Nextologies operates a broadcast video delivery network supplying video connectivity to broadcasters and content owners globally. Operating from teleports and data centres, Nextologies has access to thousands of linear TV channels downlinked from about 75 satellites. Supporting this network, Nextologies specialises in signal acquisition and delivery, designing fibre, IP and custom systems for IPTV and OTT platforms and video-based applications delivered to multiple platforms.
Among the biggest events their systems have supported this year are the live pre launch broadcasts of the SpaceX rocket launch and splashdown shows. Broadcast productions around the world, including American Idol’s finale in May 2020, and recent Top Rank boxing and UFC events, have used the Nextologies network. The company is also the technology provider for the Associated Press, serving all of their global news outlets.
Proprietary Encoding
Developers of their own original OTT platform NEXTV in 2007, Nextologies also designs and builds proprietary hardware – the NXT-4 HD/SD decoder and encoder and the new Nextologies Encoder. For these devices and their full-time point-to-point and point-to-multipoint video network, Nextologies is using Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo 2 and DeckLink Quad 2 cards for hardware based capture and playback.
“We have used the DeckLink products for a long time because of their flexibility, which gives us the ability to be very creative in how we design new products and services. They are also available everywhere and very affordable,” said Sasha Zivanovic, CEO of Nextologies.
Their network is capable of interconnecting TV production, aggregation and distribution centres, and is designed to handle multi-service video and media applications, ASI and SDI (HD/SD), video transport, as well as IP transport on ethernet networks.
Independent and Flexible
Sasha said, “When we initially rolled out our first services, just buying an encoder or decoder would cost our broadcast clients upwards of $25K. In addition, no one offered an all-in-one video transport service, which meant a complex, costly set-up of gear, formats and middlemen were needed to create temporary systems.”
DeckLink PCIe capture and playback devices are compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux systems. The DeckLink Duo 2 has four independent 3G-SDI connections and supports SDI formats in SD and HD up to 1080p60. The DeckLink Quad 2 is designed with eight independent SDI capture and playback channels and allows four independent capture and playback channels plus four extra channels that developers can use to configure the card in any combination of up to eight capture or eight playback channels.
SpaceX Dragon
As mentioned above, the combination of Nextologies and DeckLink Quad 2 hardware was the recent launch and splashdown shows for SpaceX Dragon on Discovery Channel. Nextologies partnered with mobile broadcasting company PSSI Global Services to provide live video connectivity for the prelaunch shows.
Since show talent and producers were scattered across the US, working remotely during COVID, PSSI used Nextologies’ NXT-16 and a combination of NXT-4 and NXT-Lite gear to deliver the program feed, maintaining quality and low latency for a smooth remote production. These bespoke pieces of hardware were equipped to suit the users – DeckLink Quad 2s were used in each of the Nextologies’ products sent to the PSSI control centre in Burbank, while DeckLink Duo 2s were used with NXT-4 and NXT Lite units sent to talent.
“During live, historical broadcasts such as SpaceX, productions don’t have room for technological errors,” said Sasha. “We need straightforward processes and reliable gear. The DeckLink’s ability to handle multiple SDI connections, as well as the flexibility to work with any type of media formats were an important part in making this possible.” www.blackmagicdesign.com
