Located in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in northwestern China, Xining TV Station is the city’s leading broadcast network and a major regional media hub, operating multiple TV and radio channels that deliver news, cultural, and public service programming across the province.
As the station moves toward converged media, integrating traditional broadcasting with online and mobile platforms, its long-standing SDI-based infrastructure has become a bottleneck—limiting flexibility, scalability, and collaboration between studios. To keep pace with growing demands for live streaming, vertical video, and remote production, Xining TV recognized the need for a more efficient, IP-based workflow that could support both existing SDI systems and emerging production formats.
In line with the broader industry shift toward media convergence and ultra-HD production, Xining TV partnered with Kiloview, a leading global NDI solution provider, to implement a next-generation NDI-based Master Control (MCR) system—a key step in building a more agile, connected, and cost-effective hybrid studio environment.
Overcoming Limitations of Traditional SDI Workflows
For years, Xining TV, like many regional broadcasters, relied heavily on SDI-based workflows. However, SDI posed several challenges: limited transmission distances, high infrastructure costs, and isolated systems that made cross-studio collaboration and new media production difficult.
After assessing their needs, the Xining TV technical team identified three major priorities:
- Seamless Connectivity: Create a station-wide signal pool, enabling all studios, OB vans, and remote production teams to share feeds and schedule resources centrally.
- Future-Proof Upgrades: Quickly and cost-effectively upgrade SDI studios and OB vans to support 4K streaming, vertical video, and even XR/virtual production.
- Centralized Management: Consolidate monitoring, scheduling, and device control under a single Master Control (MCR) system to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Solving Cross-Studio Collaboration Challenges with Kiloview’s NDI IP Control Solution
To address these challenges, Kiloview introduced an NDI-based IP Master Control (MCR) solution, providing full end-to-end IP coverage across all production nodes. This enabled Xining TV to build a truly station-wide IP signal pool, maximizing resource sharing and operational flexibility.
Upgrading OB Vans and Studios to IP Workflows for Seamless Signal Sharing and Unified Production
- For OB Vans: Kiloview NDI Encoders/Decoders can convert camera feeds into high-quality, low-latency IP streams for real-time production. With flexible camera expansion and SRT support, the system also enables seamless transmission between the OB van and the studio.
- For Field Reporters: Equipped with Kiloview 5G Bonding Encoders, reporters can transmit live feeds over 5G/4G+Wi-Fi+Ethernet to OB vans or the MCR system for rapid, reliable remote production.
- For In-Studio Production: NDI encoders/decoders deployed in each studio convert local camera and program output (PGM) signals into NDI streams, integrating them into the IP Master Control system. It allows seamless signal sharing and smooth collaboration between studios, greatly enhancing creative flexibility.
Centralized Signal Routing and Monitoring with Kiloview NDI Distribution System
At Xining TV’s technical hub, the control center manages all production signals while ensuring broadcast security and operational efficiency.
- Flexible Signal Routing: Kiloview MG300v2 Gateways convert external sources—like mobile feeds and OB van SRT streams—into NDI for centralized switching. In-studio NDI signals can also be converted to SRT or RTMP, ensuring seamless multi-protocol interoperability.
- Comprehensive Monitoring and Management: Kiloview NDI Multiview provides full signal visibility, KiloLink Intercom System keeps teams connected, and KiloLink Server Pro streamlines control and updates—delivering reliable, efficient broadcasting.
Building an NDI-Based Converged Media Studio to Power Next-Gen Production
A new NDI multi-camera 4K vertical live studio supports inputs from NDI PTZ cameras, SDI cameras with NDI encoders, and other networked NDI feeds. Its NDI switcher handles real-time production and streaming, while Kiloview Multi-Channel Recording Systems provide synchronized capture with dual-backup storage for reliable broadcasts.
Cost-effective and easy to deploy, the studio supports vertical live streaming and 4K production, making it ideal for upgrading existing setups. Through NDI IP connectivity, traditional studios can route signals to the new studio to share the same production resources and team, reducing costs and maximizing efficiency.
Kiloview NDI Technology Reshaping Master Control Workflows
Built on NDI’s proven strengths—high quality, robust ecosystem, and cost-effectiveness, the Kiloview NDI master control system connects studios, live rooms, and radio booths seamlessly, enabling full IP resource sharing, streamlined operations, and centralized workflow management.
- Breaking Silos with a Unified IP Resource Pool
With the Kiloview NDI Master Control Solution, studios are no longer isolated. Instead, they are interconnected as part of an IP-based resource pool where signals from control rooms, OB vans, and EFP teams can all be shared and utilized on demand. - Lightweight Deployment, Lower Build-Out Costs
Leveraging an IP-based workflow, a single 40G network backbone can carry up to 100 channels of 4K video with centralized management. This dramatically simplifies cabling and construction, particularly for system upgrades and renovation projects. - Maximized Resource Utilization
A single NDI-enabled studio setup can power multiple traditional studios for new media streaming, enabling one team and one infrastructure to support multiple business needs simultaneously. - Simplified Operations & Centralized Control
Ongoing operation and maintenance are streamlined through Kiloview’s centralized device management platform, such as the KiloLink Server Pro. Engineers can monitor device status in real time, troubleshoot quickly, and perform batch firmware upgrades with one click—reducing manpower, costs, and downtime.
“Since upgrading last year, signal routing has become extremely flexible—studio feeds, OB van inputs, and remote interviews are all instantly accessible as NDI sources. One NDI studio now supports both traditional horizontal broadcasts and vertical new-media streaming. This low-cost, efficient upgrade has laid a solid foundation for our converged media workflow.”
— Technical Team of Xining TV Station
By connecting studios, OB vans, and remote teams, Kiloview NDI Master Control Solution empowers broadcasters with streamlined operations, full resource sharing, and enhanced production flexibility.
