Backstage
Brainsalt delivers Backstage, a premier media server solution meticulously engineered for the rigors of show-critical environments and high-end visual installations. By combining a robust 12-bit processing pipeline with a node-based visual programming interface, Backstage offers the versatility required for everything from complex projection mapping on irregular geometries to massive, high-bandwidth LED pipelines. Designed to bridge the gap between creative ambition and technical reliability, the platform ensures uncompromising image fidelity through support for uncompressed sequences and advanced HDR color management, making it the definitive choice for professionals demanding absolute control over their media ecosystems.
Explore What Backstage Can offer for You.
Backstage is a high-performance media server software designed for real-time video playback, GPU-accelerated pixel processing, and multi-output mapping, specifically engineered for show-critical applications. It enables real-time multilayer compositing and simultaneous multi-surface output mapping across displays, LED walls, and projection systems. This includes edge-blended multi-projector setups that remain adaptable to arbitrary screen geometries and complex output topologies. Outputs can be configured as straight GPU feeds, rectangular splits, or custom pixel-mapped layouts to match demanding LED and projection pipelines.
Backstage operates with a future-proof 8 / 10 / 12-bit processing pipeline, optimized for uncompressed image sequences to deliver uncompromising image quality and high-bandwidth performance. It also supports selected modern codecs such as NotchLC, HAP, H.264/H.265/H.266, AV1, VP9, and MPEG2, plus common encryption (CENC) for protected media workflows. Supported sources include still images, multichannel audio, Notch Blocks, HTML5, NDI (HQ/HX), Spout/Unity textures, and capture input through dedicated hardware.
For synchronized multi-server deployments, Backstage provides frame-accurate playback synchronization via PTP v2 (self-generated or external) and supports LTC timecode input/output through audio or dedicated hardware. The render architecture supports multiple output refresh rates via render groups and can align GPU output timing to the media frame rate, with optional frame blending for frame rate conversion.
Color management is handled per media and per output, supporting SDR and HDR pipelines through configurable color primaries (BT.601, BT.709, BT.2020, DCI-P3, AdobeRGB, custom RGBW) and transfer functions (Gamma, sRGB, ST.2084/PQ, HLG, Log, Linear). Backstage provides passthrough when compatible and conversion when required to ensure consistent reproduction across heterogeneous systems.
For show control and integration, the software includes a node-based visual programming environment interfacing with internal playback/render components (sequencer, assets, mappings, surfaces, mixer, outputs) and external systems via UDP, TCP, ArtNet, and sACN. It supports headless operation with UI streaming to Windows and macOS clients, enabling multi-user access and custom operator control panels.
The output subsystem supports GPU display pipelines, NDI, ArtNet, shared memory/texture exchange, audio routing, and recording to DPX, SBSM, H.264, and AV1. Pixel processing includes real-time keying (color/chroma) and advanced blend/compositing modes. Backstage also supports stereoscopic workflows via stereo containers and multiple 3D formats including side-by-side, top/bottom, interleaved, passive/active 3D, and whiteline code.
Specifications
| Supported media types |
| Uncompressed Video (DPX, TGA, TGA Alpha, TIFF, SBSM) Compressed Video (Notch LC, HAP, HAP Alpha, HAP Q, HAP Q Alpha, HAP R, H.264, H.265, H.266, AV1, VP9, MPEG2) Support for common encryption (CENC) Still images (JPG, PNG, TGA, SPX, TIFF, BMP) Audio (WAV, AIFF, AAC, MPEG3, OGG) Notch Blocks, including timeline based adjustments of proposed parameters Webpages (HTML5) NDI (HQ, HX) Texture (SPOUT, Unity through plugin) Capture Input (through dedicated hardware) Support for realtime tempo adjustment and reverse playback for uncompressed video and audio |
| Outputs |
| Support for different output refresh rates through render groups. Support to adjust GPU output refresh rate dependent on media framerate. Framerate Conversion through frame-blending if needed. Warping, Blending, Brightness Correction Black Level Correction (with Optional Calibrator) • GPU (straight, rectangular splits or custom pixel mapped) NDI (HQ) DMX (Artnet) Shared Memory, Shared Texture File Recording (DPX, SBSM, H.264, AV1) Audio Mixer (Matrix, Ambisonic) Audio (ASIO) |
| Performance Monitoring and Logging |
| Track system performance and log important events for analysis and optimization |
| Data Maintenance |
| Monitoring hard drive performance and addressing the effects of data aging on solid-state drives to ensure smooth operation |
| Headless Operation – User Interface |
| User interfaces for users and operators are streamed over network to dedicated client software (MAC, PC) Multiple users can work on the server at the same time User interfaces for operators can be created in node based visual programming interface. |
| Annotation Tool |
| Freeze media and multiuser annotate from tabled Save screenshots and annotations to pdf Requires Windows tablet for running our annotation software |
| Color space |
| Individually adjustable for each media and each output Supported Primaries: BT.601, BT.709, BT.2020, DCI-P3, Adobe RGB, Custom (RGBW) Supported Transfer: Gamma, sRGB, ST.2084, HLG, Log, Linear Handling: Passthrough, if media and output color primaries and transfer are identical, otherwise converted |
| Supported stereoscopic media workflows |
| Any supported media type can be placed into a stereo container with left and right eye media (total 2 channel or 4 channel) and used in the sequencer like any other media Active 3D capture through DP 1.2 capture card Supported output formats (on GPU outputs): Passive 3D, Active 3D, Whiteline code, Line-interleaved, Columninterleaved, Side-by-side, Top-Bottom |
| Playback synchronisation |
| Within server network sync is created through PTP version 2 (self generated or external) LTC timecode input and output through audio or dedicated hardware. |
| Pixel processing functions |
| Combine multiple media to single frame (render cluster capture) Key (Color, Chroma) Blend (Add, Subtract, Reverse Subtract, Min, Max, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Luminosity, Colorburn, Colordodge, Contrast, Darken, Difference and many more |
| Show Logic |
| Node based visual programming interface Access to many internal components (assets, sequencer, surfaces, mappings, mixer, outputs, etc.) Automate show progress and interface to 3rd parties (UDP, TCP, ArtNet, sACN) Generative nodes for subtitles, timecode, text Mathematical and logical functions Customized function blocks and UI creation |
| Movie Licensing System |
| Movie and license management through internet for encrypted movies (CENC) |
Screenshots
Basic Workflow
After startup, the client will show all available servers in the network.
Interface
The GUI consists of flexible elements and snapping windows, the layout is adjustable.
Connect Outputs
Project a view to a GPU output, simply route the projector in the Video Routing window.
Apply Warping
Working with camera based auto calibration software, apply output warping manually.
Automate Show Logic in Nodes
Specify triggers of external events or free to define GUI elements, in the below case a sequencer starts to play with a fade in, if a button is pressed.
Load Content and put on Screen
Load your media through the asset manager and put it into the sequencer by drag and drop.
It all starts with a 3D scene
Backstage allows you to build your “real world” environment in its powerful 3D editor.