NAB 2026: IP Innovation, Software‑Based Media Infrastructure & Dynamic Media Facility Workflows on Display for Lawo

Why It Matters

The announcement signals a shift toward fully software‑defined broadcast infrastructure, reducing hardware costs and increasing workflow agility for broadcasters and live‑event producers.

Key Takeaways

• Lawo introduces HOME Apps for scalable IP workflows.
• HOME platform adds role‑based access control for security.
• Multiviewer supports up to 64 PiP tiles, mixed resolutions.
• University of Nebraska deploys edge ST2110 campus‑wide system.

Pulse Analysis

The broadcast industry is accelerating its transition from traditional SDI racks to software‑defined, IP‑centric infrastructures. Lawo’s HOME platform exemplifies this trend by packaging core functions—device discovery, authentication, and orchestration—into containerized micro‑services that run on commercial off‑the‑shelf servers. This approach not only lowers capital expenditure but also enables rapid scaling and reconfiguration, essential for live events that demand flexible, low‑latency processing.

A standout feature at NAB 2026 is the HOME Multiviewer, capable of rendering up to 64 picture‑in‑picture tiles while dynamically selecting full‑resolution or proxy streams based on tile size. Supporting standards such as SMPTE ST2110, NDI, SRT, and JPEG XS, the app addresses the heterogeneous signal environments of modern facilities. Coupled with additional HOME Apps for HDR conversion, graphics insertion, and audio DSP, broadcasters gain an end‑to‑end, software‑only workflow that can be tailored to specific production needs without extensive hardware upgrades.

The real‑world validation comes from the University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision deployment, a campus‑wide ST2110 network that interconnects multiple sports venues with centralized production hubs. By leveraging Lawo’s edge platform and the new Multiviewer, the university achieves seamless HDR/SDR switching and proxy‑based monitoring, illustrating how academic institutions and mid‑size broadcasters can adopt enterprise‑grade IP solutions. This case study underscores the broader market implication: as more facilities adopt software‑driven media infrastructure, vendors like Lawo are positioned to capture a growing share of the broadcast‑technology spend.