We spoke with Adi Rozenberg, co-founder of VideoFlow
- Tell us about your company.
VideoFlow is an expert in the evolution of digital video contribution and distribution over IP networks. Our team has a profound understanding of professional broadcast technology and business requirements. We are implementing several patented technologies, including packet recovery systems and methods to recover all lost data at a very low overhead and the lowest delay on the market. We design VideoFlow’s products to increase your operational efficiency and let you broadcast with confidence over any IP network, including over the internet.
VideoFlow promotes the underlying technologies that support the communications and broadcast industries’ future expansion. Leading professional broadcast companies worldwide use VideoFlow products to transport live video over unmanaged IP networks.
- What industry challenges are having an influence on your work at the moment?
Interferences are an ongoing challenge for the industry. We see interferences on a daily basis, as a result of 5G and 4G, and even FM radio. The problem is that there is no regulation around where the cellular towers might be erected. There is no communication with air stations on when and where the 5G infrastructure will be put up. This is an issue that we see and hear about all over the world. In some regions, such as Morocco, it makes sense to fully switch to IP technologies.
- What innovative solutions are you working on to address the issue?
We have developed a new patent-protected technology called VideoFlow RISE (Reliable Internet Satellite Eco-system) to address interference symptoms such as corrupted data, missing packets, and impaired signal – even up to a full loss of signal. Using a hybrid model of satellite as broadcast and IP as a recovery service, we can seamlessly recover most lost packets due to interferences. The outcome is an uninterrupted program from the RISE terminal during and throughout the event.
- What projects have you been working on recently which demonstrate changes within the industry?
We have been working to bring forth a new service for a Christian television network in the Mid-Western US. The customer decided to use IP networks for the primary delivery and use satellite for back-up because they cannot rely on satellite to deliver uninterrupted service. Some customers are still unsure about the stability of IP. As a result, satellite is being utilised to augment the delivery. This is a great example of how satellite and IP can work together, maximising the benefits of IP while also offering customers a reliable contingency solution.
- How can organisations work together to resolve challenges?
I am a member of a consortium in the US where a small group deals with interferences in C-band. It aims to inform and educate people on monitoring interferences and how to deal with any problems. We want to spread knowledge of what causes interference, as not many people know or understand that. There needs to be more open communication amongst organisations, and SIG helps facilitate this with its member events.
- Where do you think that a combination of satellite and IP technology can be leveraged?
There are upsides and downsides to both. Satellite on a small scale is expensive; once the number of takers rises over 100, it becomes much more economical. On the other hand, IP networks are less attractive after exceeding 100 takers because of the logistics involved in managing those individual feeds. I expect that we will see more and more broadcast operations leverage the hybrid model in the next few years. Hybrid models will send broadcast data over satellite, implementing higher service reliability over any available IP networks at a considerably lower monthly price tag.
- What do you think should be a key focus for satellite organisations in the coming years?
There is a great opportunity around the convergence of satellite and 5G. A satellite can be utilised as an enabling technology, bringing 5G to small physical or virtual islands.
I see GEO satellites continuing to be important for broadcast. With LEO and MEO satellites’ upcoming launches, these could be used as a data pipe to create a cost-effective hybrid model for certain broadcast operations and other applications.
- How do satellite operators need to work together to facilitate a convergence of technologies?
Communication is key in this industry. Information exchange will help organisations to prosper. Satellite operators need to work on being open-minded to advance in technologies and move forward. By bringing together operators and engineers from across the satellite industry as SIG members, we can combine our knowledge and experience to help solve common problems.
- Why do you feel it is important to be a member of SIG?
It is important to be able to talk expressively to exchange data about the industry. The SIG Technical Forums create an ideal platform to speak openly, albeit virtually at present. SIG members are open-minded and willing to share information, which helps the industry as a whole.