Associated Press journalists across the world can now stream realtime video content back to its London production centre in HD, through an extended contract with LiveU. The agreement with the live video-over-cellular company allows the news agency to deploy a range of broadcast technology devices globally.
The LiveU deal includes a backpack uplink unit with full HD capability, a smaller unit which can be clipped to a belt and technology to convert a laptop computer into a live video transmission unit. The devices allow a single camera operator to film and stream live footage.
“Live coverage has been a priority for AP since we first launched a service for broadcasters back in 2003,” said Sandy MacIntyre, director of global video at AP. “Now we have more than 200 TV stations and digital publishers who quite rightly expect us to ensure that, regardless of where news breaks, we are delivering live content within minutes. To accomplish that AP is operating on two levels,” MacIntyre said.
“First, we are rapidly deploying more professional live streaming equipment to the scene than ever before so our video journalists can beam more footage live in high definition broadcast quality. And second, with Bambuser, we are equipping citizens with the ability to be video eye witnesses on our behalf and stream realtime video over their smartphones as a sort of ‘first strike’ reporting force.”
LiveU has been used to gather footage from recent global events, including the Portugal strike on 27 June, anti-government protests in Taksim Square and the pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on 1 July. Coverage is available to view online.
