NEP The Netherlands, a leading media technology specialist and market leader in aerial based mobile video links, announces partnering up with Soliton Systems, an established Japanese manufacturer of real-time mobile encoding and live video streaming systems over 3G/4G networks.
As a result of this partnership, NEP The Netherlands became the distributor of the Smart-telecaster ZAO solution: a new generation of H265 bonding technology to be introduced to the European market. ZAO is a system where video is transported via multiple mobile network providers. This results in low latency, high quality live pictures, without using aircrafts or other expensive relay platforms.
The aerial based mobile video links of NEP are used for covering large international sports events like cycling, marathons, sailing and cross country skiing, as well as big outdoor events where live camera feeds coming from moving vehicles like motorbikes, cars and helicopters are used.
Marco Pos, general manager RF Services of NEP The Netherlands: “Our ‘in house’ developed RF services 2.0 aerial relay system is the most flexible, reliable and cost-effective relay system available in the international market. The usage however of airplanes and helicopters, in order to set up a private wireless network that is capable of carrying multiple high quality HD video sources, is one of the most expensive ways of covering live sports events. Therefore, we have been chasing alternative technologies and systems. Soliton Systems Smart-telecaster ZAO is the first solution available in the market that can provide live quality video at low bitrates via a generic public wireless network. We are very impressed by the Soliton Solution and look forward to our mutual successful future.”
The way Soliton has deployed the H265 hardware based encoder results in at least 50% more efficiency in bandwidth usage compared to traditional solutions. For example: a 3 Mbps Soliton H265 stream provides the same video quality as a stream doing 6 Mbps in H264. The 4G Bonding algorithm has also been improved dramatically compared to the traditional 4G bonding systems. The overall result is a much improved picture quality, even with less latency, which is typically under half a second. It is even possible to have 2 way communication between the camera team and the editorial people with minor delay via the ZAO.
The ZAO solution from Soliton has been seamlessly integrated into the NEP Cloud Production environment. This is a fully managed and secure distribution system specifically for video content, which includes as part of the end-to-end system, the in-house developed remote camera control and tally system to which the ZAO connects. This in turn provides a fully managed delivery platform for sports and live events for NEP and their customers, that takes advantage of the latest and most cost effective technology for high quality content delivery.
“Soliton is very excited to be working with NEP”, comments Mogens Jensen, the Managing Director of Soliton Systems Europe. “Given NEP’s drive for innovation and quality, not only do we partner to fulfil their short term needs, but we are working together to develop our range of mobile transmitting units to meet their needs going forward. The future is very exciting for us both!”
For more information:
NEP
Marleen Lassche, Communication & PR
André van Duinboulevard 4
1217 WH Hilversum, The Netherlands
Tel +31 6 22 95 2772
Marleen.lassche@nepworldwide.nl
Soliton Systems
Anita Ghosh
1082MA Amsterdam.
Netherlands.
Tel +31 (0) 20 301 21 66
About NEP
NEP provides the technology, the people and know-how to enable clients to produce the worlds’ biggest live and broadcast events around the globe. The company is the leading worldwide provider of outsourced production solutions offering technical services for remote- and cloud production, studio production, video display, host broadcasting, post production, smart asset / media management, multi-screen delivery and end-to-end OTT solutions.
About Soliton Systems
Soliton Systems, headquartered in Japan with offices in Europe, USA and China, manufacture a range of mobile video streaming, video encoding and security products. Their flagship product, the Smart-telecaster ZAO, is in use by range of global broadcasters, news and sport production companies, and emergency service providers.
