MediaKind Spectrum X Plus datasheet 2026 05 19 v1.pdf
ADVANCED MEDIA SERVER
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
MONTREAL LIONS 0 45 0 TORONTO RAMS
For decades, broadcasters have counted on Spectrum for high quality, reliable ingest, production and playout video workflows. The next generation Spectrum X Plus carries on the tradition with higher channel density and new advanced features.
A Tradition of Excellence
The Spectrum X Plus advanced media server delivers the broadcast quality and mission-critical reliability of the world’s leading video server in a convenient and cost-effective package. Spectrum X Plus packs multiple video channels into a single chassis, supporting a wide range of video codecs, resolutions and I/O options with integrated features such as HTML5 graphics, audio processing and full HDR support. Spectrum X Plus leverages the newest generation of HPe servers and the industry’s most trusted 3rd-party I/O cards running on Spectrum’s time-proven, ultra-secure Linux operating system. An Nvidia GPU supercharges the processing power and improves efficiency by offloading demanding calculations from the server’s CPUs.
Scalable Architecture
Spectrum X Plus can operate as a true channel-in-a-box (CiaB) when configured with onboard storage. Spectrum X Plus is also compatible with larger Spectrum MediaDirector, MediaCenter and MediaGrid shared storage systems. Servers can be customized with optional I/O cards and onboard HDD or SSD storage. All functionality is available via software license keying, resulting in a highly flexible system that allows for the easy addition of new features when needed.
Spectrum X CiaB server
Up to 8 channels
MediaCenter + Spectrum X
Mid-sized system
Up to 20 channels
MediaDirector + Spectrum X + MediaStore
Large scaled system
Up to 128 channels
MediaGrid + Spectrum X
Ingest to, play from MediaGrid
Unlimited, granular scalability
Workflow Compatibility
The highly scalable Spectrum X Plus system is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:
• UHD and HDR workflows
• CiaB and integrated channel playout workflows
• Ingest workflows
• Studio and News production
• SDI or IP I/O environments
• Disaster recovery
Control of Spectrum X Plus can be performed manually with the Spectrum Media Studio suite of control tools, or with Polaris Play onboard automation, or with numerous other third-party automation and control applications.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Easy-to-deploy ingest and playout system for baseband and IP workflows
• Up to two UHD or eight HD channels per server drives lower cost and efficiency
• HDR conversions using 3D LUTs
• On-board integrated features such as HTML5 graphics, audio processing, and proxy generation
• Leverages the Nvidia GPU for high-performance, high-bandwidth operations
• Open API architecture makes system control available to third-party manual control and automation systems
• Hardened Linux-based software for maximum IT security
• Spectrum Media Studio Live delivers manual control of channels while Spectrum Media Studio Ingest facilitates instant and scheduled recordings
Specifications
FEATURE SUMMARY
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Proxy generation | Real time proxy file generation during ingest |
| Branding & Graphics | Adobe®Creative Cloud, Google Web Designer Integrated DVE; single and dual 2D DVE mode Independent branding for each primary and simulcast channel Up to eight layers of graphics per channel Static and animated graphics, logo, full-screen slate, rolls, crawls, voice-over |
| Graphics Formats | PNG, JPG, TIFF, GIF, Targa, WEBM, MP4, with HTML5 |
| Master Control Switching | 1-6 live inputs (configurable) Switch between live and recorded clips Key + fill support |
| Confidence | Monitor Low-latency, low-resolution version of ingested or playing video & audio, streamed over IP |
| Automation Support | Polaris Play, Spectrum Media Studio All Oxtel protocol automation systems (Ethernet or RS-422) Clip playback control via Spectrum API, VDCP (RS-422) and VDCP-over-IP |
| Audio Watermarking | Kantar®Media Watermarking |
| Delay Service | Realtime program delay capability |
| Captions & Subtitles | Localized and customized open captions Live & file-based open- and closed-caption insertion |
| EAS Support* (U.S. Only) | Text and audio sourced from customer’s EAS equipment |
| Loop Record Service | Continuously records short clip segments from an incoming video feed |
CODECS
SD MPEG-2
| Codec | Description |
|---|---|
| MPEG-2 | 3-24.9 Mbps LGOP; 25-50 Mbps I-frame |
| DV | DV 25, DVCPRO25, DVCPRO50 |
HD 1.5 G (1080i 50/60, 720p 50/60)
| Codec | Description |
|---|---|
| MPEG-2 | 18-85 Mbps LGOP; 50-100 Mbps I-frame |
| DV | DVCPRO HD |
| XDCAM HD | 18, 25, 35, 50 Mbps |
| RP 2027 | Class 50/100 Class 100, 1920x1080i (25/29.97 Hz); (Generic) 1280x720p (50/59.94 Hz) |
| AVC-Ultra (Panasonic) | Class 50 and Class 100, 1920x1080i (25/29.97 Hz); 1280x720p (50/59.94 Hz) |
| XAVC-I | Class 100 (Sony) Class 100, 1920x1080i (25/29.97 Hz); 1280x720p (50/59.94 Hz) |
| XAVC-L | High 422, Level 4, 25, 50 Mbps |
| AVC-LongG | Record: 25, 50 Mbps; Playback: 12, 25, 50 Mbps |
| VC-3 (SMPTE 2019-1) | 120, 145, 220 Mbps |
| ProRes | 122, 147, 220 Mbps; SQ and HQ modes |
HD 3G (1080p 50/60)
| Codec | Description |
|---|---|
| AVC I-Frame | XAVC-I, AVC-Intra, AVC-I RP 2027 Class 100 (generic) |
| XAVC-L | XAVC, High 422, Level 4.2, up to 50 Mbps |
| AVC-LongG | 35, 40, 45, 50 Mbps |
| AVCU-LongG | 12, 25, 50 Mbps |
| VC-3 (SMPTE 2019-1) | 190, 220, 367, 440 Mbps, HQX mode |
| ProRes | 440 Mbps, LT mode |
UHD
| Codec | Description |
|---|---|
| XAVC I-Frame | Class 300, 422, 10-bit, 50p/60p |
| L-Gop | 10bit 4.2.2 200mbs 50p/60p |
| AVCU I-Frame | Level 5.2, 422, 10-bit, 50p/60p |
| VC-3 (SMPTE 2019-1) | 145-180 Mbps, LB mode |
| ProRes | 821 Mbps LT mode |
RASTER
| Resolution | Description |
|---|---|
| SD | 525i @ 29.97 fps 625i @ 25 fps |
| HD 1.5 G | 1080i @ 25, 29.97 fps 720p @ 50, 59.94 fps |
| HD 3G | 1080p @ 50, 59.94 fps |
| UHD 4 x 3G | 2160p@50, 59.94 fps |
| UHD 12G, 2RU only | 2160p@50, 59.94 fps |
MEDIA STORAGE OPTIONS
Check Availability
Four or eight (2RU only) optional internal 3.5” 4- or 8-TB HDDs or 1.9-TB SSDs
3+1 modified RAID 4 (single parity)
Connect to Spectrum MediaCenter (MCP-2200 series) via GbE
Connect to Spectrum SAN (MediaDirector, MCP-2250 series) via GbE
Ingest to Harmonic MediaGrid as MXF OP1a wrapped media
Preview/Playout from Harmonic MediaGrid via 10GbE
AUDIO PROCESSING
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Channels | SMPTE 299M/272M, up to 16 embedded per video channel |
| Formats | Uncompressed: 16, 24, PCM @ 48 kHz |
| Formats | encode and Compressed: audio pass-through, Dolby decode |
| Features | Audio up-mix and down-mix, Audio loudness control, Audio track swapping; track tagging, language rules Audio mix effects; VO insertion |
| Closed, Open, Live Captions | EIA-608, EIA-708 |
| Ancillary Data | VBI, VANC |
| Reference | Analog black with color burst, PTP for 2110 IP I/O |
DATA
CONNECTIVITY
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| SDI Input | Up to eight SD/HD channels, Up to two UHD channels, 4x3G or 12G SDI |
| SDI Output | Up to four SD/HD channels, Up to two UHD channels, 4x3G or 12G SDI, Up to two simulcast outputs per channel Independently configurable |
| IP I/O | I/O* Optional 10GE ports for NDI, Optional 10GE ports for Ingest/Play from MediaGrid, Optional 25GE ports for UHD/HD 2110 IP I/O |
| Connectors | Optional VITC card, Optional RS-422 card, Four 10GE ports for connection to the Server, SystemManager, file transfer or API control |
| Server Interface | 1GE to MediaDirector or MediaCenter Server |
POWER
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Power Supplies | Dual, redundant, hot-swappable |
| 1RU Power Consumption | 550W at 20C (typical), 800W at 35C (max) |
| 2RU Power Consumption | 725W at 20C (typical), 950W at 35C (max) |
PHYSICAL
| Feature | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| 1RU Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17.11x1.7x30.43in (1RU) 43.46x4.32x77.3cm |
| 2RU Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17.53x3.44x28.75in (2RU) 44.55x8.74x73.03cm |