Working with Wireless Solutions
https://support.cyanview.com/docs/Configuration/Wireless
Cyanview does not manufacture wireless equipment itself, but can work alongside existing wireless solutions. The right choice depends on your operating conditions, reliability requirements, and budget.
Wireless is generally difficult to handle correctly, and since Cyanview has no in-house RF (radio frequency) expertise, we do not offer our own recommendations or support for it. The options below are choices that have been validated by customers, along with their pros and cons. Cyanview's architecture is IP-based.
IP mesh (licensed frequency bands)
Manufacturers such as Domo offer IP mesh nodes that function as a wireless switch. The devices connect to the LAN.
Pros:
- Broadcast-grade equipment based on military technology
- Manufacturer support available
- Little interference, since the frequency is licensed
Cons:
- Higher cost
Bitbox (US license-free 915MHz band)
An IP wireless system from Bitpart that handles camera control in a license-free frequency band. Each node acts as a switch port.
Pros:
- Long range
- Manufacturer support available
- Low cost
- Requires almost no configuration
- Compatible with Ethernet-equipped cameras via a USB interface
Wi-Fi HaLow (UHF, license-free)
Although certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, HaLow is not regular consumer Wi-Fi: it was designed for the internet of things, with longer range and lower bitrates. Nodes link all devices to an IP network. See the official Wi-Fi HaLow guide for setup.
Available frequency bands (vary by country/region):
| Region | Frequency |
|---|---|
| US | 915 MHz |
| EU | 866 MHz |
| Japan | 924 MHz |
| South Korea | 922 MHz |
| Taiwan | 920 MHz |
Pros: long range, low cost Cons: no manufacturer support
Cellular (4G / 5G / private 5G)
The cellular network can be used for wireless remote control. Control latency is not an issue in most situations; it is much lower than the latency you might expect for video. A RIO on the camera side and a Cyanview cloud relay handle the link to the control room over the internet. See the official guide for cellular modems and routers for setup. This used to work via a 4G USB dongle connected to the RIO, but that has now been replaced by cellular access points, which also support 5G and can be used on private 5G networks.
Pros:
- Simple to deploy, no antenna installation required
- Can be used for itinerant coverage, such as cameras on motorbikes for cycling races or marathons, or a beauty shot further away from the main site
- When a private 5G network is deployed, adding camera control is easy and reliable
Cons: no guarantee that it will work over the public network; it can be very reliable or not work at all
Standard Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi can be used in controlled environments such as studios, but it is known to be very unreliable during public events and is therefore rarely used. A typical use case is controlling IP cameras directly over Wi-Fi: each camera connects to a Wi-Fi router and is visible to the RCP as if it were wired. This workflow is easy and reliable if the Wi-Fi network itself is reliable.
For other types of cameras, Wi-Fi gets much more complicated, requiring subnets and address translation, which usually exceeds the knowledge of most broadcast engineers.
It is also possible to use a RIO with a Wi-Fi dongle to connect to the main network and control everything plugged into the RIO. This is not too complex and has been useful to some users, but unreliable for others, so test first and deploy gradually.
Pros: low cost; easy to control cameras that are already on a Wi-Fi network Cons: known to be very unreliable and avoided by most; no support provided by any company
The RIO's Wi-Fi configuration interface is rather basic. If you have to rely on Wi-Fi for anything critical, standalone Wi-Fi clients from renowned brands are recommended. Small devices such as the Mikrotik mAP probably have all the options you need.
Related official guides:
Unofficial solutions
Other possibilities based on serial links exist. While not ideal, they may suit certain specialty systems. They are presented for reference only, and Cyanview cannot provide support for them.
RIO serial bridge for RF modems
A serial bridge developed for some specialty and RF vendors to integrate with their systems. It isn't ideal, as the camera's connection status isn't consistent and reliable, but it has been useful to many people because it allows RF modems on licensed frequencies, such as Satel modems, to be used. For now it is configured through the development interface rather than the main configuration GUI.
Serial data for mini cameras
For Marshall, Dreamchip, and Proton mini cameras, the serial data from a CI0 or USB dongle can be carried to the camera over RF. This is sometimes used with existing serial radio systems.
The RCP normally uses bidirectional data, but for these cameras a unidirectional link can be set from the camera's advanced mode (the "..." icon at the top right of the camera properties column): untick "Bidirectional". Alternatively, keep the bidirectional link and use the "Delay" option to add a delay (in ms) to the check of returned commands. Set this delay to the round-trip delay of your RF system.