By site editor Dan Chung:
It seems GoPro just can’t stay out of the news this week. Hot off the heels of the Apple patent story the company have announced a partnership with Vislink to provide a professional live broadcast system for the tiny action cam.
The plan is to make a transmitter that is small enough to be worn or mounted in unique areas for live broadcasts. They claim it will be the smallest, lightest and lowest power professional broadcast wireless transmitter. There are no further details and no images of the system at this point but the press release says it will be showcased at the Winter X Games in Aspen later this year.
It will be interesting to see just how good this solution will be and whether it uses the same chip technology as well known wireless competitors like Teradek and Paralinx.
Here is the press release from GoPro:
SAN MATEO, CALIF. (January 14, 2015) – GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRO), enabler of some of today’s most immersive and engaging content and Vislink, the leading global technology provider specializing in the collection, management and delivery of high quality video and associated data, today announced a partnership to enable GoPro HERO4 cameras with a professional grade, live, HD wireless broadcast solution.
The two companies have been working together on a transmitter that is small enough to be worn or mounted in unique areas to provide all new perspectives for people watching their favorite live sports and events. The solution will be showcased during popular live events this winter, including Winter X Games 2015 Aspen, select AMA Monster Energy Supercross events and other live sporting events. GoPro cameras are already used extensively in professional applications, worn by athletes or mounted on gear during televised events. But, to date the footage has been restricted to a post-production workflow with memory cards being shuttled back to the truck to provide a look back at the action. This new solution will be the first time official GoPro products are used to transmit the action in high definition, allowing for integration into a live television broadcast.
“GoPro has changed the way people see the world, creating an immersive viewing experience. Now with unique GoPro perspectives available to broadcasters, watching live events is like being part of the action instead of watching it from the stands. Our partnership with Vislink brings a new level of excitement to live broadcast and we can’t wait to see what players, broadcasters and fans do with this new innovative solution,” said GoPro President Tony Bates.
John Hawkins, Chairman of Vislink PLC commenting on the partnership said, “We are delighted to be partnering with GoPro, a global leader in its field, to develop a unique solution designed specifically for professional broadcasters. For decades Vislink has been the market leader in providing low latency, wireless cameras and transmission systems for highly prestigious live broadcast events. Many of the events where Vislink technology operates are within highly demanding broadcast environments such as the Olympics, MotoGP, WRC World Rally Championship, Formula-E, and the America’s Cup. Working with GoPro, a highly innovative global leader in video content, is testament to our cutting edge technology and its ability to operate in all environments”.
More details on the product, pricing and availability will be announced this spring.
