April 7, 2021
CP Communications Adds CamSTREAM SRT to Growing Red House Streaming Product Family
Latest all-in-one, plug-and-play RHS CamSTREAM model specifically addresses low-latency REMI production workflows for live sports and news; major broadcast network among first to purchase system for live REMI sports production
St. Petersburg, Florida, April 7, 2021 — CP Communications, a leader in innovative solutions and services for live event productions, continues to expand its Red House Streaming (RHS) CamSTREAM product family to meet changing REMI production requirements. The company today introduces CamSTREAM SRT, an all-in-one remote production and streaming solution built specifically for modern live sports and news production challenges.
CamSTREAM SRT continues on the path that CP Communications established with the existing product range: All-in-one, plug-and-play solutions that embrace simplicity for end users of any skill level. Like previous models, CamSTREAM SRT provides content creators with a turnkey solution (PTZ camera and tripod, video encoder, return monitor) to remotely shoot, record, and stream live content. Benefits include quick deployment, ease of use, and cost-efficiency for at-home productions, requiring only a public internet connection to stream acquired contact to a studio or the web.
Now shipping and available globally, CamSTREAM SRT integrates new technologies and features that address the latency and quality challenges common with live sports and news productions. This is the first RHS CamSTREAM system to leverage the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) open-source video transport protocol, developed and pioneered by Haivision, which optimizes streaming performance across even the most unpredictable public internet connections.
CamSTREAM SRT is also the first RHS CamSTREAM system to integrate Haivision’s Makito X2 encoder, which supports ultra-low latency streams and establishes a secure VPN tunnel to and from the studio over a local area network (LAN). When paired with a Haivision Makito X2 decoder, users have return video to the onboard 10-inch monitor along with IFB audio. The Makito X2 encoder can be swapped for a Mobile Viewpoint Agile Airlink bonded cellular encoding solution where LAN connections are unavailable. CP Communications is a North American distributor for both Haivision and Mobile Viewpoint products.
CP Communications CEO Kurt Heitmann emphasizes that stream latency is the chief concern for sports and news customers that are still adapting to REMI production models. CamSTREAM SRT’s problem-solving approach to live streaming latency influenced one of North America’s largest broadcast networks to purchase three systems, which will be used for REMI productions in support of live, televised baseball games.
“Round-trip latency is the pain point for all content creators, including today’s biggest broadcasters,” he said. “We can now offer our customers SRT streams that reduce latency to below 500 milliseconds. This lays the foundation for real-time, two-way conversations that engage and excite viewers, even when the play-by-play announcer, color commentator, or news anchor is working from home. SRT streams relegate the traditional obvious delays of live reporting and sportscasting to the past.”
Content creators managing at-home productions benefit from preset camera functions that make it easy to match camera angles with all geographically dispersed talent. Meanwhile, remote camera control and shading allows technicians to make real-time adjustments back at the studio to optimize coverage. Heitmann adds that reporters can rapidly deploy CamSTREAM SRT in the field and transmit footage back to the studio without the need for a camera operator or news van.
“Like all RHS CamSTREAM models, it’s really as simple as connecting to power and turning on the system,” he said. “CamSTREAM SRT calls home, and within minutes it is ready to shoot and stream broadcast-quality video.”
CamSTREAM SRT also introduces new options for RHS CamSTREAM customers, including options for remote teleprompting and DMX lighting control. The latter communicates with cloud-based DMX control software to turn lights on and off, change color temperature and adjust brightness, among other settings. All DMX control is enabled over IP between the studio and the remote production site using the same secure VPN tunnel. Heitmann adds that both options will be available for all RHS CamSTREAM models.