MOUNT OLIVE, N.J.—Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. William J. Bender has joined Vislink, a provider of video capture, delivery and management services to the broadcast, defense and public safety sectors, as a member of its board of directors.

Bender served in the Air Force for 34 years, culminating in his appointment as the military branch’s chief information officer. He brings deep expertise in strategic IT planning, cyber operations and governance, Visilnk said.

Following his military career, Bender served in executive leadership and board positions at major technology and defense firms, including as senior vice president at Leidos, a technology company serving the national security and health sectors. He presently serves on the boards of Anametric, GrammaTech and Tangram Flex.

“I am excited to join Vislink at this pivotal time,” Bender said. “Vislink’s cutting-edge technologies and commitment to excellence make it a key player in the live video and communications space. I look forward to working with the board and management team to help advance the company’s mission and create value for its stakeholders.”

Bender has also held senior advisory and consulting roles with several defense and technology firms, Vislink said, including ManTech Corp., Varonis, IT Cadre, Electrosoft Services, BYOS, Keeper Technology and SmartSheet.

He was board chairman of AFCEA International, formerly Armed Forces Communications & Electronics, a 34,000-member global nonprofit focused on communications, IT, intelligence and global security. Bender is a board member of the National Defense University Foundation and chaired its financial committee.

“Bill brings an exceptional blend of leadership from his distinguished military service and extensive commercial experience,” Vislink Chair Sue Swenson said. “His insights will be invaluable as we continue to expand our focus in the federal and DOD sectors.”

Added CEO Mickey Miller: “His extensive experience in defense technology and cybersecurity, coupled with his proven leadership in both the public and private sectors, will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and execute on our growth strategy. Bill’s unique experience and insights will help us better serve our customers in mission-critical markets, and we look forward to his contributions to our board.”

MT OLIVE, N.Y.—Vislink Technologies has announced the appointment of Joseph Lipowski as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). A renowned RF and wireless expert, Lipowski brings over two decades of extensive experience leading high-performance technical teams and overcoming complex communication challenges in demanding environments.

At Vislink, which provides solutions for the capture, delivery, and management of high-quality live video and associated data, Lipowski will focus on advancing the company’s technological offerings, ensuring Vislink continues to deliver world-class live video and data solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers.

“We are delighted to have Joe join the Vislink team,” said Mickey Miller, Vislink’s CEO. “His deep knowledge of RF systems and his proven success as a senior engineering leader and co-founder make him an exceptional addition to our company. Joe will spearhead our next-generation platform for radio-agnostic crewed and uncrewed aerial command, control, and video systems, which is a critical part of our strategy to stay at the forefront of the industry.”

Commenting on his new role, Lipowski said, “I am thrilled to join Vislink at such an exciting time in its history. I look forward to working closely with the talented team to enhance our technological capabilities and extend our leadership in delivering comprehensive live video solutions.”

Lipowski has a distinguished record of driving groundbreaking projects that have set new standards in the communications industry. Before joining Vislink, he held several key leadership positions where he played a crucial role in advancing RF system design, software development, and digital beamforming technologies. Most recently, he was co-founder and CTO at Starry, Inc., a wireless internet service provider and technology developer. Prior to that, he was co-founder and CTO at Aereo, Inc., a live video internet streaming service. He has also held senior engineering roles at LoJack, Lucent and Andrew Corporation. Notably, his expertise includes oversight for cost-effective supply chain selection, ensuring that innovative solutions are delivered with precision and efficiency.

Lipowski holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.

OLIVE, N.J.—Vislink has appointed Donnie Gilliam vice president of operation with responsibility for driving customer satisfaction, cost reduction and working capital improvements, the company said today.

Gilliam joins Vislink with experience in operations and service at high-growth companies. He has led operations at HM Electronics and held the position of senior director of supply chain and materials at Clear-Com. More recently he was vice president of global operations at Spectralink.

Vislink envisions Gilliam playing a key role in optimizing its operational efficiency and supporting its growth goals, the company said.

Gilliam is also a member of the Western Regional Board of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME).

“We are thrilled to welcome Donnie to our leadership team,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller. “His deep experience and proven leadership in operations, supply chain management and lean manufacturing will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our operations and drive growth. Donnie’s appointment aligns with our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”

More information is available on the company’s website.

MT. OLIVE, N.J.—Vislink Technologies, Inc. has announced the release of its INCAM-GV RF and 5G wireless transmitters designed exclusively for Grass Valley's new LDX 135 RF and LDX 150 RF cameras. 

The INCAM-GV is a fully integrated HEVC 4K UHD, HDR-ready wireless system tailored to enhance the Grass Valley LDX 100 Series live production cameras. This latest wireless transmitter available in RF and 5G versions delivers full broadcast quality encoding at 4K UHD, 1080p, 1080i, and 720p, complete with camera control. The integration ensures the total flexibility that comes from wireless transmission and the delivery of high-quality, immersive viewing experiences to audiences, making it an essential tool for modern broadcasting, the companies reported. 

"The INCAM-GV represents a significant leap forward in our partnership with Grass Valley,” explained Michel Bais, chief product officer of Vislink. “This transmitter not only meets but exceeds the demands of modern live production, offering unprecedented wireless transmission robustness and image quality. Our goal is to empower broadcasters to deliver content in ways that were previously unimaginable."

Unveiled at NAB 2024, the Grass Valley LDX 135 RF and LDX 150 RF cameras provide the same cutting-edge camera technology as their non-RF counterparts, now with the added benefit of integrated wireless transmission capabilities. The INCAM-GV leverages this by utilizing HEVC video coding technology, allowing broadcast organizations to deliver high-quality images over less RF bandwidth or over longer ranges than was previously possible.

Klaus Weber, Director of Product Marketing at Grass Valley, added that the “incorporation of Vislink's INCAM-GV 5G and RF wireless transmitters for our LDX 135 RF and LDX 150 RF cameras offers our customers a seamless, cable-free experience without compromising on the exceptional picture quality Grass Valley is known for. This integration is a testament to our dedication to innovation in the media and entertainment industry."

Key features of the INCAM-GV include:

• Full Compatibility: Designed to fit perfectly with the mechanical and operational profile of the LDX 135 RF and LDX 150 RF.
• Licensable Frequency Bands: Provides flexibility for rapid, in-field changes to transmission settings.
• High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC): Ensures superior image quality with reduced bandwidth usage.

For more information, visit www.vislink.com. 

MT. OLIVE, NJ—At the 2024 NAB Show, April 14-17 in Las Vegas, Vislink Technologies will unveil its smallest transmitter yet, the DragonFly V. The  ultra-compact HEVC HDR COFDM transmitter weighs less than 55 grams, making it one of the lightest and most portable transmitters on the market, according to Vislink. It delivers high-definition HDR video transmission with low latency and supports video formats up to 1080P-50/60 HDR.

 “With the launch of DragonFly V, we are redefining the boundaries of live broadcast technology," said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink.. "This tiny yet mighty device exemplifies Vislink's commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions that our customers have come to expect. DragonFly V is the epitome of advanced engineering, designed to empower broadcasters and content creators to capture the world from angles never before possible.”

DragonFly V offers HD/SDI or HDMI input options and caters to a myriad of applications, from sports and entertainment to public safety. Its energy-efficient design ensures extended operation times, critical for remote and dynamic live broadcasting environments, the company said.

Key features include:

• Innovative Miniature Design: DragonFly V offers unparalleled portability and ease of use without sacrificing quality or functionality.
• HEVC HDR Encoding: capable of handling up to 1080P HD video, it provides crisp, clear images that are essential for modern broadcast workflows.
• Flexible Connectivity: equipped with either HDMI or SDI inputs, it ensures compatibility with a wide range of cameras.
• Ultra-Reliable Transmission: with a 50mW COFDM output power, DragonFly V enables stable and secure video even in the most challenging conditions.
• Low Power Consumption: for efficient and extended use.
• Comprehensive Control: features like Wi-Fi control and RS232 remote control add convenience and flexibility to operations.

Vislink will be in Booth W3632 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

MT. OLIVE, N.J.—Vislink Technologies has unveiled some of the innovations and new solutions that it will be showcasing at IBC2023 in Hall 1, stand C51 where it will be offering a wide range of product displays, presentations and video demonstrations. 

One of the highlights of Vislink's showcase will be its Hybrid IP/COFDM applications. This cutting-edge technology, expressed in key products like the Cliq ultracompact mobile transmitter, blends the strengths of Internet Protocol (IP) and Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM) to create optimal transmission capabilities, the company said. 

This technology is designed to provide broadcasters with a more robust and flexible transmission solution, especially in challenging environments where signal stability is crucial.

Vislink will also be demonstrating its private 5G solutions for event productions, leveraging the high-speed and low-latency benefits of 5G technology. The company's 5G solutions, which feature its award-winning UltraLink bonded cellular encoders, 5G-Link transmitter and 5G 4Live private 5G cellular network solution, will enable seamless event coverage and enhanced real-time content sharing, helping to transform the way live events are produced and consumed, the company reported. 

Another highlighted offering from Vislink is its solutions for remote production in the cloud. Led by the TerraLink series of portable, rackmount and compact encoders, these flexible, cost-effective, and scalable cloud-based production solutions are tailor-made for modern broadcasting needs, allowing organizations to streamline their production workflows and maximize their resources. Vislink's cloud-based solutions offer production teams the ability to collaborate remotely and deliver high-quality content to audiences worldwide.

Vislink's showcase will also feature AI-automated live sports and in-studio systems, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for enhanced production automation and viewer engagement. These solutions, which include the IQ vPilot and IQ SportsProducer, leverage AI technology to analyze live sports events in real-time, providing broadcasters with insights and recommendations that can enhance the viewer experience. The AI-powered systems are also capable of automating tasks such as camera switching, graphics generation, and highlights creation.

In addition, Vislink will be unveiling its airborne downlink solutions for Electronic News Gathering (ENG) and live sports. Featuring the cutting-edge Vislink AeroLink and Aero5 transmitters, these solutions provide aerial coverage for live events, enabling broadcasters to capture stunning aerial shots that enhance the viewer experience.

More information is available at www.vislink.com. 

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink will show its new Cliq OFDM mobile transmitter, a compact 4K mobile unit capable of transmitting full 4K or two HD video services, during IBC 2023, Sept. 15-18, at the RAI Amsterdam.

Cliq OFDM provides broadcasters with an uncontended wireless video network connection to contribute camera views with the freedom to roam, the company said.

Supporting HEVC compression, Cliq OFDM gives operators the flexibility to deliver more camera views in their allocated bandwidth or wirelessly capture content over twice the distance compared to older MPEG-4 devices, it said.

Cliq OFDM supports 2x the normal broadcast frame rates, reaching 100/120 fps. It delivers high-quality HD resolution images with minimal latency from any location, it said.

The new transmitter allows broadcasters to leverage high frame rate (HFR) cameras, which are critical for slow-motion and capturing fleeting moments. As untethered, cameras using Cliq OFDM are free to follow game action or events, and due to its small form factor Cliq can be integrated with mini cameras for POV and body-worn applications, the company said.

Cliq OFDM offers four stereo pair audio streams, provides 4:2:2, 10-bit HEVC low-latency encoding suitable for HDR; supports LMS-T, ISDB-T, DVB-T/T2 modulation; and can be controlled via RS-422 and CAN camera control system connectivity. It also offers an IP data pipe to bring full data connectivity to the edge to deliver camera control and communications via third-party devices.

More information is available on the company’s website.

See Vislink in IBC Stand 1.C51.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink will make the U.S. debut of its ultra-compact Cliq OFDM mobile transmitter at the 2023 NAB Show, April 15-19, in Las Vegas.

Among the smallest available 4K mobile transmitters, Cliq is capable of full 4K or transmission of two HD video services. The transmitter offers an uncontended wireless video network connection and complete freedom to roam, the company said.

With its HEVC capability, the Cliq OFDM mobile transmitter provides operators with the flexibility to deliver more camera views in their allocated bandwidth or wirelessly capture content over twice the distance compared to older MPEG-4 devices. The Cliq transmitter can support Tier 1 live events production, including delivering shots from body-worn cameras, and a wide variety of applications, including onboard vehicles, PoV cameras and drones, it said.

“The Cliq OFDM mobile transmitter offers users a low-latency, high-quality video experience that is essential for demanding applications during Tier-1 live event broadcasts,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.

“The Cliq provides our customers with the same quality for which our wireless solutions are known, in an even smaller form factor. NAB marks its North America debut, and we look forward to showcasing the Cliq amongst our line-up of wireless camera solutions.”

The transmitter supports four stereo pair audio streams in a small form factor. It is designed with the highest quality 4:2:2, 10-bit HEVC low-latency encoding capability and is suitable for HDR broadcasts; LMS-T, ISDB-T, DVB-T/T2Modulation; RS-422 and CAN camera control system connectivity and an IP data pipe to bring full data connectivity to the edge to deliver features, such as camera control or communications to third-party devices.

See Vislink at NAB Show booth W1731.

More information is available on the company’s website.

NEW YORK—Vislink will show its suite of IP connectivity and remote production solutions as well as present during the 2022 NAB Show New York, Oct. 17-20, at the Javits Center in New York City.

Featuring its all-IP, AI, 5G and REMI solutions for capture, production, distribution and monetization, Vislink also will offer its perspective during two panels when company CEO Mickey Miller participates in sessions devoted to content creation for multimedia audiences, Oct. 19 at 9-9:45 a.m., and how technologies are creating new opportunities to monetize content, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m.

Product innovations to be shown include the Vislink 5G 4Live end-to-end remote production system, designed to provide a premium-quality, uncontended 5G private network solution. The solution was engineered to be used at major events where live production organizations traditionally deploy COFDM systems, the company said.

Vislink 5G 4Live functions as a combined 5G network solution that integrates roaming camera 5G transmitters with a hybrid portable/private 5G network infrastructure. This provides production teams with a complete high-bandwidth, low-latency, uncontended 5G private network, it said.

Vislink 5G 4Live incorporates several best-of-breed technologies from Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint, which Vislink acquired in August 2021, in a completely integrated ecosystem, including the Vislink HCAM Module, the LinkMatrix system and device management control application and the Mobile Viewpoint UltraLink-Air 5G encoders, it said.

The company also will demonstrate its AI-powered system for live news and sports as well as REMI solutions that deliver all-IP streamlined workflows, increase viewer engagement and create higher returns, it said. 

“We look forward to showing how our multi-platform streaming capabilities and engagement-building features allow new revenue streams to be realized from a wider range of events and at lower costs than previously attainable,” said Miller. “In addition to our presence on the exhibit floor, we are honored to be part of the educational sessions taking place at the show.”

Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint also will highlight SRT capabilities throughout the show. 

See Vislink in NAB New York booth 1219.

TV Tech caught up with Vislink CEO Mickey Miller to talk about the company’s participation in the upcoming NAB Show New York. Attendees can see Vislink demonstrations in booth 1219.

TV Tech: What are you most looking forward to at NAB Show New York?

Mickey Miller: We’ve launched a number of exciting new solutions since the last NAB convention and we’re looking forward to showcasing them for visitors to NAB Show New York. These include: the Aerolink downlink transmitter for aircraft-based feeds from live events; an enhanced version of our AI-driven IQ Sports Producer system for automated capture and streaming of live sports; and our recently announced 5G 4Live, which provides broadcasters an end-to-end uncontended 5G private network solution.

What will be Vislink’s most important product news?

Miller: NAB Show New York will mark the U.S. debut of our brand new Cliq OFDM wireless transmitter. The Cliq is an exciting product for us that was designed with tier-1 live event broadcasts in mind. It features both high flexibility and high performance. It has a lightweight, compact form factor that makes it ideal for capturing unique POV camera angles. The Cliq supports full 4K transmissions, and with 10-bit, 4:2:2 low-latency encoding, it enables the capture of the highest-quality video at the lowest possible bandwidth. We’re already entertaining several inquiries for the Cliq for many types of applications including drones, body-worn cameras and onboard vehicle cameras.

 Visit the Vislink website for more information.

Mount Olive, N.J.—Vislink has introduced its Vislink 5G 4Live, a complete end-to-end production solution for premium-quality, uncontended 5G private network use and will highlight the new system during IBC 2022, Sept. 9-12, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, the company said today.

Vislink, which recently participated in 5G trials at the Commonwealth Games and Premiership Rugby, will also showcase its wide range of all-IP, AI-powered and 5G live production solutions.

The new 5G 4Live solution was engineered for use during major events where production companies traditionally have deployed COFDM systems. With full support for live production, the new wireless camera solution offers complete freedom of movement onsite via the bi-directional all-IP 5G gateway at the event, it said.

The Vislink 5G 4Live combines a 5G network solution that integrates roaming 5G camera transmitters with a hybrid portable/private 5G network infrastructure. The system provides a complete 5G private network deployment that is tailored to deliver high uplink bandwidth, low latency and uncontended network connectivity at the edge, the company said.

The new solution incorporates technologies from Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint, including:

• The Vislink HCAM Module 5, a 5G edge device offering a way for Vislink HCAM OFDM systems to migrate to 5G technology.
• The LinkMatrix system and device management control application, a drag-and-drop application, offering full management from remote locations.
• Mobile Viewpoint UltraLink-Air 5G encoders.

The Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint 5G systems can operate at the same time over the same 5G network, it said. 

“Vislink 5G 4Live is the first event production solution capable of seamlessly bridging broadcasters’ remote production infrastructure between the cloud and the edge. It leverages the extensive 5G development history featured in our Mobile Viewpoint line,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.

“5G 4Live brings fully bi-directional IP connectivity all the way to the edge – right up to the roaming cameras, which enhances communication with camera operators while simplifying camera control systems. This game-changing solution opens the door to realizing substantial cost efficiencies in the remote production of live events and allows for unprecedented creativity and flexibility in event coverage.”

See Vislink at IBC 2022 Stand 1.A63.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

SOUTHWICK, Mass.—Hitachi Kokusai Electric Comark has signed a partnership agreement with Vislink that appoints Comark as an authorized reseller, integrator, and service provider of Vislink’s high quality, reliable, real time video communication solutions for NextGenTV deployments.  

Comark will be focusing its NextGenTV solutions on the North American broadcast DTV market, the companies said.

Comark re-launched Comark Digital Services (CDS) in 2018 to assist customers with navigating their migration from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0. CDS currently operates a full laboratory for equipment testing, integration, and customer demonstrations, providing market-leading solutions with best-of-breed technology and system expertise to help customers jump into the exciting possibilities offered by the new DTV standard.

With this new agreement, Comark and CDS will offer Vislink’s ATSC 3.0 ready digital video microwave system: IPLink 3.0. 

This new system allows the broadcaster to smoothly migrate from the traditional ASI transport platform to a future IP-centric system architecture. The IPLink system delivers ultra-high linear RF output performance coupled with the reliability that LDPC (1) forward error correction affords in controlling errors in data transmissions over long or unreliable microwave paths.

“We have already provided, integrated, and deployed several NextGenTV solutions to broadcast customers,” says Joe Turbolski, vice president of sales and marketing, at Comark.  “The new agreement with Vislink allows us to also supply market leading solutions for broadcasters’ IP connectivity requirements in both MFN and SFN ATSC 3.0 architectures.”

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with Comark,” said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink. “Their long heritage of innovation and deep relationships in the broadcast space make them the ideal partner for introducing our IP Link 3.0 system to the widest range of broadcasting organizations. We specifically designed IP Link to help contribute to the transformation from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 by enabling immersive and interactive experiences for viewers, as well as opportunities for more efficient business models and avenues for monetization for broadcasters.”

MOUNT OLIVE, N.J.—Vislink is demonstrating AeroLink, the latest addition to its next-generation Airborne Video Downlink System (AVDS), for the first time to the public at the ongoing HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 in Dallas, March 7-10.

“We are excited to announce the debut of AeroLink,” said Mickey Miller, Vislink CEO. “We designed it from the ground up to deliver the immediate, clear and reliable video communications that are essential requirements of public safety organizations, military and government agencies and news and sports broadcasters. AeroLink is truly a first-of-its-kind solution to provide outstanding video quality, secure, full-duplex, real-time connectivity, extensive operating ranges and flexible support for COFDM, MESH and bonded cellular/5G networks.”

AeroLink is an aircraft-based unit that offering an IP-based, fully bi-directional workflow and tight integration with other elements of the Vislink AVDS, including the company’s Quantum Receiver. It is a lightweight, full-featured 4K or 2 x 1080p 60 HEVC digital dual-encoding video downlink solution built to address the demanding requirements of airborne operations, the company said.

HEVC compression efficiency enables superior quality video with reduced bandwidth for seamless, extended geographical coverage. The dual-encoding system allows the transmission of multiple video services over the same signal. It provides bi-directional data transmission and includes an optional MANET (MESH) component as a node in an ad-hoc system, it said. 

AeroLink incorporates a 5G transceiver that may be used as part of the 5G public infrastructure to ensure low-latency, broadcast-quality transmissions. AeroLink includes key security features, such as advanced AES encryption and FIPS 140-2, and complies with all aircraft regulations, Vislink said.

“The combination of secure COFDM with public 5G or FirstNet connectivity enables the greatest agility for all first responders, newsgathering organizations and defense and first responder agencies. We are confident that it will set the standard in air-to-ground communications in demanding operating environments,” said Miller.

More information is available on the company’s website.

See Vislink at HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 booth 10160.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink today announced it will highlight its new Mobile Viewpoint Stellar Cam designed for artificial intelligence (A.I.) powered live sports production at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 23-27.

The new camera is the latest in Vislink’s line of cameras designed for automatic coverage of sports. Durable and weatherproofed, Stellar Cam supports ultra-high resolution, high frame rates and zooming capabilities to capture action as it happens on the field of play, the company said.

“The launch of Stellar Cam affirms our leadership position in incorporating AI-powered technology to facilitate more cost-effective news and sports productions, and we look forward to sharing all of its benefits with NAB attendees,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.

“Stellar Cam represents the latest in a long line of A.I. solutions brought to market by our Mobile Viewpoint brand," he continued. "It is a key component of IQ Sports Producer, our platform for capturing live sporting events without the need for onsite staff. IQ Sports Producer is perfect for mid- and lower-tier games and matches, and enables over-the-top (OTT) media providers, media right holders and production companies to capture sporting events on a limited budget.”

IQ Sports Producer was designed to produce live streams of sports like football, rugby, basketball, hockey and handball. Recently, it was deployed to cover other sports like horse jumping and velodrome cycling. Support for more sports is being added, the company said.

A single panoramic camera captures the whole pitch, arena or track in extremely high resolution. AI is used to create a virtual camera that tracks the action of the ball and the players, creating a software cut-out of the action from the panoramic view, it said.

IQ Sports Producer can zoom, provide highlights, graphics and scoreboards, replicating an actual professional production. It also is compatible with popular performance analytics tools. By capturing and recording the entire panorama, no action is ever missed, and new content streams can be created, it said.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

See Vislink at NAB Show booth C7508.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink has launched the Mobile Viewpoint Stellar Cam, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered camera for live sports production, the company announced today.

Designed for automatic coverage of demanding sports, the new durable and weatherproofed camera offers ultra-high resolution, high frame rates and zooming capabilities to capture action in real time on the field of play, the company said.

“This announcement affirms our leadership position in incorporating AI-powered technology to facilitate more cost-effective news and sports productions,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller. 

“Stellar Cam represents the latest in a long line of AI solutions brought to market by our Mobile Viewpoint brand. It is a key component of IQ Sports Producer, our platform for capturing live sporting events without the need for onsite staff," he continued. "IQ Sports Producer is perfect for mid and lower-tier games and matches, and enables over-the-top (OTT) media providers, media right holders and production companies to capture sporting events on a limited budget.” 

IQ Sports Producer was designed to produce live streams of football, rugby, basketball, hockey and handball. Recently, it was deployed to cover sports such as horse jumping and velodrome cycling, with support for more sports being added.

A single panoramic camera captures the whole pitch, arena or track in extremely high resolution. AI is used to create a virtual camera that tracks the action of the ball and the players, creating a software cut-out of the action from the panoramic view. IQ Sports Producer can zoom, provide highlights, graphics and scoreboards, replicating an actual professional production.

It is also compatible with popular performance analytics tools. By capturing and recording the entire panorama, no action is ever missed, and new content streams can be created, the company said.

More information is available on the company’s website.

See Vislink in Booth 309 at the NCAA 2022 Convention Trade Show, Jan. 20-21, in Indianapolis.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink this week launched its new Mobile Viewpoint BaseLink 5G mobile encoder for remote production and enhancements to its and Mobile Viewpoint’s products in the areas of IP-centric workflows and AI technologies. (Vislink closed an $18.3 million deal to acquire Mobile Viewpoint in August.)

The new BaseLink 5G uses the latest bonded cellular and 5G technologies to transmit live news, sports and entertainment video with maximum bandwidth and low latency. 

“The launch of BaseLink 5G underscores our focus on bringing to market solutions that leverage our innovations in bonded cellular, 5G and AI-driven technologies,” said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink.

“BaseLink 5G is ideal for broadcasters and content creators everywhere who want a professional live streaming solution that can be set up and deployed easily and at relatively low cost," he added.

The new encoder offers:

• Support for up to six 5G modems;
• Two Ethernet ports to expand in-venue connectivity options, connect to wideband internet as well as directly to cloud content storage;
• Internal storage for store-and-forward of high-resolution video content;
• A rugged aluminum housing;
• Support for the latest GPUs that will power next-gen encoders.

 The newly announced IP-centric features include: 

• New support for the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol added to the Vislink all-IP Quantum wireless camera receiver;
• Quantum Receiver integration into the Mobile Viewpoint LinkMatrix control and content routing management platform, enabling crews to manage wireless content from any source;
• SMPTE ST 2110 IP video connectivity added to the Quantum camera receiver.

 The new 5G and AI-driven technologies include: 

• Mobile Viewpoint TerraLink rack-mountable encoders for use in OB vans, SNG trucks and studios now include support for the SRT protocol;
• Pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) camera capabilities for the Mobile Viewpoint IQ Sports Producer with AI-assisted live sports coverage capability delivering more accurate and immersive tracking and enhanced detail;
• Mobile Viewpoint vPilot AI-based live studio production system with new support for switcher integration via a third-party add-on.

 More information is available on the Vislink website. 

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint will exhibit in person at IBC 2021 with stands in two exhibit halls where 5G and remote production will be the focus.

“IBC is particularly exciting for Vislink this year, as it’s the first time we’re exhibiting our new integrated product range, following the acquisition of Mobile Viewpoint earlier this year,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.

“This acquisition means that Vislink can now ensure our customers can acquire and deliver video however they need to, over any public or private network. IBC will see us making our Connected Edge video transport concept a reality, through utilizing ubiquitous IP networks and cloud-scale compute across 5G, WiFi6, Mesh and COFDM-enabled networks to acquire, transport and produce high-quality live video.”

Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint will have solutions experts at IBC 2021 discussing their pioneering use of 5G networks for live contribution of wireless camera video and how these platforms will develop going forward. 

In Hall 1 at Stand A63, they will feature Vislink’s HCAM wireless camera and matching Quantum receiver that enables production teams to bring immersive camera views in 4K and HDR with single-frame latency and to cut between wireless and wired cameras at will. 

They also will feature the Mobile Viewpoint UltraLink-Air bonded mobile wireless camera solution, which makes it possible to be on-air in moments and operate entirely remotely and the IP connectivity and workflows at the heart of the latest Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint products.

In Hall 5 at Stand H49, Mobile Viewpoint will feature its vPilot automated studio system using AI technology to automate in-studio camera direction and its IQ Sports Producer, which provides advanced AI-driven production to enable cameras to track sports players automatically.

More information is available on the Vislink website.  

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. & ALKMAAR, Netherlands—Fresh off its announced acquisition of Mobile Viewpoint Aug. 16, Vislink held a virtual press conference laying out the details of its $18.3 million purchase and how the move positions the combined company to offer a complementary range of video acquisition, contribution and distribution solutions that address the growing demand for internet video.

“Mobile Viewpoint provides us with innovative technologies and solutions that, combined with Vislink’s capabilities, will enable our customers to acquire and deliver video over any preferred public or private network,” said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.

“This presents a tremendous growth opportunity for us as 5G and other new networks, along with machine learning, are about to revolutionize how video is produced and transported," he continued. "This acquisition means that we can now make the most of these transformative live video trends and bring high-quality live production to events that were historically economically challenging to produce like amateur and semi-pro athletics.”

The acquisition provides Vislink with new complementary technology. The Vislink and Mobile Viewpoint Connected Edge solution will leverage IP networks to provide low-latency, high-capacity video transport that uses artificial intelligence to automate workflows, Vislink said.

Combines, solutions will include live video encoding, stream adaptation, decode and production solutions; remote production workflows, wireless cameras, AI-driven automated production and the ability to contribute video over bonded cellular 3G and 4G, satellite, fiber and emerging networks like 5G and Starlink.

“Mobile Viewpoint… brings us very exciting AI-driven automated production and camera solutions, as well as a pioneering development team that has a history of being first to market with solutions that make a real difference, including support for multi-camera/REMI production, H.265, 5G and Starlink,” said Miller.

The deal consists of a $17.34 million stock purchase and the rest in debt assumption and payment. Mobile Viewpoint was a privately held subsidiary Triple IT Corporate B.V. in The Netherlands.

“It is exciting that Mobile Viewpoint will now be part of delivering Vislink Connected Edge solutions,” said Michael Bais, managing director of Mobile Viewpoint. “Being part of a larger entity will enable us to accelerate our innovative product roadmap. It also opens up the military, government and American markets for us.”

More information is available on the Vislink website.  

BATON ROUGE, La.—Alabama Public Television (APT) is getting an update to its stations for ATSC 3.0 transmission, selecting Technical Services Group (TSG) and Vislink to handle the statewide project. 

The upgrade, which is billed at $2.8 million, covers 30 locations with bi-directional, high-speed IP components from Vislink that will enable support for ATSC 3.0 transmission on Alabama’s microwave distribution system. The current system has been in place since 2010 and is only capable of supporting ATSC 1.0.

APT’s network uses nine transmitters and 21 repeaters for its statewide coverage. The master signal originates from the network operations center at APT’s Birmingham station, WBIQ. To achieve bi-directional connectivity and full redundancy across the entire network, TSG says that it will install 120 of Vislink’s IPLink 3.0 transceivers, four at each site.

Vislink’s digital video microwave system will enable APT to transition from traditional ASI transport to an IP-centric system architecture. The new system also will have Simple Network Management Protocols (SNMP), which will monitor and manage the overall health of the APT Network, per Vislink.

Work on the project is expected to begin in early summer, with the goal of completing it by the end of the year. APT believes that with the built-in redundancy, it should be able to minimize or avoid signal disruption during the upgrade.

PLUS: ATSC 3.0 Deployments: Where and When Will NextGen TV be Available? 

APT also plans to develop a separate fiber network for ATSC 3.0 to help connect the 30 transmission sites. This is still in the planning stage.

“ATSC 3.0 is the next step in the evolution of broadcast television. With their emphasis on infrastructure, Alabama Public Television is in front of the curve,” said Bo Hoover, CEO of TSG. “APT’s transition to ATSC 3.0 is going to serve as a model for other statewide networks, and we are excited to work with Vislink to deliver this solution.”

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink is launching the Quantum IP-native wireless camera receiver, which incorporates IP connectivity to provide reliable reception from wireless camera transmitters and more efficient workflows, the company says.

Quantum is an IP-native, high-performance RF receiver that enables production teams to implement remote production systems. It delivers content directly over IP fiber networks and cuts out additional video compressions stages, allowing for the removal of additional equipment CAPEX costs and increase video quality, per Vislink.

The Quantum receiver can provide built-in SRT capability to contribute video over the unmanaged internet. It also extends the number of RF inputs on a wireless camera receiver to 16, which enables wider area of coverage and RF coverage through MRC and Packet switching technology.

The unit also features a touchscreen interface and APIs for integration into system control and orchestration tools. There is also low latency video processing technology for multiformat video decoding that supports all major video formats. It’s also a SMPTE 2110-ready device.

Vislink built Quantum to work on both remote production and on-site live event coverage, said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink.

“By putting IP connectivity at the heart of the Quantum receiver, Vislink can help content creators fully modernize their networks to deliver high-impact wireless camera images and simplify the infrastructure required to bring that content home,” Miller said.

For more information, visit www.vislink.com.  

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink is now a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as part of the company’s efforts to support and promote 5G technology. In addition, Vislink’s David Edwards, Live Production product manager and interim Group R&D leader, will serve on EBU’s 5G in Content Production Group (5GCP).

Vislink joining EBU comes after the company recently announced a new Connected Edge solution for leveraging IP connectivity everywhere to facilitate lower latency, ultra-fast video, real-time analytics and assessment of actionable intelligence.

“5G connectivity will be a key component in achieving the Connected Edge. The live production use case requires unique specs like high uplink capacity and very low latency,” said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink. “We look forward to being part of the working group that will help bring broadcast requirements to the 5G roadmap and ecosystem.”

5GCP consists of major equipment vendors, broadcasters and leaders in the industry working to define relevant use cases for 5G technology across news, sports, events, studio and location production. The group also works to identify and quantify the associated technical and operational requirements for a 5G transition, as well as understand typical working practices and standardization of the latest broadcast technology.

“5G will play an important part in the future of wireless camera applications for the live video production sectors and we are already seeing traction on consumer telecommunications. Yet, there are many aspects of this technology that industry leaders must understand in order to develop the best products and use of the 5G infrastructure,” said David Edwards. “That is why I am honored to represent Vislink as a member of EBU’s 5GCP group. We will work to help standardize the 5G transition, provide guided use cases for leaders in the industry and help clients adapt to the next generation of broadcasting.” 

For more information, visit www.vislink.com.  

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink has launched its IP Link 3.0, a new ATSC 3.0 studio-transmitter link (STL) system. 

“The ATSC 3.0 advanced visual standard allows audiences to enjoy a media-rich TV broadcast system with game-changing video and audio quality improvements, as well as a pathway for exciting features like interactivity and participation, which gives children the ability to enjoy interactive games and adventures along with their favorite shows,” said Sean Van, product manager, Live Production, at Vislink. 

“Vislink is enabling broadcasters to transition to the new ATSC 3.0 standard with our new IP Link 3.0 RF transmission system. The IP Link 3.0 allows broadcasters to easily upgrade to ATSC 3.0 and carry the higher quality IP video data out from the studio to transmitter sites over RF links,” he said.

Vislink’s IP data-over-RF system provides a low-cost infrastructure deployment that delivers data access to transmitter locations that frequently are remote or hard-to-reach. The IP Link 3.0’s use of high order modulations and strong forward error correction (FEC) ensures stations can be confident of a robust RF link that requires minimal bandwidth allocations.

Vislink’s IP Link 3.0 coupled with ATSC 3.0 offers a variety of benefits and solutions. For instance, a public safety feature allows for the delivery of public alerts and mission-critical video and images to local and regional first responders during emergencies. 

Additionally, a key benefit for remote education during the pandemic is the ability to deliver customized and targeted learning programs to rural and remote areas without access to the internet. 

More information is available by emailing Sean Van as well as on the company’s website. 

With vast audiences clamoring for social togetherness whilst still practicing physical distancing, the rekindling of remote TV production behind closed doors could be seen as the perfect vehicle to experiment with new ways to increase social engagement and greater viewer participation to deliver a more immersive experience to a vast, ready and willing global audience. 

While remote production techniques have been around for several years, lockdowns and the transition to working from home have created a pull-factor for more remote production technologies in live TV production and broadcast companies of all sizes. It’s now more important than ever for these companies to protect their content and revenues and think about how they can operate effectively and efficiently amid the “new normal.” Here is how and why technology can help solve the pain points production, broadcast and media companies are facing today. 

THE PROBLEMS AT HAND

In bringing a televised event to a consumer, video content passes through many processing stages, and within each stage, the processing takes time to complete. There can often be latencies of up to 0.5 seconds getting content out of a major outside broadcast back into the studio, and frequently additional delays of more than three seconds in delivering that content to home consumer linear broadcast TV platforms. 

These latencies can be critical—a major event such as an Olympic final could be nearly over in the stadium before a viewer has seen the start. The situation is considerably worse for many live-streamed services, which can suffer more than one-minute time lag compared to traditional broadcast platforms.

As video production shifts towards greater video quality, adapting new techniques, such as implementing greater bandwidth efficiency savings in transmission chains, can reduce costs or offset the bandwidth. Because of this, there is an ever-increasing uptake of HEVC compression technology. More efficient and more processing-intensive codecs like HEVC have the potential to increase these undesirable latencies. 

Image acquisition from the camera through the production chain also incurs some delay as the video frames are aligned and processed. However, with wireless cameras, directors can employ video compression and sophisticated RF modulation techniques in order to achieve reliable, long-range transmission over narrow frequency bands. Because of the greater complexity of HEVC algorithms and the increased processing load from 4K images, UHD capable wireless camera transmission systems have delivered end-to-end latencies that have proven to be undesirable in the industry.

THE RIGHT APPLICATIONS

While tapping into new technologies, it is key for broadcast and media managers to monitor for any complex tools added to their inventory. This can be avoided by embracing providers that offer a batch of solutions that create wireless camera systems, which are already integrated into remote production architectures, and can easily configure to any existing device and work in the toughest of environments. 

When looking for modern technology, broadcast and media companies should look for additions that lower costs by reducing the number of people on site. This also leads to a more family-friendly work atmosphere—with fewer days away from home—as well as an eco-friendly culture. 

More importantly, staff can be used more efficiently and can assist in multiple productions throughout the day, instead of just one event at a time. The new process includes transporting raw camera views to the broadcast center rather than a complete production. Wireless cameras can then be put on to remotely operated (controlled) devices to get close to the action without needing a cameraman (operator). 

TODAY’S REMOTE TOOLSET

Wireless cameras can be used to create a greater sense of engagement when spectators are absent. In sports, for example, close-in shots, goal-line cameras, touchdown close-ups and point-of-view shots from player and referee cameras are being used to help build a sense of engagement with the home viewer. 

RF camera systems, specifically, provide flexibility and the capability to deploy and enable new dynamic camera angles, which can be rapidly installed without the need for physical cable management. This delivers solutions that extend to total freedom-of-movement, body-worn cameras. For clinical safety reasons, using this tech is likely to require less production support crews and allow directors to provide audiences the shots they are used to seeing instantly.  

The use of lower latency wireless camera systems can also revolutionize event production—allowing the director to freely cut between wired and wireless cameras at will—without fear of any undesirable mismatches in a video presentation. Recent developments to sophisticated HEVC UHD-capable wireless camera systems significantly reduce processing latencies—an issue all broadcast and media companies are facing. By improving the video decode implementation through optimized buffer management and implementing greater parallel processing by pipelining the data flows, end-to-end latencies—as low as a single video frame—can be achieved in a matter of minutes and without personnel. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

With production teams working remotely, the spotlight has also become more focused on enhanced IP data connectivity between event and production centers. We can expect to see more reliance on IP-based streaming to offer a flexible and cost-efficient way of operating remote sites without a full staff. These IP-focused connections will become even more vital as media businesses update their remote production workflows and manage the repercussions of the pandemic. 

Mickey Miller is CEO of Vislink.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. —There will be a new leader at the head of Vislink Technologies, as the company’s Board of Directors has named Carleton M. Miller as the new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 15.

Miller, who was previously the co-founder, CEO, president and board member of Blinq Technologies Inc., will also serve on Vislink’s Board of Directors.

“Carleton is a proven leader and an experience CEO who has built global technology businesses and is well positioned to lead Vislink’s continued transformation,” said Sue Swenson, Vislink’s Board Chair. “With more than 25 years in leadership roles in the technologies and communications industries, Carleton has demonstrated a strong track record in initiating and leading change, innovating amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape and driving results. Carleton’s industry knowledge, business acumen, integrity and passion for customers are important qualities considered by our board.”

“I am honored and thrilled by the opportunity to lead a company recognized for high performance and reliability,” said Miller. “I look forward to working with the Vislink team and all stakeholders and partners to take Vislink to the next level in exceeding our customers’ expectations.”

Miller will take over the CEO role from Roger Branton, who had been pulling double duty as the CEO and CFO. Branton will remain CFO, as well as maintain a seat on the Board of Directors.

LAS VEGAS—At the 2019 NAB Show, Vislink Technologies introduced the INCAM-HS integrated wireless camera transmitter, which is built into Sony’s new HDC-5500 4K multi-format live camera system. Vislink Technologies’ INCAM-HS provides full HEVC 4K UHD broadcast-quality encoding as well as 1080p, 1080i and 720p resolutions, plus built-in wireless camera control and HDR support.

Targeting event coverage, newsgathering and sports broadcasting, the Vislink INCAM-HS is an all-in-one solution designed to be incorporated into the camera. It features the same technology as Vislink’s HCAM on-camera device, which offers single-frame end-to-end UHD latency. As an integrated option, the Vislink INCAM-HS reduces the weight at the rear of the camera, resulting in a significantly improved weight distribution for operators.

The HCAM-HS is designed for all current image capture needs—including UHD and HDR, with high-quality 4:2:2 Chroma and 10-bit Luna—and features integrated camera control, delivering an easy-to-use, fully integrated grab-and-go camera solution.

“The introduction of Sony’s new HDC-5500 4K multi-format live camera system with Vislink INCAM-HS technology is sure to make a big splash in the industry,” says John Payne, president and COO of Vislink Technologies. “We are excited to once again be collaborating with Sony to offer an INCAM-integrated wireless camera transmitter for its new camera that is simple to use. The INCAM-HS’ high-quality HEVC performance means that HD operations can benefit from single-frame latencies in combination with a 6dB increase in signal robustness—doubling the transmission range compared to MPEG-4 systems.”

The Vislink INCAM-HS is available with several frequency band solutions, from 1.3-7.75GHz, and offers up to 16 preset channels for tuning. The omnidirectional 3dBi gain antenna provides an adjustable 10-250mW transmission power. The transmitter includes COFDM DVB-T and LMS-T modulation options, while the integrated UHF receiver operates in the 410-490MHz RF range.

Featuring bandwidth efficient HEVC compression as well as MPEG-4 video encoding and multi-channel AAC, MPEG-1 and AES/Dolby E audio Passthrough, Vislink’s INCAM-HS supports 480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p and 2160p video formats. This fully featured and flexible capability ensures that the INCAM-HS can fulfill the needs of all video productions.

Vislink also announced that Grass Valley’s newest LDX 86N Series 4K-RF camera is now integrated with Vislink Technologies’ INCAM-HG wireless camera transmitter, which provides HEVC 4K UHD, HDR-ready wireless encoding and a remote-controllable camera interface via WiFi.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.—Vislink and Aeroshot Productions are teaming up. Through a newly agreed upon strategic partnership, Vislink will serve as the exclusive HD and 4K UHD wireless technology hardware and innovation provider to give Aeroshot’s specialized camera products wireless video, audio and data connectivity.

Aeroshot’s provides its all-in-one, gyro-stabilized wireless cameras, which are available as production rental equipment, to Extreme Camera Systems and its EX250 and EX300 4K HDR products. As part of this new agreement, Extreme Camera Systems will purchase Vislink wireless technology for its cameras, which will then make up Aeroshot’s rental fleet.

The partnership between Vislink and Aeroshot calls for Vislink to promote the Aeroshot rental model. Vislink also has exclusive rights to resell these specialized camera systems to its global client base in military, government, law enforcement and public safety markets; these customers can utilize Aeroshot’s rental model to try out the systems before making a purchase.

Robert King, Vislink’s European sales director, said that the combination of the EX stabilized heads and Vislink’s broadcast RF technology will allow content creators to work faster and smarter when dealing with live content.

Vislink will feature the EX250 and EX300 cameras at its booth (C6008) during the 2019 NAB Show.

BRACKNELL, ENGLAND—NEP UK has deployed its new Super-Slow live camera for ITV's coverage of the Cheltenham Festival.

NEP has combined Grass Valley's RT camera and Vislink HCAM wireless transmitters as well as some "NEP imagination" to capture Super-Slow images, while recording live images at 1080p150.

The Vislink transmitters can be attached directly to the camera back and send multiple streams of 4K images. The high frame rate allows the system to transmit live images at 1080p150—which can be cut live (at 1080p50) and also fed directly to an EVS for Super-Slowmotion playback.

The OB team at Cheltenham Festival are using a GV LDX 86XS handheld wireless camera, which offers return video and full camera control.

“Super-Slow or tri-motion images have become increasingly popular, particularly for sports coverage, but we’ve never been able to capture them live with an RF camera before,” said William Norris, senior RF engineer, NEP UK.

This story first appeared on TVT's sister publication TVB Europe.

SARASOTA, FLA.—U.K.-based Broadcast RF is going with a familiar partner with the addition of 10 new HEVC 4K UHD HCAM wireless camera systems, announcing it will receive the order from xG Technology’s Vislink business.

The Vislink HCAM is a HEVC 4K UHD wireless transmitter that is capable of supporting live broadcast events. It permits 4K UHD wireless video with a 70ms latency via Vislink’s RF modulation.

SARASOTA, FLA.—NEP U.K. is doing its own kind of preparations for the 2018 Winter Olympics, recently placing an order for $535,000 worth of equipment from xG Technology subsidiary Vislink.

The order was for Vislink’s HEVC 4K-capable HCAM wireless camera systems with focal point camera control. The HCAM systems permit 4K UHD wireless video with a 70ms latency via Vislink’s RF modulation.

NEP U.K. is expected to utilize the recently acquired gear for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea and The Commonwealth Games in Australia in August 2018.

AMSTERDAM—IMT and Vislink, subsidiaries of xG Technology, will share a single booth at this year’s IBC conference to showcase their range of wireless camera transmitters and receivers, including the IMTDragonFly, microLite and INCAM-G transmitters, and the UltraReceiver and DR3 receivers.

IMTDragonFly

The IMTDragonFly transmitter is designed to capture real-time video from UAV/UGV/body cams/concealments for display on fixed or mobile receive applications. It offers HD/SD-SDI or optional HDMI inputs with COFDM transmission and can deliver up to 100mW of power to provide long range HD video transmission.

The microLite COFDM HD transmitter is a portable system of wireless camera transmission links for video applications of up to one-mile line-of-sight. The transmitter features H.264 SD and HD encoding capabilities and can operate in the standard 2k DVB-T COFDM mode, enabling the H.264 video encoder to support the main profile of the H.264 standard.

There will also be the INCAM-G wireless camera transmitter that is built into the Grass Valley LDX series HD camera to provide full HD broadcast quality encoding at 1080p, 1080i and 720p, as well as built-in wireless camera control. It also has ultra-low delay and a full configuration available by Windows PC software.

On the receiver side, the UltraReceiver is a 1RU half-width, rackmount chassis receiver that features four UHF inputs with maximum –ratio combining, DVB-T and LMS-T demodulation, as well as ASI and IP capabilities. The DR3 IP diversity receiver, meanwhile, has a built-in IP diversity switch, works with Nucomm’s High Dynamic Range Block Down Converters and can daisy chain up to eight receivers to share the same set of antennas.

IMT and Vislink will be housed at booth 1.A69 at IBC 2017.

SEATTLE—I still remember a visit from a cellular phone company in the late 1990s to the affiliate where I worked, offering us liveshot capability over their wireless network.

I remember the images being black and white, a few frames a second with considerable delay, and resolution that made ATSC’s standard definition look like IMAX. And those liveshots, such as they were, were possible only if your news story happened within a narrow footprint of cellular signal coverage.

I remember we didn’t bite.

Cellular liveshots have come a long way since then. Camera makers targeting their wares at news departments are building cellular liveshot wherewithal in their equipment, and some companies that pioneered modern cellular liveshot technology are using cellular wireless for more than just transporting news stories.

“Our user behavior has moved way beyond its use as a newsgathering tool,” said Paul Shen, CEO of TVU Networks in Mountain View, Calif. “We’ve begun to see [this technology] used regularly as a transmission means for various different programs. That’s a fundamental paradigm shift.”

Shen said that the ability of his company’s system to regularly and reliably send 10 MBps over cellular networks gives customers confidence that complete programs can be transported without a hitch. “With our TVU Grid, we’re moving to TV studio operations, and looking to TV distribution, looking at how to share the content among TV stations.”

He assures that this is not to take away from a thriving business TVU Networks is doing with the its TVUPack liveshot gear.

Dejero Live+ Control Live+ Control is the company’s next-generation cloud-based management, monitoring, and reporting tool that simplifies IP video workflows used in remote broadcasting productions. Dejero Founder and Chief Technology Officer Bogdan Frusina noted that his company will continue to improve the reliability and quality of its cellular liveshot equipment that gets news stories from the field to the studio. “And as we have more and more of these assets in the field, you need to be able to manage them, get reports on them, get analysis on them.”

On a parallel track, the company has also tightened the integration of Dejero receive gear with Grass Valley’s GV Stratus video production and management system.

“We’re going to start working towards workflow integration and managing file-based workflow, from the field into the studio, and assuring that it is as seamless as possible for our users,” said Frusina. “We’re going to be able to enhance that ability to edit in the field and be able to move files quicker. That becomes very powerful, quicker to air, faster to air, delivering in multiple formats, delivering for the Web and for the studio as well.”

LOOKING FORWARD
Jon Landman, vice president of sales at Teradek in Irvine Calif., says it’s time to look at what’s next for cellular bonding technology.

“Bonding is no longer bleeding edge, it is accepted, everyone’s using it, there’s no magic in it,” he said. “So then you say to yourself, what’s the future of bonding?”

The company answered that question when it implemented the latest version of ShareLink, technology. “Until now there’s been no such thing as bonding for the masses,” Landman said. “[Because of the cost of sending data over cellular networks,] it’s pretty much been an exclusive kind of group of TV stations that get into the bonding game.”

Teradek’s VidiU Pro uses the company’s ShareLink technology maximize bandwidth and reliability by bonding multiple Internet connections from different sources. ShareLink allows the achievement of maximum bandwidth and reliability by bonding multiple Internet connections from different sources. It can combine a variety of interfaces, Ethernet, WiFi, USB modems, and even up to four iPhone cellular connections. “Anyone that streams, anyone that wants to move video from A to B is a potential customer for us,” Landman said. At the same time, Teradek continues to develop its bonded cellular technology around its Cube product.

All cellular liveshot systems utilize some form of compression, but not all of them use the same version of compression. According to Chris Crump, senior director of sales for Comrex in Devens, Mass., the version of H.264 Comrex implements “takes advantage of all the profiles within H.264’s specification. And so within our device, you can create a customized profile.”

He pointed to the advantage this brings. “So if you know you don’t want to do full HD, you could use a streamlined profile that would give you good SD at a certain bit-rate. But if you’re wanting to do full HD and you had more than enough bandwidth, you could use a six meg or eight meg profile.” Comrex supplies some profiles as a starting point, but Crump said customers frequently develop their own for specific challenges.

Avi Cohan, co-founder and chief operations officer of LiveU, said they’re “continuing to improve the video quality of our bonded cellular products. We’re going to improve the bootup time, and in the next year we have a lot of interesting stuff.”

But in addition, the company has undertaken the development of “some very tight integration with NewTek, which means LiveU is more tightly integrated with the NewTek switchers, both in the cloud and in the facility.”

Cohan said this allows LiveU to work with NewTek’s Network Device Interface protocol, which allows replacement of a SMPTE cable infrastructure with network cabling utilizing video over IP. “Let’s say that we’re out in the field and right now we’re covering some event, we send the video to the headquarters, and now the decoder gets it and takes it out through data cable over IP,” Cohan said. “In the NewTek switcher, you edit and add commercials, titles, whatever you’re doing with the video. And then send it out the appropriate channel.”

For a number of years, JVC has simplified cellular transmission by building the technology into its news camcorders, most lately in its GY-HM890 studio and field capable camcorders. The company also took on the challenge of working around congested cellular networks at large-crowd events with its Private MESH Video Network, which provides bandwidth up to 85 Mbps, significantly more than traditional cellular and bonded cellular transmission systems. Designed for single and multicamera shoots, the IP-based network solution combines JVC’s advanced camera encoding technology with the Silvus Bi-Directional Radio System to transmit very high quality HD video while avoiding bandwidth congestion issues from the use of public Wi-Fi or broadband networks.

Introducing the MESH network at the 2015 NAB Show, Dave Walton, JVC assistant vice president, marketing communications, said: “This is the future of ‘first mile’ contribution for live multicamera coverage of remote events. Broadcasters are going to love the reliability and simplicity of our private wireless network system, because it resolves any issues of access or bandwidth in the field.”

Walton said that sports producers expressed interest in the technology, and said it has huge potential for government and security applications as well.

Vislink, a long-time supplier of liveshot technology to broadcasters via its microwave and satellite products also offers cellular liveshot capability as well.

“We’re not a typical cellular equipment supplier, which are usually pure-play cellular liveshot vendors,” said Michael Payne, Vislink Communications president and chief technology officer. “We don’t just bond cellular channels together. We bond cellular and microwave, cellular with satellite, any combination. And we don’t force any one path back on the customer. If the customer is interested in the lowest cost path, which is usually microwave because they own that path, that’s what our system will give them. If they’re interested in the most flexibility to move around, that might be cellular.”

NETWORK INSIDE
The 2015 NAB Show saw Sony introduce network connectivity into many of its camcorders, allowing them to deliver video wirelessly through a cellular modem or over network data cables. Jeanne Lewis, marketing product manager for Sony Electronics Professional Solutions, pointed out that this not only allows delivery of video from the camera, but offers certain advantages because it’s a two-way data connection.

“One feature is that it allows the operator in the station to access many of the features in the camcorder. With the network built inside the camera, they have more features that you can access. For example, the operator at the station can access focus, zoom, or even the white balance.”

At the 2015 NAB Show, Panasonic launched the AJ-PX380 AVC-ULTRA shoulder-mount camcorder with integrated LiveU technology. Lewis noted that this is increasingly important with journalists becoming “one-man-band” video journalists, where the technical aspects of the camera were not part of their training. The VJ gets the camera on the tripod and turned on, “but he doesn’t know how to set up the camera,” she said. Back at the station a more technically oriented crew member can remotely access the camera, and make adjustments to optimize the pictures and signal.

Cellular connectivity went 4K this autumn at the IBC Show when Panasonic integrated LiveU technology into the AJ-PX380 AVC-ULTRA shoulder-mount camcorder. “[This supports] 4G/ LTE, wired LAN and wireless LAN connections, enabling on-site preview, streaming and uploading data to a server quickly and easily at low cost with a PC/Mac, tablet or smartphone,” said Steve Cooperman, senior product manager for Panasonic.

Alternatively, users can connect to the camera via Wi-Fi to control, add or edit metadata, view proxies, or watch live streaming for logging or monitoring.

“Unique to Panasonic’s live streaming protocol is a quality-of-service layer that rapidly and dynamically adjusts the bit-rate of the streaming signal to optimize the transmission speed as bandwidth of the cellular network changes,” Cooperman said.

The cellular liveshot technology is certainly omnipresent in the television news world, but shows no slowing down in developing new capabilities.

MADRID—Viewers of the recent Octo British Grand Prix got a bonus from Dorna Sports and BT Sports, as the two broadcasters collaborated to cover the MotoGP World Championship event in 4K with the use of Vislink equipment for a live wireless transmission.

Coverage of the Octo British Grand Prix

Vislink provided 19 UHD cameras to cover the track, including a high speed, super slow motion camera and wireless 4K cameras. The coverage was then made available to viewers on the BT Sport UHD channel.

Dorna Sports is an international sports management, marketing and media company headquartered in Madrid. BT Sports is the U.K. broadcasting partner for MotoGP. Vislink is a provider of advanced communication systems for broadcasters located in Hemel Hempstead, England.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, ENGLAND – Vislink is hitting the links this weekend as it will provide live video coverage of the 144th Open Golf Championship. Broadcast RF tapped the broadcast communications equipment provider to employ its transmission and receive infrastructure to offer course-wide coverage for the second year in a row.

L1700

With a limited spectrum availability, Broadcast RF went with Vislink for its video compression and efficiency benefits, allowing for seamless HD video from the field. A combination of compact wireless camera back transmitters and a planned receive antenna network connected via fiber optic cables offers coverage of the entire 6,721 yard course.

Receive sites include Vislink’s L3025 Down Converter to feed the received signals back to the TV compound. With GPS positions of cameras being mapped in real-time, engineers are able to switch the appropriate receive antennas into the receiver/decoder for each camera for the best coverage. Broadcast RF also designed a one-man camera transmitter, which uses Vislink’s L1700 wireless microwave transmitter and Omni antenna, specifically for the Open.

The 144th Open Championship will take place from the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, with coverage going from July 16-19.