In the world of broadcast technology, talking about reliable connectivity is one thing. Actually demonstrating it live on the bustling streets of Las Vegas during the industry's biggest show? That's either brilliance or madness. Spoiler alert: we're still debating which.
From Idea to Execution
When our team huddled to brainstorm our NAB 2025 presence, the usual "bigger booth, shinier products" conversation took an unexpected turn. During IBC, my colleague Sukh Grewal dropped what seemed like an innocent suggestion: "What if we actually show our solutions working in real-time instead of just talking about them?"
Little did we know this casual comment would spiral into daily live broadcasts from multiple Vegas locations, a technological obstacle course that would put even the most seasoned broadcast engineers to the test.
The Tech Stack That Made It Possible
Our ambitious setup included:
- Two satellite connections (Eutelsat OneWeb half duplex Intellian antenna provided by USSI Global alongside a Starlink Mini provided by Tividoo)
- Dejero EnGo 265 for the field transmission
- Cloud production incorporating Grabyo's live graphics
- Dejero Smart Blending Technology™ doing the heavy lifting blending cellular and satellite
- A dedicated Dejero GateWay for the backhaul utilizing 5G
- Tech support at the NAB Dejero booth
- Canadian-based team member running the cloud production
The result? Seamless live streams to the Dejero booth via YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn despite Vegas' notoriously congested networks.
When Perfect Planning Meets Reality
After months of meticulous preparation, we arrived in Vegas ready to conquer. Then came the reality check.
Our first broadcast had a minor technical hiccup—a faulty network switch but we quickly recovered. With each subsequent broadcast at 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, we tightened our workflow. By the end of day one, we were practically broadcasting veterans – if you ignored our increasingly sunburned faces.
Speaking of which – pro tip: when planning intricate technical demonstrations in the Nevada desert, don't forget humans need shade. Our technical checklist covered every cable, connector, and contingency... but somehow missed "umbrellas for the team slowly roasting under the scorching sun." Broadcast engineering 101, meet basic survival skills!
The Game-Changing Golf Cart
Our original mobility plan involved Vegas taxis, which in retrospect would have been a logistical nightmare. Enter Eutelsat OneWeb with the MVP of NAB 2025: a golf cart that became our mobile broadcast studio. This humble chariot allowed us to zip between locations with our equipment intact and our schedule preserved.
Watching Eric Cuadra load and unload broadcast gear from a golf cart while maintaining professional composure deserves its own technical Emmy consideration. 😜
The Ultimate Stress Test: The Las Vegas Sign
If you want to test connectivity solutions, head to the famous Las Vegas sign. It's a perfect storm of connectivity challenges:
- Proximity to a busy airport
- Endless parade of vehicles
- Thousands of tourists simultaneously uploading selfies
- Zero infrastructure for broadcasters
Yet there we were, broadcasting crystal-clear video while tourists photobombed our shots and airport-bound taxis honked in the background. Dejero Smart Blending Technology didn't just perform – it shined under pressure, seamlessly bonding multiple networks into one robust connection.
For our grand finale? Live satellite and cellular blended broadcasting while cruising down the Las Vegas Strip in our trusty golf cart. Yes, you read that correctly. While most broadcasters prefer stable, controlled environments, we chose to demonstrate reliable connectivity while navigating traffic in a vehicle with a top speed of 20 mph.
The looks from pedestrians as we passed by with full broadcast gear and animated on-air conversations were priceless. "Just another day in Vegas," their expressions seemed to say.
Head to the 2:39 mark to watch our golf cart leisurely drive along the Las Vegas main stretch.
Lessons Learned and What's Next
This adventure taught us plenty:
- One connection is never enough in challenging environments
- Live demonstrations reveal strengths and weaknesses that no test ever will
- Even the best broadcast professionals forget about sunscreen
- With the right technology and team, you can broadcast from anywhere – even a moving golf cart on the Vegas Strip
As a former broadcaster myself, stepping in front of the camera again was exhilarating – especially without the pressure of network deadlines or having to file additional radio stories after wrapping a TV segment.
The exceptional team made every challenge surmountable, with guests including Martin Marshall from Eutelsat OneWeb, Clare Butler from Grabyo, and Dejero experts Kevin Fernandes, Eric Cuadra, Sukh Grewal and Michael Stanton adding invaluable insights about connectivity resilience.
The Future is Even Bolder
We're already plotting how to take our live demonstrations to even more challenging environments for the next industry event. (Ocean broadcast, anyone? Mountain summit? The International Space Station might be aiming too high... but we're thinking about it!)
For those who missed our NAB adventures, stay connected to see where we'll push the boundaries of reliable connectivity next. Because when you're passionate about showing what your technology can truly do, sometimes you find yourself broadcasting from a golf cart in Vegas – and loving every minute of it.
🚀 Book a demo to experience critical connectivity that never quits.
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