AJA BRIDGE LIVE IP targets SMPTE ST 2110 conversion at $17,999
AJA Video Systems has launched BRIDGE LIVE IP, a 1RU hardware device designed for bi-directional SMPTE ST 2110 conversion with various streaming IP video and audio codecs. This device integrates compressed media into ST 2110 broadcast and streaming workflows, supporting up to four UltraHDp60 channels. It aims to offer more flexibility for hybrid IP productions at a price of $17,999.
Key Takeaways
- Supports four channels of UltraHDp60 or eight channels of 1080p60 HD within a 1RU enterprise-class chassis.
- Enables bi-directional transcoding between ST 2110 and protocols including NDI, H.264, H.265, SRT, and HLS.
- Pricing starts at $17,999 US MSRP, with optional licenses for NDI ($499), JPEG 2000, and JPEG XS ($1,555+).
- Includes dual 10/25GigE network ports for high-bandwidth ST 2110 production and distribution.
Why It Matters
Broadcasters are under pressure to bridge the gap between uncompressed ST 2110 local networks and compressed IP formats used for remote contribution or OTT delivery. AJA’s gateway provides a hardware-accelerated path to ingest and egress multiple media types without the latency of software-only transcoding. This move solidifies ST 2110 as the production backbone while acknowledging that streaming protocols like SRT and HLS are now standard for backhaul and distribution. Keep an eye on adoption rates for the $499 NDI license, which signals how quickly high-end broadcast is absorbing proAV-centric workflows.
Additional Context
The launch of BRIDGE LIVE IP follows a broader industry pivot toward 100G networking and hybrid IP-SDI architectures. At NAB 2026, Blackmagic Design similarly realigned its portfolio around 100G Ethernet and ST 2110, introducing the XDI expander to bridge existing SDI cameras into IP-native backbones (per YouTube, April 2026). This shift aligns with reports from the IABM and SMPTE suggesting that while IP studios can save 20-30% on long-term infrastructure costs, high initial investment in PTP-ready switches and 25G/100G ports remains a hurdle (per PacketStorm, 2024; Business Research Insights, April 2026). AJA previously expanded its IP ecosystem with the IP25-R v2.0 firmware, which enabled 12G-SDI to ST 2110 conversion, targeting the hybrid 'inflection point' cited by major vendors like Grass Valley (per Panorama Audiovisual, April 2026). This hybrid reality is supported by data indicating that 65% of studios plan to adopt cloud-connected ST 2110 workflows by late 2026, even as they maintain SDI at the point of use for latency-sensitive local monitoring (per TV Technology, March 2026). Furthermore, the competitive landscape for IP protocols is stabilizing into distinct tiers. While ST 2110 remains the benchmark for uncompressed, deterministic broadcast, NDI is increasingly positioned as a 'prosumer athlete' for software-driven workflows. New certification tests for the IPMX standard in early 2026 are further complicating the market, offering a lower-complexity alternative to the full ST 2110 stack for smaller operators (per VideoExpert.eu, December 2025; TV Technology, March 2026).
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