Large scale organizations and media outlets have the ability to broadcast live video through a satellite transmission truck which they own or rent. But the expense for renting and certainly for owning these vehicles is well beyond the price which bootstrap news operations, activists and the paparazzi can afford.
Live streaming video has become “the thing” that all audiences around the globe expect from media outlets. But without a reliable wireless video transmitter (which were previously a very expensive investment) this capability is impossible.
What About Smartphones Phones?
The most common belief that people have is that cellular video transmission is a reliable and acceptable way of streaming live video. After all, isn’t that how everyone is doing it these days?
There are a number of real-time streaming apps available on the market and they are usually easy to use. But not every app offers the same benefits and none of them are reliable. Many users find themselves needing to sacrifice speed and simplicity for quality and features (and vice versa).
This also does not take into account the reliability of the servers which are receiving and communicating the data that you are streaming. Cellphone networks are already overloaded in many instances and downtimes as well as lag are the norm. Viewers have become accustomed to smooth, problem-free video and expect no less from you – even if you are a one-person operation.
How Transmission Backpacks Are Transforming The Industry
For the past few years there has not been a viable product that straddles the fine line between smartphone livestreaming and having a full fledged satellite truck at your disposal. Fortunately, a handful of innovative companies are now offering transmission backpacks amongst their numerous products.
A transmission backpack is similar to having a satellite truck on your back. These uplink backpacks typically offer a cellular-based live video uplink which can be broadcasted across the globe. Many include both external and proprietary internal antenna arrays which provides you with satellite-like resiliency even when you are on the go.
What To Look For In A Transmission Backpack
Transmission backpacks can typically be rented for a monthly or reduced annual fee. This fee will cover a number of expenses including:
- The wireless bandwidth charges on all networks provided
- The customized backpack
- The dedicated static IP address necessary for being able to broadcast your life video
- Several hours of wireless upstreaming (the best vendors will allow 30 hours or more)
The best products on the market today are ready to go live in less than one minute.
Vendors may offer a free web video streaming service which allows the streaming company to insert their own ads into your content, or you can invest in paid upstreaming which gives you the ability to insert your own ads. The paid version of these services also often allows for greater bandwidth and removes some of the limitations which come with the free version.