VLAST deployed an AJA workflow to deliver real and virtual performances - live in the arena, online or at theatres, managing multiple signal paths without breaking the fan experience.
Entertainment company VLAST, content producer for virtual K-Pop band PLAVE, needs precise, accurate control over the synchronisation of content across feeds and formats for the group’s concerts. In contrast to a band of real musicians, these performers’ real-life identities are concealed behind digital avatars that are animated and projected from huge LED walls inside their performance venues, in real time.
As the finale event of a major tour, the 2025 PLAVE Asia Tour Encore, played on 21 November at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, drew more than 35,000 in-person fans and featured a complex stage set-up where the entire venue acted as a single visual canvas. CTO at VLAST Lee Hyun-woo said, "Timing of transitions between music and video was critical. Any misalignment could ruin the immersive effect."
Fans watched the show live in the arena, streaming online or at viewing theatres across Korea. At such a show, between the expansive, in-arena LED walls and the global live stream fed to online and cinema audiences, the design of multiple different signal paths is involved, and even the smallest delay can break the audience experience.
To ensure the performance reached all audiences with precise, smooth timing, VLAST managed multi-platform delivery with care, setting up a hardware workflow with AJA BRIDGE LIVE, openGear cards and KUMO routers.
Scalable SRT-based 4K Video Transmission
VLAST initially incorporated AJA BRIDGE LIVE for scalable, high-quality SRT-based 4K video transmission that would scale, and keep delays to a minimum while keeping stream quality high. This was important, as the tour was later expanded to include domestic cinema screenings and future international broadcasts.
Deploying 16 BRIDGE LIVE units, VLAST maintained uninterrupted real-time transmission and achieved a natural, immersive experience, delivered to both arena and cinema audiences. BRIDGE LIVE allowed precise synchronisation between stage visuals and performers on site, including stage extensions that needed to be perfectly aligned with everything else.
"Signal delivery was flawless, which significantly enhanced audience presence and immersion," noted Han Kyu-hyun, VLAST's Video Operation Engineer. "Using our workflow with AJA’s gear, we minimised delay between dancers and the band as far as possible, an essential factor in real-time interaction."
BRIDGE LIVE was also invaluable for its continuous operation and compatibility with multiple formats, including H.264, H.265 and NDI. Once configured, it ran reliably throughout long performances, freeing the technical team to focus on delivering an unforgettable show.
Signal Conversion, Audio Management and Routing
AJA's openGear equipment for signal conversion, distribution and audio integration were used as well throughout the tour. The OG-HA5-12G and OG-Hi5-12G cards, for example, handled conversions between 12G-SDI and HDMI, while OG-12GDA-2x4 was used to preserve quality when distributing high-resolution signals.
More than 20 openGear units specialised for audio – including OG-DANTE-12GAM and OG-12G-AM – processed multiple audio channels in real time. "Minimising latency between channels allowed accurate synchronisation between musicians and virtual performers," Han said. "This made sure that every beat and cue aligned perfectly across live and streamed experiences."
AJA KUMO 3232-12G and 1616-12G SDI routers carried out immediate signal routing for the project. For multi-viewing during online production, real-time graphics sources were routed through the openGear converters into the KUMO system, then distributed to monitors and a Panasonic KAIROS, a software-based, live IP production switcher.
KAIROS processes live, uncompressed video using CPU and GPU power, working as a video scaler, processor, mixer or server. KAIROS can use various IT ecosystems based on COTS hardware, and expands functions and links external devices by adding application software. For redundancy at Gocheok Sky Dome arena, the team relied on backup graphics to maintain uninterrupted multi-view feeds, even under complex routing demands.
A Truly Multi-Platform Experience
Through this integrated hardware workflow, integrating BRIDGE LIVE, AJA openGear solutions and KUMO routers into their production pipeline, VLAST delivered a highly immersive encore for PLAVE that has given the company greater confidence in the potential of virtual artists. Audiences watching the show live in the arena, streaming online or viewing theatres across Korea all experienced a magical concert without disruption or delay.
The project demonstrated how, with the right low-latency, flexible infrastructure, performers – virtual or otherwise – can connect with global audiences in real time, raising production possibilities and expanding audience engagement. www.aja.com
