Vizada, the leading independent satellite communications provider, and Streambox, a leading provider of IP-based newsgathering solutions, have signed an agreement to provide media organizations with a high quality video streaming service without significant infrastructure investment. The companies announced the partnership at IBC, the leading international forum for the electronic media industry, taking place in Amsterdam, Netherlands.The partnership is based on the provision of Streambox’s Advanced Distribution Server (ADS) service, installed at Vizada’s data center in Amsterdam. The bundled service has been developed particularly for media organizations based in areas with more limited access to dedicated network infrastructure.
With the service in place, reporters broadcast live video images from location over a mobile satellite terminal, and these are in turn routed via Streambox’s ADS service. The ADS service makes the most of the higher bandwidth provided by Vizada’s terrestrial network infrastructure, and adds video management, packet redundancy, and forward error correction, to ensure that the live video reaches broadcasters offices in broadcast quality ready for transmission.
Vizada provides reporters with Inmarsat BGAN or ThurayaIP mobile satellite terminals capable of high-speed streaming data rates. Through its Terralink® family of IP & networking solutions, Vizada has also developed the terrestrial infrastructure necessary to house the Streambox server as well as relay the images from the mobile satellite terminal to the headquarter office.
“Operations of this kind generally involve a significant investment by the media organization, because to transmit broadcast quality images directly from the reporter’s location to the bureau, a dedicated, private network has to be put in place,” said Eric Verheylewegen, VP Commercial Sales, Vizada Americas. “We have the expertise to set this up, and do so for a number of media customers through our service providers, but not all our clients wish to invest this heavily, particularly for short-term projects.”
“It’s exciting to be partnering with Vizada to provide an innovative video delivery solution,” said Bob Hildeman, Chairman and CEO Streambox, Inc. “Our technology and software combined with Vizada’s networking expertise takes advantage of the Internet to provide an innovative solution that is both lower cost and easier to use.”
Vizada supplies mobile satellite services and solutions to the world’s leading media organizations, including CNN, Al-Arabiya News Channel, France24 and ITN. It provides the equipment, technical expertise, training and customer support to enable journalists to report live from anywhere in the world and transmit high-quality images back to headquarter office for broadcasting.
Streambox supplies IP-based newsgathering and video transport products and solutions to leading broadcasters and organizations around the world, including CNN, NHK, Sky, FOX, CBS, NBC Universal, and the US Government.
