A local company is innovating the way that live event and news productions around the globe are broadcast, with a new all-in-one, plug-and-play video streaming solution for content creators. CP Communications, serving clients ranging from major networks to podcasters from its offices in St. Petersburg and New York, recently introduced the CamSTREAM SRT to its Red House Streaming (RHS) product family.
CP Communications CEO Kurt Heitmann said, “Like all RHS CamSTREAM models, it’s really as simple as connecting to power and turning on the system. CamSTREAM SRT calls home, and within minutes it is ready to shoot and stream broadcast-quality video.”
The new CamSTREAM SRT includes a PTZ camera and tripod, video encoder, and return monitor, allowing content creators, including sports broadcasters and news reporters, to remotely shoot, record, and stream live content. Benefits include quick deployment, ease of use, and cost-efficiency for at-home productions, requiring only a public internet connection to stream content to a studio, such as the Network Operations Center (NOC) at Red House Streaming, or the web.
CP Communications developed the CamSTREAM SRT in response to changing Remote Integration Model (REMI) production requirements. Addressing the latency and quality challenges common with live sports and news productions, this is the first RHS CamSTREAM system to leverage the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) open-source video transport protocol, developed and pioneered by Haivision, which optimizes streaming performance across even the most unpredictable public internet connections.
CamSTREAM SRT is also the first RHS CamSTREAM system to integrate Haivision’s Makito X2 encoder, which supports ultra-low latency streams and establishes a secure VPN tunnel to and from the studio over a local area network (LAN). When paired with a Haivision Makito X2 decoder, users have return video to the onboard 10-inch monitor along with IFB audio. The Makito X2 encoder can be swapped for a Mobile Viewpoint Agile Airlink bonded cellular encoding solution where LAN connections are unavailable. CP Communications is a North American distributor for both Haivision and Mobile Viewpoint products.
The CamSTREAM SRT’s problem-solving approach to live streaming latency influenced one of North America’s largest broadcast networks to purchase three systems, which will be used for REMI productions in support of live, televised baseball games.
“Round-trip latency is the pain point for all content creators, including today’s biggest broadcasters,” Heitmann said. “We can now offer our customers SRT streams that reduce latency to below 500 milliseconds. This lays the foundation for real-time, two-way conversations that engage and excite viewers, even when the play-by-play announcer, color commentator, or news anchor is working from home. SRT streams relegate the traditional obvious delays of live reporting and sportscasting to the past.”
Content creators managing at-home productions benefit from preset camera functions, making it easy to match camera angles from talent at other locations. Meanwhile, remote camera control and shading allow technicians to make real-time adjustments back at the studio to optimize coverage. Heitmann adds that reporters can rapidly deploy CamSTREAM SRT in the field and transmit footage back to the studio without the need for a camera operator or news van.
The new CamSTREAM SRT also introduces new options for RHS CamSTREAM customers, including options for remote teleprompting and DMX lighting control.
For more information about the CamSTREAM SRT, please visit https://cpcomms.com/red-house-streaming/sports-news/.
ABOUT CP COMMUNICATIONS:
For more than three decades, CP Communications has provided high-quality, cost-effective live event production solutions to major broadcasters, sports leagues and teams, and event and production companies. Our solutions include access to experienced professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, and innovative technologies and techniques for wireless audio & video content acquisition, transport, and delivery. Our culture of innovation, coupled with the highest quality assurance standards and passion for customer service, promotes collaboration with our clients to determine the best custom solution for each live event. Learn more about CP Communications at https://cpcomms.com/.