Comrex LiveShot expands MATV's sports coverage past cellular networks
Milton Access TV (MATV), a community television station based in Milton, Massachusetts, has found a valuable partner in Comrex and its LiveShot system. This technology has revolutionised MATV's live sports broadcasting, enabling them to deliver high-quality, real-time coverage of local events despite infrastructure challenges.
### The Challenges of Traditional Broadcasting
MATV, dedicated to providing live coverage of high school sports, recreational leagues, and community tournaments, often encountered difficulties when broadcasting from sports venues lacking traditional broadcast infrastructure. One such issue was the high cost of installing Ethernet cables, estimated at $50,000 for digging up the parking lot and laying the necessary wiring.
### Enter Comrex LiveShot
Comrex LiveShot, an IP-based live video contribution system, offers a portable and flexible solution to these challenges. With its ability to work over cellular networks, Wi-Fi, wired internet, or satellite, it provides broadcasters with a versatile connectivity option.
MATV partnered with Comrex and began using LiveShot in conjunction with MikroTik unlicensed Wi-Fi repeater satellite dishes. This setup allowed MATV to transmit live HD video feeds even from remote locations, such as sports fields without wired connectivity.
### Reliable and Efficient Live Sports Coverage
The LiveShot Portable was quickly connected to the Ethernet and SDI feed, enabling MATV to broadcast HD over a connection with close to 200 Mbps up and down. This reliability and efficiency were crucial during critical events, such as important school committee meetings, where MATV was able to go online with LiveShot approximately 30 seconds before the meeting started.
### A Valuable Investment for MATV
MATV considers the investment in LiveShot as great, as it has significantly improved their workflow and expanded their coverage capabilities. The LiveShot equipment, despite being delicate and tweaky, has proven to be a significant part of MATV's operations. Its ease of use, with simple setup and customizable profiles for adjusting bit rates, makes it an ideal solution for a lean crew managing live broadcasts.
### A Boost for Community Engagement
By providing reliable, high-quality live sports coverage, MATV has strengthened community involvement, giving local teams exposure and the audience access to live sporting events they might otherwise miss. This enhanced viewer experience and greater community connection are testaments to the transformative impact of Comrex LiveShot on MATV's operations.
In conclusion, Comrex LiveShot is a powerful tool for live, remote sports broadcasting, thanks to its portability, reliability, and IP-based flexibility. MATV's successful implementation of this technology underscores its potential to revolutionise community television, making it more accessible and engaging for viewers.
- Milton Access TV (MATV) encountered significant difficulties with traditional broadcasting, particularly in sports venues lacking required infrastructure.
- Comrex LiveShot, an IP-based live video contribution system, offers a flexible solution to infrastructure challenges, capable of operating over various networks.
- MATV partnered with Comrex and, along with MikroTik unlicensed Wi-Fi repeater satellite dishes, began transmitting live HD video feeds from remote locations without wired connectivity.
- The LiveShot Portable allowed MATV to broadcast high-definition (HD) video with a connection of close to 200 Mbps up and down, providing reliability and efficiency.
- MATV views their investment in LiveShot as valuable, as it has improved workflow and expanded coverage capabilities, while being adaptable for a lean broadcast crew.
- Through reliable, high-quality live sports coverage provided by LiveShot, MATV has strengthened community engagement, offering local teams exposure and providing viewers access to events they might otherwise miss.
- Comrex LiveShot represents a powerful tool for remote, live sports broadcasting with its portability, reliability, and IP-based flexibility, transforming community television to make it more accessible and engaging for viewers.
