Latin America. CP Communications launched two new products for live production, Virtual Media Center and the secure video management platform FastReturn, both based on WebRTC.
WebRTC is the cloud-based technology used by Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other popular video conferencing platforms, and they've been field-tested during high-profile events in recent years, including the fall 2021 editions of TCS's New York City Marathon and Bank of America's Chicago Marathon.
"People have been struggling with live video latency in remote production workflows," explained Kurt Heitmann, CEO of CP Communications. "Announcers can't be far behind the action with analysis or play by play. With FastReturn, we use the power of the cloud to deliver ultra-low latency return video streaming, so you can watch your production live from anywhere and on any device in real time."
FastReturn's base package includes five streams and supports up to 100 users, but can be scaled to accommodate additional sources and larger equipment. Users access FastReturn content through a web browser on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, as well as through Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire Stick digital media players. Content is accessed through a secure customer portal (optional custom user pages and templates are also available).
The platform can ingest any H.264 basic profile RTMP stream, supporting HD resolution and 128 kbit stereo audio with bitrates up to 10 MBps with less than 400 ms latency. FastReturn can also deploy edge servers around the world that are geographically closer to production to provide even lower latency and greater reliability.
Available as an ad hoc service, Virtual Media Center is a browser-based multi-viewer designed to monitor, not broadcast, live video signals. Designed to be used by remote journalists, it features a variety of multi-viewer templates, from simple 2- and 4-frame displays to more extensive designs based on the number of signals being shared. Through a browser-based interface, media personnel can select which video streams to monitor. All templates deliver video streams with secure two-step authentication and less than 400ms latency.
Beyond event coverage, the Virtual Media Center can also help with multi-camera remote production. For example, there was recently a two-day commercial shoot on three sound stages in Atlanta. The on-site team used several Red House Streaming (RHS) CamSTREAM systems along with the Virtual Media Center to provide producers and the California-based director with real-time behind-the-scenes views of the production. Developed by CP Communications, CAMSTREAM RHS systems are cost-effective, all-in-one video streaming and production solutions that are quickly configured and deployed for any live production.
"For members of the media who can't travel to an event, or for video production team members who can't be on site, the Virtual Media Center provides an effective and efficient way to monitor live action from multiple cameras." Heitmann explained.
FastReturn is available as a monthly service or can be licensed for specific events. CP can also provide RHS CamSTREAM units and RTMP encoders for rental.
