Immersive Race Car Streaming: How the Prism 5G Encoder Put Fans in the Driver’s Seat at the Circuit of the Americas
By Jennifer P
In this article from Teradek, the spotlight is on the remarkable impact of the Prism 5G Encoder in transforming live race car streaming at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). COTA is a world-renowned motorsport venue, known for hosting major events like Formula 1 and NASCAR, but the unique challenges of the track—such as elevation changes and network congestion—have historically posed significant difficulties for live broadcasting, especially when it comes to in-car video feeds.
The case study highlights the work of Jeffrey Hart and Ryan Randels, seasoned directors and video engineers responsible for producing live broadcasts at the Super Lap Battle event at COTA. Their expertise has been crucial in delivering engaging live shows, but they’ve long struggled with the limitations of existing wireless video systems, which often led to frequent signal dropouts during high-speed races. These disruptions forced them to be on high alert, ready to switch feeds at any moment to maintain the broadcast.
Seeking a more reliable solution, Jeffrey and Ryan turned to Teradek, who provided them with the Prism Mobile 5G Backpack. This advanced piece of equipment, equipped with multiple 5G modems and SIM cards, was mounted inside the race cars to capture live video from various perspectives. The feeds were then transmitted over Teradek’s Core Cloud orchestration platform, allowing for seamless integration with the broadcast workflow. The system’s ability to handle the demanding conditions of in-car streaming at high speeds was revolutionary, offering unparalleled reliability and quality.
The result was a flawless and uninterrupted broadcast, a stark contrast to the 30% success rate of previous systems. The new technology not only enhanced the viewing experience by keeping audiences engaged but also protected the stream from disruptions that could have led to significant viewer loss and decreased advertising revenue. This success story underscores the potential of the Prism Mobile 5G Backpack to set a new standard in live event streaming, particularly in challenging environments like motorsport.
Read the full case study from Teradek HERE
Learn more about Teradek Prism Series HERE