The video production industry is under increasing pressure to innovate while addressing the growing concern over its environmental footprint. As live production expands in scale and complexity, sustainability becomes a vital consideration. Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) offers a solution. By focusing on modularity, energy efficiency, and integrated functionality, hyperconverged infrastructure delivers operational benefits and drives the video production industry toward a more sustainable future.
The Role of Hyperconverged Infrastructure in Sustainability
Hyperconverged infrastructure consolidates functions that traditionally required separate hardware systems into one compact and efficient platform. For video production, production infrastructure typically involves large racks of equipment. HCI minimizes the devices needed on-site, reducing energy consumption, waste, and logistical complexity.
This approach is exemplified by Ross Video’s Ultrix platform, which integrates signal routing, audio and video mixing, multi-viewing, and more into a single platform, significantly reducing the environmental impact of live video production. From the outset, its design prioritized sustainability, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact throughout its lifecycle—from production to deployment and eventual end-of-life.
Durability is critical in sustainability, and Ultrix is built to last. Its design includes upgradable software and modular hardware expansions, allowing the system to evolve alongside new broadcasting standards and customer needs. This upgradability ensures that the system remains relevant over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements and promoting long-term sustainability. Designing for scalability and easy upgrading ensures the product’s lifecycle is significantly extended, decreasing waste.
Reducing Electronic Waste Through Modularity
One of the most significant contributions of hyperconverged infrastructure to sustainability lies in its modularity. The modular design of platforms like Ultrix means that individual components can be replaced or upgraded without discarding or overhauling entire systems. This dramatically extends the life of equipment, reducing the frequency with which devices need to be replaced and thereby minimizing electronic waste (e-waste).
E-waste is a growing global problem, and the video production industry has not been immune to it. Hyperconverged systems allow users to make incremental upgrades rather than complete system replacements, directly addressing this issue.
Lowering Energy Consumption and Transport Footprint
Hyperconverged infrastructure, by design, consumes less energy. Platforms like Ultrix combine multiple functions into a single system, reducing the power required to run operations. Ultrix employs energy-efficient technologies such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for media processing, which use less energy than traditional equipment and many software-based media processing solutions.
Another important aspect is the reduced physical footprint of hyperconverged systems. In addition to energy efficiency during operation, smaller and lighter equipment translates into lower energy consumption during transportation—an especially critical factor for mobile production teams. The modular components of Ultrix require fewer transport resources and, by eliminating the need for extensive cabling and multiple devices, reduce energy used over its lifetime.
Sustainable Manufacturing
The simplicity of hyperconverged infrastructure extends to manufacturing, too. Modular design allows for streamlined production processes that use fewer resources and produce less waste. By standardizing components, manufacturing becomes more efficient. Independent modules can be made simultaneously, reducing production time, energy usage, and costs. Additionally, economies of scale become more achievable, further driving down material costs and impact.
The sustainability impact of hyperconverged infrastructure begins with the production process itself. Ultrix was designed to minimize material use during manufacturing, leveraging modular components that can be standardized and produced with fewer resources. Additionally, by sourcing materials locally and selecting sustainable options wherever possible, Ross Video has reduced the overall environmental impact of manufacturing each Ultrix unit.
Streamline Installation & Efficient Deployment
Another environmental benefit of hyperconverged infrastructure is the simplification of workflows. Ultrix drastically reduces the need for multiple devices and extensive cabling. This consolidation streamlines setup and operation, which improves efficiency and minimizes the resources required for maintenance. Fewer devices and cables translate to lower energy consumption for powering equipment and transporting signals. Moreover, the reduced physical footprint means less material needs to be transported across sets and production locations, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
Committing to a Greener Future
Hyperconverged infrastructure represents a significant step towards a more sustainable media production industry. By consolidating multiple functions into a single platform and adopting modular design principles, systems like Ultrix help reduce energy consumption, e-waste, and the overall carbon footprint of live broadcasting. This commitment to sustainability was recognized at the 2024 NAB Show Excellence in Sustainability Awards, where Ultrix won the Sustainability in Product or Service award.
The future of live video production lies in innovation that does not come at the expense of the environment. Hyperconverged infrastructure offers a pathway to balancing technological advancement with responsible environmental stewardship.