Teradek’s prism broadcast encoder brings in-car streams to supercars fans
By Jennifer P
In this article from TM Broadcast, Teradek showcases how its cutting-edge technology was instrumental in delivering real-time, in-car streaming for the Supercars Championship in Australia. The goal was to create an immersive experience for fans by streaming live footage from inside 25 race cars, allowing viewers to witness the action as if they were in the cockpit. To achieve this, Teradek collaborated with Chris Beaumont, Head of IT at Supercars, to tackle several challenges, including network congestion in crowded venues, power consumption, and seamless integration with existing race infrastructure.
Teradek’s solution centered around its Prism Mobile encoder, which provided high-quality H.265 video transmission, and Node modems, which ensured stable connectivity by leveraging LTE and 5G across three Australian carriers—Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra. These devices were integrated with Teradek Core, a cloud-based platform that managed the video streams, and the Teradek Core API, which automated workflow aspects such as stream activation and reconnection. One key innovation was a safety feature that cut power to the devices based on g-force measurements, ensuring compliance with race regulations. Despite the challenge of high-speed racing, the biggest technical hurdle was managing connectivity within a venue packed with 50,000 spectators on mobile networks. The use of bonded cellular services significantly improved reliability and performance.
The implementation process involved meticulous planning and collaboration with the Supercars commission. Each race car was equipped with the necessary hardware and pre-configured for easy activation. On race day, a single operator could initiate all live streams with one click, thanks to API automation. Video feeds were transmitted to Teradek Core, where they were processed and distributed via Brightcove CDN. Post-event, the system allowed for data retrieval and replay analysis, further refining the workflow for future races. Fans could engage with the experience through the Supercars app’s Shotgun feature, which provided cockpit views, real-time telemetry data, and immersive audio, making the races more interactive and engaging.
The switch to Teradek’s solutions resulted in significant benefits for Supercars, including cost-effective and automatic live streaming, seamless connectivity across multiple carriers, and improved video quality. The ability to configure settings on the fly, combined with the API-driven automation, simplified management and troubleshooting. Additionally, the system enabled enhanced replay capabilities, making it easier for analysts and commentators to provide insights into race performance. Ultimately, the integration of Teradek’s technology transformed the Supercars Championship’s broadcasting capabilities, delivering an unparalleled viewing experience for motorsports fans.
Read the full article from TM Broadcast HERE
Learn more about Teradek HERE