WORKING REMOTELY:
Working at any pop up location is fraught with difficulties from logistics issues, to permitting, to adequate parking. No matter what you’re doing data service is always a must. Unfortunately, it’s not always an option when working at a remote site. This is where our Bonded data service comes and renting hotspots for on-location internet is a good solution. Bonded cellular service decreases the chance of being out of range of any one service. By combining 2 to 3 carriers (AT&T, Verizon & TMobile) Signal’s on location Mobikits leverage multiple services simultaneously which greatly increases the likelihood of maintaining service wherever you’re working and gives you far superior performance to a mifi modem rental.
Working from a remote location and staying in sync with your team can be a big challenge. Whether you’re on a scout or your shoot/event is at a remote location, you’re still working and collaborating with others who might be back at the office or at another distant location. Staying in contact is key. And in the age of ZOOM and other video chat applications virtual meetings have gone from a novelty to the standard for working with large teams across multiple geographies.
REMOTE MEETINGS:
Streaming video on location can help businesses and organizations save a considerable amount of money on travel costs. By eliminating the need for physical attendance and providing remote access to events, businesses can reduce the number of people who have to be present and thus cut down on the associated expenses such as airfare, hotel room bookings, etc. For busy Producers and Executives who often have several projects working simultaneously, being able to coordinate remotely and work directly with a boots on the ground team via video meetings, etc. allows them to work more efficiently and cost effectively.
It’s very often the case that writers and producers aren’t able to be on set for Film & Television production. Having the option to watch a live stream from set and even participate in giving real time feedback on performances, shots, etc. is a game changer. Directors and Producers can even conduct interviews remotely for documentary and reality style shows.
VIRTUAL VIDEO VILLAGE:
By streaming video from a remote location, Productions can reduce the number of people who need to be on set saving resources, saving time and adding safety in the age of COVID. Producers, writers and other key personnel can watch the live feed with multiple camera angles to see what’s being shot at any given moment.
Signal has provided this service to many shows over the past several years as COVID has required production staff to be at an absolute minimum. As COVID restrictions are loosening up, productions have discovered that they save a lot of time and money by keeping key personnel in touch with the set without having to host them on set.
(American Housewife, Big Shot, Blackish, Cocaine Bear, Daisy Jones & the Six, The Fabelmans, First Lady, Gas Lit, Grownish, Heels, Insecure, Kindred, Mixedish, Monarch, Mr. Mayor, Outlaws, P- Valley, Raising Dion, Reasonable Doubt, Rutherford Falls, Swagger, Truth Be Told, The Company You Keep, This Fool, The Morning Show, The Walking Dead, Tulsa King, White House Plumbers, Young Rock)
PRESS EVENTS:
Trade shows or special event ‘reveals’ are an important way for brands to build buzz about product and/or service launches. An event can only reach so many attendees. A great way to expand the reach of the event is to live stream from the event site with a potentially limitless audience reach. We’ve streamed product reveals many times over the years and have seen how brands can magnify their reach.
Having reliable data with bandwidth that’s setup specifically for streaming video is key in situations where you’re working away from landlines and easy access to bandwidth. Often times the bandwidth that’s available at a location (ie – conference center, office building, fair ground, etc. isn’t sufficient for streaming) in which case you’ll need additional bandwidth to maintain quality and consistency.
Having high bandwidth data access is essential for streaming your event live. Without it, your viewers may experience slow buffering or have difficulty connecting to the stream. In order to ensure a smooth viewing experience and keep people engaged, you need to make sure that you have enough bandwidth available to accommodate the number of users who will be accessing your stream.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION OF STREAMING VIDEO AT REMOTE LOCATIONS:
When setting up data service at a remote site, it is important to consider factors like the terrain, environmental conditions, and security requirements. It is also important to ensure that all necessary equipment is on hand before beginning the installation process. Additionally, having knowledgeable personnel who can provide technical support during the setup process is key to a successful setup.
With Signal’s SpeedFusion technology, we’re able to remotely monitor connectivity and to make adjustments when needed to improve and optimize bandwidth and speed.
Considering your data needs as an item on your scout itinerary before the event or shoot is always a good idea. You’ll want to confirm that there’s adequate connectivity to at least one carrier and that the carrier towers in the area offer 4G service at a minimum. Often times there are dead areas at a location so figuring out where you want to stage equipment will save time and frustration when load in and work commences. Signal can help by consulting at this critical planning stage.
Off the shelf services can help teams plan ahead: Mobile Signal Finder, CellMapper.net.
OPTIMIZING DATA USAGE FOR STREAMING VIDEO:
Whether you’re using a mifi rental or one of our superior bonded cellular Mobikits, renting hotspots for on-location internet and optimizing data usage for video streaming at remote locations is essential to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience and avoid cost overruns by blowing through allocated data. It’s important to set reasonable limits on streaming configurations such as resolution, bitrate, and buffer size. All of these parameters are configurable in applications like QTake (which is the most widely used in Motion Picture and Television production). This again reinforces the need for skilled technicians on your team to ensure successful implementation. Even when higher rates of compression are necessary due to location issues, you can still broadcast a very high quality stream.
