Open Broadcast Systems Launches 5G Bonding Solution

Open Broadcast Systems has launched the OBE 5G Flyaway at NAB. Built in collaboration with Zixi, the 5G bonding solution lets sports broadcasters reach fibre and satellite picture quality over cellular networks and deliver them as standard Constant Bitrate MPEG Transport Streams.

When paired with the OBE C-100/C-200 encoders, the Flyaway can be used to deliver high quality feeds the way sports broadcasters expect with 10-bit 4:2:2 video, numerous audio tracks, exactly the same way they do over fibre and satellite. These feeds can then be delivered to existing IRDs via protocols such as Zixi and SRT without the need for vendor-specific equipment. In addition, satellite systems such as Starlink and OneWeb can be used to aid connectivity in remote regions.

The external weatherproof 5G directional routers can be placed up to 100m (300ft) away. This delivers connectivity for those sports broadcasters based in areas of poor connectivity, such as underneath a stadium, as well as allowing the use of distant cell towers, keeping traffic separate from spectators. This is all achieved using a single Ethernet cable, meaning existing cabling can be repurposed without any reduction in signal quality.

In addition, the 5G Flyaway can be used as a failover backup mechanism for linear channel delivery with critical features such as Closed Captions, SCTE-35 and Teletext all available as normal. In areas where diverse fibre connections are difficult to obtain, the OBE 5G Flyaway provides a cost-effective alternative to satellite, reducing channel downtime.

The OBE 5G Flyaway is available in a small form factor that can fit in an aircraft cabin. It is available with a global data plan, avoiding the need to swap SIM cards and providing an affordable pay as you go data plan.

You might also like...

Standards: Part 18 - High Efficiency And Other Advanced Audio Codecs

Our series on Standards moves on to discussion of advancements in AAC coding, alternative coders for special case scenarios, and their management within a consistent framework.

HDR & WCG For Broadcast - Expanding Acquisition Capabilities With HDR & WCG

HDR & WCG do present new requirements for vision engineers, but the fundamental principles described here remain familiar and easily manageable.

What Does Hybrid Really Mean?

In this article we discuss the philosophy of hybrid systems, where assets, software and compute resource are located across on-prem, cloud and hybrid infrastructure.

HDR & WCG For Broadcast - HDR Picture Fundamentals: Color

How humans perceive color and the various compromises involved in representing color, using the historical iterations of display technology.

The Streaming Tsunami: Testing In Streaming Part 2: The Quest For “Full Confidence”

Part 1 of this article explored the implementation of a Zero Bug policy for a successful Streamer like Channel 4 (C4) in the UK, and the priorities that the policy drives. In Part 2 we conclude with looking at how Streamers can move…