On Call’s IP Satellite Services Soar at Torrey Pines

On Call helped solve transmission issues at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines.

The Sports Video Group is pleased to welcome On Call Communications as a mobile/integrator sponsor. On Call Communications is a leading provider of IP (Internet protocol) mobile satellite solutions.

When veteran cameraman Ed Baier of San Diego could not use a fiber connection at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines he turned to On Call for help.  On Call facilitated the connection for Baier’s live remote and press conference coverage for ESPN and CNN Espanol.

Baier, a freelance cameraperson, has covered the Torrey Pines golf championship held near San Diego for 10 years.  He provides his clients live remotes and press conferences for the event, as well as highlights and interviews via taped feeds. In the past, he has sent the feed via fiber from the Media Center.  However, this year fiber was unavailable. After researching his options, he realized that using an IP satellite was the only other viable option given the tight time frame.  He contacted On Call Communications just days before the event. Despite the quick turnaround, On Call was able to provide him with a portable fly and drive antenna and the satellite bandwidth that he needed.

“The fly and drive antenna is convenient and so easy to set up,” explains Baier.  More importantly, the look of the image is comparable to the look that fiber gives you. I was able to use On Call to send the video to the Los Angeles Switch. Then the signal went by fiber to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT. There was no noticeable difference in video quality to Bristol.”

Baier says he will definitely make use of IP satellite in the future at Torrey Pines.  “Nothing else is as simple or affordable,” he says. “The merger between IP and broadcast is great.”

In addition to providing the antenna and satellite space, On Call also turned on the satellite remotely for Baier saving him set up time.  All the studio in Bristol had to do was hit record.

“We’re happy we could help Baier out in a pinch,” explains Jim Gilbert, CEO of On Call. “Sometimes fiber isn’t available, especially for live events and events shot on location. On Call offers the best alternative, tailor-made solutions when HD-quality video is required that can be set up quickly and easily.”

“I was really happy working with the staff at On Call,” adds Baier. “They were great. It’s nice to work with a company that is so proactive and hassle free. With their help, a difficult situation turned into something that was quick, easy and without lots of paperwork.