Rise To The Top Of The Video Distribution Chain With The Right Satellite Drive-Aways
The value of satellite in the modern-day distribution chain is undisputable, considering that most of the world’s video already flows through its networks. New-age commercial drive-aways will remain the top priority for the broadcast industry in the near future.
Drive-away satellite terminals offer reliable and easy-to-deploy mobile communications. For broadcast and digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), mobile communications equipment is used extensively for worldwide newscasting. Mobile units are no longer just vans, but new-age SUVs equipped with advanced, two-way audio – video transmitters and receivers, fitted with sleek dish antennas that auto-acquire geostationary satellites.
According to the research conducted by Euroconsult, Satellite Markets & Research and Digital TV Research, there is going to be a steep rise in satellite opportunities over the next two years. Satellite and TV revenues are expected to reach US $4 billion by 2020, driven by demand from the following sectors – 18% Maritime, 15% Enterprise and 12% Broadcast Communication. To fully utilize this market growth, organizations are investing in top-tier broadcast equipment and drive-aways.
Until a few years ago, broadcasters dispatched an entire television crew for major news stories, sports events or press conferences. However, with the current trend of ‘breaking news’, traditional electronic news-gatherings have been replaced by a quick dispatch, ‘first-on-the-scene’ mentality. This mostly involves just one or two correspondents taking a single professional video camera out to shoot a story with a drive-away terminal that is fast and reliable with automatic satellite acquisition and tracking.
The best news stories are ones that are unplanned. A modern journalist and newscaster may need to travel to remote locations, broadcast video in unstable environments like natural disasters, terrorist situations, emergency circumstances etc. The drive-away terminal used by crew at this point of time makes a world of difference. Equipment should be low-weight, low-height and secure. Reflectors should be made of sturdy materials and the focus should be on the actual news story, rather than setup of equipment or satellite tracking as the vehicle moves. Moreover, there are demands for lightening-speed connectivity with block upconverter customization options.
Keeping the industry demands in mind, the WAYFARER™ drive-away is Norsat’s solution for reliable and easy-to-deploy mobile communications. The solid, light-weight, and low-profile reflector mount deploys easily for fast and reliable satellite acquisition and tracking. Whether mounted on an emergency vehicular command center or a mobile broadcast SUV – Norsat’s WAYFARER drive-away terminals offer mobile broadband-level communications capability. Besides DSNGs, this terminal is ideal for mobile news offices, urgent broadcasting, government updates, first responders, and emergency mobile headquarters. The Norsat WAYFARER™ drive-away terminal includes:
- Ku-band, 1.2m or 1.8m rugged carbon fiber reflectors
- Easy, one-button auto-acquire, 4 min max. auto acquisition
- Supports DVB-S1, DVB-S2
- Secure, low-height vehicle room mount (38cm stowed)
- Choice of block upconverters (BUC) ranging from 4W to 80W
There was a time when satellite was the only way of distributing video or news, and satellite operators understand the demands of video, inside and out. These days, satellite is of course only one of many ways to distribute video, yet it remains the most reliable and efficient methods, which allows content providers to maintain their footing.
On an annual basis, all regional industry professionals within the broadcast sectors gather at either CABSAT or NAB to actively formulate, sculpt and define future growth strategies for satellite covering all broadcast and content delivery, commercial markets, mobile communications, maritime, aviation and the space industry. Book a meeting with Norsat at CABSAT 2019 in Dubai World Trade Centre between March 12-14, 2019, booth #G7-32 or at NAB 2019, April 8-11 in Las Vegas to learn all about our broadcast offerings for DSNGs, media, television and more.
