Can LTE Networks Replace Satellites For Live Streaming?


For sports, news and other live events, the traditional way of achieving video contribution – that is the live streaming element from the camera – was to use RF links and then typically a satellite dish from an OB truck to stream live video content back to the studio or MCR room.

The issue of course is latency with multiple hops and expense. Latency is not good for news interviews and everyone is always looking to cut costs. So how about utilising the 4G network instead?

Using a SIM card as a data connection in 4G can be utilised but there is no guarantee of Quality of Service so reliability becomes a problem. So how about using multiple SIM cards and bond them as a single connection for extra bandwidth and reliability?

With SIM cards, video compression is critical. Traditional live streaming video solutions utilise H264 encoding to compress video, but how about utilising the next generation which is H.265 that gives up to 50% more compression without loss of quality?
H.265 (also known as HEVC), combined with multiple bonded SIM cards, is a winning solution.

Soliton Systems is a provider of such a solution that provides reliable streaming, even over poor LTE connections.

Used in many sports, news and radio streaming applications, their Smart Telecaster range of products provide a cost-efficient mechanism for streaming live content to anywhere in the world, using SIM cards and the internet, with the choice of having it encrypted. Once the video stream arrives at its location, it is decoded back to its original HD-SDI or can be converted to RTMP, an IP based streaming protocol that can be used for social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or other delivery streaming platforms such as Wowza.

The Zao product is a lightweight, rugged and truly mobile unit that can be attached to the camera and can be powered from the camera battery. Typically, it can deliver full HD with 2-3 Mb per second bitrate with a latency of less than 0.5 seconds. It can support up to six separate SIM cards simultaneously; each one can be connected to a separate mobile telco provider.

It appears that Soliton System and their innovative approach to video contribution is driving down the costs of video streaming while capable of delivering compelling content from a variety of remote locations.

Having just announced the Zao-S for delivery at BVE, a tiny body worn mobile encoder that supports up to three SIM cards, it will be interesting to see what else will emerge from this Japanese company over the next year.

solitonsystems.com

(MH/LM)