BLINX STUDIO

AI and NDI® based Gen-Z focused Media Creation Hub

Ideal Systems has successfully completed a state-of-the-art Media Creation Hub for Dubai based blinx, a youth-oriented media and news organisation for the Middle East. The new Hub creates multi-platform content to resonate with digital native Gen-Z and Millennials by being diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant. The facility includes a next gen metaverse / extended reality (XR) studio, as well as cutting-edge video production facilities and control rooms. The studios are fitted with the latest live production tools, including AI-enhancement features aimed at helping content creators craft virtual media content. The setup includes a complete 4K-ready audio and video chain facilitated by modern NDI and Dante tools.

Highlights of the studio:

• blinx is the first digital native storytelling hub in the Middle East and North Africa. 

• The platform aims to produce news and short-form storytelling content that will target Gen Z and millennials in the Middle East and beyond, blinx said in a statement. 

• blinx is equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities being touted as the MENA region’s first metaverse studios, comprising the latest live production tools, including AI-enhanced analytical software. 

• Besides playing the content on social media platforms and on its own online portal, the content will play on blinx digital apps that will bring the live production experience into multiple smart devices and screens, creating a holistic on-demand social ecosystem where MENA youth audiences will be able to find culturally relevant content at their fingertips. 

• blinx offers the MENA region’s most innovative Metaverse / extended reality studios and production facilities - creating spectacular virtual content. Adopting a data-driven approach is yet another competitive edge to the hub. 

• blinx will strive to be a part of people’s lives by tackling real issues and appealing to their most cherished interests. 

• blinx will offer its resources to creative content producers who really want to make a difference in storytelling!

System Overview 

The first NDI Based social media hub infrastructure in the MENA region 

This project covered the following integrations: 

• Integration between NDI router from Sienna and Densitron control system for NDI video routing across the site. This is also the first integration between these systems. 

• Integration of Vinten and studio lighting system with Mosart automation system from Vizrt. 

• Integration of hybrid MAM and NRCS system with on-prem playout system from Vizrt. 

As a part of the project, a cloud-based MAM solution has been provided to blinx that utilises AI services provided by AWS. This includes AI technologies such as speech-to-text transcriptions, multi-language translations, event tagging, object and face recognition etc. 

• The hybrid MAM & NRCS system allows the journalist to access content and create stories while being anywhere in the world. 

• The lighting system design allows for shooting videos within any location at the facility, turning the entire facility into a large, flexible video shooting zone. 

System Overview 

Ideal used the following new technologies in this project : 

• The first IP Based NDI infrastructure in the region 

• The first hybrid Cloud-based MAM and NRCS system allowing blinx team to access the resources anywhere in the world 

• Dante Audio infrastructure 

• Dejero Cellular Bonding Transmitter 

• XR Production 

• Mosart Automation 

• Robotic Camera Support System 

• The project was done by the main brands below: 

Solid State Logic Audio Mixers, Mo-sys Tracking System, Dejero Bonded Cellular, Liantronics LED Displays, Sienna NDI Media Infrastructure, Lynx Technic Infrastructure, Densitron, Sony Cameras, Vitec Robotics, Vizrt Graphics, Litepanels, Cisco Switches, GBLabs Storage.

Technical highlights of Blinx are as per below: 

• blinx is equipped with end-to-end 4K ready NDI-based video infrastructure. 

• Similar to video, audio infrastructure is based on IP using Dante. 

• Studio sets are powered by Sony 4K cameras. 

• Vinten robotic pedestals are being used as camera support systems. 

• Sennheiser dante based wireless microphone and IEM system fulfil the audio-related needs for studio-based production. 

• Core video backend is based on Sienna NDI infrastructure, providing a wide variety of state-of-the-art NDI processing tools. 

• blinx is also the first site to integrate a redundant NDI router from Sienna with the control system from Densitron to provide seamless routing capabilities for NDI video across the production house. This integration now enables customers to build redundant tier 1 broadcast cores using NDI. 

• The audio backend of blinx has been built on native Dante-based audio consoles and processing modules from SSL that are both agile and flexible audio production platforms.

• blinx is also equipped with XR studio set/LED screens from Liantronics which is high quality, best in class and cost effective solution to fulfil all XR/AR related production needs. 

• Viz Vectar along with tricaster panels and Mosart is responsible for PCR production needs. 

• Graphics components from Vizrt are fulfilling the production and operation requirements of blinx creative team. 

• NDI gateways and converters from AJA and Kiloview respectively, have been provided to blinx to take care of video transformation needs from SDI to NDI, NDI to SDI and NDI to HDMI. 

• blinx is also equipped with hybrid MAM and NRCS system that supports blinx team in all of their story creation and media content production operations. 

• Media storage from GB Labs and Object Matrix are being used in blinx in order to satisfy all of their media production requirements. 

NDI Solution