Low bit-rate systems for ENG

Significant technological advances in low bit-rate video codecs and digital communications have opened up new opportunities for the broadcasting industry. The author describes an application that exploits these technologies to provide a relatively low-cost and highly mobile means of sending video material from remote locations back to the production studio. The application described has been developed by British Telecom as part of its sponsorship of the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. However, the principles could be applied to meet the needs of broadcasters, news agencies, etc. in acquiring video from remote locations. The author discusses the enabling technologies; realtime ship-to-shore video transmission; nonrealtime store and forward ship-to-shore video transmission; further developments; and the implications for broadcast operations