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Beeblade Nexus SMPTE 2110 Setup & Workflow Guide

First-Time Users​

This guide explains how to configure your Hive media server to send and receive SMPTE ST 2110 video streams, what each setting does, and how to build a reliable ST 2110 network for the first time. It assumes no prior ST 2110 experience.

note

At least one Hive Beeblade Nexus board & a Hive build from v1.2.99 or above.

What is SMPTE ST 2110? (Quick primer)​

SMPTE ST 2110 is a professional broadcast standard that transports uncompressed video, audio, and ancillary data over IP networks instead of HDMI or SDI cables. Key points:

  • Video is uncompressed → extremely low latency and pristine quality
  • Uses multicast IP networking
  • Requires high-bandwidth networking (10GbE, 25 GbE, 100 GbE)
  • Found in broadcast, live events, and LED systems, with more applications inevitable.

When using ST 2110, your Hive player becomes:

  • A sender (outputting video to the network)
  • A receiver (subscribing to and displaying video streams from the network)

Where ST 2110 Settings Live in Hive​

All ST 2110 configuration are done here:

Adjust → Settings → ST2110 Settings

This page contains two tabs:

  1. Network – IP and NMOS configuration
  2. Output – Video stream configuration

Network Tab – IP & NMOS Configuration​

This tab defines how your Hive device connects to the ST 2110 network.

There are two IP Methods available:

  1. Static
  2. DHCP

We recommend static addressing for ST 2110

Static​

You manually define the network address. Use this when:

  • Working in broadcast or fixed installations
  • Using multicast
  • You want predictable, repeatable behaviour

DHCP​

The network automatically assigns an IP address. Use this only if:

  • Your network is specifically designed for DHCP
  • You understand how multicast and NMOS are handled

Static IP Settings​

ParameterWhat it means
Static IPThe device’s IP address on the ST 2110 network
Net MaskDefines the size of the network (e.g. 255.255.255.0)
GatewayRouter address (often unused in closed ST 2110 networks)
DNSDNS server (often unused in pure ST 2110 systems)
tip

Typical ST 2110 systems often do not need Gateway or DNS, but they can be filled in safely if required by your infrastructure.

NMOS Registry Mode​

NMOS is a discovery and control system used by ST 2110 devices.

Options​

  • Disabled
  • Static IP
  • Auto Discover

Disabled​

  • No NMOS discovery
  • Manual SDP entry required

Static IP​

  • You manually specify the NMOS registry address
  • Useful in controlled environments

When selected, this field appears:

  • NMOS Registry IP – IP address of your NMOS registry

Auto Discover​

  • Device automatically searches for an NMOS registry
  • Requires proper multicast/DNS support on the network

Network Buttons​

  • Apply – Saves and applies settings
  • Cancel – Discards changes
  • X – Closes the settings page

Output Tab – ST 2110 Video Stream Configuration​

This tab defines the video stream your Hive player will transmit.

Status​

Shows the current ST 2110 output state. This is your first place to check if a stream isn’t behaving as expected.

SDP Information​

URL​

  • Displays the URL of the SDP file describing the stream
  • Includes a Copy button for easy sharing

SDP​

  • Displays the full SDP contents
  • Used by receivers to subscribe to the stream
info

The SDP file is the “instruction manual” describing the video stream.

Video Format Settings​

ParameterDescription
WidthHorizontal resolution in pixels
HeightVertical resolution in pixels
Frame RateVideo frame rate (23.98 → 60 fps)
Pixel FormatVideo colour format and bit depth

Supported Pixel Formats:

  • RGB 8-bit
  • RGB 10-bit
  • YUV 4:2:2 10-bit
tip

YUV 4:2:2 10-bit is the most commonly supported broadcast format.

Network Stream Settings​

ParameterDescription
Destination IPMulticast address (e.g. 239.0.64.9)
Destination PortUDP port number (e.g. 5006)
RTP Payload TypeUsually 96

Destination IP

  • Almost always a multicast address
  • Typically in the 239.x.x.x range

Destination Port

  • Identifies the stream on that multicast address
  • Multiple streams can share one multicast IP if ports differ

Output Buttons​

  • Apply – Activates the stream
  • Cancel – Discards changes
  • X – Closes the page

Enabling ST 2110 Output​

note

This is an important step

Configuring the output does not automatically activate it.

To enable ST 2110 output:

  1. Go to Adjust → Settings → Video Output Settings
  2. Set Output Method to ST2110
  3. Restart the device
warning

This disables HDMI output and outputs video exclusively over ST 2110. You can switch back to HDMI at any time later.

Adding an ST 2110 Input to Hive​

To receive an ST 2110 stream:

  1. Go to the Media page
  2. Click Choose Input
  3. Select ST2110 INPUT

You now have two options:

NMOS Mode​

  • Select your source from the automatically discovered list
  • Requires NMOS to be configured correctly

Manual SDP URL Entry​

  • Paste the SDP URL from the source device
  • Works without NMOS

Once added:

  • The ST 2110 source behaves like any other media item
  • Can be used in:
    • Media page
    • Playlists
    • Timecode cue lists
    • Any Hive feature that accepts media inputs

Supported Hardware​

note

The supported hardware has been tested at the Hive HQ

Sources & Receivers​

  • Matrox ConvertIP DSH (25 G)
  • Hive Beeblade Nexus (100 G)

Network Switches​

  • NVIDIA Mellanox SN2100 (16-port 100 G)
  • Netgear AV Line
  • MikroTik

Fibre Transceivers​

warning

Always ensure transceivers are compatible with your switch.

Fibre Cables​

warning

Always ensure the cable specifications are checked carefully.

Proven Example Setup​

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This is very important.

The Problem We Observed​

We tested a system with:

  • Source 1: Hive Beeblade Nexus (100 G)
  • Source 2: Matrox ConvertIP DSH (25 G)
  • Receiver: Hive Beeblade Nexus

When each source used:

  • Different multicast IPs
    • 239.0.64.9
    • 239.0.64.10

We observed:

  • Stalls
  • Delays
  • Failed source switching
  • Streams sometimes never appearing

The Fully Working Solution​

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This is what we recommend.

✔ Use the same multicast IP for all sources
✔ Use different destination ports per source

Example​

SourceMulticast IPPort
Source 1239.0.64.95004
Source 2239.0.64.95006

Result:

  • Clean, instant switching
  • No stalls
  • Reliable operation
tip

This is the configuration we strongly recommend.

Key Points to Remember​

  • Use Static IPs wherever possible
  • Keep ST 2110 networks simple and predictable
  • Prefer same multicast address, different ports
  • Enable ST 2110 output explicitly in Video Output Settings
  • Restart after changing output method
  • Use NMOS where available, SDP where necessary