Wings for Media: broadcast transmission via 3G as a reliable alternative

The Ovide stand at Broadcast IT 2011 hosted the presentation of Wings for Media, a professional alternative to units transported by microwave or satellite. Based on hardware, it allows you to instantly have video links over 3G with total stability.

Within the framework of the 2011 Broadcast Professional Show in Madrid, Ovid (Stand 3D15) has hosted the official presentation, and after two years of development, of Wings for Media, the new audio and video transmitter over the 3G network. This professional 3G video link has 12 modems and is made up of a transmitter (WingsKite) and a receiver (WingsBase).

Wings for Media is positioned as the most versatile tool focused on video transmission over the 3G network on the market. The advantages of this technology are not only based on the reduction of spatial capacity but also on scalability, immediacy, ease of use and integration into any pre-existing system.

Wings for Media provides extra freedom for the user who manages their own transmissions, eliminating any dependence on third parties, availability of segments and transportables and FlyAways. With a weight similar to that of a camera battery and with the push of a button, it is possible to start the transmission with minimal delay of HD or SD video from any point that has 3G coverage or an internet access point. This delay can be reduced, depending on the network, up to 3 seconds, a figure that will most likely be exceeded in the near future since it is one of the aspects on which the development team is working most diligently.

Wings for Media, in action

At Broadcast IT 2011 we have been able to attend link tests from different points in Madrid and Barcelona with a delay that ranged from 6 seconds on a 2.5 Mbps link to 8 seconds at 1.5 Mbps. In all cases with an enviable robustness in the signal and hardly any movement artifacts, which guarantees being able to work with this system in areas with very fair bandwidth.

It is noteworthy that the transmitting equipment has two active antennas, so by amplifying directly on the antenna itself, access to the network is much greater than with other more domestic equipment usually based on backpacks. In addition, the sending device has an Ethernet port so in places with a cable network we could connect it, optimizing the link possibilities to the maximum.

Otra diferencia con respecto a otros sistemas similares es que Wings for Media emplea únicamente hardware dedicado. Adicionalmente y para ayudar al usuario a afinar ajustes (ya que sistema está preparado para pulsar un botón, establecer el enlace con la base y comenzar a emitir), existe un software que permitiría una gestión avanzada del autobalanceado del tráfico o configuración de los paquetes de envío y pérdidas.

Ovide que está colaborando estrechamente con la empresa española que ha desarrollado el sistema, será el distribuidor exclusivo en España tanto en venta como en alquiler y ofrecerá, si así el cliente lo desea, servicios de valor añadido como gestión del tráfico 3G.