As non-face-to-face society became routine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most group activities shifted to online videoconferencing and education. This global trend has sharply increased the demand for PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras, which are essential for videoconferencing and online education environments, and fierce competition is taking place in the related industry.
Salrayworks’ core technology is IP-based video processing, which provides videoconferencing and online education environments optimized for streaming broadcasting services through the Internet.
Salrayworks has entered the US and UK markets, proving its excellent export capabilities, and has continued to enjoy remarkable growth by establishing conference systems for various local assemblies and online high school education systems in Korea.
Separately but together, IP streaming
Many local governments are introducing broadcasting equipment to increase the public’s right to know and the transparency of municipal administration. However, domestic broadcasting equipment is not quite competitive. Therefore, the project is mainly carried out using imported products, and the broadcasting equipment manufacturing industry is experiencing difficulties due to excessive competition among domestic companies; hence the difficulty of proper AS.
Currently, SDI/HDMI-based equipment is mainly installed and operated, and there is no difficulty in basic operation, but there is a lot of room for improvement considering the future demand for 4K upgrades and user convenience improvement. Therefore, the convergence capability of broadcasting and communication technology and technology related to IP-based interconnection is considered essential for developing related markets in the future. In addition, since streaming broadcasting over the Internet is predominant today, it has become very important to use IP-based broadcasting equipment to increase its efficiency.
A company holding the core technology for Ip-based video processing
As the teleconference market grows due to the COVID-1 pandemic and the demand for IP-based technology in the broadcasting field increases, the demand for IP-based PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras is also increasing. However, domestic broadcasting equipment manufacturers are unable to respond adequately to these demands in terms of technology and sales. During this project, Salrayworks collaborated with two other companies to develop an IP-based PTZ camera.
Salrayworks is a startup company founded in July 2019. Although small in scale, it has the core technology for IP-based video processing, based on manpower with more than 20 years’ experience in the field of broadcasting and communication. Salrayworks develops and supplies integrated solutions for IP-based video equipment including software, in addition to hardware such as broadcasting equipment. It is actively exporting domestic broadcasting equipment based on close relationship with many overseas dealers.
“I believe that NDI can replace SDI solutions in schools, government offices, churches, and enterprises where videoconferencing is required due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Broadcasting is changing to IP streaming due to the rapid development of network technology. The advantages of SDI are lost. Broadcast technology is no longer accessible by a limited number of players only thanks to the popular use of IP videos. Our mission is to develop smart IP broadcasting equipment that can be commonly used by anyone in the Internet era.”
NDI technology can easily and simply replace existing SDI infrastructure with a more efficient IP workflow. This technology can be used for various purposes such as church gatherings, sports broadcasting, videoconference, live events, and school lectures. The technology was developed, and the sales network was established with multiple companies holding technical skills and capabilities in their fields.
The convergence of broadcasting and communication and IP-based interconnection are becoming important issues. As streaming broadcasting on the Internet becomes popular, local broadcasting equipment is highly likely to be upgraded gradually to IP-based equipment.
Y&M Systems Co., Ltd., a partner company, has been making PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras in Korea for a long time; Tinno Co., Ltd., another partner company, has understanding and sales skills for domestic public offices and national assembly broadcasting. Salrayworks is doing business by adding its core technologies for IP-based video processing, experience in overseas marketing, and overseas network to the partnership with those companies.
Marketability of the NDI-based IP PTZ camera
Although Salrayworks has failed to export repeatedly due to low-priced Chinese products, the IP-based PTZ camera developed by carrying out this task is gradually being recognized in overseas countries, which makes its export promising. In addition, Salrayworks has been competing fiercely in the small domestic broadcasting market. With the development of the IP-based camera and system, however, a sales increase is expected thanks to an opportunity to pioneer and preoccupy a new market.
Sharon-series PTZ cameras use high-bandwidth NDI version 4.6 technology implemented in Intel FPGA using Salrayworks’ own technology. Salrayworks plans to provide low-latency, high-quality video for multiple end users. The company also seeks to develop and produce all products in Korea to ensure the highest quality. Sharon 360, Sharon 30, and Sharon 20 support all NDI, 3G-SDI, HDMI, and CVBS interfaces with 1080p resolution. Salrayworks will also produce 4K NDI high-bandwidth products in 2021.
The first NDI switcher for the local assembly and Chamber of Commerc
The first NDI switcher for the local assembly and Chamber of Commerce Mugunghwa Switcher is the first NDI switcher for local governments and is a conference automation system based on software. It is a 100% domestic solution developed with government support and is installed in several local assemblies, and its excellent performance has been recognized by many domestic government offices. As such, it is a stable product that is actively exported.
Unlike the existing switcher system, it has an automatic transmission system that tracks the speaker, and operation is simple and easy. In addition, as 100% IP digital input, output, and transmission are supported, noise suppression is high. It provides various functions and technical support, including 6-channel NDI and movie, NDI audio support, SDI audio support, live graphics and title implementation, external multi-viewer, audio delay control, frame drop monitor, video file support, etc.
MINI INTERVIEW
Q1. What did you achieve by participating in this project?
“Three companies worked together to develop an IP-based PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) camera system. As a result, in terms of technology and sales, we were able to respond actively to the growing demand for IP-based PTZ cameras in the videoconferencing market and the broadcasting sector due to COVID-19. We also expect an increase in export, since our technology is recognized overseas, and we have an opportunity to develop and preoccupy a new market in the domestic broadcasting market.”
Q2. What was the key to the successful achievements?
“We have forecast the direction of technological development, based on over 20 years’ experience in the field of broadcasting and communication. We were also helped a lot by the will to implement the concept design into a real product. In addition, I think we succeeded because several companies holding technology and capabilities in their respective fields cooperated with each other.”
General Status
Implementing Agency Korea Electronics Association
Business Details Creating broadcasting equipment industry infrastructure (informatization)
