Decoder, Remote management & two-way audio
Smart-telecaster Zao maintains HD quality in low 3G or 4G bandwidth environments
Smart-telecaster Zao, the world’s first mobile H.265 HEVC hardware encoder that can be attached to any action camera with HDMI or SDI, solves these issues. Thanks to the compression capabilities of H.265, coupled with our RASCOW technology, high quality mobile HD live streaming is possible even in low 3G or 4G bandwidth environments making this a first class product for encoding on the move and reliably streaming live content.
Smart-telecaster ZAO: Minimal latency whilst covering live events
When streaming live events, a one second delay is very noticeable especially if public safety is at risk – Zao can provide minimal latency typically half a second but as low as 240ms. law Enforcement officers, Customs and emergency services personnel are no longer getting frustrated with reliability, delay and image quality, and can save money without the need for satellite or RF services.
Smart-telecaster ZAO key specifications
| Video Codec | H.265 Main Profile |
| Video input resolution | HD-SDI, HDMI, 1080i 59.94/50, 720p 59.94/50, 480i /59.94, 576i /50 |
| Video formats | HD-SDI, HDMI, PAL/NTSC |
| Audio Codec | Vorbis |
| Audio Input | Embedded Audio |
| Multilink | Up to 7 lines; 6 x 3G, 4G,LTE, Wireless LAN, 1 Wired LAN |
| Supported Networks | CDMA, 3G, 4G,LTE, Wi-Fi, Wired LAN, Inmarsat BEGAN |
| Authentication | Passphrases (up to 32 characters) |
| Encryption | AES 256 bit |
| Protocol | UDP/IP (RASCOW) |
| Control | Full monitoring and control using an OLED screen, smartphone application, web-based remote control |
| Preview | Video preview, cellular status including throughput, network latency etc |
| Dimensions | 123mm x 160mm x 46mm |
| Weight | 900 grams |
Key product features
Real time mobile HD video transmission direct from the camera – Smart-telecaster ZAO is a portable video H265 HEVC encoder that compresses video in real-time enabling full HD live video streaming to anywhere in the world, while on the move.
Supports H.265 video compression standard – Smart-telecaster ZAO is equipped with the H.265 video compression standard. H.265 technology improves encoding and compression by approximately 50% compared to H.264 compression. As a result HD picture quality can be maintained even when the mobile phone signal strength becomes low and with very low latency (0.5 seconds).
RASCOW technology – Smart-telecaster ZAO connects up to 6 SIM cards via external dongles that can be bonded together to form a single connection via 3G, 4G or WiFi. RASCOW technology monitors the changing mobile signal strength in real time and adapts the most optimum bonded combination of the 3G, 4G and WiFi connections. As a result the quickest and most reliable delivery across the internet is given to the decoding platform. This continues to give reliable video contribution even when signal strengths becomes low or fluctuates rapidly.
Easy to carry – Smart-telecaster ZAO is a portable video encoder. The specially designed bag that comes with the product is easy to carry and operate.
Power saving – Smart-telecaster ZAO contains two batteries that last up to 3,5 hours each. The total battery capacity is 7 hours.
Advanced connectivity – Smart-telecaster ZAO supports a variety of mobile networks such as 3G, 4G, and WiFi. Ethernet and Inmarsat BGAN networks are also supported.
Multi-Link technology – With multi-link technology in Smart- telecaster ZAO you can use up to 6 mobile data cards simultaneously. This strongly improves the quality of broadcasting under weak signal conditions.
Receives multiple video streams – Our Smart-telecaster ZAO viewing software can receive up to 4 video streams from 4 different camera units at the same time.
Supports 1080i standard for full HD TV – Smart-telecaster ZAO supports the
HD-SDI/HDMI (1080i) video standard for full HD TV achieving unprecedented high quality digital video.
Secure communications – To guarantee secure communications Smart-telecaster supports
authentication and encryption(AES 256bit).
Live with your Smartphone – STC for ML CAM is now available in the App store
for mobile video transmission just using your iPhone.
Key features Smart-Telecaster ZAO
1. H.265 Encoding
H.265 HEVC encoding which is 50% more efficient than traditional H264. The benefits are mutiple in that the Zao will continue to operate in low bandwidth situations when the mobile phone signal is weak, as well as keeping latency lower that traditional systems.
2. Bonding Protocol
RASCOW is a protocol developed by Soliton Systems to ensure stable, high-quality image transmission over mobile access networks. It dynamically monitors signal strength on all connected modems, and adjusts in real time.
3. Compression rates automatically adapted to bit rate
To ensure smooth, lag-free transmission compression ratios and frame rates are dynamically adjusted according to the bit rate. A self-sustaining recovery is made at the time of network restoration.
4. Audio highest priority
High quality audio is essential. RASCOW technology allocates the highest priority to optimal audio quality and will keep audio going in almost zero bandwidth situations as long as possible where it is impossible to continue video.
5. Audio Communication (IFB)
The Zao supports an audio jack for headphones to hear commands from HDView (the decoder). The Zao has embedded audio using the Vorbis codec. It supports voice frequencies up to 48kHz.
6. Stable Transmissions
ARQ QoS network optimization methods are used to keep the transmission stable, even under data loss conditions.
7. Lightweight and small
Due to its lightweight (900g) and portability, the Zao can be carried either on a small backpack or can be mounted on a camera and connect either via HD-SDI or HDMI to the camera.
8. Long battery Life
The power consumption of Zao is maximum 28Wh. Depending on the capacity of battery, a 100Wh battery for example, it can be broadcast live for approximately four hours. The Zao can support up to 2 standard external (VLock) batteries giving a total of 8 hours of continual use.
9. Up to 7 communication lines are supported
The Zao supports up to seven lines. Six USB ports and one wired LAN port.
10. Communication lines supported
The Zao supports 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMax, Inmarsat BGAN, WiFi, and wired LAN.
11. Variety of input video formats
720×480
960×540
1920×540 (29.97p)
960×1080(59.94i)
1280×720(59.94p)
1920×1080
Technology for optimized mobile communications
Click on the image to enlarge
Our technology for optimized mobile communication is called RASCOW (Real-time Auto-Speed Control based on Waterway model). RASCOW technology automatically balances the load between various network base stations during live broadcasting. This allows unprecedented stability in image transmission, even under network congestion or weak network signals.
