Riedel Communications formed global technology partnerships with Haivision and NETGEAR that aim to push ahead with wireless video transmission and AV-Over-IP development.
Riedel Easy5G at Cologne Carnival
Riedel Communications, a specialist in live media production tools, has formed global technology partnerships with Haivision and NETGEAR that aim to push ahead with wireless video transmission and AV-Over-IP development.
Under the partnership with Haivision, Riedel will incorporate selected Haivision products as part of Riedel’s Managed Technology services. By combining Haivision’s ultra-low-latency live video transmission systems with Riedel’s Easy5G Private 5G solution, customers will be able to source comprehensive wireless video systems from a single provider – including planning, operation, and support delivered by Riedel’s Managed Technology team.
Simplifying Private 5G
“With Haivision, we are expanding our rental services with real-time video transmission systems that complement our Easy5G system,” said Jaqueline Voss, Director Strategy and Innovations, Riedel Communications. “Bundled in a single operation, the combined result is effective, straightforward and helps to reduce production efforts for our users.”
Designed to make it easier for broadcasters and event organizers to adopt 5G, Easy5G has a simple setup process and web interface that can be used to deploy and manage networks without extensive training, specialized expertise or heavy infrastructure. With a conventional switch infrastructure and common IT knowledge, a low-latency private network can be operational in about one hour.
Unlike public 5G services that need to cope with high user density, Easy5G operates on dedicated frequencies, and its high-power outdoor cells mean fewer base stations are needed than with WiFi to cover large outdoor areas. Configurable uplink/downlink ratios also make it possible to prioritize uplink transmissions, necessary for live broadcast video and similar applications.
Haivision’s expertise is in real-time video networking and visual collaboration. Their connected cloud and intelligent edge systems support highly scalable, secure, low-latency live video projects. For example, Haivision developed and open-sourced the SRT low-latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance
Cologne Carnival 2025
The two companies’ joint setup was first used on 11 November at German public broadcaster WDR’s live broadcast, marking the start of the Cologne Carnival season. Two Easy5G base stations supported reliable coverage across the entire Heumarkt, one of Cologne’s largest public squares. Two of WDR’s 10 cameras were equipped with Haivision’s 5G mobile video transmitters – one was a stationary wireless camera focussed on the audience, and another mobile camera was used for live interviews and dynamic stage shots. The transmitters converted the SDI signals to IP and delivered them over the Easy5G Private 5G network to the Haivision StreamHub receivers in the OB truck, while maintaining stable low-latency performance.
“The deployment at Cologne Carnival was an excellent kickoff for our collaboration,” said Peter Maag, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Haivision. “Together with WDR, we were able to show the flexibility of combining our mobile video encoders with Riedel’s Easy5G solution – enabling extreme low latency and stable wireless camera workflows over a Private 5G network.”
“Easy5G also has enough power to support a number of applications on the same network,” Jaqueline said. “In the future, production crews could use intercom functions via Virtual SmartPanels directly on their smartphones – over the same Easy5G network that is simultaneously carrying the wireless video streams.”
Riedel and NETGEAR – Decentralised Signal Distribution over IP
As a first step, the collaboration between NETGEAR intelligent networking developer and Riedel Communications brings together NETGEAR AV’s managed switches in the M4350 series with Riedel’s MediorNet MuoN A processing SFPs, intending to deliver ST 2110 Gateway functionality for decentralised signal distribution over standard IP networks.
Now underway and available globally, the partnership so far involves Riedel carrying the NETGEAR M4350-16V4C Fully Managed Switch (VSM4320C) – a high-performance 25G/100G switch featuring 25G SFP28 ports, 100G uplinks and SMPTE ST 2110 Grandmaster and Boundary Clock functions. NETGEAR’s switches were chosen to achieve direct connectivity and the reliable, stable performance needed to build robust AV-over-IP systems for broadcast, live events and commercial AV installations.
The Riedel SFPs come with various SDI or HDMI I/Os and can be set up with different functions. By changing the software license, users can turn the device into an Up/down/cross converter, a JPEG-XS encoder/decoder or an SDI to/from 2110 gateway.
Supporting Evolution
Fast switch configuration
“At Riedel, we are always looking for ways to ease customers’ workflows and enhance reliability,” said Louis Caron, senior product manager video at Riedel Communications. “Partnering with NETGEAR means we can establish a proven networking backbone that works with our media-over-IP solutions and supports the needs of the broadcast and AV industries as they evolve.”
“With the transition to IP now in full swing in the broadcast market, it’s important for integrators and their customers to have the kind of solid, reliable,straightforward solutions that come with collaboration between industry partners like Riedel and NETGEAR,” said Richard Jonker, vice president of marketing and business development at NETGEAR. “We look forrward to developing our roadmap of hardware and software in support of Riedel’s applications, which are at the core of this latest wave of innovation in the market.” www.riedel.net
