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#1 |
Wrangler
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 8,314
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videophones
What are these videophones that reporters in Iraq are using? Anyone have pics of them?
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#2 |
Regular Crew
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Posts: 60
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I believe this is the actual device that CNN and MSNBC is using:
http://www.scotty.at/cms/cms.php?pageId=23 Here is a link to news articles in relation to the networks using them: http://www.scotty.at/cms/cms.php?pageId=17 For the broadcast-quality footage (like one of the skirmishes at Um Qasr that was broadcast live on CNN) I believe they were using a swe-dish SNG briefcase rig and a PD150 or XL-1: http://www.swe-dish.com/templates/page.asp?id=1857 fun stuff - I want one! -Phil <edit> there were a couple of edits to this post--I was learning how to make the hyperlink clickable... cheers, -Phil
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Phil Reams Timeless Studio Productions Clearwater, Florida FCC Licensed Electronics Technician (GROL) Amateur Radio - KC4UVU Life Member of the PSHA - Pinnacle Studio Haters of America |
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#3 |
Wrangler
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 8,314
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Wow, that's some pretty cool stuff!
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#4 |
Major Player
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 336
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Price on these anyone?
I'd also like to know how much the uplink service is.
I know Sat phones are anywhere from $1 to $4/min
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Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska |
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#5 |
Retired DV Info Net Almunus
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Austin, TX USA
Posts: 2,882
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No prices posted. I wonder how much the SWE DISH goes for?
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#6 |
Regular Crew
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Posts: 60
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Web research and data mining is one of the primary responsibilites of my day job, as well as part time for Google Answers. http://answers.google.com/answers/main
Out of curiosity, I did some more research on the videophones. The basic models out there primarily utilize a PC running Microsoft's netmeeting!!! It allows you to jack-in external video and audio sources via S-video and RCA. (At a resolution of 240x180, I don't understand the S-video...) Here is another popular unit used by the networks: http://www.7e.com/content/products/th_1.htm Videophones primarily use the Inmarsat constellation of satellites and the Global Area Network services (GAN). http://www.inmarsat.org/GAN/gan_index.htm For those who are curious, INMARSAT stands for International Maritime Satellite Organization. Inmarsat is an international cooperative of more than 50 countries that operates a global system of satellites for mobile communications. GAN provides "on-demand" bandwidth, without the need for a IP lease. Basically, you turn on the unit, press connect, and voila! you have an IP address on their 64kbs network As a matter of fact, Inmarsat had to create a new coverage region to handle the additional bandwidth required by so many videophones in the region. http://www.inmarsat.org/news_story.cfm?id=273 As far as pricing, it seems the average price for GAN high speed data is around $8.00 or so per minute. http://www.xantic.net/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=3199 This probably plays a large role in the answer to my question elsewhere on this forum about noticing less "live" coverage from the networks. By the way, here's some more links on the SWE-Dish http://www.satnews.com/stories2/2oct2001-8.html http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/104/C888/ <edit> SWE-Dish runs in the neighborhood of $80,000-$100,000 per unit, depending on which model you get. </edit> As time permits, I'll add some more information about this mode of communication. cheers -Phil
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Phil Reams Timeless Studio Productions Clearwater, Florida FCC Licensed Electronics Technician (GROL) Amateur Radio - KC4UVU Life Member of the PSHA - Pinnacle Studio Haters of America |
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