Removing the Reference Monitor: Improving Broadcast Control Room Workflows

Live broadcast environments are notoriously demanding and as expectations from both broadcasters and viewers continue to rise, so too does the pressure to create content that keeps viewers watching. In an industry that is highly competitive for audience attention, production teams are constantly looking for ways to deliver high-quality content while ensuring it can be viewed and experienced by as many people as possible.

One way to do this effectively is by ensuring that live broadcasts are transmitted in formats that can be viewed across a wide range of television technologies. As viewing technologies continue to evolve, new formats such as HDR require different signal types compared to traditional SDR formats. Delivering content in both formats can require separate production workflows or multiple camera systems which can increase complexity for broadcast teams.

Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) offers an alternative approach. Designed specifically for live broadcast environments, HLG saves bandwidth by enabling a single signal to be accurately viewable with both SDR and HLG-compatible displays. HLG doesn’t rely on metadata, which makes it more stable for live events compared to other technologies like HDR formats such as HDR10 (High Dynamic Range) that depend on it. This allows broadcasters to support a broader range of viewer devices without the need to duplicate production workflows and with optimized and more predictable overhead in the stream.

The Challenge of Monitoring HLG Content

Adopting HLG can introduce additional challenges within the broadcast control room. Operators often need to use separate reference monitors to verify the quality of the HLG content is accurate before it is transmitted to viewers. Introducing additional reference monitors can compromise valuable desktop real-estate and create additional steps to already complex operator workflows.

Bringing HLG Monitoring Directly to the Operator

To address this challenge, HLG compatibility has been introduced to the ADDERLink® INFINITY 4000 series. This new product feature enables operators to monitor HLG content directly from their workstation, removing the requirement to rely on separate reference monitors to confirm broadcast compatibility. As part of Adder’s award-winning IP KVM matrix range, the ADDERLink INFINITY 4000 series integrates seamlessly into existing IP infrastructures while contributing to future-proof broadcast workflows.

A key strength of the ADDERLink INFINITY range is its ability to provide secure access to systems and content regardless of location. With HLG compatibility now available within the ADDERLink INFINITY 4000series, operators can access HLG streams remotely. This capability is particularly valuable in challenging environments such as outside broadcast (OB) trucks, where space is limited and efficient workstation layouts are essential.

Visit our team at NAB Show 2026 on Booth N951 to learn more about our latest product developments.