Softvelum has updated its Nimble Streamer software to include native AJA SDI input and output support, allowing for integration between baseband SDI hardware and IP-based streaming pipelines. The update enables capture, transcoding, and delivery workflows for broadcast teams on Ubuntu 22.04 systems.
The addition of AJA support, following previous DeckLink integration, solidifies Nimble Streamer as a viable software-defined replacement for expensive hardware gateways in hybrid broadcast environments. By allowing direct ingestion of baseband signals into IP pipelines (SRT, WebRTC, NDI), Softvelum addresses the critical 'last mile' of the SDI-to-IP transition. For engineers, the 13% CPU overhead per stream suggests high-density potential on commodity Linux hardware, reducing the physical footprint of server-side transcoding. Watch for whether Softvelum adds SMPTE ST 2110 support next, as the industry increasingly demands uncompressed IP standards alongside traditional SDI.
The broadcast industry remains in a protracted transition phase between legacy baseband infrastructure and IP-native workflows. Per the Haivision 2026 Broadcast Transformation Report, 82% of broadcasters still rely on SDI infrastructure for daily operations, even as adoption of the SMPTE ST 2110 uncompressed IP standard grew to 30% this year. This persistent reliance on SDI highlights the market necessity for 'bridge' technologies like Nimble Streamer that can interface directly with professional I/O hardware while outputting modern streaming protocols.
AJA Video Systems has responded to this hybrid demand by expanding its developer-focused hardware lines. In mid-2026, AJA emphasized its Corvid and Kona series' roles in supporting 12G-SDI and 8K workflows, specifically for OEM partners building software-defined tools. Per AJA's June 2026 announcements, the company is increasingly focusing on high-frame-rate (HFR) and high-dynamic-range (HDR) metadata preservation through its SDK, features that are now becoming accessible to software-based transcoders as they move deeper into the professional production stack.
Simultaneously, the move toward software-defined media processing is driven by economic pressure to reduce capital expenditure. According to research from Coherent Market Insights in March 2026, while hardware still accounts for nearly 58% of the broadcasting solutions market, there is a distinct shift toward software tools that can orchestrate these hardware assets remotely. This environment favors versatile media servers that can handle the high-bitrate demands of SDI—often exceeding 12 Gbps for 4K—without requiring dedicated, single-purpose hardware encoders.
Add StreamingMeme as a preferred source on Google to see more of our streaming news at the top of your Search results.
Add as preferred source
