Understanding Gateway and Gateway 4

Understanding Gateway and Gateway 4 Broadcast Options

With AoIP studio infrastructure becoming more pervasive, and broadcasters wanting more functionality within a compact rackmount footprint, Tieline developed the Gateway and Gateway 4 codecs to meet future broadcast requirements. This article expands a little on understanding Gateway and Gateway 4 broadcast options.

Why Gateway and Gateway 4?

As their name suggests, the Gateway and Gateway 4 codecs provide a doorway to IP streaming across a range of IP infrastructure. This includes IP streaming over WANs like the public internet, or private WANs, or QoS enabled IP networks. Plus, both the Gateway and Gateway 4 include support for AES67 and ST 2110-30 standards for AoIP streaming.

Network use of Gateway and Gateway 4 Codecs

How do I choose my codec?

You may be asking in which situations you would use the Gateway versus the Gateway 4? Well, the simple answer is that both codecs are very similar in design and functionality, however customers with higher channel density requirements will gravitate towards the Gateway. Whereas if you only need between 2 and 4 inputs and outputs the Gateway 4 is ideal.

The Gateway can be purchased with the standard configuration of 8 channels or pre-configured to its maximum of 16 channels. Networks can upgrade the standard configuration of 8 channels at a later date with a simple software license upgrade. This means networks can purchase licenses to upgrade to 10, 12, 14, or 16 channels at a later date.

Tieline Gateway codec available as an 8 or 16 channel version

 

The Gateway 4 on the other hand supports 4 channels in/out and channels are not upgradeable.

Tieline Gateway 4 codec supports up to 4 channels in/out only

Remote Contribution versus Content Distribution

Both the Gateway and Gateway 4 codecs are well positioned for remote contribution and program distribution requirements.

The Gateway is ideal for networks with large numbers of incoming remote feeds, or if distribution of multiple IP streams to affiliates or STL sites is required. Plus, networks can partition channels for different stations, and even expand channel density from 8 up to 16 as required, if network requirements expand over time.

Tieline Gateway also supports multiple multi-unicasts and multicasts

 

For larger networks, the Gateway 4 is ideal for transmitter sites, remote trucks or rack-mounted remote kits. For affiliates and smaller stations it can be used to transport studio-to-studio links, or a stereo studio-to-transmitter link signal plus another stereo connection, or dual mono connections for remotes. Multi-unicasting to 20 endpoints and multicasting are also supported.

Gateway-4 codec streams stereo and mono audio with ViA codec
Gateway 4 is perfect to use with the ViA and other remote codecs, as well as for STLs or studio-to-studio links

Is Gateway backward compatible with other codecs?

Both the Gateway 4 and Gateway codecs are backward compatible with all Tieline G3 and G5 codecs, including Commanders, the i-Mix, Bridge-IT, Genie and Merlin codecs. They are also compatible over SIP with all EBU N/ACIP Tech 3326 and 3368 compliant codecs and devices. This means you can continue to use older hardware as you transition to new equipment, or connect to competitor codecs when required.

The Latest Enhancements…

The pandemic highlighted the requirement for greater remote broadcast capability and more remote control flexibility across all areas of broadcast plant infrastructure. Flexibility can be described as:

  • Easy to deploy.
  • Simple to configure, connect and remotely control equipment.
  • Multiple layers of connectivity and redundancy.
  • Future proofing.

With Tieline’s Cloud Codec Controller* and Toolbox Web-GUI a codec can connect to the internet and be remotely configured and controlled from anywhere with an internet connection.

Plus, the Gateway and Gateway 4 also deliver hitless packet switching using Tieline’s renowned SmartStream PLUS redundant streaming, as well as bandwidth aggregation using Fuse-IP. Both the Gateway and Gateway 4 also feature dual internal power supplies, dual LAN ports and dual AoIP ports.

ViA Streaming 4 Simultaneous Streams to the Gateway Codec
ViA Streaming 4 Simultaneous Streams to the Gateway Delivers Multiple Redundant IP Streams

 

The Gateway and Gateway 4 codecs both employ the latest in IP streaming technologies to ensure rock solid, mission critical reliability across your broadcast plants. You can also be assured your equipment is future proofed as new technologies can be integrated over time through firmware updates – taking advantage of software enhancements. A module slot in each codec also extends the life of your codec by allowing new hardware technology to be added and deployed as required.

Want to know more?

For more information contact Tieline sales:

To find out more technical information about the Gateway visit www.tieline.com/gateway, and for the Gateway 4 visit www.tieline.com/gateway-4.

* Additional purchase.

(Understanding Gateway and Gateway 4 was first published in March 2021)

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Other Posts from Tieline

Visit Tieline at NAB2025

Visit Tieline at NAB2025 for FREE! The Tieline team will be at the 2025 NAB Show from the 6th to the 9th

Dante Beyond AV

Dante Beyond AV: Revolutionizing Broadcast Audio Workflows Dante has long been recognized as a game-changer in professional audio-visual (AV) industries. This Audio-over-IP