Teradek Prism Brings Racing Fans Closer to the Action

In this Teradek case study, we explore how the Prism 5G Encoder revolutionized live race car streaming at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), a top motorsport venue known for hosting major events like Formula 1 and NASCAR. With its challenging track design, including elevation changes and network congestion, COTA has historically posed significant hurdles for live broadcasting, especially when capturing in-car video feeds.

Enhancing Race Car Streaming with Teradek's Prism 5G Encoder

At the Super Lap Battle event at COTA, seasoned video engineers Jeffrey Hart and Ryan Randels were tasked with delivering high-quality live broadcasts. However, they faced ongoing challenges with traditional wireless video systems, which often led to frequent signal dropouts during high-speed races. These disruptions forced them to constantly be on alert, ready to switch feeds at a moment’s notice, to maintain uninterrupted coverage.

Why Reliable In-Car Video Feeds Matter

In-car video feeds are crucial for immersing audiences in the race, offering a driver’s perspective that enhances the viewing experience. However, previous solutions struggled to maintain signal strength during high-speed races, leading to poor-quality streams and viewer dissatisfaction. Recognizing the need for a more robust solution, Jeffrey and Ryan partnered with Teradek to implement the Prism Mobile 5G Backpack.

Teradek's Prism Mobile 5G Backpack: The Game-Changer in Live Streaming

The Prism Mobile 5G Backpack, equipped with cutting-edge 5G modems and Teradek Data SIM cards, was securely mounted inside the race cars to capture live video from multiple angles. The live feeds were transmitted to Teradek’s Core Cloud orchestration platform, allowing seamless integration with the broadcast workflow. This advanced technology enabled a flawless, uninterrupted stream, even during the most demanding moments of the race.

Unprecedented Reliability and Quality with Teradek

Thanks to the Prism Mobile 5G Backpack, Jeffrey and Ryan experienced a 100% success rate in maintaining live in-car streams throughout the event— a dramatic improvement over the 30% success rate with previous systems. This breakthrough not only ensured continuous audience engagement but also protected the stream from disruptions that could lead to significant viewer loss and decreased advertising revenue.

Conclusion: Setting a New Standard in Live Event Streaming

Teradek’s Prism 5G Encoder has set a new standard for live event streaming, particularly in challenging environments like motorsport. By delivering unmatched reliability and quality, it has transformed the way live broadcasts are produced at venues like COTA, ensuring that fans can stay fully immersed in the action from start to finish.

By optimizing live streaming technology with the Prism 5G Encoder, broadcasters can enhance viewer engagement, minimize disruptions, and protect valuable advertising revenue, making it a must-have solution for live event production.

Read the full case study from Teradek HERE