Bridge Technologies Adds TS Playout To VB330 And VB220 Probes

Bridge Technologies is expanding the capabilities of its VB330 and VB220 compressed monitoring probes with a new transport stream (TS) playout feature, which will be unveiled at IBC 2026 on Booth 1.A71.

The new functionality enables the probes to play TS files across IP networks, extending their role beyond monitoring and diagnostics into signal generation and broadcast network testing. Bridge says the feature is designed to support regulatory and compliance activities while giving broadcasters additional tools for technical and operational decision-making.

The TS playout capability builds on recording functionality introduced to the probes last year. That system supports round-robin and alarm-triggered recording of up to 200 streams, with an integrated clip editor for export.

With the new feature, recorded streams can be played out to TS receivers at bitrates of up to 100 Mbps per stream. The probes support up to 12 simultaneous playouts, with total throughput of 1 Gbps, increasing to 2 Gbps when ST 2022-7 redundancy is activated.

The system supports both Single Program Transport Streams (SPTS) and Multiple Program Transport Streams (MPTS), as well as Constant Bit Rate (CBR) and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) files. Streams can be played once or looped, with adaptive handling designed to prevent continuity counter errors. Playout can be directed to either multicast or unicast destinations.

For multicast delivery, the probe can also monitor its own output using its built-in analysis capabilities. Files can be uploaded through the web interface, while recordings created by the probe can be used directly as playout sources.

Bridge says the feature will be particularly useful to production engineers preparing networks for live events, where testing and validation often need to take place before production equipment is fully deployed.

By generating test content before cameras and other production equipment are in place, engineers can validate network architecture and distribution paths in advance. The probes use PTP network synchronisation to provide accurate playout timing, with Bridge highlighting lab-grade performance and low PCR jitter as a way of reducing buffer synchronisation issues and minimising latency.

The capability is intended to support broadcast environments where distribution networks are assembled or coordinated at short notice, including outside broadcast trucks, temporary studios and fast-turnaround event productions.

Bridge also positions the addition as part of a wider move towards more multifunctional broadcast tools. The company says its monitoring platforms are increasingly being developed to combine alarming and monitoring with deeper diagnostics, proactive network management, reporting, compliance and practical production functions.

The addition of signal generation to the VB330 also reflects the convergence of compressed and uncompressed broadcast environments, with the traditional distinction between production and distribution becoming less pronounced.

Commenting on the announcement, Bridge Technologies Chairman Simen K. Frostad said: "Live production brings increasing challenges in terms of the speed with which the setup must be introduced, and the accuracy and reliability with which it must deliver on the day. With TS playout, network engineers can generate a test signal and validate their entire distribution chain ahead of time - even before cameras, switchers or encoders are in place. But we also have customers right now using this functionality not just for setup, but on-air too. It is crucial to effective operations."

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