Media Links will debut the latest evolution of its Xscend platform at IBC2025. The Xscend 1RU is designed to offer 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 1RU member of the Xscend family delivers the same robust performance and modular flexibility as the 2RU model.
Building on the proven architecture of the 2RU system, it offers equivalent capabilities in a smaller footprint. 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 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 eight 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 synchroniz]sation across devices. Stream integrity safeguards include loop/flood protection, over subscription and per flow bandwidth management, maximising performance while minimising service interruptions.
ProMD EMS oversees all of Media Links’ and third-party network equipment, the company’s enhanced management system for end-to-end network service assurance, provisioning and orchestration.
