The Associated Press and Sprint are working together to help reporters file broadcast-quality breaking news video over the Sprint Power Vision (EV-DO) Network using AP’s store-and-forward video SNAPfeed application.
Using SNAPfeed, a laptop, compatible camera and a Sprint Mobile Broadband Connection Card, journalists can send 60 seconds of breaking news-quality video to their broadcast newsroom in less than 10 minutes via the Sprint Power Vision Network. Photos and audio clips can be transferred even faster.
The offering is a lower-cost alternative or adjunct to other transport options, including satellite phones or trucks. The system will let journalists cover breaking news in environments where a truck is not practical or available. By greatly reducing the potential costs involved in transferring remote video and freeing up the journalist to focus on editorial responsibilities, broadcasters can become more competitive.
Sprint Mobile Broadband service is available nationwide in more than 215 major metropolitan markets with populations greater than 100,000 and at more than 466 airports. AP tested the Sprint service in a number of markets and found that Sprint Mobile Broadband works well with SNAPfeed, transmitting video from both stationary locations and moving vehicles. Error correcting and recovery mechanisms in both SNAPfeed and the Sprint service complement each other, ensuring video and other media make it back to the newsroom even if the signal is lost by a moving vehicle traveling through a tunnel or a non-service area.
SNAPfeed allows journalists to transmit video files over multiple transmission mechanisms, like broadband, wireless or satellite phone. A limited number of SNAPfeed licenses are available free of charge to existing AP ENPS customers. The Sprint Power Vision Network is based on EV-DO CDMA technology. Users with EV-DO capable devices will be able to access wireless data at average download speeds of 400kb/s to 700kb/s and a peak rate of up to 2Mb/s. Sprint Mobile Broadband download speeds are roughly equivalent to DSL.
For more information, visit www.enps.com/features/snapfeed.aspx and www.pcsorders.com/associatedpress/.
