Streambox Sends Live HD Video Via Verizon 4G

Streambox announced Tuesday that its hybrid HD/SD software encoder is now capable of transporting HD video with only one cellular modem due to Verizon’s new 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.

On Dec. 5, 2010, Verizon launched its new 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in 38 cities around the country, including Seattle, home of Streambox headquarters. Laptops equipped with the Streambox hybrid HD/SD software encoder on the Verizon 4G LTE network are “now able to stream live HD video from remote locations, highly urban areas, and other settings traditional newsgathering or streaming workflows could not achieve,” according to the company.

The Streambox hybrid HD/SD encoder is able to stream live or stored broadcast quality SD video at 1.5 to 2 megabits per second (mbps), and breaking news quality HD video at 2 to 5 mbps. Streambox also successfully tested Avenir, a mobile broadcasting encoder on the 4G LTE network in Seattle.

Throughout tests in Seattle, Streambox said it consistently streamed video from 1.5 to 5 mbps from multiple locations with low latency and minimal packet loss. Upload bandwidth reached as high as 17 to 19mbps during these tests. It said that users can expect to receive between 2 to 5mbps on one cellular modem over the Verizon 4G LTE network.

“The ability to transmit high-quality HD/SD video reliably over a low-cost 3G/4G wireless IP connection, even from densely congested locations, gives field newsgathering and streaming contributors unprecedented flexibility when delivering video,” said Bob Hildeman, chairman-CEO of Streambox. “In today’s highly competitive television news environment, this efficient solution will give our broadcasting and streaming customers a powerful advantage by extending both the reach and quality of their breaking news and live video contributions.”

Armed with a Mac or Windows laptop running the Streambox Hybrid HD/SD Software Encoder, a camera and a portable capture device such as Matrox or AJA, mobile reporters can gather, edit and stream live, high-quality HD-SDI video from remote locations over low data rate connections such as 3G/4G, Wi-Fi, VSAT, and other IP networks, Streambox said. (Verizon has not yet released Mac drivers, however, the Streambox Encoder for OS X is able to use this technology with basic configuration and supported hardware.)

The ACT-L3 codec embedded in the Streambox Software Encoder can stream HD/SD broadcast quality video at a much lower bandwidth than standard video transmission solutions offer, Streambox said, which will be necessary as more users enter the 4G network. Exclusive to the hybrid HD/SD software encoder is its multiplexing capabilities, which allow the system to accommodate dual BGAN terminals, T1 lines and 3G/4G cellular modems for increased bandwidth.

Streambox mobile broadcast encoder Avenir is also compatible with Verizon’s 4G LTE network. The battery-powered unit delivers broadcast quality video using a single Verizon cellular modem, but has the ability to bond up to eight cellular modems simultaneously.

In the near future, Streambox will release a new product that will take advantage of 4G networks. Streambox Live Pro will be available as an enhanced version of Streambox Live for Mac OSX and Windows. The Pro upgrade will offer the opportunity to increase bandwidth from 512 kbps to 1.5 mbps. The increased bandwidth will give users higher quality video while also including the core features such as Store and Forward, IFB and Auto Bandwidth Negotiation that are available on the current Streambox Live product.