Introducing the Dualz Stream Gateway

Published: September 28, 2026 | Author: Dualz Solutions Team | Reading Time: 8 minutes

The broadcasting and streaming landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Where we once relied on dedicated hardware for every step of the workflow, software-based solutions now provide unmatched flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Yet one challenge remains constant: the complexity of network protocols. SRT, RIST, Zixi, HLS, UDP — each protocol has its own configuration options, error handling mechanisms, and recovery strategies. For broadcasters and streaming professionals, this means one of two costly scenarios:

1. Every application must support every protocol natively — requiring extensive development time and ongoing maintenance

2. Hardware devices handle protocol conversion — but at the cost of flexibility, scalability, and budget

The Problem with the Status Quo

Consider a typical broadcast operation:

- Satellite feeds arrive via DVB/SDI

- Contribution feeds come in via SRT or RIST

- CDN inputs use HLS or DASH

- Internal distribution might use UDP multicast

- Remote contributors use Zixi or SRT

Each of these needs to feed into:

- Multiviewers for monitoring

- Recording systems for compliance

- Transcoding pipelines for delivery

- Analysis tools for quality control

Without a centralized ingest layer, each of these downstream systems must handle all protocol types directly. This leads to:

- Increased development costs — Building protocol support into every application

- Maintenance burden — Keeping up with protocol updates across all systems

- Integration complexity — Managing multiple protocol implementations

- Limited flexibility — Difficulty adding new protocols or changing workflows

- Troubleshooting challenges — No single source of truth for what was received

The Stream Gateway Solution

The Dualz Stream Gateway provides a centralized, software-based ingest layer that abstracts away protocol complexity. Here's how it works:

1. Single Point of Ingest

Instead of each application handling protocols directly, the Stream Gateway receives all incoming streams — regardless of protocol — and provides clean, stable outputs to your downstream systems.

SRT Stream  ──┐
├──→ Stream Gateway ──→ Stable UDP Output ──→ Multiviewer
RIST Stream ──┘
├──→ Stable SRT Output ──→ Recorder
HLS Stream  ──┐
├──→ Stream Gateway ──→ Stable HLS Output ──→ CDN
Zixi Stream  ──┘

2. Protocol Conversion

The Stream Gateway can convert between protocols on the fly. Need to receive SRT but your multiviewer only supports UDP? No problem. Receiving RIST but need to output HLS for your CDN? The Gateway handles it automatically.

3. 24/7 Recording

Every stream that passes through the Gateway can be continuously recorded. This isn't just a nice-to-have feature — it's a game-changer for troubleshooting.

When a viewer reports an issue at a specific time, you can:

- Pull up the exact recording from that moment

- Verify what was received

- Compare with expected content

- Identify where the problem originated

No more guessing. No more "we can't reproduce it." Just definitive answers.

4. Built-in Monitoring

Real-time monitoring provides immediate visibility into:

- Stream health and status

- Quality metrics (bitrate, packet loss, jitter)

- Alarm conditions and thresholds

- Historical data and trends

Key Benefits

Cost Savings

- No hardware investment — Software-based solution runs on your existing servers

- Reduced development costs — No need to build protocol support into every application

- Lower maintenance — Single point of protocol management

- Scalability — Add capacity by scaling the Gateway, not by adding hardware

Operational Efficiency

- Single pane of glass — Monitor all incoming streams from one dashboard

- Centralized configuration — Manage all protocols from one interface

- Simplified workflows — Route streams to multiple destinations without protocol concerns

- Faster troubleshooting — 24/7 recording means you always have the evidence

Flexibility and Future-Proofing

- Protocol agnostic — Support for all major protocols, with more on the way

- Easy to extend — Add new protocols without touching downstream systems

- Cloud or on-premises — Deploy where it makes sense for your operation

- Integration ready — API access and webhooks for custom workflows

Use Cases

Broadcast Operations

Ingest satellite feeds, terrestrial signals, and contribution links through a single system. Convert legacy formats to modern IP workflows without replacing your existing infrastructure.

OTT Platforms

Receive HLS, DASH, SRT, and RIST streams from encoders and CDNs. Normalize all inputs to a common format for your transcoding pipeline.

CDN Operators

Verify incoming streams from contributors. Record all inputs for SLA verification. Provide contributors with a single endpoint that accepts any protocol.

Post-Production

Feed multiviewers and monitoring systems with stable, protocol-consistent streams. Record all inputs for quality control and compliance.

Getting Started

The Stream Gateway is available as:

- Cloud SaaS — Fully managed, pay-as-you-go

- Software License — Deploy on your own infrastructure

- Hybrid — Mix and match as needed

Contact us today to discuss your requirements and start a free trial.

This article is part of our [Stream Gateway Documentation](/resources) series. Subscribe to stay updated on new features and best practices.