The critical eye of the electronic media will view us in greater real time as more and more outlets start using the LiveU system. The system bridges the bandwidth gap needed for live video transmission by “bonding” together multiple cell phone circuits, and according to many news outlets, could substantially reduce the cost of newsgathering and increase their amount of live coverage at breaking scenes.

While the LiveU system doesn’t guarantee a fixed or minimum amount of transmission bandwidth, users  report that they have been generally obtaining between 1.2 Mbps and 1.5 Mbps, with sometimes a dip below this. Such bit streams won’t bring back HD images, but there is sufficient bandwidth for delivery of breaking stories to the newsroom without the delay involved in dispatching an ENG truck and having its operator line up microwave dishes or boresight a satellite connection. Another plus is that there are no spectrum management issues.

I have seen the LiveU unit in action in Las Vegas. The camera operator and crew were weaving effortlessly across the floor of a major trade show broadcasting live with no cables or additional bulky equipment. I have not seen the LiveU employed at a local fire scene yet.

The LiveU units will also open the door to more websites that will be able to now afford live streaming coverage from a breaking story. Also look for the LiveU and its web based competitors to get into the hands of more and more freelancers and stringers because of its affordable price.

Currently a 1 Mbps uplink (internet video quality) will cost around $1500 a month with a mandatory one year contract ($18k total). 2 Mbps (broadcast TV quality) costs around $2500 a month ($30k/year). For those prices the media outlet gets a LU-30 transmitter and 30 hours of connectivity per month. Compare this to a full blown satellite truck at approximately $3,000 per day and you see the value.

Another piece of new media technology that can produce the good, bad and potential ugly for our Public Information Offices

Look for the increased use of LiveU at a fire ground near you.

LiveU Overview from a camera operator during a California wildfire.

Demo video of another system called Livestream, more geared towards web applications, that shows the quality.

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