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As a manufacturer of satellite carrier signal monitoring solutions ,
Integrasys has developed
Satmotion SNG , which can be installed on SNG trucks to minimise OU access time , effort and satellite interference .
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Sebastien Couvet , sales manager , EMEA , Integrasys , highlights that broadcasters are demanding automation , as well as the need to optimise SNG operations when crews arrive on site . |
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Mx-DMA bandwidth allocation technology , which is designed to adjust the frequency plan , symbol rate , modulation , coding and power level for satellite networks . With the technology , operators can flexibly allocate bandwidth based on real-time terminal demand while adapting to the changing radio frequency conditions .
“ When covering live news and events , today ’ s crews rely on IP technology more than ever to transport multiple services concurrently , including video , voice , files and general broadband applications . Being able to blend capacity from IP satellite , cellular , Wi-Fi or Ethernet IP connectivity on an ad-hoc basis helps ensure broadcasters have multiple tools to enable flexible , reliable and cost-effective delivery of more content from more locations and from more vantage points ,” Massart adds .
The Newtec Dialog all-IP platform has also enabled MX1 to create an adaptable solution — OU Flex — for occasional use ( OU ) broadcasters . With the integration of Newtec Dialog , OU Flex is designed to allow broadcasters , live event producers , event organisers and remote operators to enrich the viewer experience through live broadcasts .
One OU Flex broadcaster is Waterford-headquartered production company , Nemeton . In January this year , British broadcaster Sky contacted Digisat , the satellite arm of Nemeton ’ s business , to supply uplink trucks , satellite capacity , communication and broadband for all of its outdoor broadcasts across Ireland .
Tomás Mac Craith , head of technical facilities , Nemeton , elaborates : “ We found the perfect solution in MX1 ’ s OU Flex broadband modem — which is based on the Newtec Dialog platform , including its MDM-series of modems .
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“ The OU Flex system works on top of our existing satellite newsgathering ( SNG ) trucks to ensure we deliver reliable , highspeed broadband as soon as we arrive on site , without the need for ISDN or DSL lines . Using reliable VSAT connectivity via satellite to support live video is particularly efficient at busy events such as live sports games , when the network can easily become congested due to a high level of other reporters and users in the area .”
Beyond live video broadcasts , OU Flex allows crews in the field to use multiple applications such as voice-over-IP , video clip transfer , archive browsing , email , social media and the Internet .
Massart concludes : “ We are continually seeing evidence of satellite ’ s impact on news operations . For instance , OU Flex uses the Newtec Dialog platform to provide IP connectivity to manage users ’ entire video and data content contributions , ensuring quality of service anywhere , anytime . By transforming the DVB one-way feed into a bidirectional link , OU Flex provides broadcasters and SNG operators with maximum flexibility without the need for two antennas .”
Despite IP having its impact in SNG workflows as an “ easier and cheaper ” distribution alternative , satellite is still very relevant when a reliable communication is required , declares Sebastien Couvet , sales manager , EMEA , Integrasys .
For instance , in a stadium where a large group of spectators gathers for a sports event , every cellular network might get congested due to multiple mobile devices sending and receiving data at the same time . This can then provoke possible interferences and congest the cellular network environment . In addition , broadcasters have also begun tapping onto mobile to send videos over
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the same wireless networks that are used for voice and data communications .
“ Therefore , we believe that satellite is fairly strong in areas where there is poor phone coverage , due to the fact that these mobile devices haven ’ t got the same signal strength as SNG trucks ,” Couvet explains . “ It is something usual in Asia-Pacific because they have many remote places where technology has not reached yet , as well as the inconvenience of weather conditions , making satellite transmissions the most advantageous resource in the industry .”
For Integrasys , the satellite carrier signal monitoring manufacturer has developed Satmotion SNG , which the company labels as the SNG Auto LineUp system for minimising the OU access time , effort and interference of intrasatellite such as CrossPol and intersatellite such as Adjacent Satellite Interference ( ASI ).
Automation is what broadcasters are demanding everywhere , and how to optimise the operations when they arrive at the site , Couvet stresses . “ In many cases , the cameraman is the antenna engineer and the SNG driver all together . This is thanks to the automation and simplicity of the set-up with Satmotion SNG . Satmotion allows the truck drivers to be capable of automatically accessing the satellite with a simple application .”
Acknowledging Couvet ’ s point on satellite ’ s role in newsgathering , Andrew Bond , sales and marketing director of ETL Systems , adds that SNG trucks are by their nature “ truly satcoms platforms ”.
This is largely due to SNG trucks ’ ability of offering fast set-up time , especially for the coverage of live news and sports events , where operators are required to establish uplink traffic from a network of live cameras . Although larger outside broadcast ( OB ) vans may also use local fibre inputs to create these feeds , in both scenarios , satellite is “ fast and affordable ” in getting signals distributed , he adds .
“ In Asia-Pacific , satellite remains the dominant platform for broadcasters because the region might not have the cable and fibre networks in place that European countries have . It is also true that there is a low cost of bandwidth and high availability with satellite in the region , especially compared to other regions ,” he elaborates . “ This has largely been driven by the provision of high throughput satellite ( HTS ) in the region , which enables cost-effective access to satellite capacity . The fact that modern SNG trucks can be set up easily and often run by one person , makes them an extremely affordable option .”
When it comes to news broadcasting , viewers today are also increasingly expecting content of at least HD quality , even as the demand for 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) content continues to grow , Bond highlights . He cites a report from Futuresource Consulting , which revealed that approximately 100 million 4K / UHD TV sets will be
❝ Alternative broadcast technologies , such as IPTV , will continue to complete and compliment professional footage . SNG needs to offer the quality , affordability and reliability to maintain its role in this marketplace .❞ — Andrew Bond , Sales and Marketing Director , ETL Systems
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sold worldwide in 2018 . Therefore , many SNG trucks are now allowing HD encryption to satellite , enabling the receiving and modulating of multiple HD feeds .
Bond continues : “ Broadcasters are also increasingly using multiple cameras as this means that if any feed fails , there will still be others that can be used . However , with the need for multiple cameras comes the need for larger SNG trucks , which can accept these multiple-camera feeds that can be multiplexed onto the uplink system . There is also an increasing trend for wireless cameras that can link via 4G or fibre to give highquality feeds .
“ Furthermore , the price of satellite bandwidth is falling . According to Northern Sky Research , satellite capacity prices are down by as much as 60 % in some cases , and are still dropping . This makes it easier than ever before to get an affordable and cost-effective satellite link . This will naturally be important for satellite as competition from other communication methods increases .”
Despite the fact that today ’ s viewers are able to access social media and live streaming platforms for breaking news , Bond adds that this amateur footage provides an “ additional angle ” to the reality of live TV , but does not replace “ quality editable footage with professional on-the-ground commentary ”.
He concludes : “ Amateur footage is good for this sensational events where news crews are not there , such as a storm or traffic collision . This will then be supplemented by the professional coverage once news teams are on site . Planned live events , such as sports and newsgatherings still need multiple-camera shots of high quality to provide clear and original feeds to make programming .
“ Alternative broadcast technologies , such as IPTV , will continue to complete and compliment professional footage . SNG needs to offer the quality , affordability and reliability to maintain its role in this marketplace .”
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