YES Network IP Transition

Executive Summary

YES Network moved from an SDI-based facility design to a SMPTE ST 2110 IP environment at its Stamford studios, using a phased approach that introduced IP alongside existing SDI infrastructure. The facility architecture centers on Arista routing with EVS Cerebrum orchestration, EVS Neurons for conversion and audio shuffling (including UDX/CC), and EVS XT VIAs for replay and record. Bridge Technologies’ VB440 was integrated to support signal integrity and operational confidence during IP scaling, with functions that include ST 2022-7 redundancy monitoring, PTP timing analysis, and packet inspection, plus remote multi-user access.

Key Industry Developments

• A broadcast facility transition was executed from SDI to SMPTE ST 2110 IP, explicitly described as a move to “a new SMPTE ST 2110 IP environment.”
• The migration approach was hybrid and phased, with IP introduced alongside SDI rather than via a single cutover.
• Monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities were positioned as core requirements for operating and scaling an IP production environment, including redundancy, timing, and packet-level analysis.
• Remote operational access was built into the monitoring workflow, enabling multiple concurrent users to connect in real time from remote locations.

Real-World Use Cases

• Signal integrity monitoring during an SDI-to-IP migration: The VB440 was selected as part of the transition to help maintain confidence while operating a SMPTE ST 2110 environment alongside SDI.
• ST 2022-7 redundancy verification in an IP media workflow: The monitoring toolset included explicit support for observing ST 2022-7 redundancy schemes, aligning with IP resilience requirements.
• PTP timing analysis for IP production synchronization: The monitoring workflow included “precise PTP timing analysis,” indicating attention to timing behavior as part of IP operations.
• Packet inspection for IP troubleshooting: Detailed packet inspection was part of the monitoring capabilities used to diagnose issues at the network/packet level.

Why It Matters

A phased hybrid transition model provides a concrete example of how an SDI facility can introduce SMPTE ST 2110 incrementally while continuing to operate existing SDI workflows. In such environments, operational assurance depends on visibility into IP-specific failure modes and performance characteristics, including redundancy behavior (ST 2022-7), timing (PTP), and packet-level diagnostics. Remote, concurrent access to monitoring systems can also change how engineering teams collaborate on troubleshooting by allowing multiple users to “log on remotely” and observe the same signals and analyses in real time.

Sources

• Bridge Technologies — Case Study: YES Network’s IP Transition Expands Production Possibilities and Redefines Workflows: https://bridgetech.tv/case-study-yes-networks-ip-transition-expands-production-possibilities-and-redefines-workflows/