During the 2026 NAB Show, Dejero and other exhibitors have announced that they will be offering a “Field to Air” demo bringing together a full end-to-end live production chain across multiple booths on the show floor.

The participants stressed that the “Field to Air” effort will not be a staged demo, but as real, continuous signal paths operating in real time between the partners’ stands.

The demonstration brings together Clear-Com, Eutelsat, GlobalM, Matrox Video, and Ross Video alongside Dejero in a live demo that runs across multiple booths on the NAB show floor.

From field capture to air, every link in the production chain will operate in real time over TITAN Command–featuring three independent 5G modems, integrated antennas and Dejero Smart Blending Technology, combining cellular and Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO constellation into a resilient and reliable network.

“This isn’t a canned demo. It is a live proof of concept showing the broadcast industry what happens when the world’s most reliable connectivity meets the world’s best production technology,” said Michael Stanton, director of sales for the Americas at Dejero. “Field to Air brings together partners that broadcasters already trust, united by one thing: Dejero critical connectivity.”

The workflow combines Dejero’s blended connectivity (cellular + LEO satellite via Eutelsat), live encoding, transport, and downstream production systems, creating a true field to air pipeline that runs live throughout the event. It’s a multi-partner ecosystem designed to show how modern broadcast workflows can be built across distributed infrastructure, rather than relying on fixed, single location systems .

As part of the demo, GlobalM plays a central role in making that architecture work, acting as the multi-point distribution layer within the signal chain.

Using its software-defined video network, GlobalM receives the live contribution feed and distributes it in real time to multiple destinations across the NAB show floor, enabling each partner to integrate the signal into their own workflows simultaneously. This is where the orchestration layer becomes critical at managing routing, scaling, and per-destination delivery without duplicating the source feed. In practice, GlobalM is what turns a single contribution into a fully connected, multi-destination live production environment, tying together the entire ecosystem in a way that reflects how modern broadcast infrastructure is evolving.

The partners describes how it works and the primary workflow as follows:

• Field Capture: Dejero EnGo 3 mobile transmitter captures live video in the field using Live Video + GateWay mode, blending cellular and OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity via Eutelsat.
• Encoding: TITAN Command powers the live feed via Matrox’s REMI kit and Monarch Edge encoder, leveraging SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) at 10 Mbps per stream with a target latency of 200–300 milliseconds.
• Distribution: GlobalM’s software-defined video network (SDVN) serves as the multi-point SRT distribution hub, delivering low-latency and high-resilience feeds simultaneously to multiple partner destinations across the NAB show halls.
• Decoding & Production: Partner booths receive and integrate the live feeds into their own production workflows. Ross Video integrates feeds into its production switcher and core router, while Matrox, Eutelsat, and other partners decode and display and process the live signal at their respective booths.
• Additional workflows include Clear-Com’s tally services running on a separate IP path, as well as an NDI HX demonstration via the Dejero WayPoint Flex platform.

The six partners are multiple booths are:

• Dejero (W2761): TITAN Command and EnGo mobile transmitters provide the critical connectivity backbone for the entire demonstration.
• Eutelsat (W3409 & SL300): OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity integrated via REMI Kit and Monarch Edge encoder, with daily live transmissions from the Eutelsat truck.
• Ross Video (N2005): Integrates Dejero connectivity in its latest production truck built by Gerling and Associates, connecting live feeds via the Ross OSG-8971 SRT gateway to the truck’s core router and production switcher.
• Matrox Video (N2451): Supplies the REMI kit for field encoding and Monarch Edge encoder/decoder for SRT transport, streaming feeds to its booth and to Ross.
• Clear-Com (C5807): Provides return video, and tally services, including the launch of FreeSpeak Cell, a new cellular-based intercom ecosystem.
• GlobalM (W3736): Operates the multi-point SRT distribution hub via its software-defined video network, delivering low-latency and high-resilience feeds to all partner destinations.

“Eutelsat brings a longstanding history of delivering satellite-based broadcasting solutions to customers around the world. Our innovative OneWeb LEO constellation extends video expertise to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity worldwide,” said Genaro Grajeda, key accounts manager for the Americas at Eutelsat. “Partnering with Dejero at NAB 2026 demonstrates the power of combining satellite and cellular connectivity for mission-critical broadcast production.”

“This is a strong example of how the right partners can come together to solve real production challenges,” said Jeff Moore, executive vice president and CMO, Ross Video. “Everything here is live and connected, and it shows how easily these workflows can come together.”

Throughout NAB 2026, Dejero and Eutelsat will produce live interview sessions streamed to YouTube from the Eutelsat truck, featuring partners, customers, and industry leaders. The live transmission schedule includes:

Sunday, April 19 – Tuesday, April 21: Morning sessions at 11:00 AM PT daily

Monday, April 20 – Tuesday, April 21: Afternoon sessions at 2:00 PM PT

Each session will run 15–30 minutes and feature technically knowledgeable spokespeople from each partner organization, demonstrating the technology in real time and discussing the workflows and partner ecosystem.

NAB 2026 takes place April 19–22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Dejero will be exhibiting at West Hall, Booth 2761. For more information, visit dejero.com/nab-2026..

GOLD COAST, Australia—For more than a decade, the Australian-based co-production involving A Suite Production and Creative Illusion has delivered production services for the annual World Ocean Series (WOS). During that time, we have played a key role in helping the event successfully grow its media output from a simple live wirecast to Facebook and YouTube into a high-quality, livestreamed production distributed to multiple OTT platforms, including 7Plus, Kayo Sports and TVNZ+.

From November to February, we spend 10-plus production days on the beaches of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia livestreaming the WOS, where elite surf sport athletes from across the globe participate in the Ironman-style tournament.

Battling the Tide
Beach environments are tricky terrains—the heat, rain, sand, salt and ocean mist take a toll on equipment. In the early days, we would set up camp with a Windows PC running off a generator and run cables to a single drone and a few “lock-off” static cameras. It wasn’t unusual to have issues with the gear or for computers to overheat. During our first season, we even misjudged the tide in one location and the director ended up ankle deep in water for the entire live stream.

That forced us to reimagine our approach. For the following few series, we decided to hire an OB truck to keep the majority of equipment out of the elements. It was the right thing to do to increase production value and mitigate equipment failure—but the cost and time spent transporting the truck and the crew, coupled with the laborious task of digging trenches for cables, became a significant burden.

Two years ago at a WOS event in Manly, near Sydney, a couple of unfortunate incidents highlighted the vulnerabilities of that approach. After a 900-mile truck journey and another long cable-trench dig along the beach—from the car park to the starting line and commentator platform—an overnight street sweeper accidentally destroyed our fiber lines.

In a panic, we managed to rerun the cables but then, just before airtime, the event was canceled due to sharks in the water. The event organizers had already paid for the OB truck, the crew’s wages and their accommodation and flights. It was a major loss.

Cutting the Cable
That’s when we decided to leverage Dejero Smart Blending Technology and implement an all-remote, cable-free production workflow.

We now deploy Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters for our live camera feeds. Each EnGo is equipped with six SIM cards that aggregate signals from multiple carriers. These powerful units blend any IP network (3G/4G/5G, Wi-Fi, LEO/MEO/GEO satellite and broadband) and seamlessly incorporate Starlink when needed in remote locations.

The benefits of the solution have transformed our production by eliminating expensive OB truck rental and transportation and enabling remote production with our home-based control room. Our remote workflow centers around a central control room where a Dejero WayPoint receives the EnGo feeds.

Producers, directors and graphics operators do not need to come on-site. They do switching, replays and add graphics remotely, then we send everything down to master control via the Dejero feed. Commentary teams use a multiviewer to monitor all feeds in real time and we utilize EnGo’s IFB voice communication for director-to-camera operator communication.

The Dejero equipment has not only streamlined our operations but also enhanced our production quality; we’ve achieved increased mobility, sub-second glass-to-glass latency and superior picture quality. Client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers noting a marked improvement in quality, which has attracted more event sponsors.

We’ve just wrapped our second season using this Dejero-centric workflow and the results speak for themselves: lower costs, reduced stress and higher-quality broadcasts. Our next innovations include jet ski cameras and additional drone feeds—continuing to push boundaries in live sports broadcasting from challenging environments.

For more information, click here.

WATERLOO, Canada—Stream7, a U.K.-based live event broadcast and production company, relied on Dejero Smart Blending Technology to live stream a historic three-day blockchain institution assembly, connecting 500 delegates in Argentina with 50 in Kenya to enable real-time negotiations and the signing of a new constitution.

Stream7 managed the event’s live streaming operations for First Event, a corporate events company. The hybrid streaming specialist turned to Dejero solutions for guaranteed, uninterrupted 1080p video quality and seamless two-way communications between the locations, Dejero said.

“Both locations posed network challenges, including the risk of power outages and unstable network infrastructure,” said Darren Wain, managing director at Stream7. “We relied entirely on the Dejero EnGo 265 with GateWay Mode for internet connectivity in Kenya, and the GateWay 211 provided crucial internet back-up in Argentina, which is notorious for rolling blackouts.”

Silicon Savvy provisioned four international roaming SIMs for a Dejero EnGo 265 mobile video transmitter in Kenya. Watchapp supplied a Dejero GateWay 211 network aggregation device via Hi-Chat in Argentina, ensuring a reliable backup connection, Dejero said.

“There is no other connectivity solution in the market that can match the reliability of the Dejero units,” said Wain. “Its high-gain antennas and intelligent network blending– far beyond simple cellular bonding–meant we were able to deliver a first-class service as the streaming partner for this event. Dejero also enabled us to expand from one planned stream to three live 4K streams for additional sponsors.”

Both the GateWay and EnGo solutions leverage the company’s Smart Blending Technology to dynamically combine multiple wired and wireless connections to deliver reliable operation, expanded coverage and increased bandwidth for live streaming, it said.

Set up for the event proved to be easy. “We had just seven days to organize streaming at the Kenyan location, but with the fantastic support provided by Dejero and their partners, along with the operational simplicity of the solutions, it was a stress-free experience,” said Wain. “The fact that Dejero can also blend Starlink satellite networks into the mix could be a game changer for us in future challenging network environments.”

Stream7 dedicated nine people in Argentina and three in Kenya for the virtual assembly.

More information is available on the Dejero and Stream7 websites.

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero will demonstrate its connectivity technology by simulating live remote broadcast production, livestreaming from the Las Vegas Strip to its booth during the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The company will send two “correspondents” to conduct live interviews from various locations in Las Vegas. One will use the Dejero EnGo 3 mobile video transmitter, a GoPro camera and a Starlink Mini satellite antenna. The other will use the Dejero LivePlus App installed on an iOS smartphone, the company said.

Dejero will collaborate with partners Tividoo and Grabyo to run the live streams three times a day at its NAB Show booth (SL8516).

“We wanted to bring the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip live to our NAB booth visitors and demonstrate how powerful and simple our connectivity solutions are in a live production scenario,” Dejero Director of Sales for the Americas Michael Stanton said. “Vegas is a bustling city with thousands of tourists, so network congestion can be rife for broadcasters in such environments. Where better to demonstrate just how our Smart Blending Technology can deliver exceptional picture quality with low latency?”

Also Read: Click Here for More Coverage of NAB Show 2025

Smart Blending Technology combines multiple IP connections from diverse network providers, including fiber/broadband, 4G/5G and GEO/LEO/MEO satellites. The Dejero EnGo 3 and LivePlus App on the Strip will blend Starlink and cellular network paths to achieve uninterrupted connectivity, the company said.

Dejero’s GateWay network-aggregation device will provide reliable internet backhaul. Video signals will be sent to a Dejero Pathway encoder via a WayPoint receiver located in a simulated production environment. Both the EnGo 3 and LivePlus App are equipped with IFB to provide one-way voice communication from a director at the hub to the reporters on the Strip, the company said.

The company will show EnGo 3, EnGo 3x and EnGo 3s 5G mobile video transmitter with GateWay mode. The transmitters support up to four fully frame-synced HD streams or one 4K stream and incorporate the company’s Smart Blending Technology. Latency as low as 0.5 seconds is achievable via bonded cellular connections, it said.

It also feature its GateWay 3220, a resilient, compact network aggregation device powered by Dell Technologies. It integrates Smart Blending Technology to deliver reliable mobile connectivity and provides connectivity to the internet, cloud applications and private networks.

More information is available on the company’s website.

See Dejero at 2025 NAB Show booth SL8516.

LONDON—TJC, part of the Vaibhav Global Ltd. family,
is a U.K.-based teleshopping channel, bringing a wide-ranging collection of lifestyle products to its audiences, from finely crafted jewelry and premium beauty products to home and garden decor.

Together with our sister TV shopping channels in the U.S. and Germany, we tirelessly search for unique and captivating pieces, directly sourcing from over 32 countries. We also pride ourselves on production value and like to engage our audience from different locations in ways that are fun and unique.

30-Minute Setup
We were the pioneers of remote broadcasting in the live- teleshopping space, where we have successfully moved outside the studio to create content using Dejero’s EnGo mobile video transmitters and WayPoint receiver. Since we’ve been using Dejero (2020 onwards), it no longer takes a day and a half to set up a studio; we can go from nothing to being ready to broadcast from anywhere in less than 30 minutes.

Last year our U.S. sister company, Shop LC, found themselves broadcasting live from a haunted hotel in Tonopah, Nevada, an old mining town in the middle of the desert. They wanted to bring the viewers a rich historical experience about the town’s gold and silver deposits during their live buying journey.

They brought four Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters and three Starlink satellite dishes on-site. Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology augmented Starlink’s capacity by blending its LEO satellite network with multiple wired (Ethernet) and wireless (cellular) IP connections. There was no way they could have gone live without Dejero, considering the fluctuating service gaps, fiber and cellular, that existed in such a remote location.

We also conducted a live broadcast from the desert in Tucson, Arizona, where the presenters were selling products while walking among giant cacti. Even in this remote location, connectivity was no issue for TJC because of Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology. In fact, the viewers assumed the background was a greenscreen because of how clear the transmission was. The presenter and guest had to walk through the landscape to prove it was real and were able to answer text messages live, in a different time zone.

EnGo Sharing
EnGo travelled to Italy multiple times last year, broadcasting not only for TJC but also for our U.S. and German sister channels, using EnGo’s “sharing” feature. For the Vicenza Jewelry show, we had to set up on the rooftop of an Airbnb in Venice. The building’s internet connection was almost nonexistent, so we used a SIM card in the EnGo with roaming data, running a CuePoint return feed off a smartphone. EnGo performed flawlessly.

Our parent company, Vaibhav Global, saves money by using Dejero—we can send just one crew member to any location to meet a local presenter for a live broadcast. In Germany and the U.K., we even use an EnGo to mix on-site. In the pre-Dejero days, because of the complexities and cost of RF and booking satellites and hiring production trucks, we simply couldn’t justify these on-location broadcasts.

Shop LC in the U.S. uses two EnGos and eight LivePlus App licenses to remote guests in from all over the world. We’ve made it as easy as possible for the guests, who can be set up and ready to go live in five minutes. Not only is the connectivity reliable, the units are robust: Despite hitting more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Italy and in the deserts of Nevada and Arizona, the EnGo mobile transmitters were “bulletproof.”

More information is available at www.dejero.com.

Missed any of our recent product news? Here is TV Tech's weekly wrap-up of new products, services and deployments we published in our newsletter between July 22 and July 26. The stories are listed from the newest on Friday July 26, day by day back to our stories from Monday July 22.

Telos Alliance Unveils StudioCore, StudioEdge

Telos Alliance has introduced StudioCore and StudioEdge—both members of the company’s Axia lineup of AoIP studio consoles and accessories.

Bitcentral Integrates Pixalate Analytics Into ViewNexa

Bitcentral has integrated Pixalate’s ad fraud protection, privacy and compliance analytics solution Post-Bid Analytics and Reporting into its ViewNexa streaming platform.

Anton/Bauer Unveils VCLX LI 1600 Power Supply for Cinematographers

Anton/Bauer has launched its VCLX LI 1600, the latest evolution in its VCLX range of block battery systems. The new battery delivers more power than ever from a lightweight and IP65-rated weatherproof unit, the company said.

Nielsen’s Gracenote Enters Contextual CTV Ad Business

Gracenote is now working with Peer39, Magnite, Cannella Media, Ocean Media, DirecTV Advertising, Tastemade, Xumo and others to improve contextual advertising.

What Role Does VVC Have in the Future of Over-the-Air TV?

Recent panel discussion explores ATSC's consideration of the VVC (Versatile Video Coding) candidate standard to include in 3.0. 

Dejero to Showcase its ‘Smart Blending Technology’ at 2024 IBC Show

The company will also mark the IBC debut of its new GateWay 3220 compact network aggregation device.

Alibaba Cloud, OBS Launch AI-Fueled OBS Cloud 3.0 for Paris Olympics

In a notable milestone in the use of cloud-based services at the Olympics, Alibaba Cloud and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), has today announced the launch of OBS Cloud 3.0 for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

FCC Launches New Mobile Speed Test App

The Federal Communications Commission has announced the launch of its new Mobile Speed Test app. The new app features an enhanced user interface that makes challenging the accuracy of the provider-reported mobile coverage data even easier.

LiveU Reports Vital Role in Covering UK Election

Company says 180 broadcasters and news agencies from 40 countries deployed its IP video gear.

Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle Launches

Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced the launch of their long-awaited premium streaming bundle for the United States. 

Scripps' Incident Management Planning Minimizes CrowdStrike Disruptions

While some news operations were affected, tech support prep and Macs limited the problems.

Astera to Showcase LunaBulb LED Light at 2024 IBC Show

Astera, a German-based developer of light solutions for film, event and TV markets, will showcase its range of LED-based lighting gear, including its new LunaBulb, at the 2024 IBC Show, Sept. 13-16 at the RAI Amsterdam.

Brazil’s SBTVD Forum Recommends ATSC 3.0 Physical Layer For Nation’s TV 3.0 OTA Service

The SBTVD Forum, the non-profit organization that advises the Brazilian government on digital television and policy matters, is recommending the selection of the ATSC 3.0 physical layer as the over-the-air transmission system for the nation’s TV 3.0 next-generation terrestrial broadcast service, ATSC said.

RAI Taps Clear-Com for New Intercom Setup

Clear-Com has announced that it worked with Video Progetti to deliver an advanced intercom solution for Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), Italy’s state broadcaster.

Sencore to Feature Latest Internet Distribution, Contribution Advancements at IBC Show

The company also will show its latest developments in encoding, decoding and monitoring.

NBC Sports Taps Comcast Technology Solutions for Olympics Coverage

NBC Sports has announced that it will be using Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) to provide multiscreen video management and delivery for its production of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

QuickLink To Highlight StudioPro 4K Video Production Solution At IBC Show

QuickLink will show its QuickLink StudioPro 4K video production platform at IBC 2024, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

IBC 2024 Sees European Debut of Proton Cam, World’s Smallest Camera

Miniaturized camera specialist Proton Camera Innovations will be bringing Proton Cam, which the company bills as the world’s smallest broadcast camera, to the IBC Show, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

Gray Television To Enhance Paris Olympics NextGen TV Signal With HDR, Immersive Audio

The broadcast group will offer NextGen TV viewers in eight of its NBC markets the Paris Olympics in HDR when they open Wednesday, July 24. Viewers in three of those markets also will be able to listen to immersive audio of the games.

Lawo To Launch Home mc² DSP App Audio Engine At IBC Show

Lawo will make the official launch of HOME mc² DSP app, first announced at the NAB Show in April, at IBC 2024, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

DMC Productions Leverages GV AMPP-Based Workflow for Nordic Tennis Tournament

DMC Productions has deployed a remote production workflow that processes all signals on site as opposed to transporting them for off-site processing based on Grass Valley AMPP for the 2024 Nordea Open tennis tournament, July 8-21, the company said.

Amazon Prime Video Acquires Bray Film Studios in the U.K.

The studio has been the production home for the second season of the Prime Video series `The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ since 2022.

Paramount Advertising Brings AI-Generated Ads to Pluto TV, Paramount+

Powered by generative AI partner Waymark, Paramount's new Paramount Ads Manager creates CTV ads based on images, text, and videos derived from a business’s website.

Perifery Introduces AI+ 2.0 Suite of Tools

Perifery has launched AI+ 2.0, an AI-powered suite for media professionals to revitalize their existing content libraries with AI-generated metadata.

FOR-A to Spotlight Software-Defined IP Solutions At IBC Show

FOR-A will show spotlight software-defined IP solutions and hybrid production at the IBC Show, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

Dejero plans to highlight the latest version of its patented Smart Blending Technology in live demonstrations at its booth at the 2024 IBC Show, Sept. 13-17.

Built into its EnGo 3x 5G mobile video transmitter with GateWay mode and its new GateWay 3220 network aggregation device (both showcasing at IBC), Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology simultaneously blends together multiple wired (broadband, fiber) and wireless (3G/4G/5G & satellite) IP connections from multiple providers to form a virtual Dejero “network of networks,” the company said.

Dejero says its new improved algorithm renders the connection even more stable, in all latency settings, so that users can now transmit high-quality live video with glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over bonded cellular. This gives remote broadcast and production teams uninterrupted access to stable, reliable internet from anywhere, according to the company.

The EnGo 3x native 5G mobile video transmitter with multicam and GateWay mode is a two-in-one device that leverages network aggregation technology to provide news and production teams with access to stable, reliable internet from anywhere, Dejero said. Using EnGo 3x with GateWay Mode, remote crews can broadcast breaking news, quickly transfer files to prepare and upload packages while in the field, and set up high-bandwidth access points for multiple devices.

This wireless broadband internet connectivity increases capacity for data-intensive applications such as newsroom systems or editing tools; creates broader coverage areas; and enhances reliability through connection diversity, according to the company. It also supports virtual private network (VPN) tunneling for secure access to an organization’s networks, alleviating increasing concerns about data protection.

“In these times of mass news and media consumption on social media and news websites, speed is as important as accuracy in journalism,” explains Matt Scully, director of product management, Dejero. “Establishing an ultra-reliable connection path between the studio and field to streamline communications, hit tight deadlines, and boost productivity is vital.”

Its large touchscreen with simple interface and new wired remote, field operators can easily start and stop, live, and monitor battery status, Dejero said. Crews can use Dejero Control cloud-based management system to remotely control EnGo units, preview incoming feeds and distribute content from anywhere.

The ruggedized EnGo 3x transmits up to four fully frame-synced HD feeds from a single unit, so users can create dynamic productions at a fraction of the cost, according to the company.

Making its IBC debut, the new GateWay 3220 is a resilient and compact network aggregation device powered by Dell Technologies, which also integrates Dejero Smart Blending Technology. Specifically designed and engineered to deliver optimal blended connectivity at the far edge of a network, the ruggedized and fanless chassis is ideal for installation in vehicles and portable kits to obtain resilient connectivity to the internet, cloud applications, and private networks, Dejero said. The compact form factor of the GateWay 3220 means that field crews can stay connected while capturing dynamic or nomadic shots, when space is limited and when cellular connectivity isn’t readily available or able to support the bandwidth required for large data/file transfers.

“Access to reliable, resilient internet in the field is essential—whether you’re looking to produce more news stories for your traditional and digital platforms, access newsroom systems, do additional research for a story, or remotely send in edited packages,” Scully adds.

IBC will also see Dejero’s new Linux-based virtual WayPoint receiver. Designed to serve as the foundation for all Cloud base IP formats, it currently supports RTMP and RTMPS formats, imminently followed by support for NDI and SRT.

“We know that it’s important for our customers to be able to deliver video and data directly into the cloud in a format that is flexible,” says Scully. “Whether that is SRT, NDI or the next standard, it’s so important to be interoperable in order to deliver effectively to downstream applications.”

The planned NDI output will allow multiple video/audio streams on a shared connection, which directly speaks to workflows that will revolve around network-based distribution methods, Dejero said. NDI enables high-quality, low-latency, frame-accurate video and allows broadcasters to track a specific IP stream to a specific application.

Dejero will be in Hall 2, Stand B09.

You’ve barely had time to catch your breath after Tokyo and recently, the 2023 World Cup in Qatar, but you’re already deep into planning for the upcoming Summer Games.  

Around 10,500 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committee teams will compete in Paris from July to August during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, deeming it the largest event ever organized in France to date.

Competing for Bandwidth
As a national broadcaster, it’s imperative that you’re there—your nation is expecting it. But logistics and connectivity  may be challenging—how will you be able to leverage existing networks when they’re highly congested? Is Paris ready for 5G? From fans capturing the Games on social media or calling their friends on the other side of the world to celebrate their nation’s latest medal, the network environment will be highly contested, leaving broadcasters vulnerable.

We’ve never had better or more abundant connectivity, and wireless networks like 5G provide even more ways to access reliable backhaul from remote locations. It’s convenient, it promises low-latency, fast speeds and it’s easily accessible. In some cases, it even delivers.

But not everything is as reliable as your country’s medal winners. And all too often, neither is 5G.

Not all 5G Are the Same
While early adopters of 5G like the UAE and South Korea are achieving median download speeds in excess of 500 Mbps, it is a different story elsewhere. Globally, 5G is still in its infancy and in fragmented regions like Europe, performance is especially inconsistent.

According to the GSM Association, there are more than 80 x 5G operators in Europe, and only a handful are capable of delivering speeds in excess of 200 Mbps. Thanks largely to their dedicated 5G spectrum and a supportive regulatory environment, the Nordic countries of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, as well as Cyprus, are all capable of download speeds which qualify them as “High Performers” by connectivity specialist Ookla.

But in contrast, the five biggest European economies ─ Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain ─ are all struggling with spotty coverage and median downloads speeds as low as 98 Mbps.

And it’s not getting any better.

As more and more smartphones, wearables and IoT devices piggyback on Europe’s 5G infrastructure, the resulting network congestion means that median 5G speeds are actually decreasing every year. A report by the European Court of Auditors estimates that 5G deployment across the EU will cost around €400 billion, and with service providers already struggling to see a return on their existing 5G investment, future development into standalone 5G also looks doubtful.

For anyone who needs reliable, robust and high-bandwidth connectivity, 5G isn’t enough.

For mission critical functions, one connection is never enough which is why Dejero Smart Blending Technology™ leverages multiple connections to deliver more ways for people to access reliable connectivity, wherever they are.

Is Paris Ready for 5G?
In preparation for this summer’s sporting events in Paris, Dejero has already conducted 5G tests in the French capital with our latest EnGo 3 range of 5G mobile video transmitters, using a variety of SIM configurations across seven of the venues, including the South Paris Arena, the Emile Anthonie Stadium and the Stade de France. 

Setting the EnGo to 20 Mbps and 2 seconds of latency in fixed latency mode, we performed 5 minutes of streaming for each SIM combination. We found that 5G coverage is performing fairly well in the city core, but LTE is still the better option, especially the further out you go. Factor in crowd congestion and you could be in trouble if relying on a single cellular network carrier.

It’s safe to say that for live broadcasting and streaming at the Summer Games, one connection won’t be enough, which is why many live sports professionals will be relying on Dejero Smart Blending Technology that leverages multiple connections to deliver more ways for them to access reliable connectivity, at whichever venue they find themselves.

This carrier diversity delivers greater resiliency, and Dejero’s next generation 5G mobile video transmitters are already fully compatible with both standalone and non-standalone 5G. Combining 5G into multiple cellular networks, fiber and IP connections, as well as low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, Dejero Smart Blending Technology creates a virtual 'network of networks' to deliver reliable low-latency connectivity.

We will be working closely with customers on-site in Paris to ensure they can secure the bandwidth required to transmit high quality HD and 4K video the connectivity they need. We give our customers the ability to go out and shoot what they want, where they want it, with the full knowledge that our technical experts are available on location to support their needs from the moment they arrive for set up, through to the closing ceremonies and wrap-up reports.

Diverse Networks in Diverse Environments
With uncertainty over the development of 5G even in advanced economies like Europe, it’s good to have more options when we need them. And we need them more than ever.

We’ve gone from sending video from point A to point B, to having everything connected over data. Dejero brings all this into one environment, combining video transmission with data connectivity to enable everyone from remote broadcast crews to emergency support teams to operate in the same way they would in an internal facility.

We’ve seen those limits consistently pushed; our equipment has been flown in helicopters and in planes; it’s been on the ground in the most inhospitable of locations; it’s been in rivers, floods and fires, and in areas affected by earthquakes. It’s worked with broadcasters in Ukraine warzones and in the Maui wildfires, and it is really rewarding to be able to help broadcasters on the front lines who are using Dejero technology for good. 

The landscape is constantly evolving, but in a world where there’s still a huge disparity in 5G connectivity, it’s good to know we don’t have to rely on just that and neither will the broadcasters and OTT platforms reporting from Paris this summer.

Techniques used in newsgathering have changed substantially in the past 20 years, and the same is true for live production. The same mobile technology that shapes what we carry in our pockets has made it faster and easier than ever to cover a breaking news story across town.

News and live-production operations have embraced mobile technology with a vengeance, and it is now widely used across the industry. And every year at the NAB Show, there are sleeker, faster and more capable products.

Staying Connected
Everything hinges on the word “faster,” as we want our news to be right now. The broadcaster who wins the “right now” race is probably the broadcaster that gets the most views.

“With the proliferation of news websites, apps, and social media, audiences expect updates to be shared almost in real-time,” said Matt Scully, director of product management at Dejero. “For film, television and commercial production, teams can leverage a reliable, ultra-fast connection to enable real-time collaboration with dispersed teams and accelerate delivery of content from the set directly to post-production, regardless of location—thus reducing the number of people required on set, and unlocking huge cost-savings.”

Scully pointed out that Dejero’s EnGo 3x with GateWay mode lets news crews broadcast breaking stories, quickly transfer files to prepare and upload packages while in the field, and set up high-bandwidth access points for multiple devices.

With the ability to get signals on the air quickly comes an increasing number of signal sources. Selecting among sources that grow in number can quickly cause a broadcaster to outgrow its source switcher, so TVU Networks will be showing its new solution: TVU MediaHub. MediaHub accepts various input formats ranging from SDI, NDI, SRT and TVU Grid to YouTube and more. It can scale and direct outputs to multiple destinations in formats such as RTMP, HLS, TVU Grid and Facebook. MediaHub can be scaled up or down as needed, and charged by the minute as it is used.

“We’re eager to see how this platform will enable content creators and broadcasters to innovate and engage their audiences in novel, exciting ways,” said Paul Shen, CEO of TVU. “MediaHub is a portal to endless broadcasting possibilities.”

Election Coverage
LiveU will be at the NAB Show demonstrating techniques for election coverage, as well as the company’s latest cloud remote production and sports workflows. The LiveU booth will also host several sessions from leading LiveU EcoSystem partners covering a range of contemporary use cases and workflows, including cloud-remote production, content aggregation and AI-augmented production.

“This will be a record-breaking year for live IP-video, with a very strong roster of global sports events, dozens of elections and other high-profile events all contributing to its growth,” said Steve Wind-Mozley, chief marketing officer at LiveU. “Everything we will showcase at the NAB Show is designed to shorten workflows by reducing complexity and effort, and to add efficiency.”

Virtual studios can make a small space seem much bigger—and the same space can be news one moment, the weather report next and sports after that. Making it all work seamlessly in a live production is the key to virtual production.

ENCO will highlight its Qimera live virtual production and augmented-reality solution for broadcast and production studios. Qimera simplifies the complexities of virtual studio production, enabling broadcasters and content creators to produce immersive content with ease.

“This year, we will highlight how broadcasters can utilize Qimera for augmented reality in addition to virtual production,” said Ken Frommert, president of ENCO. “We will also debut an AI-generated virtual anchor within a 3D space. This is an example of how Qimera blends the physical and digital worlds.”

ENCO will also debut enCaption Sierra, an automated turnkey encoding and captioning system, made possible through ENCO’s recent acquisitions of DoCaption, according to Frommert.

“There will be new features for Sierra that push the boundaries of what has been possible in captioning, and these will be announced closer to NAB. However, we are packing Sierra into an all-in-one system that includes a closed-captioned encoder along with live, automatic captioning software.”

Cloud Environment
EditShare will feature its cloud production and editing service called FLEX, including FLEX Cloud Edit and FLEX Cloud Sync. FLEX Cloud Edit provides media asset management, software-defined storage, and virtual workstations in a cloud environment provided by AWS. FLEX provides a completely open hosting environment, so users are free to use whatever editing software they prefer.

Collecting the news for a local station used to be done entirely in-house, using microwave trucks that beamed a narrow signal back to a dish on a tower at the station. Similarly, live production frequently used satellite uplink trucks to transmit a signal that was received on a big dish at the station—as much as possible, the signal and its processing was kept in-house. That way the engineering department and management could be sure that the station had as much control over the signal path as possible.

In the past 10 to 15 years, that has all changed. Now, news remotes usually use public cellular carriers to send the signals over the internet, often shipping them to cloud facilities for storage and/or processing. Today it is possible to produce a newscast in the cloud with only some anchor feeds coming from the station’s studio.

And don’t be surprised if even that changes in the next couple of years. 

Register for the 2024 NAB Show, April 14-17 in Las Vegas at https://nabshow.com/2024/

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced that it will be showcasing a number of compact mobile connectivity solutions for live video and data transportation at 2024 NAB Show, including its EnGo 3x 5G mobile video transmitter with GateWay mode at NAB. 

The two-in-one device goes beyond live video streaming and leverages network aggregation technology to provide news and production teams with access to stable, reliable internet from anywhere.

The wireless broadband internet connectivity offered by GateWay mode increases capacity for data-intensive applications such as newsroom systems or editing tools; it creates broader coverage areas; and enhances reliability through connection diversity. It also supports virtual private network (VPN) tunneling for secure access to an organization’s networks, the company said. 

“When you’re uploading or downloading a large file to the newsroom or post-production facility, and the connection drops before it’s complete, you’d usually need to do it all over again,” explained Matt Scully, director of product management, Dejero. “Or, if your crew is in a remote location with limited connectivity, they would need to move to another area to find the reception they need or seek out Wi-Fi, taking time away from their assignments. With no network connectivity, remote collaboration is incredibly difficult, causing overall production delays. When you’re racing against the clock, every second matters.”

With EnGo 3x with GateWay mode, remote crews can broadcast breaking news, quickly transfer files to prepare and upload packages while in the field, and set up high-bandwidth access points for multiple devices, the company reported. For film, television and commercial production, teams can leverage a reliable, ultra-fast connection to enable real-time collaboration with dispersed teams and accelerate delivery of content from the set directly to post-production, regardless of location – thus reducing the number of people required on set, and unlocking huge cost-savings.

The EnGo 3x native 5G mobile transmitter with multi camera support for up to four fully frame-synced HD feeds, incorporates the latest version of Dejero Smart Blending Technology, that combines all available network connections (broadband/fiber) and wireless (3G/4G/5G and satellite) from multiple providers. An improved algorithm renders the connection even more stable, in all latency settings, so that users can now transmit high-quality live video with glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over bonded cellular connections, Dejero explained. 

If using Dejero Control cloud based management system, EnGo units in the field can be geolocated and remotely controlled so that users can preview incoming feeds, and route and distribute content. Operators can easily monitor usage and performance, set up email notifications on activity, and generate detailed reports from any web browser.

During the show, Dejero will also demo the new GateWay 3220; a new resilient and compact network aggregation device powered by Dell Technologies, which integrates Dejero Smart Blending Technology to provide unmatched reliability for mission critical mobile connectivity. Providing resilient connectivity to the Internet, cloud applications, and private networks, the ruggedized and fanless chassis is ideal for installation in vehicles and portable kits and is specifically designed and engineered to deliver optimal blended connectivity at the far edge of a network, the company reported. 

“Whether you’re looking to produce more news stories for your traditional and digital platforms, enable your crews to do additional research for a story while in the field, or remotely send in their edited packages, having access to reliable, resilient internet is vital,” concluded Scully.

To see the EnGo 3x with GateWay mode and the new GateWay 3220 in action, visit Dejero booth SL9075 for a live demonstration.

For more information, visit www.dejero.com. 

This time 15 years ago, the first Marvel film, Ironman, was released; Barack Obama, the first African American president was elected; Sprinter Usain Bolt set a new 100m world record at the Beijing Olympics; GPS capabilities were being widely introduced into consumer mobile devices; and Apple opened its App Store; and notable for the broadcast industry, Bogdan Frusina founded Dejero. 

Bogdan was inspired to form the company by his experiences as an engineer providing mobile connectivity for reporters during election campaigns.  He wanted to address the logistical challenges, inflexibility, and high cost of existing technology that field correspondents were having when reporting live from campaign trails. His vision was to provide reliable connectivity anywhere and 2023 marks 15 years of Dejero’s connectivity innovation. 

Since it launched in 2008, the company’s achievements and successes have reached far and wide, across continents and industries, and its innovative network blending solutions have been at the forefront of many world firsts.

Making History

Over the years, Dejero has won two Emmy® awards and has been involved with the live broadcast of some epic events and world firsts.

In the world of sports broadcasting, back in 2010, Dejero facilitated the first live coverage of Olympic Games torch relay in Vancouver, and enabled the first live broadcast of all 92 English Football Clubs in a single day for Sky Sports in 2013. In Austria earlier this year, for Janeralleye, it was the first time bonded cellular connectivity had been used alone, to transmit live in-vehicle camera feeds from multiple rally cars. Last year, it provided connectivity for the world’s first all-remote multi-sport production at the XIII South American Games.

Other firsts have included the blending of Starlink with satellite for backhaul connectivity for broadcasters covering Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in 2021. And, in 2019, Dejero provided connectivity for the first human hologram at a live concert to appear on stage over 5G in partnership with Vodafone. It also played a key role in the live coverage of the historic NASA and SpaceX launch of astronauts from the United States in 2020, as well as the 2020 Juneteenth petition march. Dejero also supported many broadcasters through the challenges of the COVID pandemic who were forced to broadcast live from their homes. 

Safe Connections

Not only has Dejero supported news, sports and events broadcasters, and media production companies in their desire to reliably transmit high quality video from wherever they find themselves, it also supports first-responders and many other roles within public safety to help keep people safe with the provision of  reliable uninterrupted internet connectivity.

During sporting events, parades, protests, and many other gatherings that draw large, mobile crowds, Dejero’s ability to transmit real-time data from anywhere is helping support and enhance the roles of public safety decision-makers, daily.

Mobile Command Vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Systems all across the world use Dejero’s award-winning Smart Blending Technology™ to send and receive data from cameras, sensors, and edge devices to and from the cloud.

The Brazilian Federal Police used Dejero for critical connectivity during the 2023 presidential inauguration for real-time field communications and data access, enabling faster response times. In February, for a third year in a row, at a football season final match that took place in the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, security agencies relied on Dejero for real-time communications on the ground and in the air to help keep the crowd of 70,000 fans and the local neighborhood safe.

Dejero has also been delivering resilient wireless backhaul connectivity and cloud services to strengthen Cal OES (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) next generation 9-1-1 (NG-911) critical communications.  And Toronto Police use Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters to transfer video, data and VoIP in many of their public safety operations which has improved uptime so incident commanders can make faster and more informed decisions when they need to

Being Smart 

The development of its Smart Blending Technology and its unique hybrid encoding approach was rewarded with a second Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award in 2020 in the category of Video over Bonded Cellular Internet technology.

Smart Blending Technology is the key to Dejero’s success. It combines diverse telecommunication networks including 4G/5G cellular, GEO/MEO/LEO satellite, and fixed broadband, to create a ‘network of networks’. The result is enhanced reliability, expanded coverage, and greater bandwidth, even in the harshest of environments.

This year Dejero launched its 5G, multi-cam and 4K UHD EnGo mobile video transmitters. The company promises there is plenty more to come. Watch this space. www.dejero.com. 

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced that award-winning production company, i&u TV Produktion is relying on Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters and Dejero’s LivePlus mobile apps to deliver breaking news to some of Germany’s largest TV stations and digital platforms from extremely remote and hostile environments, including from war-torn Ukraine and the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.

“We can work much faster remotely than previously possible and in limitless locations,” said Tobias Schütz, DoP and coordinator camera department at i&u TV Produktion. “Dejero’s connectivity has opened new doors for us to be able to go live, even from the remotest parts of the world, and to immediately edit received material in our studios in Cologne. A second plus point is to watch the recorded content directly in the edit and, if any shots are missing, we can get those missing shots in just minutes.”

For its news coverage in Ukraine, the i&u TV field crew uses Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters fitted with six international SIM cards to blend connectivity paths from diverse cellular networks that create a mobile hotspot for reliable video transmission. If an LTE network is not available, the EnGo can also access satellite networks, such as Starlink, the production company reported. 

Dejero Smart Blending Technology powers the EnGo mobile video transmitter by simultaneously blending together multiple wired (broadband/fiber) and wireless (3G/4G/5G, Wi-Fi, satellite) connectivity from multiple providers to form a ‘network of networks’, Dejero explained. 

In the case of i&u TV, a blend of six cellular networks creates a secure and reliable transmission path with considerable bandwidth in order to send video, in real-time, to a Dejero WayPoint receiver located at the ingest center in i&u TV’s post production facility. The content is then quickly packaged and distributed to the production company’s broadcast and OTT clients. 

In addition, i&u TV uses Dejero’s Control cloud-based management system to remotely configure and control the EnGos should the news crew need to focus on relocating or staying out of harm's way.

Dejero EnGo mobile video transmitters are also used to send live feeds from roaming reporters to i&u’s weekly live magazine show, stern TV. A Dejero CuePoint return video server provides low-latency, live program video to stern TV’s on-air presenters, camera operators, and other production personnel in the field to help them stay synchronized with central production while live, the companies said. 

The EnGo’s Store & Forward feature is also utilized in the field to effectively transmit high-quality recorded material for all of i&u TV’s feature films directly to its post production facility. With Store & Forward i&u TV news gatherers do not have to rely on the live feed recorded on the server back at HQ; up to 60 hours of high quality recordings can be stored on the video transmitter's internal drive.

“The EnGo has many advantages like the compact size, the strong and safe Internet connection and the very easy to use user interface,” adds Schütz. “A good price, great performance and 24/7 support were also key to our purchasing decision.”

Journalists at i&u TV also use Dejero LivePlus mobile apps to capture live content on their smartphones. The LivePlus app, available on iOS and Android devices, enables them to go live with broadcast-quality video from virtually anywhere, with minimal equipment. To optimise this content, i&u TV reporters are equipped with custom-built smartphone rigs so that lights, microphones and headphones can be attached.

“I would recommend Dejero because it’s super easy to use, the quality is great and the support is first-class. I couldn’t ask for more!” concluded Schütz.

Find out more at www.dejero.com or visit our IBC 2023 stand 2.B51, Rai Amsterdam 15-18 September.

DUBAI, UAE—The Boqin Group is no stranger to working under pressure. Founded as a boutique sports management consultancy in 2008, we’ve tried to embody the same innovative, forward-thinking philosophy that Dubai is known for across the world. Our approach has always been future-focused, and we’ve always tried to mitigate risk to create better products. 

Part of that approach is adopting innovative technology, so when we were asked to facilitate a live broadcast production from atop of Dubai’s The View, Palm Jumeirah observation deck with Australia’s Channel 9, we knew we could source the right tech. 

Even if we only had a few days to do it.

Top of the View
The mission was clear: Timed to broadcast during the week leading up to the Dubai World Cup thoroughbred horse race, Channel 9 wanted a live TV linkup from the top of The View, situated at the iconic Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai for its primetime sports show. With a TV audience in the millions, the workflow had to incorporate a two-way live interview between Channel 9 in Australia and Australian broadcasting legend Eddie McGuire in Dubai, and it had to happen in eight days.

Channel 9 was keen for us to use Dejero for connectivity, which we had never used before. We contacted Dejero who understood our requirements straight away. Through their local partners, Dejero was able to quickly deliver an EnGo mobile transmitter in Dubai, as well as set up connectivity to an existing Dejero WayPoint receiver at Channel 9 in Australia.

The Dejero kit checked many boxes for us: the location was challenging, the timing was tight, and we needed to guarantee bandwidth to get the job done successfully. The big question was, how do we get this done quickly without any drops across our audio and video feeds?

Island Connectivity
The equipment arrived two days before the live broadcast. Palm Jumeirah is effectively a man-made island that reaches a kilometer into the sea and The View is 54 stories up, so the production’s location was already challenging. 

Our biggest concern was bandwidth, and while the EnGo video transmitter can combine IP networks with cellular and satellite connectivity for maximum versatility, the Dubai Palm’s tech team was able to guarantee bandwidth on its internal system over fiber. We simply plugged a 100-foot cable into the EnGo and we were done. 

Our second challenge was the weather. Concerned about audio quality, given the arrival of seasonal winds—called “Shamals”— we set up in a more sheltered location on the 52nd floor, but when Eddie McGuire arrived he insisted on the original location.

He was right, of course. It was the money shot, with a stunning vista of Dubai in the background. 

Dejero made this last-minute move much easier and cut setup time considerably. We moved the entire setup in under 15 minutes, hid Eddie’s lavalier mic in his lapel to protect it from the wind, ran the return audio to his earpiece and started running tests with five minutes to go.

When we went live, the EnGo transmitted high-quality video at incredibly low latency. It also provided two-way, duplex voice comms between the Channel 9 studio and the camera operators in Dubai for enhanced coordination, as well as interruptible foldback to Eddie’s in-ear monitors.

The live segment was flawless. 

The speed of setup, supply and expertise from the Dejero team were all factors in the success of this project. As we say, Boqin is no stranger to working under pressure, but we had the best support to test and succeed.  

More information is available at www.dejero.com.

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced that its solutions were recently used to provide critical connectivity to British home shopping network, TJC after the TV facility’s existing fiber lines suffered an outage. 

“Dejero solutions proved to be invaluable when our existing connectivity services weren’t available to us. Our management team were incredibly grateful for the immediate support and understanding that Dejero delivered from both broadcast and operational perspectives,” said Martin Willingham, broadcast manager at TJC.

TJC usually relies on one fiber network serving its broadcast facilities and another serving the overall corporate network. But earlier this year, for a period of days, these fixed lines were compromised.

“Effectively we needed to get as many hotspots in place as we could to maintain continuity and service the contracts we have with various streaming platforms and apps, as well as access important corporate systems, including remote links to our picking robot systems,” explained Willingham.

Not only did a Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter provide resilient wireless connectivity in place of TJC’s inhouse encoders to push live video to YouTube, the companies explained. The low-latency solution also ensured the falling-price auction-style home shopping channel could provide dynamic graphics and pricing updates from an offsite location, that could be uploaded and changed live on air by TJC producers.

Furthermore, the Dejero EnGo enabled emergency remote connectivity between TJC’s off-site suppliers to their robot picking systems to further assist the shopping channel with the operational side of its business, the companies reported. 

“We had experienced the power of the EnGo in 2020 when we were forced to take our studio productions outside due to social distancing restrictions during the pandemic, so we called on Dejero once again to help with programming continuity,” added Willingham.

A Dejero GateWay was also deployed at TJC for business continuity. Ideal for pop-up connectivity in scenarios like this, it provides temporary wireless broadband to deliver resilient internet connectivity that’s easy to set up and move from one location to another. 

“It’s a very robust piece of technology that we ended up moving the GateWay around the building and plugging it into anything and everything,” Willingham said. 

“At such a critical time, Dejero’s customer service was incredibly impressive. They gave us on-point guidance and advice, extra SIM cards for our existing EnGos and delivered a GateWay within 24 hours so that we could establish solid, secure connectivity for a multitude of devices and systems that would have otherwise been offline,” concluded Willingham.

WATERLOO, Canada—World Racing Group (WRG) has livestreamed 550 dirt track races from 120 venues throughout the United States and Canada over the past year, contributing to the rapid growth of its DIRTVision brand, with the help of Dejero connectivity solutions, the company said today.

The streaming channel has depended upon resilient connectivity provided by Dejero’s EnGo mobile video transmitters, CellSat blended cellular and Ku-band IP satellite solution and CuePoint return video solution, it said.

“Dejero provides us with reliable connectivity and consistency from venue to venue, which has been crucial to our production of high-quality race coverage,” said Brian Dunlap, director of broadcast services at World Racing Group. “Using this remote production workflow, we were effectively the first in the entire world of motorsports to take a premier series and live stream every event.”

Dejero’s CellSat blended bandwidth capabilities enabled WRG to livestream nearly essentially all its premier racing schedule year-round from a record number of venues as well as push raw feeds back to the WRG studios in Concorde, N.C., with predictable latency, it said.

“Traditionally, races were streamed from tracks using encoders on site, but we were limited by available internet connection,” said Dunlap. “By using Dejero connectivity, no matter where the venue, we can produce live shows, add graphics and final-mix the audio, transmit to our studio and then distribute a high-quality, fully packaged product to OTT platforms for viewers to watch around the world.”

WRG has expanded its mobile production fleet over the past five years, adding two vans with 16-foot trailers and a flight kit to its 26-foot truck. Currently, it is building another 26-footer. Each is outfitted with a Dejero CellSat blended cellular and KU-band IP satellite system as well as the company’s EnGo transmitter, switchers, audio gear and cameras, it said.

It also has deployed Dejero EnGo transmitters at 10 racetracks around North America where WRG has built production facilities to broadcast weekly shows. The EnGos encode video and transmit WRG clean switcher feeds, most via fiber with cellular networks used as backups, it said.

“Since we’ve enhanced connectivity and our production capabilities through Dejero solutions, more dirt track race rights holders have approached us to put their events on DIRTVision - and in turn the DIRTVision brand and the appetite for dirt track racing around the world has significantly increased,” said Dunlap.

“At one point, DIRTVision was strictly web-based, and now we have apps on every major platform from iOS to Android, to Samsung, to ROKU and more. As a result, our audience are exposed to races year-round; it keeps them engaged and now our average subscriber is now buying more tickets to see an event live compared to this time five years ago.”
For about 200 larger events, WRG also used a Dejero CuePoint return video server, which sends low-latency, live program video feeds to the director onsite for confidence monitoring to ensure synchronization of graphics and commercial placements over existing shots, it said.

Two Dejero WayPoint receivers are located at WRG’s studio in North Carolina where final production, including graphics and commentary, take place. The WayPoint devices reconstruct and decode the video feeds, which are entered into a matrix to be shared with the switcher and replay systems. The packaged video is then distributed to DIRTVision’s OTT platforms.

More information is available on the company’s website.

TV TECH: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2023 NAB Show?

KEVIN FERNANDES: There is a big push for interoperability among vendors right now. When cloud migration first began, cloud systems were effectively closed systems and vendors weren’t necessarily worrying about the bigger ecosystems. But as more hybrid architectures, network architectures and cloud systems are coming into play, so does the drive for interoperability. Vendors are developing parts of their solution that are able to talk downstream to adjacent services and it will be incredibly interesting, this NAB Show, to see how broadcast vendors continue to adapt to this.

A ‘sub-topic’ of this trend is agnostic connectivity. Recently, the satellite industry has been undergoing a re-invention, spurred on by Starlink and LEO constellations—as well as the steady deployment of 5G infrastructure. What’s interesting for broadcasters, is that it opens up multiple new ways of contributing and distributing video. When we look at the trend for hybrid, it's not just happening on the cloud side, but also on the connectivity side and when we start peeling that back, the interoperability across vendors and agnostic connectivity becomes really interesting because it doesn’t really matter what kind of applications you are running over a hybrid connection, vendors are now focusing on ensuring that all applications can run using hybrid connectivity.

Another technology trend that’s being discussed more and more is around surge resources and the ability for systems to be dynamically scalable. For broadcasters there are times, such as prime time news programs or when covering major events such as the Olympics, when they need more compute. Traditionally, physical on-prem equipment, owned by the broadcaster was the only way to achieve this level of compute—they couldn’t necessarily surge up or surge down resources. It was all or nothing. The cloud allows you to scale your resources to some degree—being able to spin up and spin down resources and only pay for them when you need it is a huge driving factor when it comes to cloud.

TVT: What will be your most important product news?

FERNANDES: We will be introducing the latest EnGo mobile transmitter—the EnGo 3s. This device not only carries all the features of the EnGo 3, including native 5G modems and built-in GateWay Mode for wireless internet broadband connectivity, but also offers 12G-SDI and HDMI connectors, providing users with the ability to handle high frame rate and 4K/UHD signals over a single cable.

TVT: How is your new product different from what’s available on the market?

FERNANDES: When it comes to product development, we lean heavily on our core expertise on resilient connectivity. It’s our mission to ensure that we provide resilient connectivity for all of a broadcaster’s applications; whether that's video or apps in the field—like file transfers or remote workflows.

That’s why we built our latest EnGo mobile transmitters from the ground up. They were carefully designed to optimize 5G, using 16 antennas in total (4x4 MIMO antennas). We have seen other 5G transmitters in the market that are simply based on 4G antenna design principles and despite having up to 6 modems, do not outperform our 4G modem EnGos. Our team worked with world-renowned RF and antenna experts to maximize cellular signal quality and performance on 5G networks.

What’s more, the EnGo ‘GateWay mode’ provides wireless broadband internet connectivity in the field to enable mobile teams to reliably, securely and quickly transfer large files, access MAM and newsroom systems, and publish content to social media. The GateWay mode also provides general internet access to resources for field research, access to cloud-based services and also serves as a high-bandwidth access point for devices.

TVT: NAB Show is celebrating its centennial this year. How many NAB Shows have you been to and do you have any particular standout memories of past shows

FERNANDES: Over a decade and a half, it has been very interesting to see the shift from transmission quality (SD->HD) to infrastructure allocation (i.e. on-prem/hybrid/cloud migration).

WATERLOO, Ontario, Canada—Dejero has announced that Jännerrallye, also known as the Internationale Jänner Rallye, made rally car racing broadcast history this year using Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology and local technical AV specialist, AV-Professional bonded cellular connectivity alone was used to transmit live in-vehicle camera feeds from multiple rally cars, racing through rural locations, to a national TV broadcaster.

The international rally racing event based in Freistadt in northern Austria, which took place between January 5 to 7, 2023, marked the first time that this was done, the companies said.

“In the forests and mountains of Freistadt, it is incredibly challenging to find a consistent or stable enough signal to be able to broadcast high quality video that is crisp enough for a national TV network,” explains Christian Birklbauer, chairman, Rallye Club Mühviertel, and lead organizer of Jännerrally. “But, with a lot of determination and after conducting some highly successful tests with Dejero transmitters over bonded cellular - blending multiple networks from different carriers - we were able to convince people, including Austria’s national broadcaster, that we could live-produce spectacular picture quality even from the inside the rally cars, on very rough terrain, in a very isolated area.”

Three rally cars were equipped with Dejero EnGo 265 mobile video transmitters for the three-day event; two EnGos were placed at various start and finish lines, and an additional EnGo was connected to a drone. The live camera feeds were transmitted by the Dejero devices over bonded cellular, back to a production hub equipped by AV-Professional in Messehalle Freistadt. Two Dejero WayPoint receivers reconstructed the feeds, decoded the HEVC and then outputted them for broadcast to television and streaming channels. Each receiver was fitted with four ports, enabling the production team to manage and switch up to eight streams simultaneously, Dejero reported. 

The EnGo transmitters in the cars, transmitting driver-perspective camera feeds, were secured into Dejero’s vehicle antenna docks, and connected to roof top antennas to boost cellular reception.

“Being able to transmit signals from the harsh and fast-paced environment where network coverage is limited is one thing, but achieving this through the car chassis, where the EnGos are literally encased in metal, is something special. It’s quite phenomenal just how the signals can move so rapidly from one mast/transmitter/pole to another,” said Birklbauer.

The transmission devices feature Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates multiple IP connections. During the Jännerrally event, the EnGos used SIM cards for three Austrian networks. The result is high-speed, reliable internet connectivity, which allowed Jännerrally to transmit broadcast-quality live video while reducing production logistics costs. 

Before implementing connectivity from Dejero, Jännerrally were streaming live feeds only to their fans online. The new technology workflow and the support from Dejero and AV-Professional gave them the confidence to make a giant leap to live broadcasting on a national TV channel.

“If you look at the World & European Rally Championship, such a big budget live production will commission airplanes, helicopters and flying relay stations, using radio frequencies to muster a signal for transmission. Our remote production workflow represents a saving of around 75% and we can be more mobile around the location, easily moving the start and finish line cameras depending on the race routes,” added Birklbauer.

The Dejero Control cloud-based device management, monitoring, and reporting tool was also implemented in the trailblazing workflow. With Control, technicians from the production company, Streamers Austria, could adjust settings and troubleshoot from the broadcast facility so that field crews could focus purely on capturing the content. 

Dejero EnGo transmitters are built with aircraft-grade aluminum in a monocoque construction that’s lightweight and strong, as well as polycarbonate ABS bumpers for additional protection. This makes the transmitter ideal for in-vehicle applications such as rally car racing.

“To create the most rugged transmitter on the market, we go beyond basic drop tests. From vibration tests to shock and crash-testing of the vehicle antenna dock, we go the extra mile,” explains Arjen Hofland, Senior Sales Account Manager, Dejero.

“Using Dejero, we were able to bring pictures from places and with a small budget that nobody could believe,” concluded Birklbauer. “This workflow will open up so many opportunities for the broadcast and streaming of rally car racing.”

WATERLOO, Ontario, Canada—Dejero has announced that the Spanish production company Quality used Dejero’s technologies to provide live coverage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin remote islands.

For the innovative remote production, which produced significant time and cost savings, nine Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters were deployed for the multi-camera productions, while three Dejero WayPoint receivers located at Quality’s hub and master control room in Madrid received the camera feeds and packaged content, which were then uplinked via satellite for global distribution. 

Two of the EnGo devices were utilized for fill and key graphics for FIBA to package content at the venue and send on to Quality’s Madrid-based hub, Dejero reported. 

The video transmission devices used by Quality feature Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates multiple IP connections, including wired (broadband, fiber) and wireless (3G/4G/5G, Wi-Fi, satellite) networks. The result is high-speed, reliable internet connectivity, which allows them to seamlessly transmit broadcast-quality live video while reducing costs with production logistics, the companies said. 

“As the EnGo blends cellular networks from multiple carriers, we did not have to rely solely on the venue’s limited connectivity or worry about the logistics and costs of getting a satellite truck to the island,“ explains Pablo Reyes, chief production officer and partner at Quality. 

“With the FIBA Qualifier games live coverage, we have demonstrated once again that by using Dejero, we can literally go live from even the remotest of locations, achieving the kind of resilient connectivity that is required to transmit live high-quality video of major sporting events,” Reyes continued. 

Using a lean remote production model, Quality needed only to fly the EnGo transmitters and cameras out to St Thomas. Because the devices are easy to operate and don’t require a complex set up, the camera operators and crew were ready to go live within 48 hours of landing. The producers, directors, graphics operators and technicians remained in Madrid, as the EnGo enabled the live transmission of camera feeds without interruption, back to the hub for packaging and distribution, the companies explained. 

The EnGo intercom feature providing two-way, full-duplex voice communication between the hub and field personnel was crucial for live interactions during the FIBA Qualifiers productions. A microphone at the hub was connected by an XLR audio cable to a WayPoint receiver, so that the director could communicate with camera operators using smartphones connected to the EnGo. The EnGo also has AES 256 encryption to keep audio and video data secure when transported over public internet links, the companies said. 

This workflow represents a saving of thousands on hotel bills, airfares, logistics and expenses, let alone the time it takes for a full production crew to travel there and back.

If Quality were to have used a satellite truck for remote production, it would have taken at least 10 days to cross the Caribbean Sea by private sea freight, with the added logistical challenges of customs and insurance.

“By using Dejero, we save between 60 and 75 percent of the set-up time and cost of a traditional workflow,” concluded Reyes.

Quality uses Dejero connectivity solutions to support top quality remote productions for over 50 broadcasters and sports federation customers worldwide, including International Federations, such as FIFA, FIBA, FINA, IWF, Rugby Europe and various world sports committees, plus many private sports promoters such as Grises Humacao and Peter Auto, on top of 35 Spanish Federations.

FORT MYERS, Fla.—5G cellular service is widely available in populated areas and starting to have an impact on broadcasters from acquisition to distribution. Think “5G” and you’ll most likely think of fast smartphone downloads, home internet service or 5G bonded (or aggregated) cellular systems in a way similar to 4G bonded/aggregated cellular. But 5G is different and will be much more different as standards evolve.

5G for Acquisition
Using mobile network operator (MNO) cellular networks for acquisition is nothing new. 4G was, and in some areas, still is how a remote signal gets back to home base. However, 5G offers advantages in data rate and latency to enable 4K UHD, but not as much as you would think. Cellsmart’s mid-2022 “Global Cellular Performance” study of real-world conditions found that, globally and on average, 5G upload speeds only showed an increase of 55% to 31.27 Mbps over the 4G global average. This is in contrast to 5G download speeds of 241.61 Mbps. 

“5G is prioritized for downloading—upload speeds are not significantly maximized,” said Rob Waters, global director of sales at Dejero. “For our 5G bonded systems, it’s all about the lowest latency with the highest bandwidth, that’s where multiple antennas per modem really comes in as a powerful weapon.”

However, Dan Pisarski, CTO at LiveU adds that “there’s still a few other tricks up 5G’s sleeve. “The 5G protocol’s fixed deterministic latency of the network is an overlooked gem,” he said. “With MEC [multi-access edge computing], for example, latency can go from 60 ms to below 10 ms. The challenge is the entire latency budget. But taking the first hop to sub 10ms, we can increase redundancy by adding a bit more latency. This provides exciting applications for broadcasters.”

The Cellsmart study also showed that the cellular frequency being used has a significant impact on upload speeds. “Where results have been taken in areas with mmWave, there are dramatically different results including downloads in excess of 800 Mbps, uploads in excess of 250 Mbps and latencies of sub 10 ms.”

According to TVU Network’s founder and CEO Paul Shen, the upload speed you get depends on where you are. “Unless you’re in a populated area, you won’t see 5G mmWave deployment. Suburban and rural areas don’t present a financial incentive for telcos to use mmWave. Plus, some versions of 5G with sub-6 Ghz deployment use the same spectrum as 4G/LTE.”

While LiveU, Dejero and TVU have different technologies for 5G, there’s one thing all three agree on: For the end-user, operating 5G is basically the same as operating 4G, whether it’s someone acquiring footage or the organization receiving that footage. All three are seeing interest in 5G from similar populations. “Both existing 4G customers and those producing sports in 4K are looking strongly at 5G,” said Shen. “Existing customers are beginning to notice performance degradation using 4G, especially in mission critical situations.” 

It is a sentiment echoed by Waters. “Our existing 4G users are looking to upgrade and future-proof themselves. While 5G doesn’t give all advantages now, potentially it will as more 5G is rolled out. Plus, sports producers want to use 5G instead of satellite.”

5G offers greater reliability than satellite with 5G at over 95% vs. traditional satellite at 90%, according to Shen. “News is great at adopting new technologies,” added Pisarski. “The day after any MNO makes an announcement, we get calls asking ‘can we use it?’ from our news users.”

There’s another consideration for high-profile events: a private 5G stand-alone non-public network (SNPN). “Millimeter wave is very wide spectrum, so cell phone operators can easily dedicate service to a private network on an ad hoc basis,” said Shen. “We did that for an 8K project.”

Waters adds that private networks are the easiest to set up. “There’s no cable runs, giving you very short setup time.” 

It should be noted that MNO-based SNPNs are not the only type of private network—and most are in test and trail phases, according to Pisarski. “A real private network means somebody with their own hardware on a frequency they have access to.”

Pisarski is referring to CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service), spectrum from 3.5 GHz-3.7 GHz the FCC set aside for private 5G networks. This spectrum, along with SIM cards, can be leased from third parties that are licensed (priority access license or “PAT”) or used unlicensed (general authorized access or “GAA”), which is subject to the most interference. “All that’s needed is a popup antenna and a few computers to run the network,” he said.

5G for Distribution
This is where the phrase “5G Broadcast” comes into play, and it’s not the best term to describe how 5G can be used for distribution. Does “5G” mean the technology or the device? 

As MNOs’ 5G are unicast networks, there’s a difference between “a connected device” that sporadically sends requests for data needing to be downloaded and a significant number of connected devices that are all streaming content at the same time. The more devices simultaneously connected to a 5G cell downloading data, the less bandwidth each device gets, as they all have to share that unicast data capacity. 

Enter “5G Broadcast” from DTT broadcasters to 5G devices with an ATSC 3.0 (aka “NextGen TV”) receiver chip. 

“Today, the number of commercial smartphones with an ATSC 3.0 chip is 0%,” said Mark Aitken, senior vice president of advanced technology at Sinclair Broadcast Group and president of ONE Media. “But ATSC 3.0 will find its way into billions of devices that require data of some sort: cars, phones, smart cities and more.” Aitken is a true believer in what ATSC 3.0 can bring to quality of life.

Aitken does, however, have a Mark One Android smartphone evaluation sample with an ATSC 3.0 receiver chip, giving him the ability to watch stations broadcasting ATSC 3.0. “We wanted a chip that could live in a mobile device, with its operation and power needs,” he said. “We wanted efficient web app coding, for it to draw less power and run on lower level devices.”

Watching an ATSC 3.0 station is as simple as tapping on an app. Sinclair has their own open source app, another is the NextGen Broadcast App. In addition to live TV, stations provide frequently updated weather, news or other content. 

ATSC 3.0 receiver apps are simple. “It’s A/344 of the ATSC 3.0 standard,” says Aitken. “It’s nothing more than a uniform ATSC 3.0 browser with HTML5.” According to the standard, “A Broadcaster Application is used herein to refer to the functionality embodied in a collection of files comprised of an HTML5 document, known as the Entry Page and other HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, image and multimedia resources referenced directly or indirectly by that document, all provided by a broadcaster in an ATSC 3.0 service.”

According to Aitkin, “Sinclair’s app has the same features as TV sets with ATSC 3.0 tuners, except it’s been adapted to the small screen with gesture swipes and wipes for navigation. This is really about a more ideal user experience. There’s less friction to the nature of access to services available...there is a quality aspect to the user experience.” 

Broadcasters as ‘Pseudo’ 5G MNOs?
Graziano Casale, senior sales manager for transmitters at Rohde & Schwarz agrees with Aitken that it’s all about a better quality of experience for the consumer. 

“ATSC 3.0 plays into the 5G ecosystem and vice versa,” he said. “The main benefit is that [MNO] 5G broadcast technology is in the same chip already in the device, while ATSC requires an additional chip.” 

Casale is referring to “5G Broadcast/Multicast,” which R&S and Qualcomm demonstrated at IBC 2022, but is not yet commercially available. It uses UHF spectrum to broadcast to 5G smartphones. While there’s potential for revenue, it comes at a cost.

ATSC 3.0’s 6 MHz does not comply with those in the current 3GPP 5G specification, the lowest being 3 MHz—that’s half your spectrum. 

Simply, 5G Terrestrial Broadcast shares the DTT spectrum to provide other services. You could sell that 3 MHz of spectrum to an MNO to deliver media from your transmitter using the 5G chipset already present in smartphones. Of course, that leaves you with 3 MHz for actual television, which today could be a 720p signal. But in the 3.0 future, 3 MHz should deliver more. 

There must be a reason for manufacturers and MNOs to want a 3.0 chip in 5G smartphones and other mobile devices. There will need to be more work done on 3GPP and a reason for MNOs to lease your spectrum. 

When it comes to 5G for broadcasters, it just depends on what you want to do and when you’ll be able to do it.

The goal of every news broadcaster is to break the story.

Sure, being the first on the scene is important, but being able to broadcast live on location is key. The problem is, that scene could be anywhere from an office block in a city centre or a remote mountain peak. 

For Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, that scene was a crowded Hyde Park in London, England. With a reported global total of 4.1 billion viewers, news events don’t get any bigger, so reliable connectivity was paramount.

With tens of thousands of people descending on Hyde Park to pay their respects, congested cellular networks were a huge challenge for newscasters. Demand for portable bandwidth can take wireless networks to the brink of capacity and wreak havoc for competing news broadcasters.

Creating a temporary private network and resilient back-haul connectivity was essential to overcome these challenges and ensure uninterrupted connectivity for broadcasters from around the globe to cover this sombre occasion.

These networks can be built three ways for acquisition in the field: 4G LTE/5G cellular, wireless mesh networks or point-to-point.

4G LTE and 5G Networks
Creating 4G LTE and 5G private networks sounds straightforward. A single antenna would provide connectivity to field crews who have an accompanying SIM card in a mobile transmitter like the Dejero EnGo.

However, to access private frequency bands in a given area, companies must apply to the communications regulator (Ofcom in the UK) and go through a lengthy licence application process. While these can be booked in advance, that’s a luxury seldom afforded to breaking news. 

For the Queen’s funeral, band frequencies at Hyde Park needed to be booked weeks in advance. It’s possible that available bandwidth may already have been reserved by competing news channels, or that the frequency band isn’t even compatible with the transmission devices that your field crews are using.

4G LTE private networks can also be troublesome as there is no international standard and different countries allocate different bands to private network use. They use different technologies, radios and antennas, which can require tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of investment. Plus, many bands are already reserved by phone network providers. 

5G has more spectrum available for private networks and a broader common band for international use, meaning the same equipment can be used across borders. Operators still need national regulatory approval, but it makes 5G more affordable and efficient.

Wireless Mesh Networks 
Private mesh networks give production crews and camera operators the ability to roam freely around a defined location. They require the placement of battery powered nodes to create a wider mesh which eliminates dead spots and signal dropouts, allowing news organizations to transmit live video without worrying about the possibility of cellular network congestion.

It is a workflow that Dejero has set up for its broadcasters before, notably in 2020 when its EnGo transmitters combined with Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh network technology for coverage of the U.S. presidential election in Washington, D.C., delivering both 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.

Broadcasters are going further with this concept across wider spaces, and Dejero is already looking at mesh networks for a golf tournament in Scotland next year.

Point to Point Networks
At Hyde Park, using 4G LTE/ 5G connectivity wasn’t an option; the broadcasters Dejero was supporting hadn’t reserved the band frequency for a private network and a weeks’ notice wasn’t enough time to apply for a license. Using public cellular networks would have meant competing with thousands of cell phones in an already congested environment.

Time and cost limitations also meant that a mesh network wasn’t viable.

Instead, Dejero built a private point to point network which didn’t need regulatory approval. Still a complex endeavor but not impossible. 

Setting up an Ubiquiti access point and high-gain antennas across Hyde Park, Dejero created a secure LAN for its clients using their award-winning mobile transmitters. The EnGo products encoded the camera feeds and transmitted the signals, by blending a combination of ethernet, Wi-Fi and local cellular network connectivity; and prioritizing the network with the most bandwidth available, to an onsite Dejero GateWay network aggregation solution for backhaul.

A World First: Starlink & Cellular Backhaul
Regardless of whichever private network is used for acquisition, a reliable and robust backhaul is essential to transport content back to the station for distribution. With the eyes of the world on unfolding events, Dejero made history of its own to guarantee uptime.

Partnering with Starlink saw a combination of LEO satellite connectivity with cellular for backhaul using the Dejero GateWay. It was the first time live broadcasting has blended Starlink and cellular together for backhaul, and it meant that broadcast customers taking advantage of this innovative solution could go live to air from an area where cellular connectivity was already highly congested. The GateWay’s Smart Blending Technology also manages fluctuating latency by aggregating all available networks and, so the solution helped reduce some of the latency inherent in satellite-only connectivity.

The world’s appetite for news is insatiable and immediate, and news agencies are always looking to be first on the scene. Luckily, there are more options than ever to provide reliable and secure on location reporting, whatever the environment.

ASUNCION, Paraguay—Dejero was instrumental in helping pulling together an all-remote multisport production during the XII South American Games.

Dejero supported the Madrid-based international broadcast production company Quality, which served as leading international production company and joint host broadcaster of the Games, held this year in Asunción, Paraguay, Oct. 1-15. Covering more than 4,500 athletes in 53 sports, the broadcaster deployed more than 90 cameras to capture live sports in various arenas and locations across the capital city. 

By using Dejero at multiple locations—including at the venues in Asunción, within the International Broadcast Center and in Quality’s Buenos Aires hub—the production company was able to create a remote production workflow that amounted to a net present value saving of approximately $2.5 million, said Pablo Reyes, chief production officer at Quality.

“If you think about our all-remote workflow compared to a traditional multi-OB truck setup for a large-scale sports production like this, we’ve curtailed the movement of around six tons of extra material and 40 people—not to mention the installation of hundreds of kilometers of cable that would usually be required. The time and cost saved on logistics, resources and time is monumental.”

Reyes said the setup is the first multisport, entirely remote production of this scale.

Each camera at the Games was connected to a Dejero EnGo LTE mobile transmitter that used Smart Blending Technology to dynamically manage fluctuating bandwidth, packet loss and latency differences of individual connections in real-time to simultaneously combine multiple IP connections. During the event, the transmitters blended a combination of fiber at the venues and 4G cellular connectivity from diverse local network providers to form a virtual network of networks, the company said, and achieving average upload speeds of 20 Mbps.

Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters transported feeds from fixed sports venues and roaming cameras across the city to 23 Dejero WayPoint receivers located at the IBC in Asunción. Ten additional WayPoint receivers located at Quality’s Buenos Aires hub, reconstructed and decoded video feeds, which were then entered into a matrix to be shared with the switcher and replay systems, the company said. Packaged content was uplinked via satellite for distribution to rights-holding broadcasters and inserted into an ingest system for logging and clipping. 

For events over longer distances—events like rowing, canoeing, cycling and the marathon—the connectivity that the Dejero EnGo provided allowed the production team to produce programming without using radio links, Reyes said.

“It would be impossible to cover several sports in one day with one or multiple OB vehicles because of cost implications and physical distances,” Reyes said. “The flexible remote production workflow means that cameras are not tethered to OB vans and can easily be moved from one venue to the next.”

The event has been seen as a milestone in Paraguay's audiovisual history, Reyes said. “People on the street are so enthusiastic about the quality of the signal we are producing. Meanwhile, the rights holders are complimenting the image quality and signal production every day—and the feedback from the networks has been fantastic.”

WATERLOO, Canada—Dejero is providing connectivity and live video solutions for the Spinning Wheels Tour, dubbed by organizers as “A Cross Canada Parkinson’s Journey.”

The company’s technology will be used to equip three inspiring cyclists to live stream their adventures from any location regardless of the terrain during the cycling tour, which begins June 25 in Victoria, British Columbia, and ends sometime in September more than 1,700 miles away in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Dejero said.

The cycling team will rely on the Dejero Gateway network aggregation device for reliable internet connectivity to support live streaming throughout the trip. The Dejero LivePlus mobile app with the company’s Smart Blending Technology will enable live transmission of low-latency video over smartphones during the ride, the company said.

The three-member team, which calls itself the “Rigid Riders,” will live stream to their YouTube and Facebook channels from GoPro cameras mounted on their bikes, a dash cam in their support vehicle and a large format camera to interview other riders and the people they meet along the way, it said.

A regular weekly live show, which will include footage from the previous week to chronicle the journey, will also be streamed on their social media channels, it said.

“With Dejero onboard, we don’t need to worry about finding a hotspot or Wi-Fi connection at the next hotel or cafe in order to broadcast live or think about the cell network coverage and cost of the data packages as we go,” said Mike Loghrin, who is responsible for live streaming during the tour. 

“We have no restrictions when it comes to capturing the action at any point of the journey — whether we’re in the Canadian Rockies, riding through prairies, crossing rivers, on the coast, in the most remote or crowded of locations; we can literally live stream whenever we want to.”

The cyclists will carry a Dejero GateWay M656 network aggregation device in the support vehicle accompanying them on the journey. Incorporating Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, the gateway will combine connectivity from various cell network providers with two SIM cards for each network, the company said.

The gateway, which has six wireless modems, will create a network of networks to provide enhanced reliability, expanded coverage and greater bandwidth to ensure uninterrupted live streaming regardless of location, it said.

Riders in the Spinning Wheels Tour will cycle six days per week, covering just over 93 miles a day. The tour is intended to raise awareness about the Parkinson’s Disease and to raise $200,000 CAD.

“It’s so important that we make connections with communities as we go. Being able to regularly share what we’re going through, stream video and edit on the fly will really engage and uplift our supporters in a way we didn’t think possible before,” said Rigid Riders co-founder Steve Iseman. “Without Dejero, we would still be trying to figure this out. Now, the range of content we can create from just about anywhere, plus the quality of the content, is going to be phenomenal.”  

MADRID, Spain—Launching our company in early 2017, during the Spanish broadcast industry’s worst financial crisis meant that we had to adapt our business model to incorporate remote IP production or perish. With broadcasters’ budgets at an all-time low and pressure to provide high-quality content at an all-time high, traditional workflow proposals were too expensive. 

We had to find a way to produce top-quality remote productions without passing on the cost of a full crew and OB van to our clients. Since then, we have scaled our business from zero to more than 50 broadcasters and sports federation customers worldwide, including international federations, such as FIFA, FIBA, FINA, IWF, Rugby Europe and various world sports committees; plus many private sports promoters such as Grises Humacao and Peter Auto, on top of 35 

120 Units in the Field
We’ve utilized Dejero EnGo transmitters since day one and have now deployed  approximately 120 units all over the world, from Brazil to Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia to Dominican Republic and the United States to Austria, as well as Poland and Ukraine. We have also built a number of central hubs and OB trucks that are equipped with Dejero receivers so that we can receive camera feeds from any location and distribute them anywhere.

With EnGo—which blends cellular networks from multiple carriers—we do not have to rely on laying cables or parking a satellite truck on site in order to gain the resilient connectivity required to transmit high-quality video for a live production; nor do we need to bring producers, directors, graphics operators, technicians, or other onsite staff to the venue. This alone saves between 60-75% of the set-up time and cost of a traditional workflow.

Currently I am in the Dominican Republic working with the country’s government, national television stations and local federations. If you think about the time it would have taken to get a multicamera OB truck that is usually based in Spain, for example, across to the Dominican Republic, it would take weeks by sea freight plus the logistical challenges of customs and insurance. 

Faster and Less Expensive
Using our remote production model, all we needed to do was fly out EnGo transmitters and cameras along with our camera operators and talent and we were ready to roll within 48 hours of landing. Everyone else involved in a production like this stays at home or in the office—as the EnGo is able to transmit high-quality live camera feeds in real-time, without interruption, back to the hub for packaging and distribution. 

Again, 60% to 75% of the production team now remain at the hub, saving thousands on hotel bills, airfares, logistics and expenses, let alone the time it takes for a full production crew to travel there and back.

I’ve also found the EnGo is incredibly simple to use—you just turn it on and go—no matter how remote or crowded the location may be, because it cleverly finds the most reliable connectivity paths in the background. The EnGo transmits over multiple IP networks to reliably deliver exceptional picture quality with extremely low latency—even in challenging network conditions. We simply don’t have to worry. 

I believe that no other mobile transmitter on the market can offer the resilience that Dejero’s EnGo does. Having tested similar devices, it’s the only transmitter that can transmit 10-12 hours continuously without interruption.

We’re currently working with a customer to plan live coverage of a prominent U.S. sports league. With a traditional OB truck, the cost per game would average $35,000, but with our remote production model, which includes multiple EnGo transmitters, we can reduce that cost to $20,000. With 80 games in a season they could be looking at a savings of around $1.2 million. 

Pablo Reyes is chief production officer and partner at Quality Media Producciones in Spain. An experienced TV producer with more than 10 years in the industry, he produces multicamera events across the globe. Reyes has also developed some ground-breaking engineering advances, especially in IP remote production models. He can be reached at pabloreyes@qualityamericas.com.

For more information visit www.dejero.com.

SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) have expanded game coverage across KSWB (Fox-5) and KFMB (CBS-8) here as well as via streaming platforms with a Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter for live broadcasts of away games, contributing video via resilient, high-bandwidth wireless internet connectivity. 

The production team covering the Gulls, an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks, initially implemented the transmitter when it relocated to the NHL franchise’s practice facility FivePoint Arena at Great Park Ice in Irvine, Calif., for the 2020-2021. The Gulls made the move to the rink as a precaution during the pandemic.

“In Irvine, we didn’t always have access to the Fox 5 production truck for microwave transmission of our packaged game coverage,” said Aaron Cooney, director of communications and broadcasting at the San Diego Gulls Hockey Club. “We relied on the cellular and satellite connectivity provided by EnGo to send our primary feedback to Fox 5 HQ, where a Dejero WayPoint received the video.”

At the station, the Dejero WayPoint receiver reconstructed the video transported via IP from the Dejero EnGo and fed the output to multiple distribution platforms, including KSWB and its online streaming platform, the company said.

“It worked incredibly well and was simple and cost-effective to set up, so we figured it would also work for away games,” added Cooney.

The team has expanded its use of the technology for broadcasts of away games, including games from Bakersfield, Calif., Tucson, Ariz., and Las Vegas. The Gulls also have added five extra games to their 2021-2022 season broadcast schedule. Dejero WayPoint receivers are also used at other affiliate stations, including KFMB, which covered the preceding season, the company said. 

“The Dejero EnGo has opened up a whole new window of opportunities for us in terms of storytelling, touchpoints with fans, and cost-effective remote broadcasting, allowing us to deliver more broadcasts than before,” said Cooney.

The EnGo features Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology. It simultaneously combines cellular connections from multiple providers as well as other wired or wireless IP connections if they are available to form a virtual Dejero network of networks. The result is reliable, high-bandwidth internet connectivity for broadcast-quality live video transmission from anywhere, the company said.

“The importance of telling a compelling story for the Gulls and their fans is anchored in the live transmission provided by EnGo,” said Brian Nettles, television producer for the San Diego Gulls. “The EnGo gives us the confidence to roll up to stadiums that don’t have fiber, satellite links or pre-installed cables, knowing that we’ll still have the connectivity and bandwidth required to send high-quality broadcast video out to Gulls’ fans via bonded cellular.”

The Dejero EnGo also serves as a backup during every home game at the Gulls’ Pechanga Arena in the event a cable fails between the Gulls’ production truck and the onsite Fox 5 truck that transmits the packaged game coverage to the station.

More information is available on the company’s website.

WATERLOO, Canada—Dejero this week announced a partnership with antenna and RF technology specialist Taoglas to assist its customers in choosing high-performance antennas for its cellular bonding transmitters when used in mobile and fixed applications.

Antennas play a key role in increasing the signal strength of cellular connections. The partnership will simplify the process of selecting the right external antenna for applications of Dejero’s bonded cellular transmitters in broadcast and media, public safety and those of other government agencies.

“Taoglas is renowned for designing high-quality antenna products. By building partnerships like this, we are ensuring that our customers have easy access to well-proven and trusted technologies that seamlessly integrate with Dejero solutions to achieve the best performance and reliability,” said Kevin Fernandes, chief revenue officer at Dejero. 

Taoglas offers design, consultancy and engineering expertise and has support and test centers around the world. Leveraging these strengths, it offers best-in-class antennas that deliver high performance and reliability, Dejero said. 

More information is available on the Dejero and Taoglas websites.

WATERLOO, Ontario—The cinematic production and dynamic camera movement company KALA is relying on Dejero connectivity solutions for a new production vehicle that handles multiple functions while shooting content on film, TV and commercial sets. 

For the new vehicle, KALA worked with integrated connectivity expert First Mile Technologies to install Dejero solutions into its cutting-edge production vehicle, which has been deployed for the production of multiple car commercials, including Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, Lexus and Mercedes. 

Many of them were shot in locations with network connectivity challenges, such as mountainsides, frozen lakes and remote villages. The KALA vehicle uses Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters that combine multiple cellular and/or satellite networks to achieve reliable connectivity for real-time remote collaboration. The live feeds are transmitted to geographically distributed creative teams from wireless remote controlled cameras positioned on cranes and arms in moving vehicles and other set locations.

“With our new production vehicle, we’ve been able to combine camera system, connectivity and creative decision-making functionalities into one; streamlining the entire production and post-production process and facilitating remote collaboration in real-time,” said cinematographer and co-founder of KALA, Vinit Borrison.

“Being able to live transmit to any distance, to and from any location is game-changing,” he added. “Creative decision makers no longer need to physically be on set or wait for location footage to arrive on a hard drive before offering feedback to other team members. The amount of time, logistical effort and money that this technology saves is massive. What’s more, we can turn on connectivity with the push of a button – we don’t need a specific person on site to set up monitors, cables and often flakey communication hotspots.”

The camera feeds are transported in real-time to a Dejero WayPoint receiver, a cloud server or via First Mile Web RTC platform. The live video stream can then be viewed in a simple browser or through secure video screening applications by creative teams in various locations in different parts of the world, or from a central base camp. Directors, editors and agency personnel can collaborate and provide instantaneous feedback and direction to the remote production crew on set. The feeds are also displayed simultaneously on five monitors within the vehicle for the production crew on location.

First Mile also integrated a ruggedized Dejero GateWay network aggregation device into the KALA connectivity build in order to provide resilient mobile broadband internet access from any location.  The GateWay enables fast video and data transfers with sub-second latency. Like EnGo, the GateWay uses Dejero’s award winning Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates all available IP networks and dynamically manages the fluctuating bandwidth, packet loss, and latency differences of individual connections in real-time.

LAS VEGAS—Dejero will unveil its new EnGo 3 and EnGo 3x 5G-native mobile transmitters with integrated internet gateway at the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 24-27. The new additions to the EnGo family combine superior 5G performance, multicamera support and 4K UHD resolution with unparalleled video quality for broadcast and media production markets, the company said. 

EnGo 3 and EnGo 3x feature a completely redesigned RF and antenna architecture to unlock the full potential of 5G connections unlike other solutions in the market. “Our team worked with world-renowned RF and antenna experts to maximize cellular signal quality and performance on 5G networks,” explains Yvonne Monterroso, director of product management at Dejero. 

“We’re quadrupling the number of antennas per modem and diversifying the antenna types. It’s incredibly complex to add so many antennas to a small, portable device without compromising performance and reliability, which we’ve achieved. It’s just not as simple as replacing 4G modems with 5G modems,” she added. 

The new 5G EnGo transmitters feature 4x4 MIMO antennas to achieve greater reliability, lower latency and faster speeds. Dejero made modifications to the EnGo to ensure optimal antenna isolation. “We’ve seen other 5G mobile transmitters in the market using 4G antenna design principles where interference by antennas placed too close together negatively impacts reliability, especially in areas where cellular signals may be weak, or where many cellular devices are competing for network bandwidth,” continued Monterroso. 

Diversity of cellular bands was another key design consideration. For EnGo 3 and EnGo 3x, Dejero selected modems that support a broad range of cellular bands to enhance 5G performance. Monterroso explains its importance for global use: “We support additional bands used by carriers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, Korea, and Latin America that other 5G mobile transmitters can’t connect to. It can make a huge difference for reliability.”

EnGo 3x provides multicamera support for up to four fully frame-synced HD feeds. Dejero’s new remote production transmitter can capture feeds from multiple cameras in a single unit, reducing the cost and complexity of multicamera sports and live event productions, Dejero said. The additional camera inputs can be licensed when needed.

The ability to transmit in 4Kp60 10-bit HDR with eight audio channels delivers unparalleled video quality at extremely low latencies providing viewers of sports and major live event viewers to watch in the highest definition possible. Furthermore, 4K live feeds can greatly benefit film, television and commercial productions to make it easier for distributed teams that are not located on set to monitor and detect lighting and color balance issues in real-time, allowing customers to  avoid expensive reshoots, the company said. The 4K UHD feature does not require a separate license, unlike competing solutions, according to the company. 

EnGo 3, designed for newsgathering in locations where 5G networks have been widely deployed, incorporates all of the new features of the EnGo 265, introduced in December last year. It reliably transports broadcast-quality live video from remote locations whilst also providing resilient, high-bandwidth internet access, all in one single device. With glass-to-glass latency as low as half a second over bonded cellular connections, it also delivers greater security with AES 256 encryption, a security-hardened Linux OS and a cryptoprocessor to authenticate the hardware. 

The 5G networks bonded by EnGo 3 and EnGo 3x transmitters can be combined with other wireless networks including Wi-Fi and GEO/MEO/LEO satellite, and fixed line (cable/DSL/fiber) wired networks thanks to Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which intelligently manages the fluctuating bandwidth, packet loss, and latency differences of the individual connections in real-time, providing enhanced reliability, expanded coverage and greater bandwidth.

The new EnGo mobile transmitters also feature built-in Hybrid Encoding Technology with the latest generation of Intel processors with customized firmware. The units can adapt to real-time feedback on the complexity of the content being encoded, such as the amount of motion. It works in tandem with Smart Blending Technology to analyze the throughput capacity and latency of all the connections. 

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has promoted Rob Waters to global director of sales and Michael Stanton as director of sales for the Americas. The promotions are part of its global strategy to expand its sales operations and broaden the reach of its products and solutions, the company said. 

“Rob and Michael have been instrumental in establishing Dejero as the trusted authority in delivering resilient connectivity solutions to organizations with broadcast, production or mission-critical needs,” said Kevin Fernandes, chief revenue officer, Dejero. “By investing in our people, we have a greater capacity to reach across different markets globally. These important staff promotions are aligned with our customers’ needs to accelerate their adoption of mobile and cloud technologies.”

In his new role, broadcast and media industry veteran Rob Waters, is leading Dejero’s worldwide sales organization. Waters will spearhead the company’s sales strategy to scale and grow the business across vertical markets including broadcast and media, public safety, government agencies and emerging markets, as well as expanding the company’s global reach by strengthening its partner network, the company said. 

Waters joined Dejero as director of sales for EMEA in 2018 and has played a key role in Dejero’s success and ability to engage with and penetrate regional markets. With over two decades of industry experience, Waters previously held senior sales positions at Blackmagic Designs and IDX Technology Europe.

Michael Stanton has been promoted to director of sales for the Americas and is responsible for business development, sales team management and growth strategy for Dejero across the USA, Canada and Latin America. Former journalist and Emmy award-winning TV news manager, with over 15 years experience in top TV markets, Stanton joined Dejero in 2016 to accelerate the adoption of Dejero's live video solutions. 

With in-depth knowledge of broadcast technology and the ability to build and maintain strategic relationships, Stanton is well placed to drive the business forward and to help Dejero solve the connectivity issues that its customers are facing today.

“Our growth strategy is about bringing more integrated solutions to the market by expanding technology partnerships and broadening our distributor and reseller network to better serve our customers and offer more touch points,” explained Fernandes. “Rob and Michael are at the forefront of this strategy and with their wealth of experience and deep understanding of our customers’ needs, they’re fully-equipped to lead the Dejero sales team into the next stage of our journey.”

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced that the Dutch media and production company Media Choice Group relied on Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters and WayPoint receivers for its clients’ local coverage of the Dutch municipal elections on 17th March, 2022. 

The Dejero technology allowed Media Choice to deliver 32 simultaneous live broadcasts from various locations across the Netherlands.

“We deployed EnGo transmitters to our clients reporting from the field,” explained Ferry Ouwendijk, director/CEO FilmPartners - Media Choice Group, who said that reliability, low latency and ease of use were key factors in Media Choice Group’s decision to use Dejero technology.

“Smart Blending Technology is used to combine cellular networks from diverse carriers and the result is reliable connectivity that is second to none,” Ouwendijk said. “The coverage was a complete success and our clients were very happy with the uninterrupted connectivity and flawless low latency transmission that Dejero delivered. The EnGo is also incredibly easy to use, so very little training is required.”

Six Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters, carried in backpacks, enabled field reporters to transmit live camera feeds from the different city halls and locations of the political parties across Rotterdam, the Hague and general Amsterdam area. This allowed for the transmission of high-quality live video with glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over the bonded cellular connections.

The EnGo mobile transmitter backpacks were offered in addition to other stationary and mobile transmission solutions provided by Media Choice Group for temporary studio feeds from a location with Fiber/DSL/KA-SAT/DOCSIS connectivity. 

“The EnGo also offers an intercom feature for two-way, full-duplex voice communication between the studio and field personnel to enhance collaboration. It also has AES 256 encryption to keep audio and video data secure when transported over public internet links,” Ouwendijk added.

The live feeds from the EnGo were sent to WayPoint receivers located in Media Choice Group’s data centers. The WayPoint receivers reconstructed and decoded the compressed HEVC or AVC video from the EnGo transmitters for broadcast to various local TV channels and streaming platform audiences following the election results live.

Media Choice's Service Operation Center currently manages hundreds of playout and contributed (fiber or satellite) linear signals and the processing of numerous non-linear content files. Video and data are distributed to broadcasters, satellite uplink and/or (Cable/OTT) linear TV or VOD platforms. The live center also remotely monitors and supports systems and operations of international productions for FilmPartners and other partner companies.

WATERLOO, Ontario—Abu Dhabi Media is using 14 Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters and four WayPoint 104 receivers for its ongoing coverage of the Expo 2020 culture event in Dubai through the end of March.

Expo 2020 is the first international expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in its 170-year history. The event is hosting 192 countries at dedicated pavilions around the exhibition center. A total of 25 million visitors are expected to attend over six months.

Ideal Systems, the local systems integrator, was commissioned to build Abu Dhabi Media’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art five-camera studio and gallery at the Expo 2020 site. Five wireless cameras are being used to capture content from the pavilions.

Four EnGo mobile transmitters enable Abu Dhabi Media production crew to contribute live footage and interviews from the pavilions to a WayPoint receiver at the studio on site. The transmitters also provide real-time voice communications between the director in the studio and the presenter on the ground. 

“The Expo 2020 exhibition area is huge at 45,000 square meters [484,375 square feet], so the logistics of running fiber lines from location to location or installing antennas for satellite connectivity within a building of this size would have taken up huge resources in terms of installation, maintenance and cost,” said Jean Claude Rahme, head of OB at Live HD, a government media entity supporting event coverage.

“With EnGo, connectivity is very straightforward,” he said. “We regularly encode at up to 20 Mbps from the pavilions because we are able to use six point-to-point SIM cards to aggregate IAD connections from Etisalat cellular networks and achieve full coverage inside the building. Because we use EnGo mobile transmitters, there are no limitations when it comes to line-of-sight to satellite antennas nor do we have to rely on a single private network.”

The Dejero EnGo uses the company’s Smart Blending Technology to create resilient internet connectivity. It aggregates multiple networks into a single service, allowing transmission of high-quality live video with glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over boned cellular connections. 

“Dejero was the best solution for us,” said Rahme. “Not only does it provide more flexibility and mobility for our production crew on site, it also gives us completely reliable connectivity – both with our studio at the Expo and our headquarters in Abu Dhabi – which is crucial to the speed at which we can gather the content in order to build and deliver our daily morning and evening programs.” 

More information is available on the Dejero and Abu Dhabi Media websites. 

LAS VEGAS—There are many different types of equipment used for news production, everything from cameras to satellite dishes to media management systems. One of the interesting evolutions in the industry is how gear that was developed for ENG applications in particular, is now used for a variety of media creation and management tasks.

This is due at least in part to Moore’s Law, the rule that doubles the complexity of electronic components every two years or so. In the television industry, this means that devices get additional features and capabilities regularly—as the price of the gear either stays the same or slowly reduces. Equipment that could only be afforded by well-paid news organizations is now available to a much bigger range of content creators, at very friendly prices.

This has led to an explosion of products and capabilities, and it gets used for programming from reality shows to sports to films. ENG is not just for ENG anymore.

Here is a brief look at what is new for news production teams at the 2022 NAB Show at press time: 

Ingest & Editing
Bitcentral will spotlight its Precis news production system that streamlines ingest and editing. Precis is scalable to grow with an organization, and works with a range of editing software, ENG cameras and newsroom computer systems.

Grass Valley will feature its GV STRATUS production and content management system. Grass Valley’s AMPP Connected STRATUS solution now allows users to have access to content across multiple sites and teams by federating the content in the cloud. AMPP also gives journalists access to a full-featured web-based editor that can be accessed from anywhere on any computer and works with proxies for fast response.

Dalet will highlight its new Pyramid newsroom system, a cloud-agnostic solution that supports multiple cloud providers, and can run in virtualized environments that support remote productions.

“Dalet Pyramid enables news storytellers to incorporate diverse content from any source into the virtual newsroom, including remote camera/ENG contributions and backpack integration,” said Raoul Cospen, director of business development (EMEA and APAC) for Dalet.

IP-Based Production
Aviwest will showcase its new PRO460 4K UHD 5G/4G transmitter, designed for remote and at-home video production. The PRO460 supports 4K UHD and multicamera workflows for up to four high-resolution, fully frame-synced feeds.

“The Aviwest PRO460 addresses many of the challenges that broadcasters face in ENG and for live-event remote production,” said Ronan Poullaouec, chief technology officer and co-founder of Aviwest.

Dejero will feature its new EnGo 265 mobile transmitter with built-in GateWay mode. The two-in-one mobile transmitter and internet gateway delivers reliable wireless connectivity with the new GateWay mode offering wireless broadband internet connectivity in the field. An improved bandwidth blending algorithm enhances all latency setting and delivers glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over bonded cellular connections, the company said.

LiveU will show new and existing products in its large booth, which features a live stage for fireside chats, panels and workflow demonstrations with other cloud production providers including Blackbird, Grass Valley, Grabyo, highlighting the ongoing removal of traditional and restrictive infrastructure. The company will highlight its contribution and distribution solutions that include the multicamera LU800 5G production-level field unit. LiveU will also demo its Air Control solution to get remote guests and live feeds into the system and on the air.

Also new is Cloud Connect, which simplifies live productions, reduces costs, and delivers a faster time-to-air by leveraging LiveU’s automated cloud workflows. 

TVU Networks will showcase a suite of cloud-based applications for remote production and new 5G-enabled transmitters and routers. Most of TVU’s technology is 5G-enabled and has been so for years. This includes the TVU One mobile transmitter, TVU Rack Router, and TVU MLink transmitter. 

TVU’s cloud-native pay-as-you-go TVU Channel playout platform, introduced in late October, supports hundreds of thousands of viewers. Designed for one of the world’s largest broadcasters, TVU Channel enables a user to schedule live and VOD programming from a web browser.

Education Sessions
Off from the exhibit floor, several conferences will consider current and future trends and advances in newsgathering.

On Sunday afternoon, April 24, in the CMIP Presentation Theater, Josh Keller from the Video Call Center will answer the question, “Are IP-Remotes Causing Headaches?” During the session, he’ll discuss ways to reduce latency, dropouts and improve the overall quality of IP remote delivery, an issue that has been top of mind for news stations that have had to increase their reliance on IP remotes for the past two years.

At “Advanced News Acquisition Workflows” on Tuesday morning, April 26, Ernie Ensign, senior director of news technology for Sinclair Broadcast Group, will look at how the use of metadata can help improve news workflows from the newsroom computer system to cameras in the field. 

Tuesday afternoon, during “Breaking News Barriers: 175 Years of Innovation in Factual Reporting,” representatives from the Associated Press will discuss its evolution from the days of communicating via horseback to today’s digital media technologies.

News teams will also want to check out “ATSC 3.0 as a Use Case for Public Safety Communications: Development Milestones,” on Sunday morning in the West Hall. This session will focus on how the use of advanced emergency alerting systems in NextGen TV will help broadcasters improve their reporting and public safety commitments. 

With plenty of competition and constant product improvement, news production systems at NAB Show 2022 promise new features, excellent performance and the agility to get your content where it needs to go—when it needs to get there.

For more information on the 2022 NAB Show, visit nabshow.com/2022

WATERLOO, CANADA—Dejero will feature its new EnGo 265 mobile transmitter with built-in GateWay mode at the NAB Show, April 23-27, in Las Vegas. 

The company also will showcase integrations with the Grabyo and Dazzl cloud video platforms with the dual themes of enhancing productivity and simplifying cloud-base workflows for remote news teams and broadcast and media production teams producing live events, the company said.

The two-in-one mobile transmitter and internet gateway delivers reliable wireless connectivity. The new GateWay mode offers wireless broadband internet connectivity in the field. An improved bandwidth blending algorithm enhances all latency setting and delivers glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over bonded cellular connections, the company said.

The company has addressed security concerns with AES256 encryption, use of the security-hardened Linux OS and a crytoprocessor to authenticate the hardware, it said.

“The lower latency and enhanced security are impressive enough, but what makes the EnGo 265 stand out is GateWay mode,” said Yvonne Monterroso, director of product management at Dejero. 

“With GateWay mode, ultra-reliable, high bandwidth internet access is made possible with Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology. It means that news teams only need to carry an EnGo 265 — in a backpack or mounted in a vehicle using a Vehicle Antenna Dock — to go live, quickly send or receive large files and securely access private newsroom systems and cloud services from any location.”

Dejero’s GateWay mode is powered by the company’s Smart Blending Technology that aggregates all available networks to maximize reliability, expand coverage and increase bandwidth, it said.

The EnGo 265 enables field crews to broadcast breaking news, quickly transfer files to prepare and upload packages to and from the field and establish high-bandwidth access points for multiple devices. TV, film and commercial production teams can leverage the transmitter’s reliable, fast connection to enable dispersed team members to collaborate and to deliver content directly from the set to post-production regardless of location, it said.

Integrations with the Grabyo and Dazzl cloud video platforms also will be featured to showcase how production teams can deliver live content to multiple broadcast, digital and social platforms simultaneously from anywhere, it said. 

The combination of Dejero’s EnGo 265 and cloud workflow integrations provides easy access to live production tools that enable live clipping, rapid editing and video distribution while maintaining a reliable internet connection, it said.

See Dejero at NAB Show booth W3930.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

WATERLOO, CANADA—Video production company Fuel MediaLab is relying on Dejero IP transmitters for real-time contribution of races from speedways across Canada to the TV2GO teleport in Toronto for distribution to NBC, TSN and other broadcast networks.

The setup, being used for a variety of races, including NASCAR Pinty’s Series and Sports Car Championship Canada (SCCC), overcomes the challenges associated with cellular networks at speedways.

“Most race tracks are located in rural areas where cellular network connectivity is limited,” said Joel Robinson, media producer at Fuel MediaLab. “When you add a few thousand spectators into the mix, the networks can become congested. However, with Dejero’s EnGo mobile transmitter blending all available networks, we get incredibly reliable connectivity – and we can boost cellular reception even further by securing the EnGo into the vehicle antenna dock and connecting it to our truck’s rooftop antennas.”

FuelMedia is also using the Dejero GateWay M6E6 network aggregation solution, equipped with six cellular modems, thereby boosting internet connectivity in production trucks, the company said.

A Dejero WayPoint receiver at TV2GO headquarters reconstructs broadcast-quality video transported over multiple IP connections from the EnGo, decodes HEVC or AVC, and outputs to SDI or MPEG-TS workflows for distribution across multiple online and broadcast platforms, it said.

The Dejero Control cloud-based management system gives TV2GO simplified routing and video feed sharing. It allows the company to monitor the status of EnGo SIM cards, traffic usage and mobile coverage, so it can keep track of data costs while ensuring the best connectivity performance in the various race locations, Dejero said.

“What I love about the EnGo in particular, is its simplicity and flexibility,” said Robinson. “I press a button on the unit, TV2GO checks the signals remotely and we’re good to go from virtually any speedway location.” 

NASCAR Pinty has contracted with Fuel MediaLab to be the official host broadcaster for 2022. The race season, which begins May 14 at Sunset Speedway, consists of 13 races across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Many are in remote locations with little or no internet connectivity on site. 

“For the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, we can distribute the video stream in different formats that are required by the event sponsors at these races,” said Lawrence Partington, chief innovation officer of TV2GO.

“It might be pay-per-view, a dedicated OTT channel or a traditional linear channel. We send the live video coming in from the Dejero EnGo or GateWay through our teleport to TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold in New York via RTMP and to Canadian rights holder TSN as HD SDI over broadcast fiber. It works incredibly well,” he said.

The solution leverages Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology to create a resilient internet connection by aggregating multiple networks into a single service. Dejero’s new EnGo 265 mobile transmitter allows for the transmission of high-quality live video with glass-to-glass latency as low as 0.5 seconds over the bonded cellular connections, Dejero said.

Fuel MediaLab and TV2GO plan to build a REMI kit using multiple Dejero EnGo transmitters for specific racetracks where laying camera cables is logistically too difficult and using satellite connectivity alone would be costly, the company said.

More information is available on the company’s website.

 

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced that the Italian production company Nexting used its technologies to provide live coverage, edited highlight packages and high-quality interviews from the Summer Games in Tokyo to Italian broadcasters.

The Naples-based broadcast specialist used Dejero’s EnGo 260 transmitters to reliably deliver daily live coverage to Mediaset, Sky Sports Italia and Italia Team TV (the Italian team’s own OTT platform). 

The Dejero EnGo 260 allowed Nexting to send broadcast-quality live video to all of its clients with latency as low as 0.8 seconds. 

Because of the seven-hour time difference between Italy and Japan, the production crews were effectively operating for 31 hours continuously in a rolling pattern. Faced with this hectic schedule, the crews were able to quickly and easily insert region-specific SIM cards into the EnGo transmitters to provide cellular connectivity from the local carriers in Japan and ensure optimal performance while roaming around the different venues.

“I feel safe using Dejero,” said Antonio Palmieri, CEO of Nexting. “We can be confident that if we have a problem the Dejero team is immediately available to solve everything. That gives us a real sense of security in such a time-critical environment.”

As well as providing live coverage and edited packages throughout the afternoon and evening into Italy’s news and sports news programmes from Casa Italia (the Italian team’s home base located in The Kihinkan–Takanawa Manor House and their Network Operations Centre), Nexting spent the mornings gathering interviews from the Mixed Zone for athletes. Five EnGo transmitters enabled the company to carry out immediate post-event interviews without concerns about the congestion created by the number of broadcasters transmitting in the area.

WATERLOO, Canada—Caber-tossing fans were able to witness a world record attempt live as Montreal-based multimedia production company Scratch Takes teamed with Dejero this month to stream action from the 45th Annual Montreal Highland Games.

(A caber is a 16- to 20-foot tapered pole, usually made from a Larch tree, according to Wikipedia.)

Scratch Takes deployed a Dejero GateWay M6E6 network aggregation device to overcome limited onsite network connectivity. Leveraging Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, the unit combined connectivity from local cellular network providers, including Bell, Telus and Rogers, using two SIM cards per network, Dejero said.

The six-modem gateway created a network of networks, delivering enhanced reliability, expanded coverage and greater bandwidth. The solution ensured there were no interruptions to the live stream of the record-breaking attempt as the contest was distributed via the Montreal Highland Games’ YouTube channel, the company said.

“The GateWay was so reliable it integrated into our portable workflow as if it were a wired connection – it felt as though we were connected to the venue’s fixed network,” said John Castillo, founder of Scratch Takes.

No fiber optic access was available on the grounds of Montreal’s Douglas Hospital where the event took place. Using a wireless router that relied on a single network for bandwidth was not an option because of the likelihood of local cellular network congestion, Dejero said.

“A stable connection was our primary concern at the Highland Games,” said Scratch Takes producer Caylamina Roberts. “We had a preconceived idea that Dejero would be out of reach but after weighing up our alternatives, we found Dejero to tick all the boxes.”

“Not only did the GateWay offer everything we needed in terms of connectivity, it was surprisingly affordable, and the personal customer service was impeccable – it was refreshing dealing with real people who truly understood our specific needs.”

The Dejero GateWay also provided internet connective for Scratch Takes.

Jason Baines set a new world record of 161 caber tosses in one hour during the games.

More information is available on the Dejero website. 

TORONTO—First Mile Technologies, a developer of creative connectivity solutions for media and entertainment production, has launched a new service to allow productions to stream live, high-quality camera media to the cloud, making it accessible live on various platforms during productions. 

The service is designed to streamline production workflows by offering an alternative to the current practice where camera media is recorded to hard drives and digitally processed before delivery to production and post-production partners.

In development for more than two years, the company’s service has already been used on the production of the Paramount Television Studios’ series `Station Eleven,’ projects for Netflix, CBS and NBCUniversal, and numerous broadcast advertising productions. 

First Mile Technologies also has a strategic partnership with Weiden, Germany-based Second Reef GmbH to support productions in Europe and other international locations. 

“We are achieving levels of connectivity not seen before in film and television production,” said CEO Brandon Cooper.  “Productions can connect from anywhere to anywhere.”

First Mile developed its system with support from Dejero, a maker of mobile transmitters and IP video transport systems, and other technology partners. It integrates cellular, fiber, broadband and satellite connections into “super networks” enabling productions, whether on a stage or on location, to securely live stream camera data to a cloud server. Remote production staff, editors and others can access the camera stream from any device, including iPhone and iPad, via Evercast, Sohonet ClearView, PacPost.live or the company’s proprietary viewing platform First Mile Frame, the company reported. 

“We move files, proxies or full resolution, almost instantly over long distances,” Cooper noted. “Everyone in the production chain gets the media they need so that review, editorial, color grading, visual effects and other processes can begin immediately.”

First Mile enables cloud connectivity in a variety of ways. Crews working on stages can upload video or data via fixed-line internet connection, backhauled with encrypted cellular connectivity. On location, camera media is streamed from a Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter to a WayPoint receiver, located at a base camp, and made available to production partners with virtually no latency. For extremely remote sets, where cellular connections are limited, a combination of a Dejero EnGo encoder and Ku-band IP satellite technology provides the bandwidth necessary to reliably transport high-quality, live video.

Security is built into the system. Data is delivered in packets across networks from multiple providers. That eliminates the possibility of packet loss or theft, while avoiding problems with jitter, bandwidth fluctuations and latency. “Data can be simultaneously routed over available cellular networks, satellite IP, and local and wide area network connections,” explained Cooper. “Data is encrypted with military-grade encryption and therefore indecipherable.”

The system works with most commonly-used, professional cameras. First Mile has streamed video data from camera cars, aircraft and drones. 

“If you are shooting from a camera car with a Russian arm, it can be difficult to tell if you got the shot you need,” Cooper explained. “A chase vehicle following the action may be piloted by a civilian driver with the key creative decision makers inside, hoping that they are close enough to get a clear signal. Our workflow makes that vehicle unnecessary. We place a cellular transmitter in the car so that the camera feed can be streamed live back to basecamp to be viewed on large-screen monitors or into a mobile browser window via our Frame WebRTC platform.”

WATERLOO, Canada—The ascent by Spanish sports figure Miguel “Mikel” Angel Roldán of Spain’s most notorious summit, the Naranjo de Bulnes, was streamed live to viewers of multiple websites and social media platforms with a Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter and Dejero Cloud Server, the company said.

As Roldán scaled the mountain via its 1,650-foot vertical west-face wall, local production company JTM Broadcast captured and produced his progress. Roldán, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) three years ago, undertook the challenge to raise awareness of the condition, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

For the production, multiple cameras were positioned in the harsh, remote environment of the climb. The Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter and Dejero Cloud Server simplified the multi-camera production.

Video and audio feeds from the three cameras that followed Roldán on the climb as well as feeds from a fixed camera and an airborne drone fed a wireless link to a video switcher. The switcher output fed a second wireless connection to the Dejero EnGo transmitter at the base camp. The unit delivered robust internet connectivity over cellular despite the challenging network coverage at the mountain location, the company said. 

The Dejero Cloud Server, used to publish live video streams in multiple formats to the web and mobile devices, delivered the content via RTMP to the Nire Stream distribution platform and ultimately to broadcasters and platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and a large-screen in Roldán’s hometown, it said.

“The most important feature of the Dejero equipment for me is its reliability,” said Javier Trifol, RF engineer at JTM Broadcast. “It has supported our productions perfectly since we purchased it last year, especially in locations with very little connectivity.”

“This ascent was the most technically complex challenge I have faced, and also the most rewarding job of my life. I did not take any backup equipment, which illustrates my confidence in Dejero.”

The Dejero EnGo uses Smart Blending Technology that simultaneously aggregates diverse wired and wireless Internet Protocol (IP) connections from multiple sources to form a virtual network of networks delivered as a single service, the company said.

More information is available on the company’s website.

WATERLOO, Ontario— Dejero and Dazzl have formed a partnership to create technologies to simplify cloud-based live production and have announced that the first results of the collaboration were used in two challenging high-profile alpine races.

The local French TV station, TV8 Mont-Blanc used the new technologies on the Dynastar X3 Courchevel Triathlon 2021 and the Torgon Trail 2021. The productions used a combination of Dejero’s high-quality video contribution technology and Dazzl’s cloud-native live video production capabilities. 

“Dazzl and Dejero have an excellent synergy and can link up in seconds and connect to any other type of source, such as drones and phones,” said Pierre Boucaud, president of TV8 Mont-Blanc. “Combining Dazzl and Dejero eliminates the need for a traditional control room with a lot of wiring and installation. The combination makes it possible for broadcasters to deliver a quality livestream with a lot of possibilities, including very welcome network stability. Our live footage was watched by more than 100,000 people over a combination of digital and linear platforms, so this weekend was a real success for us.”

Each race lasted around six hours and encompassed a mix of different physical challenges across various alpine landscapes, in a region that is notorious for fluctuating network coverage by both French and Swiss telecom providers. The flexibility, reliability and seamless connectivity provided by a Dejero EnGo 260 mobile transmitter and Dazzl’s mobile apps, allowed TV8 Mont-Blanc to overcome this challenge and deliver content to viewers on numerous platforms.

“The Dejero system provided the delivery of stable footage, at the level of the finish line in particular, switching seamlessly from French to Swiss networks depending on availability,” added Boucaud. “Dejero is a real plus for broadcasters, as it guarantees that we have top quality images to ingest live. Despite the fact we were filming in France, the EnGo worked perfectly on the Swiss networks too, with three of the six SIM cards integrated. It is completely stable and guarantees live streaming everywhere without any problem. I’m deeply convinced we need this tool for everyday live streaming integrated in our working process.”

Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology created a resilient internet connection by aggregating multiple networks into a single service, which allows for the transmission of high-quality live video with latency as low as 0.8 seconds. 

Footage of both events was delivered via a mix of sources to capture all types of action, including drones, Lumix GH5 cameras, an iPad filming a TV set, smartphones running the Dazzl application along the race, and low-latency Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter technology connecting to Dazzl via a Dejero Cloud Server, the companies explained.

These sources were streamed over RTMP to the Dazzl cloud server for use by the TV8 Mont-Blanc producer. Three live streams were created, two high-quality and one low quality, for distribution over Vimeo, YouTube and TV8 Mont-Blanc’s linear TV channel.

Thierry Scozzesi, CEO at Dazzl added that “the Dejero EnGo and the Dazzl mobile app allowed us to provide TV8 Mont-Blanc with impressive live shots and unique viewpoints despite the environment. The partnership with Dejero gave us such flexibility and high quality footage that we can now confidently offer broadcasters a more portable, reactive and cost-effective solution for events that are usually very difficult to cover.”

Dejero’s cloud server allows Dazzl to stream video to web and mobile devices, simplifying the complex task of publishing live or recorded video streams in multiple formats to the web and mobile devices.

By integrating Dazzl’s cloud video platform with Dejero’s mobile transmitters and video transport solutions, users gain access to live broadcast production, live clipping, rapid editing and video distribution tools in the field, the companies explained. 

This combined technology also enables the production to reach wider audiences and more engagement through multi-platform delivery, the companies said. Live content can be fed to broadcast, digital and social platforms simultaneously from anywhere in the world.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Over the past 15 years, cmiAV, an audiovisual event production company, has handled the AV and live broadcast of an annual high-profile Catholic organization conference delivered to multiple Christian TV networks and has watched it become a flagship program by driving viewers to these channels. 

This year, however, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the gathering in Connecticut had to go virtual and for that reason, coverage of the event—which can attract up to 2,500 attendees—had to be a roaring success not only for those networks, but also for those who couldn’t attend. 

During the conference, a violent storm struck the Northeast just as we were streaming an evening Mass over a wired connection from a church in New Haven, Conn., to thousands of online viewers and to multiple broadcasters nationwide. The feed was being directed and switched out of a Basilica located in Washington, D.C., just as the storm hit the East Coast. This caused significant power outages and shut down multiple ISP services in the region.

Losing connectivity during a live broadcast is the stuff of nightmares for anyone in the live content transmission game. Before we met Dejero, this kind of challenge would have been difficult for us to plan for. 

KEEPING THINGS CONNECTED

Thankfully, we remained unaffected by the storm as we were using five Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters to capture camera feeds, and one as backup. As soon as the wired network surrendered to the storm, the EnGo transmitters seamlessly reprioritized the available cellular connections. Already connected to a Dejero WayPoint receiver for return video, the stream carried on uninterrupted.

Viewers and broadcasters, such as EWTN Global Catholic Network and CatholicTV, continued to enjoy a smooth live feed from the church. Some networks even had their own Dejero FlexPoint transceiver on premise and could take the feed straight from the Dejero MultiPoint IP video distribution network we had set up for content sharing.

For the cmiAV team, the extent of the storm disruption was a simple alarm on the monitoring devices notifying us of the change in the status of the wired connection. Other than moving the intercom from an ailing third-party cloud-based service to several free RU channels on one of the EnGo transmitters, we didn’t need to do anything, as the unit simply blended bandwidth from all the available cellular networks to ensure connectivity wasn’t interrupted. Our voice intercom remained unaffected, routed through a dedicated IFB channel on the EnGo.

 ADJUSTING WITH THE TIMES 

Discovering Dejero last year was a game changer. Pre-COVID, a team of up to 25 people for the streaming/TV production alone would have supported such a gathering, grappling with internet connectivity in challenging locations, using cumbersome and expensive satellite links. The effects of the pandemic forced our industry to adapt and we had to figure out how to deliver and live stream virtual events with fewer people and minimal technology, while avoiding the pitfalls of network black spots and corporate firewall restrictions.

We continue to utilize Dejero to easily capture and send broadcast-quality footage from anywhere in the country back to our studio in Rochester, N.Y., where the program director is able to switch remotely. We built a New York studio—and another in Maryland during “lock down”—knowing that we’d be doing more virtual events for our clients. 

The world has changed and knowing we can rely on Dejero for live video transmission and connectivity is transformative for our workflows. Dejero is just solid, it works and it’s easy to use. Our clients aren’t asking for the Dejero product by name, they just know that if cmiAV is supporting an event, it will go very smoothly. 

Dan Lamphier has been a leader within the production industry for over 25 years, with experience as the department head of audio and lighting to design to production management. He has worked extensively on live events and broadcast network support. Lamphier has been with CMI since 2003, and in the last 17 years moved from department manager to leading hundreds of teams. He can be reached at dlamphier@cmiav.com.

For more information, contact Dejero at 866-808-3665 or visit www.dejero.com.

NEW YORK & WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero and Grabyo have announced a partnership that will integrate Dejero’s mobile transmitters and video transport technology with Grabyo’s cloud video platform to provide a new remote video production and distribution system. The collaboration enables production teams to deliver live content to multiple broadcast, digital and social platforms simultaneously, per the companies.

Among the Dejero products that are part of this integration are the EnGo 260 mobile transmitter and the LivePlus mobile application for iOS and Android. With Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates multiple networks into a single service for internet connection, these platforms can reliably transport video to Grabyo’s platform wirelessly.

Grabyo’s cloud-based platform is accessed only using a web browser. When video is transported into the Grabyo platform, users can produce, edit and distribute live streams and real-time video clips from varying locations.

“We’re excited to bring this joint solution to market and provide production teams with a more flexible and robust way of working,” comments Mike Kelley, president of Americas at Grabyo. “Our mission is to future-proof video production workflows by building tools that are more accessible and easier to use. By partnering with Dejero we are able to remove the limitations that come with fixed-location productions, and create new opportunities to deliver more quality live video to consumers.”

For more information, visit the websites for Grabyo and Dejero. 

WATERLOO, Ontario—Cinematographer Vinit Borrison powered what’s dubbed a “virtual video village” that connected the geographically dispersed creative team involved in the production of a commercial project with the Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter and the Zoom video conferencing application.

Borrison—who starred with his wife and young daughter in a commercial for a skin care brand during the pandemic—shot, produced and edited the spot from his home. The Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter provided reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity, streaming high-quality, low-latency video to the director in New York, the agency in Los Angeles and the client in Toronto—all of whom talked about the project via Zoom, Dejero said.

Wearing Apple AirPods, Borrison was able to speak with the directors, who offered feedback and took notes in real-time during the shoot. A small amount of equipment was set up in a separate room, which allowed Borrison’s daughter to remain comfortable rather than being surrounded by crew and technology. The workflow made it possible for the actors to have a more natural interaction with the camera, it said.

“When the pandemic hit and social distancing was enforced, there was no option for the industry but to work remotely with bare minimal crew, which had a lot of production companies scrambling. But as we’d already adopted Dejero’s connectivity solution into our workflows, it was the perfect storm which has actually opened up many more opportunities for us,” said Borrison. 

The Dejero solution has enabled Borrison to work to tighter deadlines and offer clients greater flexibility.

“The EnGo is an amazing tool that has helped us to create a highly efficient remote workflow for our productions,” he said. “Tons of people crowding around a few monitors on set has been superseded by a virtual video village because we can now connect our client’s creatives and stakeholders from the comfort of their homes or studios. It means that everyone has a great view of what is being filmed at that moment so faster, and more considered, creative decisions can be made, which enhances overall production values.”

Prior to the setup, transmission of high-quality shots to the on-set video village was restricted by cables or wireless connections with limited range or bandwidth. For the majority of cinematic productions, hard drives would have to be physically taken back to a central location because transferring these types of high-quality video files without dropouts was not possible, the company said.

Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology simultaneously aggregates multiple network paths, including cellular, broadband and satellite, in real time, enabling high-quality video to be transmitted instantly, meaning collaboration time, production logistics and carbon footprint are significantly reduced.

More information is available on the company’s website.

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced a minority recapitalization of its business that totaled $60 million. The recapitalization was led by Vertu Capital, along with Ubicom Ventures, and has the goal of accelerating Dejero’s growth.

Dejero is a provider of live video and real-time data transmission solutions that are used by broadcasters, production companies, public safety and government agencies and more. It was founded in 2008 by Bogdan Frusina and is currently led by CEO Bruce Anderson.

“Vertu is the perfect partner for us. They bring deep software sector expertise and decades of experience investing in large, global tech businesses, so they understand where Dejero is heading,” said Anderson. “We are excited to collaborate with the Vertu team on our plans to accelerate our growth and achieve our strategic goals.”

“Our mission is to identify disruptive technologies that can be deployed on a global scale. Through our partnership with Bruce and Bogdan, we are excited to play a critical role in the evolution of Dejero as it continues to tackle burgeoning critical connectivity markets that will benefit from its cutting-edge technology,” added Terry Thib, Ubicom managing director.

For more information, visit www.dejero.com.  

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero has announced deals for a number of new European rental partners as part of its strategy to provide its products for live video and real-time data through rental companies across the region.

Amid the pandemic, broadcasters and production companies have had to adjust their workflows for remote production to accommodate restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“As organizations come through the other side of the pandemic, many are re-evaluating their strategy, workflows and processes and are looking to trial new reliable and cost-effective methods to deliver high quality video, as well as implementing more reliable back-up systems for mission-critical operations,” explains Rob Waters, director of sales EMEA and APAC. “Having local representation on the ground to enable this, whilst many travel restrictions are still in place, is key to serving local broadcasters, commercial production companies, public safety bodies and other organizations in the longer term.”

This has led Dejero to establish rental partnerships with AV Pro and Centron in Austria, Kaptures in France, Profen in Turkey, Tividoo in Germany, Wired Broadcast and P&C Communications in the U.K., and Villrich Broadcast in the Netherlands.

All partners will offer Dejero products like the EnGo mobile transmitters and Gateway network aggregation devices.

For more information, visit www.dejero.com.  

WATERLOO, Ontario—A recent Subaru commercial that shot in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, was able to keep its on-set production crew and remote members of the production connected via Dejero’s CellSat connectivity service.

First Mile Technologies set up a flexible, portable workflow based on the Dejero CellSat service, a blended cellular and KU-based IP satellite technology, which delivered connectivity to and from set as well as allowing for real-time collaboration using live streaming video.

The infrastructure set up by First Mile Technologies transported the camera feed from a Dejero EnGo mobile transmitter over the CellSat service to a Dejero WayPoint receiver. The stream was then sent to various platforms (i.e. Zoom) for real-time, virtual collaboration. CellSat also provided bandwidth to support VoIP phone connectivity for the crew of six in Banff.

“CellSat service streamlined every single aspect of critical communication and feedback for this job, by delivering resilient connectivity from a remote mountainside where usually the delivery of only a handful of stills would have been possible,” said Brendan Cooper, president, film and new media at First Mile Technologies. “This time, with Dejero CellSat, the team on set was able to receive real-time feedback, approvals and general collaboration, which isn’t normally feasible or affordable in extreme locations like this one.”

For more information, visit www.dejero.com

WATERLOO, Ontario—Dejero is now offering a LivePlus app for Windows that is designed to help journalists with remote news delivery.

Part of Dejero’s LivePlus family of mobile news apps, LivePlus for Windows enables journalists working from home or any remote location with a wired or wireless broadband connection to transmit high-quality, live video while simultaneously receiving two ultra-low latency return video and/or teleprompter feeds, all from a Windows laptop.

The new LivePlus app transmits video with a live stream of up to 20 Mbps, at a latency as low as 0.8 seconds. Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology provides the option to blend Ethernet with a Wi-Fi connection. The Wi-Fi connection can be from a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device, or a smartphone with built-in Wi-Fi access.

A Dejero CuePoint return server installed at a journalists’ station helps enable the return video or teleprompter feeds. These feeds can be delivered with latency as low as 250ms, per Dejero. Presenters view everything on a customizable user interface.

The app also supports the use of an internal camera, an external USB webcam or the connection of an SDI or HDMI camera. There's also flexible audio options, including support for IFB or return video audio, and multiple wired and wireless earpiece options.

For more information, visit www.dejero.com.  

WATERLOO, Ontario—Pitch 5 Productions' efforts to go remote to protect crew and clients during the pandemic has been supported by Dejero technology, including the company’s EnGo mobile transmitters and GateWay network aggregation for remote editing.

As part of COVID-safe protocols, Pitch 5 has opted to create a virtual video villages, which enable remote editing collaboration where clients could watch camera outputs from separate locations rather than a typical video village, where crowds often gather.

Using Dejero’s technology, Pitch 5 was able to connect the director, talent and creative teams in real time for the iHeartRadio’s series of “At Home Sessions” with musicians. This helped speed up the editing process as well, as footage was logged directly from the remove video village.

Pitch 5 Productions President Brian Gallagher praised EnGo for its ability to operate from its own cell signal for connectivity and stability on set, while the GateWay was critical in sending a signal directly to the editing team.

In addition to the EnGo and GateWay platforms, Dejero says that Pitch 5 utilized its Smart Blending Technology, helping to create reliable workflows by combining multiple network connections and manage fluctuating bandwidth, packet loss and latency issues.

“Dejero has helped keep not only our teams but our clients connected to the productions we’ve had all over the country,” said Pitch 5 Productions President Brian Gallagher. “The opportunities to work more effectively using this technology are limitless for us both now and in the future. All of our clients have been very happy with the entire process and we are too, as it has been spectacularly simplified.”

For more information, visit www.dejero.com.  

SYDNEY—Australia’s Sports Entertainment Network, tasked with building out an OB operation, opted to use Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters as part of its setup to deliver high-quality live video of its sports productions to different regions and networks.

Dejero EnGo’s bonded cellular system was a key component for SEN, as the network’s head of TV production, Peter Morris, said they wanted to complement its live and pre-recorded studio programs for second-tier sports, those with a broadcasting requirement but not the budget for a full-blown OB operation.

EnGo’s SmartBlend technology provides SEN with reliable connectivity for low-latency live video, allowing for high-quality live video to be transmitted with latency as low as 0.8 seconds. HEVC compression and bitrates up to 20 Mb/s at 1080p 50/60 assist in delivering that high-quality video, while hybrid hardware/software encoding can adapt in real-time based on the complexity of the video scene. Dejero also boasts of its reliable cellular reception in challenging network environments because of its design separating antennas for enhanced reception.

One example of SEN putting the EnGo units to use was the WNBL basketball championships. SEN had five cameras on site sending feeds back to Melbourne over the EnGo systems. A live switch of the game was available on-location, as well as remote switching from Melbourne as a backup option. But the rest of the production—instant replays, editing live footage, graphics, operators and machinery—were at the SEN Hub in Southbank.

This setup with EnGo has expanded the sports that SEN is able to cover.

“Some sports, particularly those where budgets are very tight such as the recent Hockey Australia tournament, can now have a full broadcast presence,” said Morris. “For Hockey Australia we armed individual camera operators with a Dejero EnGo and each sent a camera signal back to our Melbourne hub using our proprietary software for timing and synchronisation. It was a simple but very effective workflow.”

“The Dejero EnGo has enabled SEN to get into and cover live sports where previously the OB costs were prohibitive,” Morris added.

For more information, visit www.dejero.com.  

WATERLOO, Ontario—With pandemic restrictions in Los Angeles, sports network Fox Deportes was forced to move from its headquarters to a temporary production control room from the garage of its director of operations. To support this new work-from-home setup, Fox Deportes relied on its Dejero-based mobile broadcasting flypacks at its new control room and at the homes of reporters.

Fox Deportes uses a combination of Dejero’s EnGo mobile transmitters, FlexPoint transceivers and PathWay encoders in remote production flypacks to support on-site reporting at major sporting events.

With their experience using the products, Fox Deportes was able to quickly adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. The temporary production control room was able to access public internet for the main connectivity with back-up coming from Dejero’s EnGo and its Smart Blending technology to combine multiple network connections in real time for enhanced reliability, expanded coverage and greater bandwidth capacity.

The remote production flypacks the network had were distributed to the homes of presenters, including one in Spain. These home studio setups utilized the Dejero PathWay encoder to deliver IFB into the home and aggregate all feeds coming from the home studio to send back to the temporary control room. Four CuePoint return video servers also were used to offer eight channels of video and audio return with low latency. The talent used the Dejero LivePlus app on a smartphone or tablet to create and deliver broadcast-quality video.

At the control room, three PathWays with four ports could receive, manage and switch 12 live streams simultaneously.

“We were actually ready for the pandemic before we ever knew it would hit!” said Ruben Rocha, director of operations at FOX Deportes. “We didn’t panic—we just applied the same workflows that Dejero already offered us for remote broadcasting to this new ‘reporting-from-home’ scenario. We were fully equipped and way ahead of the game.”

WATERLOO, Ontario—In Washington, D.C., Dejero and private wireless network specialist Rajant collaborated on a wireless network blended with cellular connectivity to provide support for broadcast coverage of the U.S. presidential election in the nation’s capital. With the network, Dejero said that news organizations were able to transmit live video without the worry of signal drops, communication gaps or cellular network congestion.

The network, based on Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networks, combined the capabilities of the Dejero EnGo mobile transmitters, which featured Smart Blending Technology to combine multiple network connections in real-time for enhanced reliability, expanded coverage and greater bandwidth capacity.

The Kinetic Mesh network created in D.C. for the election was designed to move and evolve with connectivity demands, as it was able to work off of both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with mini microwave radios, according to Jeremy Miller, global director of technical account management at Dejero.

Dejero reported nearly 6,000 hours of coverage from local, national and international customers on election day. This represented a nearly 60% increase of units in the field and more than 19 terabytes of data transmitted compared to the 2016 election.

Dejero says that it will also be on site in D.C. for Inauguration Day in January.

SAN DIEGO—KNSD-TV and KUAN-LD, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Telemundo stations in San Diego, have deployed a self-contained mobile TV studio in a new broadcast truck outfitted to enable the stations to have a backup in the event their main broadcast studios ever need to be evacuated—something that was a real possibility during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vehicle, built by Accelerated Media Technologies (AMT) of Auburn, Mass., enables the stations to work fully independently in the field, processing, editing and distributing live raw video without even needing to rely on a skeleton crew or technology located in their studios.

A key component of the new vehicle is a full complement of technology from Dejero, including the M6E6 network aggregation tool, PathWay E encoder and WayPoint 104 receiver. Together, they give the truck the connectivity to operate autonomously from the studios if required.

“We are thrilled with our new truck and are particularly impressed with the power and flexibility of the Dejero equipment, in particular the GateWay network aggregation device,” said Mike Fouch, manager of technology at NBCUniversal Media, KNSD-TV.

Before taking delivery of the truck, the broadcaster would have needed an encoder/transmitter to access cell networks, ENG or SNG and receive a signal, but the Dejero GateWay provides the vehicle with connectivity to access the stations’ studios, if desired, via private networks, the public internet and the cloud, he explained.

“So now, the field team can be autonomous and rely less on those back at the station to manage content,” said Fouch.

Likening the vehicle to a Swiss Army Knife, the broadcaster wanted a vehicle capable of switching a newscast if the studios were inaccessible and of receiving multiple channels of cellular video data.

To overcome the challenge of getting significant bandwidth to the truck to receive assets from the field and relay them via cellular or satellite without taking on another high bandwidth service plan, the station turned to Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates wired and wireless IP connections from various sources simultaneously to create a virtual network of networks. The result is more reliable connection paths, expanded coverage area and greater bandwidth.

Testing the solution in an area with spotty cellular coverage, Tom Jennings, president of AMT, was confident Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology could satisfy the broadcaster’s requirement.

“Having tested the system personally in the rural hills of Montana where cell frequencies can barely be counted on to make a normal phone call, I experienced data rates upwards of 30 Mb/s constantly and without linking to a satellite,” he said.

“Overall, Smart Blending Technology has helped transform the once behemoth DSNG truck into a highly maneuverable, cost-effective platform that requires less formal training to operate. It has expanded the reach and quality of news trucks on the road,” said Jennings.

The Dejero Gateway continuously measures the availability of bandwidth on each connection in real time and dynamically distributes IP packets across the connections. Doing so makes it possible to achieve up to 100Mb/s upload and 250Mb/s download, Dejero said.

The new truck uses the Dejero Gateway-aggregated bandwidth for reliable connectivity to access the internet, cloud applications like Latakoo for ENG video and AWS WorkSpaces to access the station and private networks from locations where crews from both stations are working, the company said.

The vehicle also uses the Dejero CellSat connectivity service to blend cellular connectivity from multiple network providers with Ku-band satellite IP connectivity from Intelsat when necessary, the Dejero PathWay E adaptive bitrate encoder and the Dejero WayPoint 104 receiver to reconstruct video transported via multiple Dejero transmitters.

More information is available on the Dejero website.