Cobalt will show IPMX-compliant equipment with ST 2110 support, addressing diverse Pro AV applications – an IP-based multiviewer, ST 2110 mini converter series and new audio monitors.
UltraBlue IP-MV multiviewer
Cobalt Digital designs and manufactures signal processing hardware and software, and is a founding partner in the openGear initiative. This year, the company will be exhibiting at ISE for the first time to show equipment that addresses a wide range of Pro AV applications, comply with the IPMX standard and feature ST 2110 support.
At their stand at ISE 2025, taking place on 4-7 February in Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, Cobalt will demonstrate its IP-based multiviewer, multi-format routers/controllers, a series of ST 2110 mini converters and audio monitors, and will also present product demos on the AIMS Alliance stand.
Scalable, Software-based Multiviewer
Cobalt’s UltraBlue IP-MV multiviewers are available as either a turnkey set-up with four HDMI heads, or as a software package that runs on customer-supplied dedicated hardware. Features include support for receiving audio/video content over IP across a variety of protocols and formats with very flexible audio routing, giving users a large number of options to suit specific applications.
To simplify mosaic configurations, arbitrary sizes and orientations are available on multiple HDMI screens with graphic overlays, ancillary data and tallies. PIPs can also be placed at any spot or position, and rotated. The software-based multiviewers feature a straightforward web interface. They can be scaled, expanded and re-configured as the user’s needs change by incorporating support for compressed and baseband (ST 2110) IP/SDI inputs and outputs.
Multi-Format Routers and Control Panels
The flexible COBALT WAVE routers are simple to use and can be integrated into many different applications with support for signals up to 12G-SDI. The COBALT WAVE RTR 32x32 crosspoint system, which was released recently, fits into a 4U frame, similar to the COBALT WAVE RTR-64x64. Both are built with full-size BNC connectors with a single 10/100/1000 Ethernet port for IP-based control, and support RP-168 switching. Control is web-based and covers full setup, salvos, monitoring and preset management.
The compact design is optimized specifically for 12G SDI operation but lower SDI rates are also accommodated, as well as ASI and MADI. Cobalt routers have an open, modern control API for third party integration, and include support for traditional control protocols.
A growing line of router control panels is also available, developed to accommodate the WAVE family in a variety of configurations. Operators can use the panels to store and recall different setups from the browser with extreme flexibility.
ARIA OG-AUD4-DANTE
Audio Monitoring
Cobalt’s ARIA audio products are a new series on the platform. Various models from the ARIA line will be exhibited at ISE including the COBALT ARIA AUD-MON audio monitor and the COBALT ARIA OG-AUD4-DANTE, a quad-channel unit with up to 12G DANTE/AES/MADI/Embed and De-Embed functions with Frame Sync capabilities. This card, designed with two gigabit Ethernet ports, a 64x64 configuration and a full audio router mixer, was first shown at NAB 2024 and has so far seen considerable success on the market.
ST 2110 Mini Converters – IPMX Compliant
Cobalt Digital will show several converters from its SAPPHIRE line-up of IPMX-capable standalone mini-converters. Their design packages their functionality into a small, reliable unit that works well in Pro AV applications. The IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience) set of open standards and specifications is able to carry compressed and uncompressed video, audio and data over IP networks for Pro AV uses.
These SAPPHIRE units, part of Cobalt’s Blue Box Group (BBG) series, built for mounting behind the monitor, convert between IPMX- and ST 2110-compatible signals and SDI/HDMI, with support for baseband video and JPEG-XS. They include single or dual 25Gb/s ports (for ST 2022-7 redundancy) and full NMOS support for ease of configuration. Models include the COBALT SAPPHIRE BBG-2110-H/S single-channel unit with simultaneous 12G SDI and HDMI outputs, and BBG-2110-2H 12G dual-channel unit with independent HDMI outputs.
The SAPPHIRE line also has the BBG-2110-4Ho/4Sio quad channel SMPTE ST 2110 – 20/22 baseband to HDMI / SDI converter unit with four simultaneous HDMI and four simultaneous SDI outputs. This model is available in other configurations as well, with two HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs or four HDMI inputs. An optional, factory-installed audio board is also included with this BBG-2110-4Ho/4Sio family that can add separate analogue and AES input/output ports for further flexibility where needed.
Devices in this family are especially useful for Pro-AV networks, corporate communications and traditional broadcast control centres, for monitoring, REMI and similar applications.
Cobalt at the AIMS Alliance Stand
Cobalt Digital will also be supporting the AIMS Alliance with a presence at their stand that will highlight the Company’s SAPPHIRE BBG line of IPMX-capable standalone mini-converters. Cobalt will be demonstrating an end-to-end low-latency fully compliant IPMX system with HDMI devices using JPEG-XS compression to provide close to lossless quality with reasonable bit rates. Cobalt’s professional team will be available for one-on-one presentations. www.cobaltdigital.com
