The field of television andorganization of online broadcasts is constantly developing. Both the quality of image and sound, as well as production technologies, are improving, and new opportunities for viewers are emerging – watching broadcasts in 3D mode and with the ability to switch cameras independently. We will tell you about the innovations of live broadcasts and the latest trends in streaming in our article.
3D broadcasts and 360-degree panoramic broadcasts
It is important to distinguish between 3D and 360-degree broadcasts. The first type of broadcast involves shooting three-dimensional video that creates a sense of presence using different image separation technologies for the left and right eyes. The 3D signal is perceived by the viewer using special glasses or a TV, while there is no change in perspective on the viewer's side.
360-degree broadcasts allow the viewer to change the shooting angle because the cameras used for shooting capture the frame 360 degrees around themselves and form a circular panoramic video that is transmitted to the viewer's device. There are two main ways to watch such broadcasts: on a regular monitor and using virtual reality glasses. In the first case, the viewer can rotate the camera with the mouse; in the second, the VR glasses sensors read the position of the viewer's head and change the viewing angle automatically.
4K broadcasts
Returning to classic broadcasts, it is important to note that more and more of them are taking place in 4K format. Among amateurs and organizers of small online broadcasts, this broadcasting format is not yet very common, because in the simplest implementation it requires a camera capable of transmitting video in 4K format, a video capture card capable of receiving such a signal, and an internet channel with high bandwidth. Also, only a small number of viewers have devices that support 4K content viewing and sufficient internet speed.
Nevertheless, the difference in quality between FullHD and 4K signal is obvious, and technology does not stand still, so within the next few years we will see the final victory of 4K over FullHD in all areas of video signal transmission.
Auto-tracking cameras – killers of the videographer profession?
Significant changes are also happening in the 'kitchen' of live broadcasts. Auto-tracking cameras are becoming more widespread – when there is a trivial task of shooting a medium shot of a speaker or athlete, such cameras can well replace a live operator, and sometimes even perform the task better.
Such cameras are especially widely used insports broadcasts. Also, inconference broadcasts and business events, tracking cameras or remotely controlled compact PTZ cameras are increasingly used.
But we should not forget about the creative component of filming. If the widespread use of auto-tracking cameras in sports and business broadcasts is inevitable, then inconcert broadcasts or theater performances, such cameras can only perform very simple tasks; they lack a sense of internal dramaturgy of the frame and mise-en-scène.
Universal NDI protocol
Another technical innovation of recent years is NDI technology, which allows transmitting a variety of signals used in the production of live broadcasts over a standard local network. This means that all devices in the path of creating the audiovisual signal of the broadcast can be connected to each other with a standard LAN cable – cameras, director-operator communication devices, tally lights, audio signal lines, graphics stations. This technology greatly simplifies the creation of a full-fledged television studio.
Universality comes at the cost of low reliability and high requirements for both the LAN cable and the network infrastructure. To build a complex NDI system, it is necessary to create a closed LAN network with a wide bandwidth channel, as well as use NDI converters on all nodes that do not support this technology – for example, video cameras.
