Imagine Communications launches 36-input UHD production multiviewer for hybrid environments
Imagine Communications has updated its Selenio Network Processor (SNP) with a new Production Multiviewer Personality (SNP-MV), enabling it to handle up to 36 HD Picture-in-Pictures (PiPs) into 8 UHD canvases. The SNP-MV supports both SDI and IP environments, including ST2110 HD content, and manages mixed SDR and HDR/WCG signals. It also offers ultra-low-latency processing, creating display outputs synchronized to house time.
Key Takeaways
- SNP-MV handles up to 36 HD PiPs per unit, expandable to 144 HD PiPs by aggregating multiple SNP units.
- Native integration with the Magellan Control System allows each IP-input PiP to serve as a routing destination.
- Ultra-low-latency design processes and assembles inputs within one frame time, synchronizing output to house time.
- Supports mixed SDR and HDR/WCG signals with optional HDR key for format-specific conversion per signal path.
- Output options include UHD canvases over 12G SDI or ST2110 IP, with simultaneous 1080p/1080i SDR downscales.
Why It Matters
The SNP-MV launch addresses the critical industry need for high-density monitoring that bridges legacy SDI and modern ST2110 IP infrastructures. By centralizing 36 inputs into a single RU, Imagine reduces the complexity and physical footprint of live production galleries, which is essential as broadcasters scale UHD and HDR content. This release strengthens the role of software-defined hardware, allowing media companies to repurpose existing SNP processing engines for different tasks at runtime. As competitors like Evertz and TAG Video Systems push hybrid monitoring capabilities, Imagine’s sub-frame latency and native control integration provide a significant performance marker for high-stakes live sports and news workflows. Watch for adoption rates in tier-one remote production trucks transitioning to all-IP fabric.
Additional Context
The software-defined transition in broadcast hardware has accelerated as media companies seek more flexible ROIs on infrastructure. Per TV Technology in September 2025, the industry move away from single-function 'fixed' hardware toward programmable processors like the SNP has seen significant momentum, with Imagine Communications reporting over 5,000 SNP units shipped to date. These units now power approximately 150,000 video streams globally, reflecting a broader trend where 1RU processors handle everything from JPEG XS encoding to master control branding. At NAB 2025, competitors such as Evertz and TAG Video Systems also debuted high-density IP-centric monitoring tools, illustrating a crowded market for ST2110-native multiviewers that can handle uncompressed 4K signals.
Recent deployments underscore the shift toward the hybrid model supported by SNP-MV. According to SVG Europe in September 2024, specialized IP systems based on the SNP were utilized by major broadcasters for high-profile events including the Paris 2024 Games and Italy's Lega Serie A seasons. These environments prioritize the convergence of routing and monitoring; for instance, Imagine's Magellan Control System now provides mono-channel granularity for audio routing via Magellan AudioFlex, which launched in early 2025 (per NewscastStudio, March 2025). This integration allows operators to manage complex IP signal paths with the same ease as traditional SDI routers, a key requirement for the rapid setup times seen in sports and live event production.
Read full article at imaginecommunications.com
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