The Digital Signage ExpertPublished: April 5th, 2010
Against the backdrop of a fiercely competitive race to be the first to cover breaking news, IP video technology pioneer VBrick has unveiled the industry’s only complete, fully integrated Mobile Broadcast System. The VBrick Mobile Broadcast System gives even non-technical field journalists everything they need to broadcast live stories—using live video contribution backhaul—in a single lightweight and portable back-pack.
With the meteoric rise in Internet news consumption showing no signs of slowing, TV news stations constantly strive to bring hard-hitting live news to viewers, who often turn to multiple online sources to stay informed. Adding to this pressure is the enormous cost of owning and operating satellite and microwave news trucks. New trucks cost upwards of $250,000 and up to $3,000 per day to operate. Because most stations have more videographers and reporters than trucks, news directors must often choose between waiting for trucks to arrive on the scene to capture live shots vs. defaulting to a telephone interview with a journalist and no accompanying video to enhance the story.
Beyond television news broadcasting, VBrick sees a number of other important applications for its Mobile Broadcasting System. Emergency first responders—from police officers to fire and EMT workers—increasingly need sophisticated communications technology to enable situational awareness (SI). As these types of organizations continue to deploy video to more accurately communicate with dispatching centers, the Mobile Broadcast System will play a central role in helping them do this effectively.
Developed with input from professional TV stations, VBrick has integrated its award-winning H.264 Networked Video Appliance with a bonding router in a rugged, reliable field unit that weighs in under twelve pounds and measures 18.5” x 14.06” x 6.93”.
The Mobile Broadcast System is powered by standard broadcast batteries and uses bonded 3G and 4G cellular networks to reliably transmit live video back to the station for immediate broadcast, or to first responder command and control. Using the industry-leading H.264 video standard, the system delivers the highest quality video and audio, with the lowest latency. Moreover, with its on-board Serial Digital Interface (SDI), or composite, video inputs, it easily integrates with existing professional broadcast news equipment.
“The launch of our Mobile Broadcast System marks the introduction of a truly revolutionary technology to immediately air live news, and provide critical information for first responders, It was developed through a close collaboration with news directors and engineers at leading stations around the country, as well as with federal, state and local authorities,” said John Shaw, Chief Operating Officer, VBrick. “We’ve engineered the most complete, reliable and powerful solution for capturing remote information, while eliminating the need to buy and maintain extremely costly news gathering equipment that our customers have always relied upon.”
About VBrick Systems, Inc.
VBrick is the leader in Enterprise IP Video solutions, with over 6,000 corporate, education and government customers and 60,000 installations worldwide. VBrick solutions work over standard IP networks and the Internet to deliver rich media communications that connect people everywhere — from employees and customers, to partners and shareholders. Our comprehensive product suite and end-to-end solutions are used in a wide range of live and on-demand applications including meeting and event broadcasts, distance learning, digital signage, TV distribution, video surveillance, and Web-based marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Wallingford, CT, VBrick’s products and services are available through industry-leading value-added resellers.
Source: VBrick