Choosing the Right Wireless Technology for Your Live Broadcast or Event

Streaming has become one of the most powerful ways of communicating to an audience. Whether you’re streaming from an event venue or from your business, you require technology that will help crystallize your message and compel your audience to action.

Our team at VidOvation has decades of experience working with live broadcast technology. And in our latest post, we’re highlighting how to choose the right system for your upcoming broadcasts.

Consider Latency

You need to carefully consider the latency of the technology you’re investing in to film and stream your live event.

For example, if you’re filming a live sports event such as a hockey game, imagine the picture and the audio don’t match. The picture shows the puck going into the net, but the audio is two seconds behind. This would not be very unprofessional.

Whether you’re filming a sports event or you’re interviewing guests and streaming the interview, make sure there’s near zero latency.

Analyze Interference

If you’re choosing a wireless video streaming system, what are the types of interference you’ll encounter given the venue and the application of the technology? This is a topic that requires serious consideration alongside a technician.

Again, going back to our sports example, a crowded stadium will have significantly more interference than an open field in which you’re filming a product demonstration. You might encounter thousands of others in the area who are using devices to get a wireless signal. This will limit the level of performance you achieve and will impact the quality of your broadcast.

Discuss Modulation

Signal modulation is another highly important discussion point when selecting live broadcast technology. When you’re sending and receiving wireless signals, you need to modulate the signal effectively to achieve that flawless connection.

A higher bitrate is preferable when you have a larger budget, but remember that technology such as 16QAM, which can transmit data at 4 bits per symbol, requires greater processing power. And so, you’ll be spending more on the equipment as well as on the power behind the equipment.

Another consideration when looking at signal modulation is the signal noise. Higher bitrates may also lead to greater noise sensitivity, as with a denser packet, it can be harder for the system to differentiate between all the information being transmitted. However, some systems are adaptive to the signal environment. A modern Wi-Fi system can jump between encoding schemes, depending on the noise.

Review Compression & Video Format

The best quality video is an uncompressed stream that is not split apart when it’s transmitted. So, your audience sees a crystal-clear picture, and there are no issues with signal quality. However, most camera-based systems feature some type of compression in order to transmit high-quality video data effectively across a smaller pipe. For example, H.264 compression is often used when filming live events via a camera. This compression technology helps you maximize the quality of the stream while still allowing you to quickly and effectively transmit live event data without signal loss or interruptions.

Direct-to-Screen Systems

In some live event streaming processes, it may be beneficial to edit the feed before your audience sees the stream. This can also impact the type of technology that you use for your stream. For example, your video might be going into the post-production process, and so the quality of the original feed might not be as important to meet your overall goals. The speed at which the feed is transmitted and the metadata provided by the technology might be more critical.

Find the Right Performance for Your Budget

One of the key challenges many organizations face is finding a technology that fits their live event budget. This involves speaking with a number of vendors and trying to find the right solution for your price. Make sure that you understand the most important needs for the live streaming event.

Find out what you might be able to compromise on a little, and what needs must be met to the letter. This will help you find a solution that is both affordable and can provide you professional, reliable performance during the live event.

Speak with VidOvation Experts for Guidance

We understand that live broadcast technology can seem like an overwhelming topic at first. Trust our team at VidOvation to help you with your next broadcast. We’ll reduce your costs and improve the quality of the final video. For a quote, questions, or other inquiries, contact VidOvation today.