JVC announces SRT support for CONNECTED CAM series of broadcast cameras

JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, has added support for the SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) open streaming IP protocol to its CONNECTED CAM series of broadcast cameras. It has been incorporated into the GY-HC900, GY-HC500 and GY-HC550 professional cameras.

“Since introducing CONNECTED CAM, we adopted the best-in-class QoS technologies to enable efficient IP-based workflows that are robust and secure,” says Edgar Shane, General Manager, Engineering, JVCKENWOOD USA Corp. “The addition of the SRT streaming protocol offers CONNECTED CAM customers another choice for video over IP transport in addition to our existing Zixi protocol support that’s been in place.”

Developed by Haivision, SRT is an open source video transport protocol and technology stack optimized for video streaming. The protocol relies on end-to-end 128/256-bit encryption to keep content secure. SRT support for JVC CONNECTED CAM cameras is available as a firmware upgrade from the JVC Professional Video website.

The JVC CONNECTED CAM Series of products leverages IP packet delivery technologies to enable bidirectional connectivity for transport of video, audio and control signals throughout the production workflow. It also allows for IFB and return video to CONNECTED CAM cameras in the field. According to JVC’s press release, “they are equally well-suited to applications as simple as streaming to a social media site or as sophisticated as acquiring and transporting ENG and EFP content to a control room, either live or via FTP”.  Depending upon the CONNECTED CAM model, cameras can connect wirelessly via built-in MIMO antennas to a wireless LAN, snap-on bonded LTE access point or integrated Ethernet port. Bidirectional IP packet transport moves live video and audio between the camera and studio, among multiple CONNECTED CAM units and even as streaming media to social media sites like Facebook. CONNECTED CAM series cameras also can transport files via FTP transfer.

In addition to the SRT protocol, JVC CONNECTED CAM cameras also support Zixi, which addresses the challenges (latency, jitter and packet loss) of transporting content via LTE, Wi-Fi and LAN networks.