New service to be launched at IBC aligns live game action with radio and video streams, enhancing the second-screen experience

StreamGuys is set to unveil its latest innovation at IBC: an ultra-low-latency streaming (ULLS) service that synchronizes live sports events across multiple platforms. This new service eliminates the streaming delays that typically cause live game action and accompanying audio/video streams to fall out of sync, offering a more cohesive viewing experience, according to the company. By introducing this service, StreamGuys pretends to provide  broadcasters with the technology to better synchronize live radio broadcasts with video streams, thus giving fans more control over their experience, whether they’re watching at home or in the stadium.

The ULLS service leverages StreamGuys’ advanced workflow, which begins with the ingestion of streams into its Contribution Network. This enterprise-level streaming ecosystem is designed to distribute self-produced, locally originated, or third-party media content via the public internet for end-user access. Utilizing low-latency streaming protocols within this workflow, StreamGuys eliminates output delays, allowing their HTML5-based SGplayer to deliver synchronized live video or audio-only streams directly to the audience.

“This innovation returns the live broadcast experience to the fans who enjoy listening to their local team announcers while watching the game, whether in the stadium or at home,” said Eduardo Martinez, Vice President of Technology at StreamGuys. “Traditional streaming technologies typically introduce 18 to 30 seconds of latency, which disrupts this experience. Our solution incorporates widely supported low-latency protocols to create a seamless, synchronized experience.”

In addition to the ULLS service, StreamGuys has integrated this technology with their SGrewind service, enabling listeners to revisit key moments in a game. This is achieved by recording the ULLS stream into an SGrewind buffer, offering a live DVR-like experience for audio content. The ULLS service is also engineered to support CEA-608 captions, ensuring that SGplayer can present real-time captions for the deaf and hard of hearing in perfect sync with the audio streams.

Martinez further explained that the ideal way to consume these streams is through an app affiliated with a sports league or club, where fans can engage with other services like purchasing tickets, merchandise, or concessions. The protocols used in the ULLS service are designed to deliver high-quality streams with minimal bandwidth, ensuring a smooth experience even in a packed stadium.

At IBC, StreamGuys will demonstrate the effectiveness of their new service with a side-by-side comparison of low-latency and high-latency streams. “We will display a clock in the playout system to allow visitors to observe the real-time differences between each stream,” said Martinez. “Our technology is compatible with any audio or video streaming encoder that connects to our ingest system. It’s all standards-based, without the need for specialized components. As long as content can be integrated into our Contribution Network, we can deliver the seamless experience fans have been missing for years.”

StreamGuys will be co-exhibiting with ENCO at IBC 2024 at Stand 8.C76. The event will take place from September 13-16 at RAI Amsterdam.