Over the years wireless video has become an essential part on any film set.
Using RF systems has enabled more flexibility for the camera department, director, video, and DIT; making set’s safer, turnaround times faster, and allowing live images of scenes that would have been impossible in the past.
As the use of these systems increases people expect more from them; better RF performance, and better picture quality. That is why Helios exists. Outside the wifi systems the industry standard has become the ‘Cobham’; a generic term for the small H.264 system which has been the go-to technology for years (Cobham actually sold this arm of the company a while ago, but the name still carries on, a bit like ‘Hoover’). Helios takes the best attributes and improves them.
The COFDM RF performance is the same robust DVBT technology as in the ‘Cobham’ but uses improved downconverters with inbuilt bandpass filters to make the setup faster and increase the RF receive power. The video encoding is HEVC 10bit 4:2:2, which produces exceptional picture quality and is HDR and UHD capable. Full metadata passthrough along with the silent run mode when in record makes the Helios ready for the demands of a studio.
One significant benefit of the COFDM over a wifi-based system is that you have control of the frequencies – you can use a licenced S-band frequency that keeps you clear of interference from wifi at 2.4Ghz. With the increased use of wireless for every technology on set these days, this fight for space in the wifi channels will only continue to get worse.
The other major advantage is distance. COFDM will travel huge distances if needed, so for car chases, helicopter shots, etc, you can create vast coverage areas with just a bit of planning.
Having put transmitters on everything from Airships, Drones, Helicopters, race cars, people, and even horses, we’re always more than happy to have a chat about what you want to achieve so get in touch and see how Rogue Waves can help.