Understanding Cablecast Hardware
Cablecast runs on a family of dedicated hardware servers, each designed for a different combination of broadcast, streaming, and on-demand needs. This article introduces the main hardware types, so you know what you're working with before diving into day-to-day operations.
Video Servers
Video servers are the core of a Cablecast installation. They handle channel playout — receiving video files, running your schedule, and sending your signal out to cable.
Cablecast video servers come in four models. The right choice depends on how many channels your organization runs.
VIOLite supports up to two channels of SDI output. It can be configured as two outputs or one input and one output.
VIO2 also supports up to two channels of SDI. It ships in a one input / one output configuration and can be reconfigured as two outputs.
VIO4 supports up to four channels of SDI and can be configured in any combination of inputs and outputs — for example, one input and three outputs, or two inputs and two outputs.
VIO4+ supports four inputs and four outputs simultaneously. Unlike the other video server models, its input/output configuration is fixed.
Video on Demand (VOD)
The VOD server makes your content available for on-demand viewing through your Internet Channel. Viewers can watch shows at any time, rather than only when they air on your linear schedule. VOD is often paired with a video server, but it is a separate hardware component.
Live Servers
Live servers encode and stream your channel as a continuous 24/7 live stream. Cablecast offers two options depending on how many simultaneous streams your station needs:
Live Solo supports a single live stream — a good fit for stations running one channel.
Live Multi supports up to four simultaneous live streams, which is useful for stations running multiple channels.
All-in-One Solutions
For stations that want everything in a single unit, Cablecast offers two consolidated server options.
VIO Omni combines a video server, VOD, and live streaming into one channel-in-a-box solution. It's designed for stations that want the full Cablecast feature set without managing multiple separate hardware components. The VIO Omni is available in VIOLite and VIO2 configurations.
VIOStream combines video management, VOD, and live streaming in a single unit — but its output is an HLS web stream rather than an SDI signal. This makes it the right fit for organizations that operate a streaming-only channel and don't have a linear cable presence.
Not Sure What You Have?
If you're not certain which hardware your station is running, check with your system administrator or contact Cablecast Support.