Digital satellite news gathering

In the analog world, satellite news gathering (SNG) has been expensive and equipment intensive. A large crowded van typifies a remote operation. Furthermore, video quality has been unpredictable, and compatibility among individual components from different vendors is unlikely. Digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) equipment offers broadcasters many advantages over analog. Digital compression provides superior video quality in only a fraction of the bandwidth used by analog systems. Adherence to international standards maintains vendor inter-operability. New advancements in technology allow these systems to fit into size sensitive installations, some as small as two tack units in height. These ultracompact systems can be stowed into overhead bins of commercial aircraft, or installed into station wagons or mini-vans. How much will these advances cost broadcasters? Surprisingly, DSNG actually costs less than the older analog systems. Advanced features, improved portability, and better price/performance open up new markets for DSNG. Broadcasters in both private and government sectors are now taking advantage of this new technology for real-time mobile communications.