NAB Show: Cobalt Digital to Unveil Additions Its IPMX and ST 2110 Ecosystem

Why It Matters

The announcements accelerate broadcasters' shift to native IP infrastructures, offering flexible, standards‑based tools for cost‑effective migration and resilient distribution. By addressing both on‑premise processing and hybrid satellite‑IP delivery, Cobalt positions itself as a key enabler of next‑generation broadcast operations.

Key Takeaways

• blueCORE: 1RU standalone IPMX/ST2110 processor family
• PACIFIC adds ST2110 output, dual SDI/IP distribution
• Hybrid satellite‑Internet mode complies with FCC C‑Band auction
• OpenGear cards offer scalable, license‑based frame sync and color processing
• ARIA AUD‑MON provides first fully IPMX‑compliant audio monitor

Pulse Analysis

The broadcast industry is in the midst of a rapid migration from legacy SDI to native IP standards such as ST 2110 and IPMX. Cobalt Digital’s new blueCORE processors and PACIFIC compression line give facilities a modular, rack‑mountable solution that can ingest, process, and output video and audio over both traditional SDI and IP networks without sacrificing synchronization accuracy. By embedding PTP‑locked frame sync and offering software‑defined decoding, these products simplify the integration of existing infrastructure with emerging IP workflows, reducing capital expense and operational complexity.

One of the most compelling innovations is the hybrid satellite‑Internet mode built into the PACIFIC line. As the FCC auctions the remaining C‑Band spectrum, broadcasters need a strategy to maintain satellite distribution while leveraging broadband resilience. Cobalt’s solution uses satellite for bulk transport and automatically switches to Internet paths to recover lost packets, supporting Ku and Ka bands and complying with VSR TR‑06‑4 Part 7. This dual‑path approach not only safeguards content delivery against signal degradation but also opens new revenue models through flexible, over‑the‑top distribution.

Cobalt’s openGear cards further reinforce its commitment to scalable, future‑proof deployments. The 9925‑FSx frame‑sync and 9981‑LUTx color‑processor cards start as entry‑level modules and can be expanded via license upgrades to support multiple channels, AES, MADI, DANTE, and advanced LUT processing. Coupled with the ARIA AUD‑MON audio monitor—the first fully IPMX‑compliant device—these tools give broadcasters a cost‑effective entry point into IP‑first production while preserving the ability to grow as standards evolve. Collectively, Cobalt’s announcements signal a maturing ecosystem that lowers barriers to IP adoption and strengthens the industry’s resilience against spectrum changes.