Improving Portable Live Streaming Equipment: Next-Gen Features for Better Streaming Quality

Project in Nutshell:
We improved a portable broadcast device with live coverage and on-the-go streaming. The new generation product has received additional HDMI and USB interfaces, four LTE modems, a touch screen, a smart framing feature, and OTA software updates. With a new lithium-iron-phosphate battery, the runtime has increased to 8 hours. With Promwad's support, the client will launch the first batch of 1,000 units.

Client & Challenge

A live production and broadcasting equipment manufacturer approached us with a request to modernise a portable broadcast device. Their current product was inferior to competitors in terms of quality and speed of content transmission. The upgrading solutions would help the client stay in the market as competing solutions emerge.

The client had three main requirements to improve the device:

add a large touch screen;

expand the set of interfaces;

add additional LTE modems.

Solution

Promwad achieved the client's objectives with our accumulated experience in developing broadcast devices and applications. Our engineers proposed additional improvements that enhanced the device's performance and made it attractive to end users.

To bring this project to life, we assembled a team of embedded systems specialists, software developers, UI\UX designers and an industrial designer.

Here are the tasks we accomplished to ensure that the customer receives a next-generation device:

Adding new interfaces. We added additional HDMI-In ports and two USB ports (Type A and Type C). The additional HDMI-In ports allow you to connect professional and amateur cameras to the device, making it versatile.

The new USB ports are needed to support peripherals such as portable storage devices and wireless adapters.

Increasing the number of LTE modems from two to four so the device can connect to multiple mobile operators for a more stable connection. The system will automatically select the best data transfer speed operator and optimise video quality at equal speeds.

Adding a touch screen for device settings and live video viewing. In previous versions, the device had to be connected to a laptop or computer to enter settings, which was incredibly inconvenient on the move.

Implementation of smart framing, which adapts video to the viewer's screen orientation. The technology automatically adjusts the frame, cropping and emphasising key elements when viewed vertically and showing the entire frame when viewed horizontally.

Replacing the battery with a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. The new 20000 mAh battery provides up to 8 hours of battery lifetime, better temperature stability, and more charge cycles.

OTA software–updates to integrate new features “over-the-air”.

Business Value

The upgraded live broadcast device meets current requirements for live video streaming and stable coverage on the go. Our client received a more competitive product with a user-friendly touch interface with smart framing, extra ports for connecting cameras and peripherals, LTE modems for stable coverage, longer battery life, and OTA updates.

The broadcasting device has passed all necessary tests, and with Promwad's support, the client is preparing the production launch of the first batch of 1,000 devices.

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