TSA and Appear: Leadership in Professional IP Networks and UHD Distribution in Spain
Telefónica Servicios Audiovisuales (TSA) took part in the 4K-HDR Summit to present how it is leading the transformation of professional contribution and distribution networks in Spain. The session, led by José Luis García, Director of Engineering at TSA, showcased the company’s natural evolution: from a traditional systems integrator to a benchmark technology operator, capable of designing and operating critical IP infrastructures based on open standards and ready for UHD.
At the core of this strategy lies Appear’s technology, whose efficiency, resilience, and flexibility have become a fundamental pillar in TSA’s most recent deployments.
From Standard to Extreme Performance: the TSA + Appear Value Proposition.
The combination of TSA’s system integration capabilities with Appear’s technology makes it possible to address complex projects through a clear formula based on 100% IP architectures and highly efficient operations. On one hand, TSA designs infrastructures built on standards such as ST 2110, JPEG-XS, and HEVC, eliminating technological lock-in and enabling remote production, multiplatform distribution, and a gradual migration toward 4K and 8K. On the other hand, Appear acts as the technological engine for very high-density, low-latency video transport, enabling the management of dozens of signals per site with guaranteed quality.
Operations are centralized from TSAmediaHUB, the NOC located in Aravaca, which provides 24/7 service, advanced monitoring, and simplified management through Appear Estate Manager, significantly reducing diagnostic and support times. All of this is delivered within an ecosystem designed to scale, whether by incorporating new protocols, increasing the number of channels, adopting native UHD, or migrating to 100 Gb links without structural redesign.
Technical Capabilities that Differentiate TSA
TSA’s value proposition is supported by a consolidated set of technical capabilities covering the entire professional contribution and distribution lifecycle.
Connectivity and Operations
• Diversified networks with links ranging from 10 to 100 Gb.
• Contribution and distribution in TSoIP, ST 2110, SDI, and hybrid environments.
• Integration with professional networking equipment such as Cisco.
Video Processing and Transport with Appear
• Contribution: SDI → JPEG-XS → ST 2110.
• Distribution: ST 2110 → AVC/HEVC → TSoIP and SDI.
• High signal density per node, even at remote locations.
• Native security through BISS-CA.
UHD-Ready Infrastructures
• 4K-ready environments with 12G-SDI ports.
• Capacity to transport multiple UHD signals simultaneously.
• Advanced monitoring compatible with HDR.
Centralized Management and Control
• Orchestration, monitoring, and alarm management integrated with Appear Estate Manager.
• Reduced OPEX and incident resolution times.
Democratizing Professional Contribution
One of TSA’s strategic lines is to bring Tier-1 level technology, traditionally reserved for large operators, to smaller-scale projects. This approach makes it possible to apply the same technological robustness to sports, cultural, and corporate events through:
• Compact and portable equipment.
• Optimized cost per feed.
• Operation accessible to non-specialized staff.
• Reliability and low latency typical of top-tier productions.
In this way, regional competitions, educational institutions, or music events can access infrastructures with the same level of quality as major national projects.
A Recent Example: National UHD-Ready IP Network
During the presentation at the 4K-HDR Summit, a recent project was showcased that illustrates the maturity of the TSA + Appear partnership. It involved the design and implementation, in record time, of a national IP-based contribution and distribution network built entirely on professional standards and operated from TSAmediaHUB.
The deployment included more than 48 video links per site, simultaneous installations across multiple locations, and operation in 1080p50 HDR, with an infrastructure ready to evolve to native 4K. The full integration of Appear technology across contribution, distribution, and monitoring was key to the success of the project, developed for a major national sports operator and fully transferable to any professional audiovisual network.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Professional Contribution and Distribution
TSA’s participation in the 4K-HDR Summit reinforces its role as a benchmark technology integrator and operator in Spain. The combination of real-world experience in national deployments, robust and scalable IP infrastructures, and Appear’s high-density video technology places TSA in a privileged position to support broadcasters, OTT platforms, federations, production companies, and public institutions in their transition toward remote production models, IP distribution, and next-generation UHD environments.
Image courtesy of 4K Summit