LiveU, a developer of IP-video solutions for UAVs and UGVs, has introduced the LU900Q, a field unit that combines AI-driven connectivity and advanced 5G architecture to enhance the reliability, versatility, and workflow efficiency of transmission and production for broadcasters in live news and sports.
The LU900Q natively integrates LiveU IQ (LIQ™), leveraging AI-driven decision-making, advanced eSIM technology and seamless dynamic connection switching. This integration transforms remote productions by combining advanced connectivity with greater operational flexibility.
LiveU’s LU900Q is purpose-built for the beyond-5G era. Paired with LIQ, it features 5G modems with a MIMO antenna array, delivering greater speed, stability, and throughput.
The field unit seamlessly integrates with SDI, HDMI, and IP production equipment, including ENG cameras, PTZ systems and drones. This enables crews to pull any combination of gear in their workflow, suiting different production requirements.
LiveU’s innovation also has dual video return and dual intercom, bringing the benefits of the studio to reporters in the field. LU900Q offers single or dual camera production workflows, developing rigid broadcast setups into dynamic, adaptable production environments with new features such as native analytics.
The unit comes in an ergonomic backpack with a long-endurance battery providing over seven hours of runtime for double the operational capacity. It is developed for any climate with a rugged, shock-absorbing frame and advanced cooling.
Samuel Wasserman, CEO and Co-founder, LiveU, stated, “Our goal is to give broadcasters and other storytellers the confidence to transmit from any location – whether a packed stadium or remote mountainside. The LU900Q is a game changer, not just a new product – it’s a smart, multi-tool powerhouse designed to support diverse production needs, from fast-paced breaking news to complex live productions, all while delivering a new level of business agility.
“Customers can scale their storytelling with unmatched resiliency, quality, and efficiency – equipped with a robust yet affordable field unit and the flexibility to add extra features, including on demand.”
For high-end productions, LU900Q provides 10-bit HDR 4:2:2 encoding with up to 32 audio channels. This delivers accurate geolocation required for main sports feeds, moveable sports and critical backup applications.
LU900Q also accelerates faster file uploads directly to media asset management (MAM) systems supporting file-based workflows. The unit integrates with the LiveU Ingest automatic recording and story metadata logging solution. It aids the uploading of entire folders, complete SD cards, or individual files.
The unit introduces a new approach to broadcast and sports economics through software-defined capabilities, adjustable in real-time. Its advanced features can be easily enabled via dynamic software licenses, either on-demand or through a subscription, making it a highly modular mobile encoder.
Customers can start with a basic hardware configuration and add software modules as needed, enhancing cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility. The platform-like approach also allows broadcasters to scale their production capabilities up or down as required, removing traditional barriers between workflows and budget limitations.
Gideon Gilboa, Chief Product Officer, LiveU, commented, “We’re proud to unveil the latest evolution in our product portfolio – purpose-built to meet the fast-changing demands of modern live production. At LiveU, we introduce many hardware products, but this one is truly special. It’s built on an entirely new technology stack that’s designed to be future-proof, allowing us to continue enhancing this device with many more software releases over the next five years.
“But it’s not just about future readiness – this device reflects the voices of the tens of thousands of users we have in the field. We’ve worked hard to incorporate the most requested and mission-critical features from our incredible customer base, which includes some of the largest and most advanced broadcasters in the world.”
