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Vislink redefines News Gathering

Vislink’s NewStream is a new multi-mode mobile transmission system combining ENG, CNG and SNG in one compact rack mount unit. It also announced three new additions to the Vislink Wireless Camera Suite at NAB.

NewStream, the new multi-mode mobile transmission system announced by Vislink at NAB, is “a state-of-the-art vehicle system combining Electronic News Gathering (ENG), Cellular News Gathering (CNG), and Satellite News Gathering (SNG) in one compact rack mounted unit”.

The new multi-mode system is claimed to be “the most comprehensive mobile broadcast system available” and combines both licensed and unlicensed RF technologies together within a user-friendly platform.

It is part of Vislink’s LiveGear brand, and provides multiple ways to transmit one or two simultaneous live videos, and is claimed to be “cost effective, space saving and operator friendly”, in a two-rack unit design.

The 2RU NewStream IDU (Indoor Unit) supports a wide range of frequency bands including 2-2.5GHz, 4.5-5.0GHz, 6.4-7.1GHz, 12.7-13.25GHz, plus a dual band 2/7GHz option. Its programmable multi-function OLED push button switches should minimize front panel congestion, as does its ability to automatically configure based on the user’s mode of operation. It supports both MPEG2 and H.264 for SD and HD encoding.

It includes: high RF digital power amplifiers claimed to perform particularly well in terms of linearity and MER performance.

For ENG applications, NewStream includes an all-inclusive mast-mounted ODU (Outdoor Unit) providing 2GHz or 2/7GHz ultra-linear high RF power output digital amplifiers. It connects with the IDU via coax or triax cable and contains an ancillary RF coax relay to switch between a high-gain directional or optional omni-directional antenna.

Cellular wireless technologies are supported through a six-channel bonded 3G, 4G, LTE outdoor unit that can be mounted on a vehicle’s roof top or mast. For CNG operations the IDU communicates with the separate cellular ODU via a MoCa Power over Ethernet (PoE) bridge connection utilizing any standard RG-58 or RG-59 coaxial cable, typically found in most legacy Nycoil assemblies. Mast-mounting the cellular ODU potentially increases broadband cellular connectivity that could be weakened in more congested rooftop mounted installations.

For SNG applications there is full control of an integrated satellite upconverter with L-band output offering DVB-S and DVB-S2 modulation, and a variety of the most popular SNG HPAs.

“Vislink designs solutions with our customers current and future needs in mind,” stated Mike Payne, Vislink CEO. “The NewStream is an unprecedented platform combining cellular, microwave and satellite transmission into the ultimate news gathering platform.”

New wireless systems at NAB

Vislink also announced several additions to its wireless camera back suite: AirCam Max, a bonded cellular and microwave wireless camera back transmitter; L5800, a 5.8GHz HD MIMO wireless camera system; and Incam, an integrated Sony wireless camera transmitter system. The complete Vislink wireless camera line now includes cellular and MESH transmission technologies, adding to its microwave models in the Vislink V-net suite.

The three new additions to the Vislink Wireless Camera Suite provide multiple modulation schemes to maximize video quality and minimize dropouts.

The AirCamMax (pictured left) features licensed broadcast 2.0-6.5GHz microwave plus bonded 3G/4G LTE cellular broadband (there are two other models in the range: the AirCamPlus, which combines dual-band WiFi and 3G/4G transmission, and the AirCam offering just 3G/4G transmission).

The Live Gear AirCamMax is a combination camera back COFDM microwave TX and 3G/4G LTE cellular transmission unit which transmits live HD or SD video using adaptive video bit rate H.264 encoding technology.

The L5800 (pictured left) is designed for the robust transmission of HD video and audio over distances of up to 150m, with range extension up to 1km using directional antennas. It uses H.264 encoding (up to 50Mbps) and MIMO antenna technology, together with adaptive modulation and encoding rate techniques to maximise video and audio quality in all applications.

It supports all common SD and HD formats up to 1080p 50/60 3G HD-SDI (Auto-Detecting), and offers low latency (30mS). There is also a bi-directional data link at 11Kbps, time code support, and Tally control (Tally LED, return Tally) via GPIO port. It operates in the 5.8GHz frequency band, where no licencing is required.

Incam (pictured left) is a H.264 wireless camera transmitter, weighing 470g, built into a Sony HDC-2400, 2500, 2550 series HD camera. It provides full HD broadcast quality encoding at 1080p, 1080i, and 720p plus built in wireless camera control.

It is available with either COFDM DVB-T, LMS-T or ISDB-T modulation options, a latency of only 20ms and is available in the 1.95-2.7 GHz or 3.3-3.7GHz bands (other bands may be available on demand). It offers ultra low delay down to 20ms (less than one frame) in H.264, plus low and standard delay, with adjustable GoP (4 to 30), and data rates up to 39Mbps.

Besides offering low delay, these new models are also promised to make range, environment, congestion and form factor no longer an issue. The addition of unlicensed options allows for minimal infrastructure, no requirement for a dedicated frequency plan and flexibility in coverage areas.

David Fox

www.broadcast.vislink.com