AJA Bridge Live Family
BRIDGE LIVE is a broadcast quality, low-latency turnkey system that enables Remote Production (REMI), Synchronous Multi-Channel Video Contribution, Remote Collaboration, Direct to Audience Streaming, and Multi-Bit Rate/Multi-Format Delivery via a diverse range of IP video standards, SDI, or both. New to the BRIDGE LIVE family is the BRIDGE LIVE 12G-4, a high-density multi-channel UHD version of BRIDGE LIVE that supports up to 4x bidirectional 12G-SDI I/O.
BRIDGE LIVE, a collaborative effort between AJA and Comprimato, is designed to provide the performance, reliability, and user-friendly interface required for critical live encode, decode, or transcode applications. Equipped with either 12G-SDI or 3G-SDI I/O, BRIDGE LIVE offers the necessary power and flexibility to enable real-time, bidirectional encoding, decoding, and transcoding for demanding UHD or HD workflows. BRIDGE LIVE is an indispensable component of any contemporary video production toolkit.
BRIDGE LIVE, with its compact and robust 1RU form factor, offers redundant power supplies and a comprehensive five year warranty, providing steadfast reliability for demanding applications such as global live concerts and sporting events.
BRIDGE LIVE empowers reliable and secure workflows across a wide range of productions, encompassing REMI, interviews, live event streaming, synchronous multi-camera backhaul with HDR, cloud contribution, program return, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, and ABR ladder profiles tailored for OTT packaging. BRIDGE LIVE provides simultaneous, dependable, and secure operations via dedicated lines or the public internet.
BRIDGE LIVE FAMILY KEY FEATURES
- BRIDGE LIVE 12G-4: 12G-SDI I/O supports multi-channel UHD (up to 4x channels)
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: 3G-SDI I/O supports multi-channel HD (up to 8x channels) and multiple-frame-rate families simultaneously
- BRIDGE LIVE: 12G-SDI I/O supports multi-channel UHD
- Bidirectional Encode/Decode/Transcode; H.265 (HEVC), H.264 (AVC, MPEG-4), H.262 (MPEG-2), NDI®*, JPEG 2000* (TR-01), and JPEG XS* (TR-07)
- Synchronous Multi-Channel / Multi-System Transport for SDI Backhaul or Cloud Delivery
- Protocols: SRT, UDP, HLS, RTP, RTMP/S, MPTS (input)
- Transports: MPEG-TS, NDI, AVC-TS, Fragmented MP4
- NDI Multiple Discovery Server and NDI Groups support
- Multi-bit rate/format distribution, ABR Ladder Profiles for OTT hand-off
- Selectable profiles for 12, 10, and 8-bit, 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 depending on the codec
- Unmatched metadata capabilities including MPEG-2 ANC, SMPTE 2038, Ad insertion markers (SCTE-35/SCTE-104), CC/Subtitles (EIA-608/708, Line 21, H.264 SEI)
- Hitless Redundancy via ST 2022-7 and SRT bonding
- HDR/SDR from SDI source to SDI destination in BRIDGE LIVE end-to-end configurations
- Remote WebUI or local GUI for easy administration, control, and operation
- Monitoring, Control, and Automation supported via REST API or SNMP
- Turnkey 1RU rackmountable, enterprise class form factor
- Dual 10 GigE interface for control and transport
- Dual power supplies for critical application redundancy
- Three year warranty**
*NDI, JPEG 2000 and JPEG XS I/O options are available as purchasable licenses. H.265, H.264, H.262, HLS, and RTMP I/O functionality is included with all BRIDGE LIVE systems.
**Hardware Warranty can be extended to 5 years with an annual Maintenance License purchase
Simultaneous Bidirectional Encoding and Decoding
BRIDGE LIVE supports simultaneous bidirectional encoding and decoding from UltraHD (BRIDGE LIVE only), HD, and SD sources. Both models support up to UltraHD from IP-based sources.
For example, with a pair of BRIDGE LIVE systems, a broadcast facility can receive three incoming encoded camera sources from a remote location and decode them back into SDI for editing and production while simultaneously providing program return to the remote location. This example shows 4 channel capability on BRIDGE LIVE, while BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 supports up to 8 HD channels.
NDI Encode/Decode/Transcode
BRIDGE LIVE capabilities can be optionally expanded to include NDI (Network Device Interface), the high-quality, real-time, low-latency IP video standard. BRIDGE LIVE can support up to 8x simultaneous 60p HD NDI encodes/decodes or 4x 60p UltraHD NDI encode/decode to/from SDI (BRIDGE LIVE model dependent). BRIDGE LIVE’s NDI functionality offers:
- SDI to NDI (encode)
- NDI to SDI (decode)
- IP Video Streams to NDI (transcode)
- NDI to IP Video Streams (transcode)
- Multiple Discovery Servers
Used in conjunction with BRIDGE LIVE’s broad codec and protocol support, collaboration between geographically separated (remote) NDI facilities can be realized.
NDI support is available via an optional license.
Synchronous Multi-Channel Transport
BRIDGE LIVE and BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 support independent SDI source inputs and maintains their synchronous relationship while transporting the content to end-point destinations.
This functionality can take place between a pair of BRIDGE LIVE units for a synchronous end-to-end SDI workflow, often referred to as SDI backhaul, or site-to-site SDI workflows.
BRIDGE LIVE’s synchronous multi-channel capability is also supported for cloud contribution, whereby a BRIDGE LIVE system can send signals to a Comprimato Live Transcoder cloud instance, thereby ensuring multi-source synchronicity for delivery to various CDNs, platforms, and cloud services as IP video.
Furthermore, Synchronous Multi-Channel Transport can be scaled up from a single BRIDGE LIVE pair to additional BRIDGE LIVE pairs to enable workflows where multiple BRIDGE LIVE systems can receive SDI and send to multiple BRIDGE LIVE systems outputting SDI, all in synchronicity.
HDR is also supported for end-to-end SDI workflows.
SRT Ready
SRT is an open source video transport protocol and technology stack that optimizes streaming performance across unpredictable networks with secure streams and easy firewall traversal, bringing the best quality live video over questionable networks. The SRT Alliance is a collaborative community of industry leaders and developers striving to achieve lower latency internet video transport by continuously improving open source SRT. Encryption built into the SRT protocol ensures secure streaming video content delivery with low latency and secure reliability.
Both models of BRIDGE LIVE support SRT v1.5.3, enabling redundant stream support over an ISP to ensure hitless delivery of the originating source.
Metadata, HDR, Timecode and Closed Captioning Support
BRIDGE LIVE and BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 fully support Closed Captioning as well as additional metadata, which is often a neglected feature set with other encode/decode solutions.
BRIDGE LIVE and BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 support:
- MPEG-2 ancillary packet support, SMPTE ST 2038
- SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry, Luminance via SDI
- SCTE-35/SCTE-104 Ad insertion markers
- CEA-608/CEA-708 Closed Captioning
- Timecode
- Embedding Closed Captioning/Subtitles into H.264 SEI messages
- Metadata pass-through
- Electronic Program Guide (EPG) on input
- SEI (supplemental enhancement information) timecode insertion
Transport, Containers, and Protocols
BRIDGE LIVE and BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 can be configured to meet your requirements, whether it’s low latency or highest quality signal delivery. BRIDGE LIVE gives you the tools to move content and deliver according to your workflow needs.
BRIDGE LIVE supported Protocols
- HLS
- RTP
- RTMP
- RTMPS (output)
- SRT
- UDP
- MPTS (input)
- JPEG 2000 (VSF-TR01)*
- JPEG XS (VSF-TR07)*
BRIDGE LIVE supported Transport Formats
- MPEG-TS
- NDI*
- AVC-TS
- Fragmented MP4
BRIDGE LIVE supported Audio Formats
- AAC-LC (ADTS, LATM)
- AAC-HE v1& v2 (ADTS, LATM)
- AC3
- E-AC3 (input)
- Dolby-E Passthrough
- MPEG-2 Audio
- NDI (uncompressed float)
- Uncompressed PCM (multi-channel)
*NDI, JPEG 2000 and JPEG XS I/O are available with an optional license.
Supported Encodes/Decodes
BRIDGE LIVE and BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 support the following configurations for encoding and decoding between SDI and streaming formats as standard. Multiple streams, formats and destinations can be derived from a single SDI input.
NDI:
BRIDGE LIVE capabilities can be optionally expanded to include NDI encoding and decoding.
- 8-bit or 10-bit
- 4:2:2
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode or 1x 30p UltraHD encode/decode to/from SDI
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode to/from SDI
- NDI Inputs can be received, transcoded, and output as IP Video Streams
- IP Video Inputs can be received, transcoded, and output as NDI Streams, up to UltraHD resolution.
H.265 (HEVC):
- 8-bit or 10-bit
- 4:2:0
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode or 1x 60p / 2x 30p UltraHD encode/decode to/from SDI
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode to/from SDI
- SRT, RTMP and MPEG-TS protocol support
H.264 (AVC):
- 8-bit or 10-bit
- 4:2:0 or 4:2:2
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode or 1x 60p / 2x 30p UltraHD encode/decode to/from SDI
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode to/from SDI
- SRT, RTMP and MPEG-TS protocol support
H.262 (MPEG-2):
- 8-bit
- 4:2:0
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4x simultaneous 30p/60i HD encode/decode or up to 2x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode to/from SDI with an HQ option
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8x simultaneous 30p/60i HD encode/decode or up to 4x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode to/from SDI with an HQ option
- SRT, RTMP and MPEG-TS protocol support
JPEG XS Encode/Decode License
BRIDGE LIVE capabilities can be optionally expanded to include visually lossless JPEG XS encoding and decoding.
JPEG XS (TR-07)
- 10-bit
- 4:2:2
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4x simultaneous 60p HD, 1x 60p UltraHD, or 2x 30p UltraHD encode/decode (up to 800Mbs)
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8x simultaneous 60p HD encode/decode (up to 220Mbs)
- IP to IP transcodes with JPEG XS are supported and can be scaled up depending on CPU & GPU resource availability
- MPEG-TS protocol support
JPEG 2000 Encode/Decode License
BRIDGE LIVE capabilities can be optionally expanded to include high quality JPEG 2000 encoding and decoding.
JPEG 2000 (TR-01)
- 10-bit
- 4:2:2
- BRIDGE LIVE: Up to 4 simultaneous 60p SDI HD encodes (80-220Mbps) or 1x 60p / 2 x 30p UltraHD encode/decode (up to 800Mbs)
- BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8: Up to 8 simultaneous 60p HD SDI encodes (80-220Mbps)
- SRT and MPEG-TS protocol support
Hardware
BRIDGE LIVE 12G-4 supports up to 4x UltraHD 12G-SDI for UltraHD I/O in 1RU. Dual 10 GigE ports provide robust network connectivity, and dual power supplies offer added peace of mind.
BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 supports up to 8x 3G-SDI simultaneously for multi-channel HD in 1RU. Dual 10 GigE ports provide network connectivity, and the system features dual power supplies.
Administration, monitoring, and access to both BRIDGE LIVE models are supported via either a network browser or local monitor via the device’s built-in DisplayPort. Indirect agnostic monitoring and automation are supported via both REST API and SNMP.
Live Direct-to-Audience Streaming
BRIDGE LIVE offers a comprehensive platform for live video streaming. Streaming support includes SRT, RTMP/S, RTP/UDP, and MPEG-TS. Using these standard protocols provides wide support for streaming services from Twitch, YouTube Live and Facebook Live. BRIDGE LIVE builds upon the tried and tested approach of AJA’s HELO streaming device, while including flexibility for multiple inputs, broad format and bit-rate support, as well as metadata and redundancy.
And, while streaming to CDNs for a direct-to-audience delivery, BRIDGE LIVE can simultaneously deliver different stream types to partners to re-transmit, transcode, or store.
Reference Video for Remote Collaboration
Production and Post: Connecting remote artists and clients using reference quality video, or providing a high quality window into production for those who cannot be on-set.
BRIDGE LIVE means the flexibility to leave media and equipment at the secure, managed facility, and have creative talent work together remotely with reference quality video.
BRIDGE LIVE compliments existing GUI driving technologies (e.g. RDP, Teradici) by layering on the reference quality video needed for creative confidence and client/executive sign-off. Choices between H.265 (4:2:0, 10-bit), H.264 (4:2:2, 10-bit) with turnkey BRIDGE LIVE, or via optional license JPEG 2000 (4:2:2, 10-bit), mean there is choice and flexibility in how to approach your needs in terms of quality and latency.
Encoding For Remote Production
BRIDGE LIVE also offers the flexibility to tap video from on-set recording devices and stream the output of cameras (over a secure private line with encryption) providing a high quality window into production for those who cannot be on-set.
Remote Video Transport and Contribution
For Broadcast, BRIDGE LIVE provides an efficient mechanism for backhauling remote live SDI video sources to the media production facility, in order to be converted back to SDI and made available on the internal facility SDI router for ongoing production/transmission.
Traditional secure lines for remote production can be very expensive, with additional fees being levied for time before and after a production starts and ends. BRIDGE LIVE allows source cameras and local program out to be transported using publicly available internet, with no penalty for early or extended use during a production. BRIDGE LIVE also offers lower latency than traditional secure lines for time critical productions.
Live Production Encoding
Telcos, IPTV and cable operators are often presented with an SDI source or a live event or live production, which is needed as a simple MPEG-Transport Stream with H.264/H.262 encode. The delivered stream may be required for further processing (storage, production), or else be streamed directly to an IPTV/Cable network.
Encoding For Content Distribution
For Studios and Broadcast applications BRIDGE LIVE facilitates primary distribution of finished and mastered content to partners for subsequent streaming to audiences.
BRIDGE LIVE can provide ABR ladder profiles or hand-off for OTT packaging. For example, encoding to H.264 or H.265 for hand-off with ABR ladder profiles, including pointing the ladder profile directly to a local packager or CDN.
Annual Maintenance
BRIDGE LIVE optional annual maintenance package provides:
- Software and Hardware Technical Support via Phone and/or Email.
- Advanced Replacement.
- All new software features, updates and bug fixes*.
- Priority bug fixes and feature requests.
*Critical bug fixes will be provided free for all customers purchasing BRIDGE LIVE.
Industry-Leading Support
AJA’s support for BRIDGE LIVE starts with a generous three year hardware warranty and the optional yearly maintenance provides new software features and more.
AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and together with support from Comprimato, BRIDGE LIVE customers have the best of both hardware and software expertise to ensure installations and projects are executed smoothly and with confidence.
