Using Internet Protocol in
Satellite News Gathering and
Corporate Network Solutions
Why
should we select an IP based satellite news gathering or disaster recovery solution?
Answer by Joel Comiskey, IP Engineer
One of
the best reasons to select an IP-based solution is because Internet protocol
(IP) is the fastest growing communications medium. Communications across
the country and around the world are based on Internet protocol. There is
rapid growth in the number of applications available and in their efficiency.
Because we run Internet protocol, we can always accommodate new advances in
technology and do not have to constantly upgrade our systems; it allows for
future expansion and will not become quickly outdated. With the growth of file based workflows in
the news industry and satellite newsgathering, an IP based solution is a
logical choice for news and media outlets.
Another
reason to use Internet protocol is because it is so flexible. Any type of
communication can be accomplished over the Internet, such as high definition video,
webcasting, telephone calls and corporate networking. It allows a
tremendous amount of flexibility on a single system. You can add new
components, usually just by connecting LAN cables and setting IP
addresses. Everything is in a "plug-and-play" format.
Are
IP based solutions as reliable as traditional satellite communications
for satellite news gathering and for corporate network restoration?
Answer by Joel Comiskey, IP Engineer
Yes.
It is important to realize that Internet protocol is not synonymous with most
people's impression of "the Internet." The Internet is a
network of computers and servers that are interconnected. Internet
Protocol (IP) is the common language those computers use to communicate.
Most of the resources needed for this are shared among many users. This
can result in somewhat unreliable because the volume of data throughput and users is
always changing on shared resources.
When we provide a satellite link, we provide a fixed amount of space that is
privately owned and managed. We give you a dedicated connection
to ensure that your throughput will remain constant. You will not be
subject to fluctuation in service. Coordinating with the customer we
manage their traffic based on their quality requirements. This creates a
very stable communications link for satellite news gathering or hot standby
network restoration.
Are
IP based satellite solutions as cost effective as other options?
Answer
by Dave Starkey, Vice President of Operations
IP
based solutions can very cost effective because you can save time engineering
and designing solutions. Many IP based software and hardware devices can
be used right off the shelf by connecting with a LAN cable and setting IP
addresses. It's easy to customize your system adding and upgrading IP based equipment. Using
Internet Protocol facilitates coordination of interagency operability.
Different agencies can share information as needed when they use the Internet
Protocol.
How Do QuickSPOT Satellite News Gathering Solutions
Compare to Traditional Satellite Technologies?
What is Satellite News Gathering? (Also known as SNG or DSNG)
Answer by Erin Ludden, Director of Marketing
Satellite
News Gathering, commonly called SNG or Digital Satellite News Gathering ("DSNG"), is the use of mobile satellite equipment
to transmit video news content from a field location to a news studio.
What makes QuickSPOT Satellite News Gathering Systems Unique?
Answer by Erin Ludden, Director of Marketing
Like traditional Satellite News Gathering, QuickSPOT
lets you transmit high quality Standard Definition and High Definition
video from the live news location back to the studio in MPEG-4 or
MPEG-2 formats. QuickSPOT goes beyond just video transmission by creating a complete mobile office solution for the news team. With QuickSPOT
you can have IFB compatible Direct Dial In and Out phone lines,
research stories on the web, send and receive email, write blogs,
webcast and send file transfers in addition to Standard Definition and
High Definition video functions.
QuickSPOT's small, portable designs
allow real freedom to go virtually anywhere to report the news. Our 96
centimeter and 1.2 meter antennas transmit standard or high definition
video. The automated system saves setup time so your news team can be
on air faster while using less manpower.
How can the QuickSPOT On Demand satellite service get news teams on air faster while saving money?
Answer by Erin Ludden, Director of Marketing
QuickSPOT can eliminate time consuming steps to obtaining satellite time.
Compare On Demand service to Occasional Use. With Occasional Use you
need to call the booking center to find out which satellite has
availability at the time you want; find out which transponder has an
available slot; book a time slot for a fixed amount of time; get a
frequency assignment; set the frequencies and then call in again to
complete a cros-pol.
With QuickSPOT
On Demand there is no advance scheduling; the service is ready when you
are for exactly the time you need. You only need to push the
deployment button and five minutes later your system is on network
ready to tranmit video. The billing period does not begin until you
begin sending video and ends when you turn the video off. If you begin
transmitting video at 5:02 and end at 5:11, you are only billed for 9
minutes. Those cost savings can really add up!
I am worried about buying a system that could be obsolete in a few years. Is the QuickSPOT satellite uplink system upgradeable?
Answer by Erin Ludden, Director of Marketing
Yes! QuickSPOT was engineered with flexibility in mind. The modular architecture allows you to add new components easily.
For example, a news station may require a Standard Definiton satellite
news gathering system to meet their current needs but, they may be
planning for a High Definition transition in a year or two. Many QuickSPOT components are HD ready and others can be upgraded to accomodate the
higher bandwidth required for High Definition. Our Fujitsu video
encoders can also be upgraded from SD to HD.
Virtually any device that has a LAN cable and an IP address can be added to the QuickSPOT system so you can add more phone lines, webcasting capabilities, video conferencing or any other IP application you desire.
QuickSPOT can meet your current needs and accomodate your future growth.
We've tried to keep the billing simple for the On Demand network. The
system automatically detects your usage. When you begin transmitting
information, the system starts the billing period. When you stop, the
billing period ends. You are billed by the minute, for exactly what
you use.
At the end of the month, you'll receive a statement that looks a lot
like a cell phone bill detailing the date, time and duration of each
transmission. You'll pay only for the bandwidth you use.
QuickSPOT Satellite Uplink Hardware Solutions
How
much training do I need to operate a QuickSPOT satellite uplink system?
Answer by Steve Ludden, Manager of Special Services
Our
system is automated and is designed to be operated by non-technical
users. In most cases, a new user can be trained to operate the QuickSPOT
system in 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the types of applications being
used. It is very simple to set up with a one-button deployment. All
models can be assembled without tools and are designed to be intuitive.
Everything is preprogrammed and preconfigured when it goes out into the
field. All you will need to do is plug in the system and turn on the
power and you will be ready to communicate. You should be able to turn on
your video or pick up the phone within 5 minutes of deployment.
What
is a fly away satellite antenna system?
Answer by Steve Ludden, Manager of Special Services
A fly away is a satellite antenna that can be packed and shipped via plane, freight or
boat. Customers receive the shipment, unpack it and assemble
it. Fly away antennas have improved a lot in recent years. Previously, these packages were quite large
and difficult to transport. Today, we have
flyaways that are only 75 cm in diameter and can be packed in suitcases and
checked as baggage. They are now very compact and lightweight. QuickSPOT automated fly away antennas assemble with NO tools and find the
satellite at the touch of a button. Fly away systems are very popular with satellite news gathering teams who travel
extensively covering extreme weather, disasters, political campaigns
and other on the go news stories. Fly away antennas are also well used by disaster recovery teams who need to
establish satellite uplinks quickly in an area where all other
communications systems have been destroyed.
What is a fly and drive satellite antenna system?
Answer by Steve Ludden, Manager of Special Services
A fly and drive is an exceptionally flexible antenna. It can be taken apart and stored in three
shipping cases that are within size and weight restrictions to be shipped
overnight via a common carrier such as UPS or FedEx. Once the antenna has arrived at its
destination it can be assembled without tools and used as a traditional fly away antenna or mounted on top of an SUV or minivan without making any modifications
to the vehicle. You can turn a rental
vehicle into an SNG truck or a mobile disaster recovery command center in about
30 minutes.
Do
I need to customize my vehicle to integrate a QuickSPOT satellite uplink system?
Answer by Steve Ludden, Manager of Special Services
You can, but you don't have to. QuickSPOT antennas can be installed temporarily or permanentl on most any vehicle with a factory luggage rack, such as a standard
SUV. It can be as small as a Toyota Rav4 or as big as a full-size
van. As long as it has a luggage rack, we can mount a QuickSPOT antenna
temporarily without any customization to the vehicle. If you rent a vehicle or
travel a lot, the system can be removed without altering or damaging it.
We do
provide permanent installations for people who have dedicated satellite news gathering or satellite uplink vehicles and opt
for customization or specialization, but it is not required. Our system
is very flexible and can accommodate most vehicles.
Technical Support for QuickSPOT Satellite Uplink Systems
and On Demand Bandwidth
Who
will provide the technical support?
Answer
by Dave Starkey, Vice President of Operations
The
same team that puts together your system will provide your technical
support. When you call in with a question, you will talk to someone who
is intimately familiar with your network and your system. It is not a
busy help desk. We have experienced engineers who can get right to the
heart of any problem. They are cross-trained in different areas and
troubleshoot as a team.
Our
Vice President of Operations heads the technical support and integration team. Technical support is not just a department, it
is an integral part of the engineering process. They work on our
customers' systems from beginning to end. You will develop a real
relationship with your customer support team.
Since we provide support on all hardware we sell and the satellite
service we are the single point of contact for all your technical
support needs.
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Why should we select an IP based satellite news gathering or disaster recovery solution? 
What makes QuickSPOT Satellite News Gathering Systems Unique?