PlayBox Neo launches Media Gateway to bridge SDI and IP broadcasts

Broadcasters are under intense pressure to modernize aging SDI facilities while managing the complexity of multi-platform streaming. PlayBox Neo’s Media Gateway addresses this by acting as a universal translator across fragmented video protocols, reducing the need for standalone conversion hardware. This software-defined approach is critical as the industry shifts toward opex-heavy cloud models, where interoperability between standards like SRT and NDI is now a baseline requirement rather than an experimental feature. Watch for a rise in similar 'bridge' hardware solutions as traditional stations transition to full IP-native plants by 2029.

The launch of Media Gateway aligns with a broader industry transition toward software-defined infrastructure. Per Haivision’s 2026 Broadcast Transformation Report, SRT adoption has reached 78% of broadcasters, cementing its place as the primary live video transport protocol for five consecutive years. While 82% of broadcasters still maintain legacy SDI infrastructure, there is a clear shift toward hybrid models; roughly 30% of facilities have now adopted SMPTE ST 2110 for IP-native routing, marking a 4% increase over 2025 data.

The competitive landscape for playout and distribution is also shifting toward cloud-native challengers. According to Mordor Intelligence, the playout automation and channel-in-a-box market is projected to grow to $4.52 billion in 2026, driven by a 15.5% CAGR as operators prioritize rapid channel launches. Competitors like Amagi and Dalet are increasingly securing market share by offering API-first orchestration and pay-as-you-go pricing, moving away from high-CAPEX hardware refresh cycles.

Technological refinement is now taking precedence over pure innovation. Per NewscastStudio, 2026 is defined by a 'disciplined approach' where broadcasters focus on operational stability and cost control. This includes using AI for metadata tagging and automated signal quality tracking to reduce overhead. As the EU’s revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive pushes for total IP migration by 2029, solutions that bridge the gap between serial and network-based delivery are becoming essential components of the modern broadcast stack.