In Broadcast - November 2012 - 26

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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WWW.INBROADCAST.COM | ISSUE 14 - NOV/DEC 2012

InVIEW
Cellular Links Complement Traditional ENG Technology
By Michael Grotticelli
As the debate surrounding the reliability of highly portable, bonded cellular technology to transmit video back to the station continues, it can play a vital role for today’s “get-it-ﬁrst” electronic newsgathering. It is perhaps the fastest and most economical way to get close and cover a breaking news story … as long as you have the wireless bandwidth. Companies that market these portable uplink systems – which include a small encoder and 3G/4G/WiFi transmitter that can be carried inside a backpack or mounted on the back of a camera (or set up beside it) – are expending considerable effort to implement new types of lightweight codecs, bandwidth scaling software and signal multiplexing algorithms to rectify the inherent problems. In the US, there are many stations willing to take a chance, as they seek to put more crews (or oneman-band reporters) on the street in the most cost-effective way. The cost of a cellular transmission package is minimal when compared to buying and/or operating and maintaining a traditional microwave truck. Currently, there are no quick-fix solutions. Improved transmission success could be forthcoming with the planned widespread deployment of Sprint LTE and T-Mobile LTE service across North America later this year. Other options include connecting with and integrating other encoding and transmission technologies such as KA band satellite (which Dejero successfully demonstrated at the recent IBC). “There’s a lot of upside to this technology, not only having to do with cost, and stations are beginning to recognise this,” said Bogdan Frusina, Chief Technology Ofﬁcer at Dejero Labs. “As the cellular networks add bandwidth, and they continue to, more broadcasters will embrace this as a good option to get the news fast. Regardless of the signal quality, stations need compelling content. That’s what this business is all about.” Understanding ENG professionals’ concerns, some companies are now offering the built-in option to transmit video from the camera using either wireless 4G networks or standard (line-of-sight) microwave link back to a truck parked outside a venue. Integrated Microwave Technologies offers customers the choice to use both technologies depending upon conditions in the ﬁeld. It’s called the Nucomm Connect Live, a cameramounted COFDM and multi-4G/LTE live- video HD transmitter. In COFDM mode, the unit covers the 1.9- to 2.7-GHz frequency band (it also is available for use in the 5.8-GHz nonlicensed band). For day-to-day news coverage, multiple (or “bonded”) 3G/4G links can be used to transport HD video back to the studio in near real-time. Depending on the operator’s specific needs in the field, latency versus video quality can be tuned between three preset modes (interview,
Vislink’s LiveGear AirCam camera back transmitter is available as a 3G/4G LTE system with options to add WiFi or COFDM conﬁgurations Michael Grotticelli

Portable ENG technology is becoming more popular in the search for “compelling content”

balanced and high-quality) via a touch-screen LCD display. The Connect Live unit uses adaptive encoding and bonding techniques to compensate for changing network conditions by adjusting frame rate, resolution, encoding rates and streaming parameters. It offers a boot-up time of less than 30 seconds, according to the company. Available formats include 480i, 576i, 720p and 1080i. The unit can also be conﬁgured to accept composite, HD-SDI and SD-SDI source feeds. Audio capabilities include analogue and fully embedded audio. “Despite all of the current limitations, due to the lack of full wireless bandwidth across the US, stations want to utilise this technology because they want their crews to be light on their feet and get the news ﬁrst,” said John B. Payne IV, Chief Technology Ofﬁcer at IMT. “We all have to understand that wireless network are improving all the time and will only get better. We at IMT still feel that a combination of cellular network and the old reliable microwave will ensure that a station gets the story it needs, regardless of conditions in the field.” Lance Hiley, Chief Marketing Officer at Vislink, agrees that a combination of technologies is the best strategy. He said the emergence of cellular transmission systems has actually helped increase the use of wireless technologies for newsgathering. “The use of cellular networks

gets people comfortable with wireless transmission and that’s good news for those of us selling wireless camera systems,” he said, adding that his company also offers an IP-based line of LiveGear products for newsgathering, which were launched to the North American market at NAB this year. The LiveGear AirStream LGT-1000 Cellular iNG Transmitter is a 3G/4G LTE portable video transmitter; and the LiveGear AirCam Camera Back Transmitter is available as a 3G/4G LTE system with options to add WiFi or COFDM configurations. “The availability of 3G and 4G networks is not everywhere yet, and there’s a lot of work to be done to stabilise these cellular transmitters, but the industry will get there,” Hiley said. Paul Shen, CEO of TVU Networks, said when he ﬁrst started discussing the technology with stations in the US and abroad, they didn’t have confidence it would work when needed, but a few successful news events helped calm their concerns. His company currently has a deal with Gray TV for 35 systems that are now deployed in the field. “We think that combining microwave and other traditional technologies with cellular is a good recipe for success,” Shen said. “You send a single reporter with a cellular backpack system to get the ﬁrst images from a news scene, and then follow that up with more live interviews using traditional microwave truck. There’s room in this industry for both.” What’s become clear is that the notion of the backpack cellular transmitter replacing the microwave truck is not yet a practical reality, although it could be in the future…■

Nucomm Connect Live – a cameramounted COFDM and multi-4G/LTE live-video HD transmitter

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In Broadcast - November 2012

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