Webcasting Via Satellite - Realising The Ultimate WAN

Webcasting, also known as Live Internet Broadcasting, is the fastest growing trend in the entertainment and video industry. It is the process of pushing live video with audio across the internet in real time, as it happens. So, whether you are an artist, promoter, or venue, there are many benefits to webcasting, writes Dave Nicoll, Business Manager at Sematron...
Why is satellite used for live video broadcasting? In a sentence; satellite is a guaranteed, predictable connection.
A single wireless connection (3G/4G) is a shared connection which means speeds are not predictable, and flow control is not reliably timed... both of which stop or drop a live video stream. Satellite's predictability assures a successful transmission every time. For most productions, loss of signal is not an option, and the use of satellite simply outweighs any other delivery method, unless of course you employ a good 3G bonded solution like the AviWest DMNG PRO. The DMNG PRO embeds IP streams including 8 internal 3G or 4G modems and Ethernet ports feeding an array of eight high-gain custom antennas. The system can also be used to bond to the Ka-Band satellite service, making this an ideal solution for fast news gathering.
With the implementation of High Throughput Satellites technology and high power Ka-Band transponders, the use of low cost terminals / space segment is a revolution to the web streaming and mass content delivery market.
Maximising the benefits of the latest IP satellite modems from leading companies like Idirect, ViaSat and Hughes, the satellite IP broadcasting market is becoming accessible to more companies, who wish to provide high quality content from remote location or were the wired broadband is slow or unreliable. However, due to the real time delivery of mobile internet and the web casting environment, transmissions require uninterrupted and jitter free connections. The best solutions employ Deterministic TDMA technology to manage time slot allocation and a proprietary protocol processor to manage data queuing, handling, segmentation and reassembly (SAR) to ensure the highest levels of packet integrity and eliminate jitter.
The Sematron solution offers a high quality light weight satellite terminal with the latest IP modem technology and low cost, high throughput satellite air time that allows real time IP broadcasting and web content delivery from remote locations and poor LAN locations.
Case study for live event broadcasting
LiveFi provides a live streaming service for the UK music industry, broadcasting live events from venues to the web as they happen.
However, many venues suffer from poor internet connectivity and the demand for mobile data services during the event means 3G is not reliable enough to support both mobile services and high quality streaming. To overcome these challenges, LiveFi needed a cost effective, quick-to-deploy-and-implement, simple-to-operate connectivity solution.

The Solution
Sematron provided a solution using the Avanti bookable air time service, coupled with a robust and portable satellite terminal to deliver a live music event straight to the web, generating additional revenue and publicity for the band, the managing agents and the venue.
With the solution Sematron offered, LiveFi was able to stream a full HD video and audio broadcast in real time straight to the web from the event held in central London. Delivered at speeds in excess of 10Mbps and using four different bit rates, the concert was viewed on multiple platforms including PC, smart phone and tablet.
The event was a great success, generating revenue and awareness for the band and its promoter.

The Equipment
The robust design includes a choice of either 68cm or 98cm reflectors, ‘no-tools’ assembly, quick assemble feed arm, quick deploy tri-pod, inclinometer and fine adjust on Azimuth and Elevation. The tri-pod has detachable feet to allow for ground anchors to be fitted, ensuring maximum stability for reliable operation. The lightweight, high quality and reliable construction in conjunction with the X5 IP modem will ensure excellent simple performance even at the extremities of satellite footprint.

Conclusions
With ‘simple to use’ terminals and the low cost IP satellite space segment, the Sematron product range will help facilitate the rapid growth of the Live Broadcasting, web streaming market place.
The Ka-Band technology in the right application will become the defacto-standard for IP Broadcast.
Read the article in the online edition of Regional Film & Video here.
(IT/CD)