Understanding ST 2110: Is it the Next-Generation Broadcast and Live Production Standard?
- Aaron Ingersoll
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As live production continues to evolve from traditional SDI workflows to fully networked systems, SMPTE ST 2110 has become a new industry standard for professional IP video and audio transport. For companies like First Class Productions, which integrate video systems such as the Blackmagic Design ST 2110 3x3G converters, understanding this protocol — and building the right infrastructure to support it — is essential for achieving reliable, high-quality results.
What Is ST 2110?
SMPTE ST 2110 is a suite of standards that define how uncompressed video, audio, and metadata are transmitted over IP networks in real time. Unlike older formats that bundled everything together, ST 2110 separates each stream — allowing video, audio, and ancillary data to travel independently but remain perfectly synchronized.
This approach offers enormous benefits:
Scalability: Route and expand systems easily without the limitations of SDI routers.
Flexibility: Mix devices from different manufacturers that support open standards.
Precision: Maintain frame-accurate sync across the network using PTP (Precision Time Protocol).
Real-World Applications at First Class Productions
At First Class Productions, we have integrated Blackmagic Design ST 2110 3x3G converters into several parts of our live event workflow to streamline connectivity and reduce cabling.
1️⃣ Camera Feeds from Remote Locations to Video Village. We use the 3x3G boxes to carry up to three Blackmagic camera feeds from remote camera positions to our video village, along with a return camera control feed back to the cameras. This replaces several long SDI cable runs with a single 10 Gb connection that delivers crystal-clear, uncompressed video while maintaining full control over each camera.
2️⃣ Stage Integration and Signal Distribution. At stage locations, we deploy a 3x3G converter to handle multiple functions simultaneously:
Stage computer inputs for presentation graphics and/or notes feeds.
Stage camera inputs for close-up stage or wide audience shots.
Return feeds for projectors, LED walls, or confidence monitors.
Camera control and tally return, providing operators full visibility and control.
This modular setup lets us quickly build a robust, fully networked environment that’s both scalable and reliable — perfect for festivals, corporate events, and multi-stage productions.
Why the Network Matters
ST 2110 is powerful, but it also places high demands on your network. Each stream is uncompressed, meaning the bandwidth requirements are significant. To operate properly, a true 10 Gb network infrastructure is mandatory — whether you’re using a managed switch or a direct point-to-point connection.
To achieve that performance, you’ll need:
10 Gb switches and NICs with multicast and QoS support.
High-quality Cat6a or fiber cabling.
Please note - While Cat6a is rated for 10 Gb up to 100 meters (328 feet), in real-world conditions, no manufacturer we have found certifies 10 Gb performance at that full distance. In most production environments, we are seeing stable 10 Gb performance only up to about 200 feet (≈60 meters) — beyond that, signal integrity can drop quickly. For longer runs, fiber optic cabling and media converters are the most reliable solution.
Practical Tips for Reliable Performance
Keep Cat6a runs under 200 feet when carrying 10 Gb signals.
Use shielded, verified cable and test every link.
Ensure PTP timing is locked and isolated from non-production traffic.
For larger systems, use fiber uplinks between network switches or distant stages.
Avoid mixing control/data traffic on your media network — keep ST 2110 isolated.
Why We’re Investing in ST 2110
Transitioning to ST 2110 isn’t just a technology upgrade — it’s a workflow revolution. By leveraging this protocol, First Class Productions can run more efficient, modular, and scalable systems across multiple locations, while maintaining pristine image quality and precise camera control.
For large-scale events, multi-stage festivals, or corporate productions, this means faster setups, cleaner signal paths, and the ability to adapt on the fly — all while delivering the extraordinary event experiences our clients expect.
First Class Productions is continuing to expand our IP-based infrastructure to support the next generation of live event technology — combining the ST 2110 protocol, Blackmagic Design, and 10 Gb networking to push what’s possible in the world of professional production.
