Live sports broadcasting is a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment, and broadcasters are always leveraging the newest technologies to deliver dynamic and immersive experiences for audiences. One of the emerging technologies that is transforming the landscape of live sports broadcasting is the mobile video transmitter.
In addition to improving the efficiency of live broadcasts, mobile video transmitters have changed how sports content is captured, transmitted, and consumed. Keep reading this post to learn how mobile video transmitters like the Haivision Pro have changed the way broadcasters produce live sporting events around the world.
What are mobile video transmitters?
Mobile video transmitters, also referred to as field units or bonded cellular encoders, are devices that enable broadcast video transmission over bonded cellular networks such as 3G, 4G, and 5G. Mobile video transmitters feature multiple cellular modems that can be used to bond several cellular network connections together as one IP connection for increased bandwidth and reliability.
Used in remote locations and challenging environments when IP network connectivity is unpredictable or just not practical, a mobile video transmitter leverages cellular modems to encode and deliver broadcast-quality video at low latency.
Let’s look at some key advantages of powering your next live sports broadcast with mobile video transmitters.
Mobility and flexibility
Mobile video transmitters, like the Haivision Pro series and the compact Air series, are designed to be lightweight and portable, giving sports broadcasters a level of mobility and flexibility that enables them to cover live events with angles and shots that were previously difficult to achieve. Traditional broadcasting often relies on fixed cameras and the use of cables and other equipment, but mobile video transmitters allow broadcasters to go beyond the venue and to remote locations to capture action shots not possible with wired setups. Moreover, cloud master control solutions such as Haivision Hub 360 greatly simplify the management of these potentially geographically distributed devices.
Mobile video transmitters can be mounted to cars or motorcycles, like during the TCS New York City Marathon, to capture the high-speed action of races that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. For sports like football or soccer, mobile transmitters can be used to capture up-close action from different areas of the field, providing viewers with unique and immersive perspectives.
Reliable real-time coverage with high-quality video
With the latest generation of mobile video transmitters, like the Haivision Pro460, broadcasters can now transmit HD or even 4K UHD video wirelessly from remote locations. Mobile video transmitters have expanded the range of sports broadcasters to provide audiences with high-definition and pristine-quality video of innovative footage from the air with drones, like the coverage during SailGP’s Spain Grand Prix or on boats for dynamic coverage of aquatic events, like we saw in the Paris games last summer. This heightened quality makes for a more engaging and enjoyable experience for viewers, as they can see the action in greater detail and from a variety of creative angles.
With its cellular IP bonding ability, mobile video transmitters maintain high-quality video allowing broadcasters to keep streaming over unstable and fluctuating networks. Haivision’s two-time Emmy® Award-winning SST transport protocol offers reliable, broadcast-grade video quality transmission over 3G, 4G, 5G cellular, LAN, Wi-Fi, satellite, and the public internet. SST is also bidirectional, allowing users to send return feeds and establish two-way audio communications with the field and remotely control IP devices such as PTZ cameras.
Cost-effectiveness and increased efficiency
The compact nature of mobile video transmitters creates a cost-effective solution by reducing the need for heavy infrastructure, and their wireless capabilities eliminate the need for cumbersome cables and satellite links. Powering live sports broadcasts with mobile video transmitters also saves broadcasters from having to set up extensive equipment and personnel and reduces the need to bring complex camera rigs and large support teams to venues. All of this is an important consideration for tightening budgets that even top-tier sports organizations need to think about.
In addition to the reduced costs for equipment, setup, and operation, some mobile transmitters, like the Haivision Pro, allow users to create a data bridge that enables them to remotely control cameras from a receiver like Haivision StreamHub located in a production facility. These next generation features, along with faster setup times and more spontaneous coverage of live sports, make mobile video transmitters an efficient solution for broadcasters.
Learn more about Haivision mobile video transmitters
Mobile video transmitters have become an essential tool in the world of live sports broadcasting by offering real-time, high-quality live video contribution, unparalleled flexibility, and a cost-effective solution for covering events while enhancing the viewer experience by providing immersive and dynamic coverage.
