MRC, Link find wireless success

Microwave Radio Communications (MRC) says the company’s Link Research HDTV wireless, camera back digital transmitters have become the most popular choice for a wide range of high profile sporting events. During the long President’s Day weekend, ending on February 18, MRC Link HD microwave systems provided live wireless video for the Daytona 500 in Florida, the PGA Nissan Open in Los Angeles, and the NBA All Star game in Las Vegas.

The number of systems in service, the length of time the feeds were transmitting, and feeds broadcasting at different venues simultaneously underscored the reliability of the systems.

“This was by far the most extensive use of wireless HD technology at simultaneous events” said Tony Finizio, President of MRC. “What is truly revealing is that all of the high-definition wireless radios were supplied by MRC and Link” added Finizio, “and that tells me that our product is on target with the needs of the producers.”

Finizio says broadcasters want low delay, a choice of 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 quality, and diversity receiver options. CBS Sports holds the license rights to broadcast the PGA tour this year. There will be anywhere from 6 to 14 Link HD Systems used at each of the 20 plus U.S. locations. Broadcast Sports Incorporated has plans to use 10 Link HD Systems as well as an HD Helicopter Downlink for NASCAR Events in 2007.
The MRC Link equipment was supplied to Broadcast Sports Incorporated and AVS who provided the cameras for the use at the event.

MRC Link high-definition wireless camera technology uses state-of-the-art gate arrays and fast microprocessors, precluding the use of dedicated MPEG components to gain its exceptional performance, in particular low delay, and the ability for field-upgrades with software downloads. The Link systems achieves the lowest end-to-end HD encode/decode latency currently available in the industry >50ms.