feature live acquisition/outside broadcast
Traditionally wireless transmission has been
achievable only via expensive, high powered,
COFDM links. Not anymore. Boxx TV has
developed a new HD/SD wireless system that
not only challenges traditional methods but
also delivers complete reliability - with no
delay. Scott Walker, CTO of Boxx TV, reports.
Leading the zero delay
wireless revolution
T
he Meridian system launched in 2004. Darrell Bilton, a adding frame delays at each stage. By
developed by Boxx TV - and software engineer, and I joined forces the time the picture reaches the screen,
launched at NAB 2009 - is to meet the gap in the market for the delay can be up to four frames,
revolutionary in that it low-cost, digital wireless video and which is simply unacceptable. If there is
doesn’t use any compression.
With any of the standard
The Meridian
audio links. Having spent 15 years zero delay to start with then the end
behind the lens, filming anything from result is only one or two frame delays,
compression systems, you take a
principal
war zones to reality TV shows, I which is acceptable for the application.
picture, you compress it, you send it removes the wanted to develop a product based on Using the Meridian system
and then you decompress it - and for
need for
end users needs. The first product to approximately 700,000,000 bits (700
every part of that process there is
compression
market was Vid Wave, a licence- Mb) are used to make an HD picture. It’s
latency. The Meridian principal exempt wireless system designed for a revolutionary way of sending pictures
removes the need for compression. the transmission of reality TV, which and something that the broadcast sector
Instead it looks at each pixel within won a Prime Time Emmy in 2005, and has never seen before. The industry has
the image; it identifies and then gives is still provided through American to depart from its entire understanding
each pixel a priority while sending facilities company, Boxx of how pictures have previously been
large amounts of data over the link. Communications, to television shows transmitted and accept that there is a
The pixels that are more noticeable to in Los Angeles such as Hell’s Kitchen new and better way of achieving high-
the eye are protected. Simplified, and Nanny 911. quality wireless video and audio
priority is given to luminance with less Based on Boxx TV’s research and transmission.
important pixels following afterwards. development, the brand new Meridian Meridian takes the company’s first
There is no compression and the system is designed to provide product - Cobalt - to the next level
process is carried out in less than one Boxx TV provides extremely high quality, zero delay delivering zero delay and HD. Cobalt,
millisecond.
wireless links at
camera links. It can be used for a wide which has been used on numerous
Reading’s Madejski
Boxx TV - based in London - was
Stadium.
variety of applications including live productions, provides a unique, live-
outside broadcast events such as to-air SD microwave link from any
concerts, sports production and news camera without ghosting, break-up or
as well as reality TV, church interference again at a fraction of the
broadcasts, large screen presentations cost of traditional COFDM digital
and award ceremonies. In these microwave systems. Boxx TV has sold
environments, wireless low latency is over 400 Cobalt units (including OEM
essential. Without it, mixing multiple sales) to a worldwide customer base
cameras is nigh on impossible in any from solo operators to major
usable way. broadcasters, many of which transmit
For live productions - particularly live, daily using the Cobalt units. 3
6
.
music - timing is critical. If, for example, Productions include: Knight Rider
an image is projected on a screen promo; Miller Lite ad; Lexus ad; Rose
behind an artist while performing, the Bowl Parade; and Food Network
o
n

P
a
g
e

signal is carried from the camera to the programmes, to name but a few.
transmitter then to the receiver, onto Jay Hartigan, vice president audio,
the vision mixer and then to the screen, Shooters Post & Transfer, used the
C
o
n
t
i
n
u
e
d

32 l ibe l may/june 2009 l www.ibeweb.com
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