Butcher Bird Studios standardizes virtual production with AJA routing infrastructure

Butcher Bird’s hardware-centric approach highlights the persistent value of SDI-based routing in small-to-mid-sized virtual production environments, even as the industry pivots toward IP. By maintaining a low-latency 12G-SDI backbone, the studio avoids the high entry costs and technical complexity of SMPTE ST 2110 while meeting the bandwidth demands of real-time Unreal Engine compositing. This setup demonstrates a high-efficiency model for boutique shops looking to scale native 4K delivery and remote REMI operations. Watch for whether this facility moves toward ST 2110 conversion via bridging hardware once they expand their remote production footprint in late 2026.

AJA Video Systems has positioned its KUMO router line as a cost-effective alternative to full SMPTE ST 2110 IP conversion for facilities that need reliable 12G-SDI signal management without the overhead of IP-based infrastructure. The company's KUMO 12G-SDI routers support up to 64x64 configurations and are designed for environments where native SDI workflows remain the operational standard, including virtual production stages that integrate real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine with live camera feeds.

Butcher Bird Studios' deployment of AJA KUMO and Io 4K Plus reflects a broader pattern among boutique virtual production facilities that prioritize low-latency SDI routing over IP conversion. The studio's approach aligns with industry guidance from AJA's own documentation on KUMO router scalability for multi-camera production environments, which emphasizes modular expansion without re-architecting the signal chain. This model is particularly relevant for smaller facilities evaluating whether to invest in ST 2110 infrastructure or maintain SDI workflows while scaling virtual production capabilities.