At ISE 2025, Hive unveiled its latest innovations, showcasing the Beeblade Nexus, an advanced media playback solution designed for high-performance 8K60 output in a compact SDM format. This breakthrough system introduces an industry-first daughter board with optical fiber Ethernet interfaces supporting 10, 25, and 100 Gigabit connectivity. This enables ultra-high bandwidth uncompressed streams via SMPTE 2110 and NDI, ensuring seamless integration into professional AV environments. Alongside Nexus, https://www.hive.run demonstrated its scalable enclosures, including the Nucleus, a two-slot rack-mounted system, and the Beehive, a 16-slot chassis capable of driving up to 16 synchronized 8K60 outputs with HDMI 2.1. This modular approach maximizes flexibility for installations in immersive experiences, exhibitions, and live production environments.
The Beeblade Nexus stands out for its cutting-edge synchronization technology. Hive’s proprietary Beesync system ensures precise frame synchronization across multiple Nexus units, achieving +/- 5-microsecond accuracy. This level of precision is crucial for large-scale video walls and complex projection-mapping installations. The system’s 8K60 HDMI 2.1 output quadruples the pixel density of its predecessors, pushing visual clarity and fluidity to new levels. Thanks to its SDM-L compatibility, the Nexus can be seamlessly embedded into compatible display devices, reducing the need for external media servers and simplifying complex AV setups.
Hive also introduced version 1.2 of its software, adding significant new functionalities for advanced video processing. The updated platform now includes 10-bit HDR support, advanced warp and blend capabilities for curved and multi-projector setups, and Vioso camera-based calibration workflows for automated projection alignment. A new scheduling tool simplifies media playback management, making the system even more adaptable for dynamic installations in retail, museums, and live events. These software advancements complement the hardware capabilities, ensuring users can achieve high-quality visuals with minimal setup complexity.
Hive talks collaboration with Panasonic on the “Global Teleport” project, a large-scale interactive installation allows attendees to scan a QR code, upload a photo, and see it instantly upscaled to 16K and displayed on Panasonic’s massive curved LED screen. Hive’s Beeblade technology handled the real-time image processing, blending, and warping, demonstrating its potential for high-impact, interactive digital signage and experiential marketing applications.
Hive showcased its new data automation tool, Dataflow which enables users to build custom logic for real-time interactivity, responding dynamically to triggers such as timecodes, button presses, or external sensor inputs. With a visual programming interface reminiscent of node-based logic systems, Dataflow simplifies automation for AV professionals, allowing for seamless content synchronization and audience-driven interactions. This development makes Hive’s ecosystem even more adaptable for live events, theme parks, and interactive museum exhibits.
The Beeblade Nexus’s support for SMPTE 2110, slated for release in Q2 2025, marks a significant shift for broadcast and live production workflows. By enabling uncompressed video, audio, and metadata transport over IP, this capability offers professionals greater flexibility and scalability for next-generation media distribution. The system’s ability to integrate seamlessly with Unreal Engine and Notch further extends its applications in virtual production, live concerts, and interactive experiences, positioning Hive at the forefront of real-time media technologies.
Hive’s hardware design prioritizes efficiency, with a compact form factor that minimizes heat generation while maximizing performance. The Beehive chassis includes a master cooling system with temperature-controlled airflow, preventing overheating even under extreme workloads. Each blade in the system is monitored via an OLED display, providing real-time diagnostics for codec performance, temperature status, and output configurations. This attention to operational stability ensures that Hive’s solutions remain reliable across demanding use cases, from high-end projection mapping to digital art installations.
Founded by industry veterans Dave Green and Mark Calvert, Hive has a deep-rooted history in media server innovation. Their expertise has driven the development of cost-effective, high-performance playback solutions, eliminating the need for oversized, expensive media servers. With the Beeblade Nexus and its supporting technologies, Hive is redefining what’s possible in scalable, modular AV systems, delivering unprecedented performance in an ultra-compact footprint. From immersive museums to high-profile trade shows, Hive’s latest offerings provide a future-proof solution for professionals demanding cutting-edge video playback capabilities.
