Backpack live production is a growing area when it comes to news broadcasts. Backpack live production is carrying all the live production equipment in a backpack and then being able to broadcast live from a location while being completely remote. The backpack production unit will include the HD camera, cellular bonding units, transmitters, and even secondary mobile connectivity wireless WiFi hotspot is part of the package.
Backpack live production units are also known as streaming backpacks. These are changing to be a popular solution for broadcasters, especially news units and sports broadcasters. This has become a cost-effective option during the covid lockdown. With the restrictions in place backpack production units allowed for lesser manpower and are easier to operate which ensured that fixed costs would reduce over a long period.
However, companies like TVU and LiveU offered solutions which included the live stream to happen even with a professional broadcast camera rather than just using a smartphone or the average DSR, we call these solutions a simpler name – purpose-built backpack kits.
Purpose-built backpack kits come with professional cameras, transmitters, switchers, cellular bonders, and a few more options and it has its advantages. Firstly, its ability to have multiple lenses allows for optimised video shots for certain circumstances these do include long-range/ zoom lenses for close-ups in sports coverage.
The second one is custom controls on those professional cameras which help in adjusting the imaging and if the camera does come with switches, one can even have a multi-camera live stream production allowing for a more engaging broadcast. Third, the production cameras come with more options for audio pickup makes it easier to have clearer audio.
The last advantage is professionalism, believe it or not, no news, sports, or live production broadcaster would not want a live feed to look like it is produced by a rookie, even if there is a multi-year professional live streamer holding a smartphone. However, when the public would see a pro camera, people will assume there is something important happening, but a smartphone would make it look like just another member of the public who is trying to post something on social media.
