Domo Broadcast, the RF specialist company, has announced that its SOLO7 HD Nano transmitter was used to transmit live video from the highest recorded bird flight, descending from Dubai’s 829.8-meter (2,722-foot) Burj Khalifa tower, to raise awareness of eagle conservation by the Freedom Conservation organization.
“Darshan”, a male Eastern Imperial Eagle with a two-metre wingspan, was equipped with a 300 gram Sony ActionCam and a DTC SOLO7 HD Nano transmitter backpack, which was used to transmit and capture stunning live footage of Darshan’s circuitous descent from the summit of Burj Khalifa to his trainer and founder of Freedom Conservation, Jazques-Olivier Travers.
Two falconers, accompanied by two support staff hanging from the spire at the very top of Burj Khalifa, set Darshan and his payload on his way on a bright, cloudless March day; the results of which have now been seen on multi-platform news and feature programmes around the world.
According to Domo Broadcast Director, JP Delport, “We were in the region over the New Year, supporting our work with the Volvo Ocean Race, when we were approached about devising a way to use our technology to transmit live from an eagle. While sailing and soaring are separate circumstances, each with their respective challenges, it was a unique opportunity not to be missed.
“Our first and foremost reaction to being approached about Darshan’s flight, was to ensure the safety and well-being of such a magnificent and endangered bird of prey, the conservation of which we wholeheartedly support. Secondly, guaranteeing live video transmission in an application that had never been tried before was, at first, a daunting prospect. However during Jan and Feb 2015, SNG Broadcast Services FZLLC Managing Director, Ken Suckling, who was consulting with F Technologies, helped to design bespoke antennas that would not only fit Darshan, but complement the overall live video transmission system. We’re very proud to say that our SOLO7 HD Nano TX was a key component of that system and, with Darshan and the Freedom Conservation organisation, delivered a performance of the highest order. In fact it was a world record performance.”
DTC’s ultra-miniature SOLO7 HD Nano TX is the world’s smallest wireless HD transmitter. The transmitter provides excellent image quality retention over wireless links, with almost limitless scope for new and unusual applications.
Delport adds, “Eastern Imperial Eagles like Darshan are threatened with extinction and have nearly vanished from many areas of their former range. It’s especially gratifying that our technology played such an important role in bringing their plight to the world’s attention.”
About Domo Tactical Communications
Domo Tactical Communications (formally Cobham TCS) is at the forefront of wireless broadcast communication technologies. DTC has developed its cutting edge technologies for the broadcast market providing real technical and operational benefits to newsgathering, live production, and other high profile applications in solutions that empower users to broadcast without boundaries.
A world-class supplier of wireless links globally and a leader in the MPEG4 wireless technology revolution, DTC offers high-quality, DVB-T low-delay broadcast transmitter/receiver systems and IP solutions designed specifically for electronic news gathering, outside broadcast, satellite newsgathering, motor and extreme sports coverage, portable field monitoring and video assist applications.
Backed by more than 50 years’ valuable experience of transmitting and receiving information in difficult electronic environments in the military and surveillance market, DTC’s broadcast portfolio benefits from the ultra-high build quality and ruggedness these products require.
