Author: Chloe

This expanded capability strengthens HIVE’s position in demanding immersive experiences, themed attractions, live events and commercial spaces, where flexibility, real-time control and the ability to manage multiple content sources are critical.

Alongside this, the introduction of MPCDI integration enables seamless compatibility with industry-standard projection mapping and auto-calibration tools. By supporting this widely adopted standard, HIVE can now integrate more easily into existing workflows, giving users the freedom to work with their preferred third-party systems.

The release also includes important security and deployment improvements, including the move to SSH key-based authentication. This makes HIVE devices more secure and better suited for deployment across corporate and public networks, helping to unlock larger and more complex projects.

Additional updates include enhancements to pixel mapping, improved synchronisation and timing accuracy, expanded NDI workflows and support for high-bandwidth 10Gb ST 2110 environments – alongside continued improvements to playback stability and overall system performance.

“Version 1.3 significantly expands what users can do with the platform. It’s a continuation of our ecosystem evolution – bringing more flexibility, broader compatibility and ultimately more value to customers across a wider range of applications.”

David Green, CTO at HIVE

With v1.3, HIVE continues to strengthen its position as a flexible, software-led media server platform – giving users more control, more creative freedom and greater compatibility across a wide range of applications.

For more information, visit HIVE Software Updates or check out the full release notes.

HIVE will also be showcasing the latest software release live on stand C5452 at InfoComm, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 17-19 June.

Media server manufacturer introduces new IP-based video, audio and control integration across its platform

Horsham (UK), 20 April 2026 – HIVE, a specialist provider of compact media servers, today announces its new Q-SYS Verified Plugin for HIVE Beeblade media players. As a contributor to the Q-SYS Ecosystem, HIVE collaborated with Q-SYS to create a market-ready control solution that integrates HIVE media playback, monitoring and control directly within the Q-SYS Full Stack AV Platform, giving system integrators seamless access to player functionality within their existing AV control environments.

The plugin enables HIVE media players to be fully controlled and monitored within Q-SYS Designer, the software used by integrators to configure and deploy Q-SYS control systems. Through the integration, users can access real-time status data, manage playback and monitor outputs from HIVE media players directly within the Q-SYS environment.

HIVE worked closely with Q-SYS to develop the integration, which has been awarded the Q-SYS Verified badge, confirming that it has been tested and validated to operate reliably within the Q-SYS Ecosystem.

The HIVE Beeblade plug-in for Q-SYS Designer provides a comprehensive set of control and monitoring features, including:

· Direct control of HIVE media playback and system parameters

· Real-time monitoring of player status and media outputs

· Video preview and operational diagnostics within Q-SYS interfaces

· Integration via exposed control pins, enabling interaction with other AV system components

· Customisable control interfaces using Q-SYS’s drag-and-drop UI tools

Supporting up to sixteen output channels per device, the integration gives creators and integrators precise control over multi-layered soundscapes for immersive experiences, exhibitions and large-scale installations. Each channel can be routed independently to networked speakers, enabling dynamic, spatial audio design without the complexity of traditional signal distribution.

This functionality allows system designers to combine HIVE’s media playback capabilities with Q-SYS’s automation and control platform. Integrators can build sophisticated workflows that link media playback with other AV elements such as audio systems, lighting, sensors or projectors – all managed from a single interface.

In practice, this means that a single command within Q-SYS could trigger multiple actions, such as powering displays, launching media playback and adjusting audio levels simultaneously. This level of integration is particularly valuable in large installations where multiple AV technologies must operate together reliably.

The plugin is designed primarily for system integrators working on fixed installations, including museums, visitor attractions, corporate environments and public venues where centralised monitoring and control is essential.

By exposing detailed status and control data from HIVE media players, the plugin allows operators to build monitoring dashboards that provide real-time visibility of playback status, system health and media outputs across multiple players.

The plugin supports the full range of HIVE Beeblade media players, making it compatible with deployments across HIVE’s modular ecosystem including Beebox, Nucleus and Beehive enclosures.

“Having the flexibility and power of the HIVE media player available inside one of the most advanced control and monitoring platforms in the AV market is an incredibly powerful combination. By bringing the two together, integrators can combine the strengths of both platforms to create highly flexible and intelligent AV systems”

Nigel Sadler, Chief Pollinator at HIVE

We are proud of our collaboration with HIVE to publish a Q-SYS Verified Plugin for the HIVE Beeblade in Q-SYS Library that will enable elevated experiences for the Q-SYS Full Stack AV Platform across our shared customers,”

Geno Zaharie, Senior Director, Alliances & Ecosystem, Q-SYS

From SDM to IP – advancing synchronised video, audio and control across immersive,
live and commercial environments.

HIVE will return to ISE 2026 from 3-6 February at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Hall 5, Stand 5G700. Under the banner “Ecosystem Evolution”, HIVE will unveil the next chapter in its mission to simplify and accelerate how video, audio and lighting come together across immersive, live and commercial environments.

Horsham (UK), 4th August 2025 – HIVE, the UK-based specialists in media control, has announced an exclusive distribution partnership with ULA Group for the Australian and New Zealand markets. The agreement marks an important step in expanding HIVE’s global presence and connecting with local integrators through one of the region’s most experienced visual technology providers.

“We are excited to welcome ULA Group as our exclusive partner in the ANZ region,” says Mark Calvert, CEO at HIVE. “This partnership is about more than distribution – it’s about making our technology accessible to integrators through a trusted local expert who understands the needs of the market.”

Mark Calvert, CEO at HIVE

ULA Group brings more than 30 years of experience in delivering professional AV and lighting solutions across sectors including themed attractions, entertainment venues, retail environments and public spaces. With four local offices and showrooms in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland, ULA Group offers hands-on technical support, system design consultancy and in-house training to support successful integration and project delivery.

“ULA Group is proud to partner with HIVE,” says Paul Rumble, Sales Director and General Manager VIC at ULA Group. “We’ve been impressed by the simplicity, performance and flexibility of their Beeblade range. It’s a smart and scalable solution that addresses many of the challenges our clients face – from managing multiple outputs to reducing power consumption and space requirements. We’re looking forward to introducing the full HIVE portfolio to the region.”

Paul Rumble, Sales Director and General Manager VIC at ULA Group

As part of the partnership, ULA Group will offer HIVE’s complete range of media servers and enclosures – including the award-winning Beeblade SDM modules and modular Nucleus and Beehive housings – backed by local stock availability, support and advice.

Designed to simplify media delivery, HIVE’s lightweight and energy-efficient systems are already used in projects ranging from projection mapping and interactive exhibits to digital signage and themed entertainment. By embedding media playback directly into displays or housing it in compact enclosures, HIVE offers a modular alternative to traditional media servers – reducing setup complexity and overheads without compromising performance.

HIVE will make its official debut at the Integrate Expo 2025 in Sydney on 27–29 August. Drop by the ULA Group (H30) and VuePix Infiled (J30) for live demos and technical discussions.