United and Mobile Viewpoint claim ENG breakthrough with Connected Camera

United and Mobile Viewpoint in partnership have developed a connected camera device and workflow that allows content to be edited in post production while an ENG team is still shooting. Connected Camera is based on an existing Mobile Viewpoint product.

“Together, we have designed a new workflow and technology,” said Jeroen van Rossum, Manager Business Development & Innovation at United. “Then we developed software that can transform content into a format that, as soon as it arrives in post production, is ready for editing.”

With Connected Camera, which is a box that attaches to the camera, the image is automatically pushed towards the post production platform. Right after the camera starts rolling, the content arrives in low resolution in United’s post production facility in Hilversum. The edit can start immediately while the crew is still filming on location.

After the edit, the relevant high-resolution content is automatically retrieved from the camera, which is still on location. The low-res images on the editing timeline are then automatically replaced by the high-resolution images. Content arrives over the internet: 3G/4G, Wifi or LAN, or all of them combined for even faster turnaround.

“It is absolutely unique that content can be edited remotely right after shooting has started,” explained Joop Donker, ENG manager at United: “With this application, we meet deadlines which were impossible before. Crews can be shooting while others are editing that footage right away at the other end of the world.

“The image in low resolution is so good that it is suitable for internet publication,” said Donker. “With breaking news, it is also possible to broadcast live directly in a news show. United is the first company in the world that offers the Connected Camera solution and we are naturally very proud.”

RTL Boulevard is the first programme to take the Connected Camera unit for production. Maarten Bartstra, Production Director at Blue Circle, calls the Connected Camera device the solution they were waiting for. “Our ENG crews can now run much closer to the broadcast. This application gives us ultimate flexibility.”