CP Communications announced the launch of two new products for live production. The products include the Virtual Media Center and FastReturn secure video management platform. N.Y.-based CP Communications provides innovative solutions and services for live event productions.
Both solutions are built around WebRTC — the cloud-based technology used by Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other popular videoconferencing platforms. In addition, they have featured in the field during high-profile events over the past few years. Some of them include the Fall 2021 editions of the TCS New York City Marathon and Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Features of FastReturn
“People have been struggling with the latency of live video in remote production workflows,” Kurt Heitmann, CEO of CP Communications, explains. “Announcers can’t be way behind the action with play-by-play or analysis. With FastReturn, we use the power of the cloud to deliver streaming return video with ultra-low latency, so you can view your live production from anywhere on any device in real time,” he adds.
FastReturn’s base package includes five streams and supports up to 100 users. However, it can be scaled to accommodate additional sources and larger crews. Users access FastReturn content via a web browser on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Users can also access through Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire Stick digital media players. The content is accessed through a secure client portal and optional custom user pages and templates are also available.
The platform can ingest any H.264 baseline profile RTMP stream. It also supports HD resolution and 128kbit stereo audio with bitrates up to 10 MBps with less than 400ms of latency. FastReturn can also spin up edge servers around the world that are geographically closer to the production. By doing so, it can provide even lower latency and better reliability.
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Advantages of Virtual Media Center
Available as an ad hoc service, the Virtual Media Center is a browser-based multi-viewer designed for monitoring — not retransmission — of live video signals. It is designed for use by remote journalists.
The Virtual Media Center features a variety of multi-viewer templates. These range from simple 2-box and 4-box displays to more extensive layouts based on the number of shared signals. Media personnel can select which video feeds to monitor through a browser-based interface. All templates deliver video feeds with secure, two-step authentication and less than 400ms of latency.
Beyond event coverage, the Virtual Media Center can also help with multi-camera remote production. For example, a two-day commercial shoot was recently produced across three sound stages in Atlanta. The on-site crew used multiple Red House Streaming (RHS) CamSTREAM systems and Virtual Media Center to provide California-based producers and director with real-time, behind-the-scenes views of the production.
CP Communications also developed the RHS CamSTREAM systems. The systems are all-in-one, cost-efficient video production and streaming solutions. Thus, they are quick to configure and deploy for any live production.
Heitmann explains that the Virtual Media center provides “an effective and efficient way to monitor the live action from multiple cameras.” Thus, it is beneficial for members of the media who are unable to travel to events or remote video production crew members.
FastReturn is available as a monthly service or can be licensed for specific events. CP can also provide RHS CamSTREAM units and RTMP encoders for rental.
