The XDS-Headend DVB system is designed to enable networks to provide enhanced capability without a large investment in hardware. The XDS-Headend has standard interfaces to support integration with third party equipment such as encoders and satellite modulators. The XDS-Headend supports live channels for broadcast media. Live streams can be added in two ways. The XDS Encoder module can be inserted into the same VME chassis as the XDS-MUX module allowing direct multiplexing via VME backplane. A second option is to use a third party audio encoder with an ASI interface.