Appear’s VX Software Platform, launching at IBC, compliments their hardware X Platform architecture as an open, flexible foundation to support future broadcast workflows and services
Appear plans to launch a new software architecture at IBC2024 called the Appear VX Software Platform.
Built as an open platform, its goal is to fulfill current and future broadcast workflow requirements, while adding agility and flexibility. VX users can quickly create new software production workflows that distribute functionality across multiple infrastructure and connected hardware set-ups, while maintaining the resiliency and ultra-low latency of modern systems.
“Appear’s modular X Platform is recognised its power and flexibility,” said Thomas Bostrøm Jørgensen, CEO at Appear. “VX builds on this approach with live production media processing functions available as individual software modules. As well as multi-format contribution, IBC booth visitors will be able to see how VX enables broadcasters and operators to quickly build, launch, adapt and shut down entire production workflows.”
Interoperability and Low Latency
VX aims to meet the demands of IP-based infrastructure through workflows based on a single support management structure, enabling interoperation between Appear and third-party hardware, software and cloud deployments. An API is available, with low latency media processing and delivery functions, that support rapid set-up of streams and channels.
Developed as software, VX can be deployed anywhere at anytime to simplify operations and extend the use of users’ infrastructure investments. Versioning support and lifecycle management improve efficiency further.
Toward Greater Agility
The VX platform will process and transport content from Appear’s X10/X20 encoders.
Scaling for fluctuating and peak processing and compute demands, including ‘pay for what you use’ billing, is another key feature. Appear’s CTO Andy Rayner noted that the media & entertainment industry needs new architectures that enable businesses to work with increased flexibility and efficiency, and favours ‘pay for what you use’ billing.
“Organisations need the freedom to switch between, and mix-and-match, on-prem hardware, multiple clouds and on-prem clouds,” he said. “Our configurable hardware modules for different functionalities, compression and file formats serve this need, and Appear will continue to enhance and produce new modules, but the media industry needs to be agile.
“We can increase agility through IT-standard approaches such as containerisation and building workflows out of microservices, and also increase the level of workflow control and management as the industry moves to a software future. All of these abilities are required not just on one hardware device or one cloud instance, but distributed over multiple platforms and hardware systems. Our new VX Platform enables media and entertainment businesses to deploy VX in ways that make the most of the flexibility that software allows.”
Using VX
The resilient VX framework technology stack has been designed to process and transport content from Appear’s X10/X20 encoders over secure, reliable transport systems directly into the VX framework and software production systems. VX software components can be used to build media transport and processing workflows, delivering video content for cloud and datacentre-based production.
Appear’s intention is to help drive drive industry initiatives toward open software-centric media data exchange and control, a key part of the VX architecture. For example, a typical workflow would be deployed with ultra-low latency HEVC or JPEG-XS encoded content and presented to the VX framework using Appear's new accelerated SRT technology, transcoded ready for NDI, JPEG-XS or uncompressed-based production systems.
Live Demos at IBC
At their IBC booth (1.B41), live demos of the VX Platform will include live video contribution from stadium to studio for AVC, HEVC and JPEG XS with ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest) protection. Efficient distribution of affiliate feeds will be shown using Appear’s SRT application and deployed in the cloud and on low-cost, redundant OTS hardware.
Visitors can see how Appear’s node-based workflow management works, and how its integration with open source software Prometheus and Grafana delivers real time monitoring of system metrics. Prometheus is a kit of systems monitoring and alerting tools, and the interactive Grafana web application visualises databases and data sources with charts, graphs and alerts. www.appear.net
