Day: Feb 22, 2019

New Videon EdgeCaster Edge Compute Encoder Enables Ultra-Low-Latency Live Streaming at Low Cost

Posted on by contentntek in News, OTT & Streaming media, Products

Videon, a cutting-edge developer of 4K and HD streaming products that enable users to move media from any source to any screen, is addressing professional and prosumer demand for lower-cost, lower-latency live streaming with its new EdgeCaster edge compute encoder. Videon’s unique edge compute encoding technology bypasses a layer of cloud-based processing, in turn reducing latency to as little as <4 seconds and cutting the average user’s streaming costs by 50%.

“Our new EdgeCaster edge compute encoder makes it easier and more economical than ever to deliver high-quality streaming content to emerging markets — smaller groups of viewers dedicated to specific events or interest areas — that represent a quickly growing share of content consumption today,” said Todd Erdley, Videon co-founder and CEO. “Ease of use, low latency, and a low price point combine to make the EdgeCaster a transformative live streaming option across a wide range of use cases.”

Traditional live streaming models can add 20 or 30 seconds of latency. By comparison, traditional live broadcast introduces 5 seconds of latency. Videon’s EdgeCaster edge compute encoder technology enables a wide range of emerging applications with <4 second latency from camera to playback using public internet connections.

The EdgeCaster HD and EdgeCaster 4K encoders eliminate heavy computational processes — transcoding, format repackaging from RTMP to HLS/DASH, and creation of multiple bit rates — in the cloud by handling these tasks efficiently at the network edge. As a result, the Videon encoders offer higher performance and a lower fixed cost per stream in addressing the requirements of delay-sensitive video applications, as well as applications with high-volume streaming to limited numbers of viewers per stream.

Videon_EdgeCaster-Studio

Built for professionals in the prosumer, pro AV, and broadcast markets, the EdgeCaster line offers an advanced streaming feature set with capabilities including ultra-low-latency streaming, cost-saving edge compute processing, forward error correction, and full duplex encoding/decoding.

The EdgeCaster HD boasts latency of less than 4 seconds and provides multiple RTMP, SRT, and HLS support. The Videon EdgeCaster 4K includes these capabilities, plus the ability to output up to 6 streams simultaneously in multiple bit rates/resolutions, power over Ethernet (PoE), support for H.265/HEVC, and video resolution up to 4K30.

Videon will begin shipping the EdgeCaster HD and EdgeCaster 4K during the 2019 NAB Show.

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CP Communications Establishes New Tampa-Area Headquarters

Posted on by contentntek in Event, News, Production & Post Production

CP Communications has relocated its Elmsford, NY and Orlando, FL offices to a new 31,000-square-foot facility in St. Petersburg outside of Tampa. The facility will serve as CP Communications’ official headquarters for business and technical operations, housing four 53-foot production trucks, a NOC, and a 5,000-square-foot production studio.

CPComms_STPFacility_Exterior

CP Communications will retain its Fishkill, New York location, which will continue to house staff, field shops, engineering and local production facilities. The St. Petersburg facility reflects the broadcast industry’s transition from traditional RF signal transport technologies to IP, cloud and bonded cellular techniques. This includes further development of its new Red House Streaming solutions line, a family of production systems tailored for live-streamed events.

CEO Kurt Heitmann calls the 24/7 production studio the crown jewel of the new facility. CP Communications will equip the studio with its new Red House Streaming STREAM product line of IP Acquisition tools. These systems and a complete IP-based production workflow, including a high-density bank of Mobile Viewpoint playout and streaming servers, will allow CP to deliver a cost-effective yet high-end production solution to clients. In addition to providing a round-the-clock facility to produce live-streamed events, the studio will offer excellent value for sports and corporate events where limited on-location production resources are required.

CPComms_Warehouse_FloridaFacility

“The Tampa area is among the fastest-growing technology and business hubs in the country, and we discovered that St. Petersburg had plenty of flexible industrial space to fit our needs,” said Heitmann. “We simply outgrew our Elmsford, NY facility, and we now have the engineering and production space needed to grow our business. In addition to housing our mobile units, we can bring remote sources from live events into our facility, and cut live to on-air content. We will also accommodate global monitoring capabilities of remote productions from our NOC, as well as live voiceovers, editing and many other production tasks.”

Heitmann adds that the St. Petersburg facility will serve as a developmental base for future Red House Streaming solutions, which the company will officially unveil at the 2019 NAB Show (April 8-11, Las Vegas Convention Center). CP Communications will co-exhibit with partner Mobile Viewpoint at Booth C3307, with product launch details to come.

Litepanels Expands Portable Power Capabilities of Gemini 2×1 With New Battery Bracket, Accessories

Posted on by contentntek in News, Production & Post Production, Products

“The broadcast and cinema industries’ most accurate and versatile softlight just got even more versatile with these new accessories,” said Byron Brown, product manager, Litepanels. “The new dual battery bracket makes Gemini 2×1 even more practical in situations where portable power is preferred over mains power, including a broad range of ENG and ENP applications. And the new floor stand and lightweight carry case are great additions that support our strategy of providing the industry’s most flexible and mobile lighting solutions.”

Introduced last year, Gemini 2×1 is the industry’s most accurate white light, offering precision color control, a broad array of dynamic lighting and cinematic effects, and flicker-free output, all in a highly portable LED panel. With its extremely light weight and onboard, ballast-free power supply, Gemini also allows for stress-free transport and easy rigging at on-location shoots.

While Gemini has always been able to operate at 100 percent power when on battery operation (competing LEDs can only operate at 50 percent), the only previous mobile power option was a heavy, freestanding cine battery resting on the floor. The new dual battery bracket changes the equation by enabling users to power a Gemini panel by mounting two industry-standard 14.4V broadcast camera batteries directly to the light’s yoke or stand.

The Gemini dual battery bracket is available in either a Gold Mount or V-Mount version, each supporting two batteries in sizes ranging from 90 to 190 watt-hours, including Anton/Bauer’s Dionic XT onboard cinema and broadcast batteries. The new bracket has been specifically designed to regulate power output to ensure maximum battery life and maintain peak performance for the Gemini 2×1, and it includes a connecting cable.

litepanels-geminibracket

The new floor stand kit for Gemini 2×1 is ideal in any broadcast, ENG, or EFP location setting where floor mounting is desired — to light up a wall, for example. The stand is a low-profile, convenient, and sturdy way to position and/or mount the Gemini on the floor or to any other flat surface. The floor mounting kit includes all hardware necessary to connect the Gemini 2×1 Soft panel to the supports.

In addition, Litepanels is now offering a soft-sided, lightweight carry case for easy transport and storage of a single Gemini 2×1 Soft panel. (Litepanels also offers a rugged road case for shipping the light as freight or baggage.) The new carry case includes a durable zippered closure, an accessory bag, and a shoulder strap.

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