REMOTE CONTRIBUTION
Broadcast contribution over IP is a group of Video Transport use cases where content from show hosts, commentators or invited guests is received to a master studio from a remote, distant location.
Here's a blog post that explains the remote contribution tools available with Video Transport. In this featured case study, The First successfully operates a TV channel with all of its programming being contributed over IP by remote anchors. Here's a blog post that explains the remote contribution tools available with Video Transport.
The First case study
The First is an independent TV channel launched in 2019. Unlike a traditional channel, The First's programming consists of contributions from several anchors, who never attend the studio. Interestingly, this was the way from the start—long before the "social distancing" became a buzzword.
Challenge
Being a startup, the company had to be careful about where they spent their money. Instead of running a full-time studio in New York and scouting local talent, they did something software companies have been doing for at least a couple of decades—signed up hosts in remote places and built at-home studios for them.
- Relocating talent is just unnecessary if we can produce a show remotely without compromising quality. That's where the Medialooks software comes in, it lets us bring back cameras in full quality—just like it's in a studio next door.
Solution
Each remote studio is equipped with a PTZ camera with NDI®, which is then fed into VT Publisher and transported to VT Receiver in the control room. From there, the final stream is contributed for distribution via YouTube Live, Pluto TV, DistroTV's, as well as proprietary apps for Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV.
Due to almost real-time latency provided by Video Transport, the live production process feels almost the same as if there were no distance between the master studio and the hosts.
Due to almost real-time latency provided by Video Transport, the live production process feels almost the same as if there were no distance between the master studio and the hosts.
- It was the most cost-effective and technically simplest way we found to meet our low latency requirement and also accommodate multiple cameras, remote manageability and ease of rollout. So, all this combined plus its value seemed to be the best fit for us.
Results
Since launching in this mode in 2019, the channel has been operating this way—bringing in more hosts and expanding its distribution network. With Video Transport, The First has achieved:
- Cost savings—compared to hiring local talent.
- Flexibility—allowing to scout for talent throughout the country as well as cover programming for different time zones.
- It gives us the ability to accomplish this in a simple, cost-effective way. And it works! The quality is very good, and, at the same time, the technology is very affordable. And all of these things have helped us out because any start-up has to be very conscious of money and budget.