Not so long ago, the only way to get video from a remote location back to a studio required a satellite or microwave connection, plus a truck loaded with expensive equipment to transmit the signal.  The cost of entry precluded most non-broadcasters from incorporating live video sources into their programs.

Today the demand for live video has gone through the roof.  Many organizations have implemented internal video channels through services like Qumu, Vimeo, Kaltura and Brightcove to get messages out to their employees on a moment’s notice. But with non-centralized offices and employees working remotely, how is content from remote locations delivered to these networks in a timely manner?

Cellular networks crisscross almost every square foot of the country, enabling not only instant reception of news, sports and other information and instant delivery of content to social media, but can they be reliably used to gather content from remote locations? Just because the network is there doesn’t mean it will support the transmission of contribution quality video from a cell phone.  That’s where bonded cellular comes in to play.

Bonded cellular is a technology that combines two or more discreet cellular connections and bonds them together to produce a higher bandwidth, higher quality signal that has the capacity to carry contribution quality video.  Enter LiveU.  LiveU pioneered bonded cellular technology using their patented LRT technology.  LRT, which stands for LiveU Reliable Transport, enables reliable, low delay live video streaming over non-guaranteed IP networks and ensures reliable transport over the most unreliable of networks – allowing the acquisition of live content in even the most remote locations.

LiveU has been enabling live remote production for non-broadcasters since 2006.  With improved cellular networks and new hardware, it has only gotten better.  What started as a portable backpack with the cellular hardware that connected to a single camera has now morphed into the latest generation of hardware, the LU800, introduced in the Summer of 2020.

The LU800 is a broadcast facility in a package the size of a cigar box.  It can transmit 4Kp60 or up to four 1920 x 1080 60P HDR video signals from a single device.  It is future proof – supporting up to eight 5G modems.  The LU800 has an optional feature that allows IP control of a PTZ camera.  Imagine a meeting that takes place across the country that needs to be switched, have graphics added and then uploaded to an internal streaming channel. One option is to hire a production company at the remote location – a crew with a portable production system – switcher, cameras, operators –   or, use a single LU800 with four PTZ cameras.  One person can setup the cameras at the remote location.  The cameras can be controlled from the production system at the home office.  There is no need to have an entire crew in the remote location; just utilize the infrastructure that’s already in place to produce, finish and distribute the program.  Because the system uses bonded cellular, there is no need to use any of the networking at the remote facility.  This further simplifies the deployment.

LiveU’s lineup does not stop with the LU800; there is a whole range of products, starting with apps for cell phones to portable units that support a single camera.  There is a rental program to accommodate users who don’t need remote production on a regular basis, or to supplement users who may occasionally need more capacity than they have in-house.

Whatever your remote production requirements are, LiveU has something for you.  Let us help you craft a solution for your next remote production.