button. With hyperconverged technology, that’s not a distant promise; it’s a present-day reality.  

For broadcast and media producers, hyper-convergence opens the door to game-changing creative possibilities and a way to outpace the competition in a fiercely competitive landscape. But what exactly do hyperconverged solutions bring to the table, and how can you tap into their potential today? 

What is hyperconverged infrastructure?

Hyperconverged infrastructure combines multiple independent products into a single, unified, software-defined platform. A classic example of hyperconverged technology is your smartphone. It’s a phone, camera, video player, internet browser, GPS, flashlight, timer, calendar, address book, games console, and more. This concept can be applied to media infrastructure and workflows. 

How does hyperconverged infrastructure work?

Hyperconverged infrastructure uses software to perform the functions of multiple pieces of hardware, making it more efficient and flexible. In the context of media production infrastructure, that means connectivity and routing, signal processing, monitoring, audio embedding and graphics overlays, etc.   

For example, Ross Video’s hyperconverged platform — Ultrix — can provide the functionality of your:  

• Router   
• Production switchers 
• Frame synchronization 
• Audio Embedding 
• Color Correction 
• Multiviewers  
• Audio Mixers 

This integrated platform offers a simplified, efficient system design leveraging software-enabled features ready for today’s needs and flexible for the future. It opens the doors to more efficient workflows by integrating its component features. 

What are the benefits of hyperconverged infrastructure for video production?

A hyperconverged platform allows the use of software updates to improve and expand functionality instead of additional physical hardware. Having less hardware eliminates the need for extra rack space and cables.  

It also lets you redeploy features exactly where you want them, like floating a frame sync from one source to another. This agility allows production engineers to respond confidently and with ease to the changing needs of their production environment.  

1. It needs far less rack space

Combining different tools and infrastructure into one device saves space by reducing the number of boxes and rack space needed.   

2. You need fewer cables  

Fewer boxes also mean less interconnect. The software inside the box controls the connections, resulting in a significant decrease in the required cables. Think of the hours saved from not repacking several hundred miles of cabling.   

3. It’s more energy-efficient

The integrated design and fewer interconnects make hyperconverged infrastructure much more power efficient than the multiple discrete systems of traditional hardware. That significantly reduces energy consumption and helps push the needle forward in achieving sustainable broadcast systems. 

4. It’s highly flexible 

Ultrix, Ross Video’s video production solution, centers around a UHD interconnect that connects to powerful programmable processing elements. It has a flexible I/O structure that can handle different standards you may need. It could be SDI, fiber, or IP; SD or UHD; SDR, HLG, or PQ; Ultrix can handle them all.  

These interfaces connect to the processing and interconnect core, allowing any signal interface type to access processing and interconnect capabilities. That allows for the easy addition of new I/O types as standards change and seamless integration across the whole system.  

5. It scales effortlessly

Software-defined interconnects and the flexible I/O structure also mean you can scale hyperconverged infrastructure up or down effortlessly. Media producers can invest in their immediate needs. The system can quickly expand as business demands without requiring additional space, training, or infrastructure.   

6. It is easy to upgrade   

Many features and capabilities are licensable software functions. These can easily be enabled without adding more hardware and can be done when needed. 

7. Gives you better visibility

A unique benefit of Ross Video’s hyperconverged infrastructure is the ability to monitor virtually any signal anywhere within the platform. That enables you to provide Quality Control monitoring with no patching or dedicated technology required. Use any monitoring tools or our Ultriscape multiviewers to monitor your infrastructure and ensure nothing goes missing.  

Why Invest in Hyperconverged Video Infrastructure?

Engineers love hyperconverged infrastructure, but they also make life better for our operations and production staff. Integrating more functionality into a single platform unlocks cleaner and more efficient workflows, allowing the various elements to work together seamlessly.   

Think of how our mobile phone is more than just the sum of its parts. I can book a meeting via email with a client whose address is pulled from my contacts and sent to my GPS navigation to guide me there. A landline, Rolodex, appointment book and road atlas can’t do that without many manual steps.  

Consider how an integrated user experience combining interconnect, signal processing, and production can streamline a technical director’s or producer’s workflow. SmartCORE links signal processing controls to routing control surfaces to make adjustments quick, easy, and context-aware. DashBoard’s Custom Panel Builder makes building the optimal user environment easy: combine control and monitoring across your production and use scripting to automate tasks, improving operator efficiency and consistency.  

Hyperconvergence can simplify your operation. It can save you time, resources, and money on installation and ongoing processes. It offers sustainability advantages in terms of lower footprint, power, and operational overhead. The Ultrix Hyperconverged platform offers UHD routing, multiviewers, signal processing, audio processing, and class-leading production power through integrated Ultrix Acuity or Ultrix Carbonite production switchers.   

Learn more about Ross’ hyperconverged video infrastructure here.