xMediaNode: We Make Video Simple

xMediaNode: We Make Video Simple
Photo by GuerrillaBuzz / Unsplash

At Medialooks, we’ve been developing software for video for many years. Our products simplify complex tasks like video processing, building broadcast, IPTV, and OTT applications, or streaming video with minimal latency. We always aim to make things easier so our clients can focus on their business goals. Today, I want to share the story of our latest product – xMediaNode.

A Cross-Platform Solution

Until now, our products have been developed for Windows. It worked well for most of our clients, and it was the standard they were used to. But our R&D is always moving forward, and we decided it was time for a cross-platform solution. This wasn’t just a random choice: we wanted to give our clients more flexibility, better resource management, and independence from proprietary software vendors.

What is xMediaNode?

xMediaNode is a cloud-based, cross-platform solution designed to work across different environments, scaling easily to meet any task. Thanks to its intuitive web interface and powerful API, xMediaNode simplifies video management, especially when working with multiple platforms and formats at once.

What can you do with xMediaNode?

  • Transcode and transwrap video. You can convert video from one format to another or change its delivery method without altering the content.
  • Handle various video formats and resolutions. It supports SD, HD, UHD, and 4K.
  • Use universal IP inputs and outputs. Supported protocols include NDI, SRT, DVB, UDP, RTP, RTSP, RTMP, HLS, and MPEG-DASH.
  • SDI Inputs/Outputs. Full compatibility with Blackmagic Design hardware, with support for other manufacturers' cards coming soon.

Deployment Flexibility

One of xMediaNode’s key strengths is its deployment flexibility. Whether you want to deploy it in the cloud, on your own servers, or using Docker for convenience, xMediaNode adapts to your infrastructure. We built this product to fit any environment and task, so you can get up and running in no time.

Managing via API

xMediaNode is equipped with a powerful API that lets you manage every aspect of the system’s operation. The API is designed to be flexible, easy to use, and can integrate seamlessly into your existing infrastructure.

What can you do through the API?

  1. Manage servers and channels:
  • Retrieve the list of servers.
  • Add or remove channels. Each channel can have its own set of sources and destinations for video.

2. Configure sources and destinations:

  • Add video and audio sources, with options for decoding or leaving them as is.
  • Get a full list of sources, streams, and programs they provide.
  • Set up destinations, including transcoding and stream filtering options.
  • Manage decoding, transcoding, and filters (such as scaling, cropping, or deinterlacing).

3. Start and stop channels:

  • You can start or stop a channel entirely via the API. If a new source or destination is added while a channel is active, it will start automatically.

4. Monitoring and statistics:

  • Access detailed statistics for every system element: channels, sources, and destinations. This helps you monitor system health and make informed decisions.

5. Manage streams:

  • Control which streams are sent, decoded, transcoded, or previewed.

6. Configure mixers:

  • Turn mixing on or off through the AVProcessor, update stream lists after changes, and get statistics.

Easy to Use

We designed xMediaNode with simplicity in mind. The system’s architecture makes it easy to configure and manage each channel as a separate module, giving you flexibility without complexity. You don’t need to be an expert to work with xMediaNode – we’ve built it to be intuitive and user-friendly.

If you have any questions or ideas, we’re always happy to chat and help you see how xMediaNode can solve your video challenges.