REFINED FILM LOGISTICS
Teradek Bond
The Teradek Bond is a video transmission system that can send a secure HD video/audio signal anywhere in the world by utilizing multiple (up to 10) internet connections and “bonding” them together. The video signal then can be viewed through either a MacOSX or iOS app, or through VLC Media Player, or embedded into a website.
The advantage of the Bond is that it splits the video signal into slices, sends those slices over different networks, then recombines (bonds) them into a single stream. This makes for a much higher quality and more reliable video signal than using a single connection. The Bond can jump from cell tower to tower so can send a solid connection from a moving vehicle, boat or helicopter. Anywhere you have a single bar of LTE cellular signal or a wireless or wired internet connection is a place you can transmit from.
Best Uses:
The Bond is a great tool for a remote client and agency, remote direction, for remote surveying with a camera, or for long range camera car, boat or aircraft monitoring.
For remote client and agency there is the primary secure stream viewable through one of the below options, as well as an open Zoom meeting for communication with the Producer, AD and DP.
Viewing Options:
Teradek Core TV is the most secure and lowest latency way to view a Bond feed. Each person watching has to be sent an email with a code in it to view the un-shareable link. The app auto re-connects to the feed if the video signal goes down at the source (camera or VTR stops sending a signal). The disadvantage is that it currently only works on Apple based platforms. Latency is usually under 4 seconds, and under ideal circumstances can be under 2 seconds.
1. Teradek Core TV app on MacOSX
A. Install the Teradek Core TV from the App Store and open the app.
B. We will email you a code to enter into the app. Enter your email and the code into the app.
C. Watch the secure feed.
2. Teradek Core TV app on iOS
A. Install the Teradek Core TV from the App Store and open the app.
B. We will email you a code to enter into the app. Enter your email and the code into the app.
C. Watch the secure feed.
3. Teradek Core TV app on Apple TV
A. Open the App Store on any tv connected to or able to run Apple TV
B. Search for and install the Teradek Core TV App
C. Enter your email and the code we sent you into the app.
D. Watch the secure feed.
VLC Media Player is a cross platform video viewing app. It can be installed on Windows, Mac, Ubuntu, Android, and just about any other operating system you can think of. Latency is low, but is about 1.5 seconds slower than Teradek Core TV. Under perfect conditions latency is about 4 seconds, and less ideal conditions it could be up to about 8 seconds. The link we send is a shareable link so it is somewhat less secure than Teradek Core TV. If the video signal to the Bond goes down for more than 5 seconds, the VLC Media Player will have to be re-connected to the stream.
1. VLC Media Player on a Mobile Device
A. Install VLC Media Player on the mobile device and open it up.
B. Click on Network at the bottom of the screen.
C. Click Open Network Stream.
D. Past the link we emailed you into the grey window.
E. Click Open Network Stream.
F. Watch the stream.
G. If the feed goes down for any amount of time, you may have to click Open Network Stream again.
2. VLC Media Player on a laptop or desktop
A. Install VLC Media Player on the computer and open it up.
B. Click File.
C. Click Open Network.
D. Paste the link we email you into the URL window.
E. Click Open at the bottom.
F. Watch the stream.
G. If the feed goes down, you may have to click Open Network and re-open the stream again.
A video stream embedded into a website is another way we can transmit video. This solution can be very simple for the viewer as it only requires the opening of a link to view the video. It is also easy to add password protection to the embedded stream. As streaming though an embedded page requires a streaming service provider, the latency goes up significantly. In a best case scenario there is about 12 seconds of latency. Additionally this adds the cost of employing the streaming service.
Additional Notes
If the director is remote, she will communicate with the AD, talent and DP via a Zoom call. The client and agency will be on a separate Zoom call with the producer. This mimics the traditional video village stream of information shoots would usually use.
Links to the Teradek Core TV app or VLC Media Player can be sent the day of shooting, or if required, the day before shooting.
Bond tests or demos can be arranged prior to shooting at a cost of $500 CDN.
Rehearsal streaming can also be arranged at a discounted rate.