Vislink Brings Live Video to Multiple Platforms at NAB 2014

[Note: This sponsored interview was recorded at NAB 2014.] 

Vislink, which offers live video solutions for broadcasters, had a lot to talk about at the 2014 NAB conference, including its acquisition of Pebble Beach Systems, a partnership with TVU Networks, and the industry move to stream broadcast-quality video online.

"I’ve been in the industry for nine years, so it’s something to watch the shift of broadcast quality video being brought to internet news-gathering," said Jacqueline Roy, Vislink's vice president. "It’s about tools in the toolkit. There’s an expectation in the shift of more video having to occur at less cost."

A big shift for Vislink it the necessity to offer "hybrid mobility," ensuring that broadcasters can stream live video by whatever method performs best in their workflows.

"For us, hybrid mobility is about multi-mode platforms," Roy said. "So you’re able to provide the different technologies all within the platform to suit the broadcasters’ needs. We have mobile platforms that combine not only microwave and satellite, but also cellular and even portable and cameraback units. So regardless of your infrastructure, you’re able to address live video."

To learn more about what Vislink is offering broadcasters, watch the full interview below.

Shawn: It’s Shawn Lam here for Streaming Media Producer at NAB 2014. I’m at the Vislink booth with Jacqueline. Where have you seen the live video industry move in the last few years?

Jacqueline: Well, it’s actually been pretty amazing. I’ve been in the industry for nine years, so it’s something to watch the shift of broadcast quality video being brought to internet news-gathering. And really it’s about tools in the toolkit. There’s an expectation in the shift of more video having to occur at less cost. So really trying to address that is where the manufacturers are going.

Shawn: Now, there’s been a lot of shift to hybrid mobility. What is that, and how do you guys work within that range?

Jacqueline: That’s a very interesting question. So for us, hybrid mobility is about multi-mode platforms. So you’re able to provide the different technologies all within the platform to suit the broadcasters’ needs. So we have mobile platforms that combine not only microwave and satellite, but also cellular and even portable and cameraback units. So regardless of your infrastructure, you’re able to address live video.

Shawn: With all the changes in the industry, how are you changing to suit your customers’ needs moving forward?

Jacqueline: Well, we’re actually making some very interesting acquisitions. We’ve announced at the show that we’ve acquired Pebble Beach Systems. So Pebble Beach is more in the software and automation, channel-in-a-box, where we’re more of the content and we’re actually doing a contribution type of thing. So by connecting those two, we’re trying to create a seamless flow of the data in the video for the broadcaster.

Shawn: And this isn’t the only partnership, right?

Jacqueline: It’s not, actually. We’re happy to announce that we’re partnering with TVU Networks for the broadcaster. And really what this is able to provide is they’re a cellular ENG provider. We can also provide cellular and IP. So it’s about giving the broadcasters the tools they need. So if they have a TVU pack, it can tie into the Vislink system. If they have a Vislink pack, it can tie into the TVU system. So it’s getting that seamless back-end and really just creating seamless live video solutions. What we have here is an example of Vislink’s hybrid mobility. This NewStream platform is the latest and greatest of hybrid multi-mode platforms that really benefit broadcasters and live news providers. What you’re able to provide is not only microwave but also satellite and cellular within this one 2RU chassis. Now, at your broadcast studio or receive site, you have the LiveGear Receiver. With the LiveGear Receiver, you’re able to have hybrid mobility with the live video. This right here is an example of our latest cellular ODU design. You just put it on the outside of a mobile car or news van and you’re able to have that cellular connection. Now, this is the latest suite from LiveGear that you’re able to have live video anytime, anywhere, benefiting the broadcaster. So what we have here is our award-winning AirCamMax. With the AirCamMax, this is hybrid mobility. We’re able to offer both microwave as well as cellular within the same cameraback unit. Very portable for the broadcaster or the internet news-gatherer. So whether you have licensed 2 or 7 gigahertz, or you have your cellular infrastructure with your bonded six cards, you have hybrid mobility on the go. LiveGear is live video anywhere, any time.

Shawn: All right. Thank you very much, Jacqueline. This is Shawn Lam for Streaming Media Producer at NAB 2014, at the Vislink booth.

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