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Media Links Xpands Xscend® Family with Compact 1RU Version at IBC 2025

Xscend platform enhanced with low latency, low bit rate HEVC/AVC coding and RIST/SRT Support  

Media Links, a global leader in media over IP transport technology, will debut the latest evolution of its Xscend platform at IBC 2025 on stand 1.B32: the Xscend 1RU, offering customers more flexibility to scale and tailor solutions based on their operational needs. Xscend is a high-density, modular IP media gateway that transports broadcast-quality video, audio, and data over IP networks. It supports a wide range of industry standards and codecs, making it suitable for bridging SDI and IP workflows and large-scale media distribution.

Designed for lower channel count, space-conscious and more price sensitive deployments, this compact new 1RU member of the Xscend family delivers the same robust performance and modular flexibility as the 2RU model, extending Media Links’ vision of “Everything Everywhere” IP media transport.

Building on the proven architecture of the 2RU system, the new 1RU version offers equivalent capabilities in a smaller footprint. Xscend’s uniqueness lies in its density and versatility to accommodate ever-changing industry advances. Both Xscend versions are designed to support multiple compression codecs, including native HEVC (H.265)/AVC (H.264) along with RIST/SRT protocols, providing users greater flexibility in adapting contribution quality video transport to a wide range of network bandwidth and performance constraints.

Both versions share a common design architecture and interchangeable modules, making the Xscend platform a unified solution across a wide range of network environments. Xscend’s adaptable, media-tuned architecture also supports software-defined upgrades, accommodating evolving network protocols, user workflows, physical interfaces and video formats. Ideal for IP media transport at scale, Xscend addresses ground-to-cloud contribution, remote and distributed production, Single Frequency Network (SFN) distribution, in-studio IP routing, and multi-codec media gateway applications. Its modular design enables SDI/IP conversion, integration with cloud workflows, and the ultra-reliable delivery of compressed and uncompressed media over IP. Up to 64 media channels can be accommodated in the 1RU Xscend.

In addition to Xscend updates, Media links is enhancing its MDX aggregation switch line with the introduction of the MDX-48X8C, featuring 8 100GbE uplink ports along with 48 SFP28 (1G/10G/25G) ports. The MDX48x8C platform is designed with a non-blocking architecture for multicast streams and features boundary clock support, ensuring precise timing and synchronization across devices. Stream integrity safeguards include Loop/Flood Protection, Over Subscription and Per Flow Bandwidth Management, maximizing performance while minimizing service interruptions.

ProMD EMS oversees all of Media Links’ and 3rd party network equipment, the company’s enhanced management system for end-to-end network service assurance, provisioning and orchestration.

Media Links will also participate in SVG’s ‘The Summit’ during IBC, joining industry leaders for discussions on AI, cloud-based production, remote workflows, and sustainability, all essential to realizing Everything Everywhere IP media transport.

To schedule a meeting at IBC 2025, or learn more, visit medialinks.com/medialinks-xscend/#bookameeting

Broadcast Beat - Production Industry Resource