NovelSat NS3 satellite transmission technology is revolutionizing the Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) market. NovelSat NS3-based modulators, demodulators and modems are used by leading DSNG providers around the globe to achieve optimal operation with minimal bandwidth. The advanced features available in the NovelSat NS3000 satellite modem re-invent the DSNG world by providing a new set of capabilities which have been only wishful thinking until now.
NovelSat FreeBand lets broadcasters re-use the same bandwidth, transmitting at the same frequency, both to send video to the point to multipoint distribution network and to receive video or data from DSNGs, flyaways, remote studios and other remote data and video contribution units. In essence, broadcasters get free satellite bandwidth for video contribution.
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NovelSat Sky-Fi is the first portable satellite-based wireless Internet access solution. Delivering the industry’s most bandwidth efficient satellite transmission, NovelSat Sky-Fi enables DSNG operators to offer free or low-cost public Wi-Fi access at costs comparable to landline connections. This additional source of revenue for DSNG operators is best suited for arena events, tradeshows and large corporate events where data demands come from intense peak activity.
Multi-camera operation has long been on the wish list of many broadcasters. However DSNGs supporting this capability have been expensive. Now, NovelSat can deliver Multi-camera solutions, even for the smallest flyaway, at minimal cost.
Using a NovelSat NS3000 Modem and NovelSat DUET, a DSNG operator covering an event that requires multiple cameras, such as a live interview, can transmit video from multiple cameras using existing bandwidth at no additional cost. A ‘slave’ camera can be connected either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi at the remote site and can be controlled from the studio control room. In fact, any camera can be used, from professional cameras to consumer video and even smartphones.
Lack of bandwidth availability or prohibitively high bandwidth costs are today challenging DSNG operators to cost-effectively obtain the spectrum needed to deliver a quality picture during live broadcasts of news and sporting events. DSNG mobile units are also striving to keep HPA size and power consumption in check, and maximize transmission efficiency while minimizing antenna size.
NovelSat NS3-based solutions from NovelSat deliver 30% to 60% more available bandwidth per Mhz, lowering bandwidth overhead while simultaneously raising transmission capability.
For small DSNGs and airborne units, the unmatched spectral efficiency of NovelSat NS3 can enable the same throughput with a 35% smaller dish and smaller HPA – lowering transmission power by 30%-50%, minimizing transmission overhead, and optimizing in-vehicle space.
NovelSat NS3-enabled products enable DSNG operators to use multiple cameras over the same bandwidth by providing a simultaneous mix of ASI and IP on the same carrier. In this scenario, the bandwidth for the IP stream is created by NovelSat NS3 within existing capacity, with no need for additional bandwidth costs.
NovelSat NS3 based equipment delivers HD video over standard-definition infrastructure and can simultaneous stream video and data over a single carrier. Simultaneous IP data communication together with video transmission makes it possible for broadcasters to operate advanced IP-based services, including dial tone, Internet services and connectivity to corporate data networking services. One way broadcasters benefit from this is by being able to operate remote and overseas DSNGs, remotely via satellite, from the home studio without deploying a trained technician in the field.
NovelSat NS3-based solutions deliver industry-leading return-on-investment (ROI) for the DSNG operator. For example:
Assuming that the typical cost for 1 MHz is $200/hour, savings on a 9 MHz DSNG would be $500/hour. ROI should be calculated not only for capital expenses related to the procurement of the NovelSat NS3 modulator/demodulator, but also for a complete DSNG. Using the NovelSat NS3 platform in a $70,000 DSNG will result in a 6 month ROI for a new 4.5 MHz DSNG and 13 months for a 9 MHz unit.
Maximizing bandwidth efficiency has always been among our top priorities and current testing of NS3 ™ indicates that this will be a key innovation.
Dave Bettinger, CTO and SVP Engineering, iDirect