“The Appear X Platform was the only compression solution tested that met all of our requirements. Its flexible feature set and density enable us to scale to meet our client’s increasing volume of camera signals and super slow-motion feeds for remote replay servers. The small form-factor saves on power and shipping costs, and the high-quality, low-latency production formats, ease of configuration, and operational resilience make Appear’s X Platform incredibly powerful.”

Brian Nelles, Executive Vice-President of PSSI Global Services

Context

PSSI Global Services, a leader in live event transmission and connectivity solutions, selected Appear’s X Platform to power the REMI-based production of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events. As part of this collaboration, PSSI Global Services is utilizing Appear’s advanced media processing and delivery technology to support high-capacity backhaul for global distribution of UFC coverage, ensuring seamless, high-quality, low-latency video transport.

Challenge

To meet the growing demands of UFC’s global sports league coverage, PSSI Global Services required a media transport solution that could:

Handle high-density encoding and decoding: The solution needed to support a large volume of camera signals and super slow-motion feeds for remote replay servers, ensuring that every moment of the action was captured.
Enable cost-effective remote production: With a focus on efficiency, PSSI sought a compact, powerful solution that minimized the need for shipping bulky field acquisition kits.
Deliver high-quality, low-latency video: Reliable, real-time video transport was essential for maintaining broadcast quality, even across diverse network environments.

After extensive testing, Appear’s X Platform emerged as the only solution capable of meeting PSSI’s stringent requirements for high-quality, low-latency remote production.

Solutions

PSSI Global Services deployed Appear’s X Platform for UFC REMI productions, specifically configuring it to handle high-density HEVC encoding and decoding from live events to PSSI’s UFC Network Operations Center (NOC) located at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Ultra-Low Latency HEVC encoding and decoding: The X Platform’s ECx110 modules enabled PSSI to deliver HD and UHD compression with ultra-low latency, perfect for live sports and remote production.
Multi-format support and high density: The X Platform’s compatibility with formats like HEVC/AVC, ST-2110, JPEG XS, Zixi, and high-capacity SRT offered the flexibility and security needed to support diverse broadcast requirements.
Compact and cost-effective design: Available in 1RU and 2RU chassis options, the X Platform enabled PSSI to reduce shipping and power costs, achieving significant efficiency

Result

With Appear’s X Platform, PSSI Global Services has optimized its REMI production workflow for UFC events, significantly improving efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Appear’s technology ensures that UFC content reaches audiences with exceptional clarity and reliability.

Enhanced remote production capabilities: The X Platform’s high-density encoding and multi-format support allow PSSI to handle more signals within a compact setup, ideal for large-scale sports productions.
Cost efficiency and flexibility: The compact design reduced PSSI’s shipping and power requirements, enabling cost-effective remote production setups.
Reliable, real-time streaming: The ultra-low latency and high-quality encoding capabilities ensure stable, real-time streaming, critical for capturing the fast-paced action of UFC events.

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