Nevion VideoIPath

Media Orchestration Platform for broadcast and telco

Looking to control your complete media network and orchestrate the services running on it?

VideoIPath is a media orchestration platform that uniquely combines network orchestration and broadcast control capabilities. This vendor-agnostic and highly scalable system supports hybrid workflows across SDI and IP – enabling a smooth migration towards IP-optimized workflows.

VideoIPath is a key component of Networked Live, an ecosystem of products, solutions, services, and partners to transform production workflows.

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Why VideoIPath?

As media networks move to IP technology, and workflows are created from logical rather than physical connectivity, the management layer needs to have a much closer relationship with the network, and broadcast control needs to undergo a reinvention.

VideoIPath is unique in combining network orchestration and broadcast control designed specifically to take full advantage of IP and IT technology in LANs, WANs, 5G and cloud, while hiding the underlying technical complexities of the infrastructure from the users.

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Benefits

Workflow transformation

Puts users in control by hiding complexity
Easy connection management
Supports existing workflows
Enables new efficient workflows by unifying in-house, remote and cloud production

Resource optimization

Resource sharing in distributed production
Bandwidth reservation with load sharing in the network
Avoid overprovisioning with explicit routing
Advanced routing finds the right resource

Investment for now and the future

Proven platform
Vendor agnostic
Based open standards
Handles SDI & IP
Designed to support multiple production video and audio formats
Highly scalable

Features and functionality

VideoIPath provides vendor-agnostic network orchestration and broadcast control.

Overview

VideoIPath is a comprehensive orchestration system that provides connection management (SDN and IGMP) across a variety of networks ranging from international or national contribution networks (WANs and 5G) to broadcast facility, OB-vans or campus infrastructures (LANs, both SDI and IP). It can also be used to control the flow of signals to private or public cloud infrastructures (GCCG) and within a private or public cloud.

The network orchestration functionality may be used in combination with the broadcast control or independently. It manages end-to-end video, audio, and data services across any IP infrastructure. Media nodes are managed using NMOS or vendor specific APIs, while streams are routed across the underlying IP infrastructure using SDN (or alternatively IGMP/PIM). The system is proven to scale to thousands of nodes, transporting 100,000s media streams across the network.
Connection management

In the past, production workflows usually involved devices connected by cables carrying just one signal each. In more workflows resources, often located in datacenters, are shared by multiple locations, and their connection cables carry multiple signals – with bandwidth being the only limitation.

These new workflows required a more advanced connection management tool that simplifies the task of connecting sources and destinations across an IP or mixed IP/SDI based infrastructure – which is exactly what VideoIPath is. From an operator point of view it is as simple as setting a cross-point in an SDI router.
SDN control

VideoIPath is able to make intelligent routing decisions across any network topology (including spine/leaf commonly used in IP facilities). The system takes full control of both existing and planned media flows, enabling the most efficient utilization of the IP infrastructure.

The system comes with a highly optimized routing engine and is able to provision routes across all major switch vendors (Cisco, Arista, Nvidia, etc). This gives customers deterministic performance and simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting of the IP infrastructure.
Resource and bandwidth management

VideoIPath manages media resources (encoders, decoders, audio processors, etc) and network resources such as bandwidth and ports optimally. It is aware of existing and planned usage and can route signals accordingly.
Scheduling

VideoIPath includes a scheduling engine that works in conjunction with the resource and bandwidth management to guarantee that scheduled services can be delivered at the activation time. The scheduler supports both recurring and one-time services.
Resource and bandwidth management

VideoIPath manages network resources such as bandwidth and ports optimally. It is aware of existing and planned usage and can route signals accordingly.
Redundancy control

The system includes a redundancy controller that can intelligently re-route services when failures occur in the network or at the edge. The behavior of the redundancy controller is customizable to fit a wide variety of redundancy scenarios.
Protection

VideoIPath has multiple functions to help garanty connections of mission critical services. From simple SMPTE ST 2022-7 to more endvanced dual encoder protection, whereby dual senders, paths and receivers can be configured based on one connection in the VideoIPath GUI.
NMOS RDS

VideoIPath come with a built-in NMOS RDS (Registration and Discovery Server) for easy onboarding of NMOS IS-04 devices. An external 3rd party NMOS registry can also be used.
Grouping of endpoints

VideoIPath includes and advanced function to group endpoints into source or destination groups (e.g. combining multiple video and audio signals). When doing connections between these groups, VideoIPath will match equivalent endpoints (e.g. type, format) for to enable smarter and faster connections based on endpoint tagging.

The grouping concept can help establish ST2110 connections, while hiding the individual essence streams for the operator. However, the VideoIPath grouping concept is highly flexible and can be used to group any combination of individual endpoints making it suited also for other workflows besides ST2110.
Service assurance

VideoIPath provides extensive service assurance capabilities through the monitoring of media nodes and network resources. The system automatically correlates service affecting alarms with on-going services.

This allows operators to focus on problems that affects services. Customized monitoring and connection management GUIs for can be created for easier action when fault is happening.
Maintenance

VideoIPath allows maintenance on links, devices, modules or even ports to be scheduled. VideoIPath will informe the user about services affected by the maitenance, and provide the option to reroute these sources affected by the maintenance.
Multicast and VLAN management

VideoIPath can be configured to auto-assign multicast and VLANs to connection from one or multiple pools. When a connection is ended, the multicast or VLAN is released so it can be reused for other services. This removes the possibility of human error in assigning addresses and also gives a more optimized way of using addresses.
Role-based security

Given the central part played by VideoIPath in controlling media networks, security is paramount. VideoIPath has a role-based system, which ensures that authorized personnel can only access the resources they have been assigned to. By using the role-based security function a user can be assigned to only part of the system.

Overview

Built on Sony’s extensive experience in broadcast control, VideoIPath provides broadcast control functionality for IP based broadcast facilities, MCRs, production (OB) trucks and other mobile production units.

The broadcast control functionality may be used in combination with the network orchestration or independently.

The system focuses on broadcast control capabilities that maximize the benefits of an IP based infrastructure, which enables the operator to take advantage of the flexibility offered by IP to enhance workflow efficiency.
Tally

VideoIPath is able to be tally master or can get tally information from external tally masters. VideoIPath can handle multiple tally systems at the same time, with each tally system being called a tally domain.

VideoIPath supports green, amber and red tally color simultaneously on sources and destinations. Tally enable sets a fixed color on a source or destination. Tally color can then be calculated and propagated from the destination to the source and then to all destination connected to the source.

VideoIPath uses information from the network orchestration function to propagate the tally colors removing the need for tally wiring between smaller isolated matrices.

VideoIPath also supports tally copy where multiple output from a device can share the same tally color.

Tally text or UMD can be sent from VideoIPath, this can be fixed text, endpoint name or propagate the source name connected to the destination.
GPI with RCP preview

VideoIPath supports GPI workflows, whereby a GPI input can be connected to one or more GPI outputs.

VideoIPath can detect the changes on the GPI input immediately and generate an event that is propagated to the GPI output. For more advanced GPI workflows, logical building blocks like AND, OR, XOR, inverter or latches can be added.

There also exist some special GPI blocks to do connections based on GPI. This function can be used to capture an RCP preview event to create connection in the network orchestration part of VideoIPath. This can be used to perform fast and clean switching between sources from an RCP (Joystick Remote Control Panel).
Virtual junction

Often equipment or groups of equipment will be used by different locations at different times in a identical manner (i.e. connected in the same way). It can be time-consuming to recreate all the connections between the pieces of equipment everytime.

VideoIPath offers the possibility to create virtual sources and destinations, which create the workflow logic common to each locations. The specific pieces of equipment can simply be associated with these virtual end-points, and the desired workflow will automatically be established, making the process simpler, faster and more consistent.
Customizable user interfaces
VideoIPath provides several customizable user interfaces (Apps) for broadcast control:
- Operate – widget based software control panel interface
- Matrix – matrix style interface that can display logical routing views
- Connect – advanced routing interface for scheduled or immediate workflows
Integrated with Networked Live

VideoIPath comes with tight integration with other Networked Live products from Sony and Nevion. This reduces cost of integration and time to deploy the VideoIPath media orchestration platform.

At the same time VideoIPath is a vendor agnostic system that allows integration with any kind of media node giving our customers complete freedom of choice.
Hardware control panels

VideoIPath supports Sony hardware control panels. Third-party panels may also be integrated with the system using de-facto protocols.
Other broadcast control functionality
VideoIPath offers familiar broadcast control functionality adapted to work in an IP or mixed IP/SDI environment, including:
- Salvos (macros)
- Grouping of essences
- Alias names
- Destination monitoring

Hosting platform

VideoIPath can be hosted on standard suitably sized and powered COTS hardware (either bare metal or virtualized), or in the Cloud.

VideoIPath can be deployed on Redhat Enterprise Linux or Rocky Linux OS.
Clustering

VideoIPath has the ability to work in clusters, meaning multiple instances of the system can share the workload. Clustering can also add resilience against server failure.

The cluster is based on standard components like Docker, HAProxy, Zookeeper with a Cockroach datastore. All necessary components are installed and shipped with the system.
Federation

VideoIPath’s federation is a unique capability that enables multiple autonomous instances of VideoIPath to collaborate within and across locations.

As each system is autonomous and in charge of its own resources, it continues to function and collaborate, even if problems occur in other parts of the federation. The federation capability also enables VideoIPath to reach new heights in scalability, to handle all the production resources and all the media streams involved.
Updates

VideoIPath has one Long Term Support (LTS) release per yer. The LTS releases will be subject to security updates and corrections for a 4 year time period before the LTS version is discontinued. This is the best choice for systems in a production setting.

In addition, Nevion provides stable releases every quarter. These releases targets customers that are in the implementation phase or need access to new functionality. Normally systems are upgraded to an LTS release as soon as this is available.

All updates are provided to customers that have a valid maintenance agreement. In addition, customers with premium support gets upgrades performed by experienced Nevion engineers.
Security

VideoIPath software is designed to be secure in accordance with OWASP guidelines for secure coding. The software and third-party libraries are continuously scanned for vulnerabilities and security fixes are rolled into the next release or made available immediately if critical. The software is also compliant with EBU recommendations.

All external communication, within a VideoIPath cluster, between federated systems, Northbound with other systems and user interfaces, and Southbound with equipment may be encrypted using TLS or similar.

The federation concept also add a layer of security by compartmentalizing the infrastructure, enabling different parts of an organization or different organization to cooperate in an autonomous and secure way.

Web-apps

VideoIPath can be controlled through a number of web-apps, each dedicated to a particular type of functionality, whether it’s handing connectivity, monitoring, or managing the system settings.
Panels

VideoIPath can be used in combination with a variety of panels, including the system’s own configurable soft panels (using touch screens), or hardware panels from Sony and 3rd party vendors. This allows users to pick their favorite way to control their resources, including extending the use of the panels they have for their SDI environment to control a new IP network.
Northbound APIs

VideoIPath can interface northbound with a variety of systems and panels thanks to its own API and its support for interfaces such as NS-BUS (for Sony equipment), Ember+ and MRP. This allows fexistign and familiar user interfaces or broadcast control surfaces to be used together with the network orchestration part of VideoIPath.
Southbound APIs

VideoIPath interfaces to network and broadcast devices, as well to cloud services. This allows the system to handle in particular networks built on combinations of switches from leading vendors, including Arista, Cisco, and Nvidia (Mellanox), and media nodes from a variety of vendors. It also allows it to control production equipment, such cameras, and video and audio mixers from Sony and other vendors.

Overview

VideoIPath is a comprehensive orchestration system that provides connection management (SDN and IGMP) across a variety of networks ranging from international or national contribution networks (WANs and 5G) to broadcast facility, OB-vans or campus infrastructures (LANs, both SDI and IP). It can also be used to control the flow of signals to private or public cloud infrastructures (GCCG) and within a private or public cloud.

The network orchestration functionality may be used in combination with the broadcast control or independently. It manages end-to-end video, audio, and data services across any IP infrastructure. Media nodes are managed using NMOS or vendor specific APIs, while streams are routed across the underlying IP infrastructure using SDN (or alternatively IGMP/PIM). The system is proven to scale to thousands of nodes, transporting 100,000s media streams across the network.
Connection management

In the past, production workflows usually involved devices connected by cables carrying just one signal each. In more workflows resources, often located in datacenters, are shared by multiple locations, and their connection cables carry multiple signals – with bandwidth being the only limitation.

These new workflows required a more advanced connection management tool that simplifies the task of connecting sources and destinations across an IP or mixed IP/SDI based infrastructure – which is exactly what VideoIPath is. From an operator point of view it is as simple as setting a cross-point in an SDI router.
SDN control

VideoIPath is able to make intelligent routing decisions across any network topology (including spine/leaf commonly used in IP facilities). The system takes full control of both existing and planned media flows, enabling the most efficient utilization of the IP infrastructure.

The system comes with a highly optimized routing engine and is able to provision routes across all major switch vendors (Cisco, Arista, Nvidia, etc). This gives customers deterministic performance and simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting of the IP infrastructure.
Resource and bandwidth management

VideoIPath manages media resources (encoders, decoders, audio processors, etc) and network resources such as bandwidth and ports optimally. It is aware of existing and planned usage and can route signals accordingly.
Scheduling

VideoIPath includes a scheduling engine that works in conjunction with the resource and bandwidth management to guarantee that scheduled services can be delivered at the activation time. The scheduler supports both recurring and one-time services.
Resource and bandwidth management

VideoIPath manages network resources such as bandwidth and ports optimally. It is aware of existing and planned usage and can route signals accordingly.
Redundancy control

The system includes a redundancy controller that can intelligently re-route services when failures occur in the network or at the edge. The behavior of the redundancy controller is customizable to fit a wide variety of redundancy scenarios.
Protection

VideoIPath has multiple functions to help garanty connections of mission critical services. From simple SMPTE ST 2022-7 to more endvanced dual encoder protection, whereby dual senders, paths and receivers can be configured based on one connection in the VideoIPath GUI.
NMOS RDS

VideoIPath come with a built-in NMOS RDS (Registration and Discovery Server) for easy onboarding of NMOS IS-04 devices. An external 3rd party NMOS registry can also be used.
Grouping of endpoints

VideoIPath includes and advanced function to group endpoints into source or destination groups (e.g. combining multiple video and audio signals). When doing connections between these groups, VideoIPath will match equivalent endpoints (e.g. type, format) for to enable smarter and faster connections based on endpoint tagging.

The grouping concept can help establish ST2110 connections, while hiding the individual essence streams for the operator. However, the VideoIPath grouping concept is highly flexible and can be used to group any combination of individual endpoints making it suited also for other workflows besides ST2110.
Service assurance

VideoIPath provides extensive service assurance capabilities through the monitoring of media nodes and network resources. The system automatically correlates service affecting alarms with on-going services.

This allows operators to focus on problems that affects services. Customized monitoring and connection management GUIs for can be created for easier action when fault is happening.
Maintenance

VideoIPath allows maintenance on links, devices, modules or even ports to be scheduled. VideoIPath will informe the user about services affected by the maitenance, and provide the option to reroute these sources affected by the maintenance.
Multicast and VLAN management

VideoIPath can be configured to auto-assign multicast and VLANs to connection from one or multiple pools. When a connection is ended, the multicast or VLAN is released so it can be reused for other services. This removes the possibility of human error in assigning addresses and also gives a more optimized way of using addresses.
Role-based security

Given the central part played by VideoIPath in controlling media networks, security is paramount. VideoIPath has a role-based system, which ensures that authorized personnel can only access the resources they have been assigned to. By using the role-based security function a user can be assigned to only part of the system.

Overview

Built on Sony’s extensive experience in broadcast control, VideoIPath provides broadcast control functionality for IP based broadcast facilities, MCRs, production (OB) trucks and other mobile production units.

The broadcast control functionality may be used in combination with the network orchestration or independently.

The system focuses on broadcast control capabilities that maximize the benefits of an IP based infrastructure, which enables the operator to take advantage of the flexibility offered by IP to enhance workflow efficiency.
Tally

VideoIPath is able to be tally master or can get tally information from external tally masters. VideoIPath can handle multiple tally systems at the same time, with each tally system being called a tally domain.

VideoIPath supports green, amber and red tally color simultaneously on sources and destinations. Tally enable sets a fixed color on a source or destination. Tally color can then be calculated and propagated from the destination to the source and then to all destination connected to the source.

VideoIPath uses information from the network orchestration function to propagate the tally colors removing the need for tally wiring between smaller isolated matrices.

VideoIPath also supports tally copy where multiple output from a device can share the same tally color.

Tally text or UMD can be sent from VideoIPath, this can be fixed text, endpoint name or propagate the source name connected to the destination.
GPI with RCP preview

VideoIPath supports GPI workflows, whereby a GPI input can be connected to one or more GPI outputs.

VideoIPath can detect the changes on the GPI input immediately and generate an event that is propagated to the GPI output. For more advanced GPI workflows, logical building blocks like AND, OR, XOR, inverter or latches can be added.

There also exist some special GPI blocks to do connections based on GPI. This function can be used to capture an RCP preview event to create connection in the network orchestration part of VideoIPath. This can be used to perform fast and clean switching between sources from an RCP (Joystick Remote Control Panel).
Virtual junction

Often equipment or groups of equipment will be used by different locations at different times in a identical manner (i.e. connected in the same way). It can be time-consuming to recreate all the connections between the pieces of equipment everytime.

VideoIPath offers the possibility to create virtual sources and destinations, which create the workflow logic common to each locations. The specific pieces of equipment can simply be associated with these virtual end-points, and the desired workflow will automatically be established, making the process simpler, faster and more consistent.
Customizable user interfaces
VideoIPath provides several customizable user interfaces (Apps) for broadcast control:
- Operate – widget based software control panel interface
- Matrix – matrix style interface that can display logical routing views
- Connect – advanced routing interface for scheduled or immediate workflows
Integrated with Networked Live

VideoIPath comes with tight integration with other Networked Live products from Sony and Nevion. This reduces cost of integration and time to deploy the VideoIPath media orchestration platform.

At the same time VideoIPath is a vendor agnostic system that allows integration with any kind of media node giving our customers complete freedom of choice.
Hardware control panels

VideoIPath supports Sony hardware control panels. Third-party panels may also be integrated with the system using de-facto protocols.
Other broadcast control functionality
VideoIPath offers familiar broadcast control functionality adapted to work in an IP or mixed IP/SDI environment, including:
- Salvos (macros)
- Grouping of essences
- Alias names
- Destination monitoring

Hosting platform

VideoIPath can be hosted on standard suitably sized and powered COTS hardware (either bare metal or virtualized), or in the Cloud.

VideoIPath can be deployed on Redhat Enterprise Linux or Rocky Linux OS.
Clustering

VideoIPath has the ability to work in clusters, meaning multiple instances of the system can share the workload. Clustering can also add resilience against server failure.

The cluster is based on standard components like Docker, HAProxy, Zookeeper with a Cockroach datastore. All necessary components are installed and shipped with the system.
Federation

VideoIPath’s federation is a unique capability that enables multiple autonomous instances of VideoIPath to collaborate within and across locations.

As each system is autonomous and in charge of its own resources, it continues to function and collaborate, even if problems occur in other parts of the federation. The federation capability also enables VideoIPath to reach new heights in scalability, to handle all the production resources and all the media streams involved.
Updates

VideoIPath has one Long Term Support (LTS) release per yer. The LTS releases will be subject to security updates and corrections for a 4 year time period before the LTS version is discontinued. This is the best choice for systems in a production setting.

In addition, Nevion provides stable releases every quarter. These releases targets customers that are in the implementation phase or need access to new functionality. Normally systems are upgraded to an LTS release as soon as this is available.

All updates are provided to customers that have a valid maintenance agreement. In addition, customers with premium support gets upgrades performed by experienced Nevion engineers.
Security

VideoIPath software is designed to be secure in accordance with OWASP guidelines for secure coding. The software and third-party libraries are continuously scanned for vulnerabilities and security fixes are rolled into the next release or made available immediately if critical. The software is also compliant with EBU recommendations.

All external communication, within a VideoIPath cluster, between federated systems, Northbound with other systems and user interfaces, and Southbound with equipment may be encrypted using TLS or similar.

The federation concept also add a layer of security by compartmentalizing the infrastructure, enabling different parts of an organization or different organization to cooperate in an autonomous and secure way.

Web-apps

VideoIPath can be controlled through a number of web-apps, each dedicated to a particular type of functionality, whether it’s handing connectivity, monitoring, or managing the system settings.
Panels

VideoIPath can be used in combination with a variety of panels, including the system’s own configurable soft panels (using touch screens), or hardware panels from Sony and 3rd party vendors. This allows users to pick their favorite way to control their resources, including extending the use of the panels they have for their SDI environment to control a new IP network.
Northbound APIs

VideoIPath can interface northbound with a variety of systems and panels thanks to its own API and its support for interfaces such as NS-BUS (for Sony equipment), Ember+ and MRP. This allows fexistign and familiar user interfaces or broadcast control surfaces to be used together with the network orchestration part of VideoIPath.
Southbound APIs

VideoIPath interfaces to network and broadcast devices, as well to cloud services. This allows the system to handle in particular networks built on combinations of switches from leading vendors, including Arista, Cisco, and Nvidia (Mellanox), and media nodes from a variety of vendors. It also allows it to control production equipment, such cameras, and video and audio mixers from Sony and other vendors.

Resources

Still in doubt? Check our resources or get in touch with us and we will provide you with all the answers and assistance.

Events Aug 29, 2023

Distributed Production in Action – Live from Pinewood | Webinar

In this webinar, hosted by Nevion Chief Technologist, Andy Rayner,…

Find out moreabout Distributed Production in Action – Live from Pinewood | Webinar

Press Releases Aug 29, 2023

Nevion VideoIPath orchestrates ground-breaking 5G contribution proof of concept at UK King’s Coronation

VideoIPath, has been used successfully to demonstrate the dynamic prioritization of live media signals over 5G connectivity in a proof-of-concept (PoC) during the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023, in London, UK

Find out moreabout Nevion VideoIPath orchestrates ground-breaking 5G contribution proof of concept at UK King’s Coronation

Events Jun 20, 2023

IBC 2023 – 15 – 18 September, Amsterdam

Find out about Sony and Nevion’s workflow-transforming Networked Live solutions,…

Find out moreabout IBC 2023 – 15 – 18 September, Amsterdam

Press Releases May 16, 2023

Viacom18 deploys Nevion contribution solution for the TATA IPL’23

Viacom18, part of Network18 Group, one of India's most diversified media and entertainment (M&E) conglomerates, has deployed Nevion’s contribution solution. The solution, delivered in just three weeks by Nevion, is being used for the live coverage of the hugely popular TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket.

Find out moreabout Viacom18 deploys Nevion contribution solution for the TATA IPL’23

Announcements Apr 19, 2023

Nevion VideoIPath wins Best in Show award at the NABshow 2023

Nenion's media orchestration platform VideoIPath has won a Best in Show award at the NABshow 2023

Find out moreabout Nevion VideoIPath wins Best in Show award at the NABshow 2023

Events Apr 17, 2023

NAB 2023 – Meet Nevion and Sony!

Discover Nevion solutions, products, and services, including solutions for the convergence of IP, 5G, and Cloud at Sony’s booth C8101

Find out moreabout NAB 2023 – Meet Nevion and Sony!

Events Apr 12, 2023

CABSAT 2023 – Meet Nevion and Sony!

Networked Live is an ecosystem of solutions, products, services, and partners that combines hybrid on-premises and cloud processing with network connectivity to transform the logistics and economics of high-quality mission critical live production.

Find out moreabout CABSAT 2023 – Meet Nevion and Sony!

Press Releases Mar 29, 2023

Nevion adds new compact media node to the Virtuoso family

Nevion is launching Virtuoso RE, a smaller-form factor software-defined media node. Designed on the same principles as Virtuoso MI, Nevion’s carrier class appliance, Virtuoso RE is smaller and more light-weight, making it ideal for shallower racks and rackmount flight cases.

Find out moreabout Nevion adds new compact media node to the Virtuoso family

Press Releases Mar 28, 2023

Nevion enhances its VideoIPath media orchestration platform with new operations-optimizing features

Nevion has added several new features for VideoIPath as part of the continuous development of its leading media orchestration platform. These new additions are designed to make it even easier for users to be in control of their production resources.

Find out moreabout Nevion enhances its VideoIPath media orchestration platform with new operations-optimizing features

Events Mar 24, 2023

Webinars: How can you transform your live production with Networked Live?

Networked Live brings greater efficiency to mission-critical live productions. In these two webinars, we talk about the evolution of live production and the appeal of hybrid on-premises and Cloud production.

Find out moreabout Webinars: How can you transform your live production with Networked Live?