Teradek Bolt – SOLID Wireless HD-SDI Monitoring
When it comes to wireless HD monitoring, I have been using the Teradek Cube on my productions for over a year now. The Cube is an encoder that transmits compressed video over WiFi for live streaming over the internet, H.264 proxy recording, or wireless monitoring on iOS devices. On the set of "Mobius" last fall, we used the Cube in tandem with the Teradek Case to monitor via laptops and iPad’s in the desert.
Now Teradek has upped its game and introduced the Bolt, a wireless HD-SDI monitoring system. I can say that I am amazed at the quality of the image, total lack of latency, and rock solid signal. This unit has so far performed as well as high-tend units priced a 5x to 10x the price. I will need to use this for one year in a variety of locations to give you a full run down on how it performs in a wide variety of environments – you’ll find that both high end and low end wireless units can be susceptible to a variety of different types of interference.. So far though – so GREAT. I haven’t run into a single issue. Just turn the transmitter and receivers on – and boom you’ve got signal from a RED Epic or a Canon C300.
Unlike the Cube, which used WiFi to transmit a signal, the Bolt has zero delay, instead relying on WSDI Pro for wireless transmission up to 300ft. Even more impressively, it also transmits an uncompressed 1080p60 signal with 4:2:2 fidelity – which means you can record it to an external recorder or VTR. The Bolt can send this signal to multiple receivers simultaneously – increasing your number of monitoring options on set – and comes with TWO receivers which is a really nice touch, not to mention a nice little Pelican case to hold the entire kit safely.
Being an HD-SDI system, this unit is fully ready to be integrated into any professional production monitoring workflow. The Bolt transmitter has a loop through 3G-SDI input on the transmitter, so you can simultaneously run a signal wirelessly from your camera and to an external monitor. On the receiver end, each has two 3G-SDI outputs that you can run to a monitor or a video switcher. If you wanted, you could also run your signal from the receiver to a Teradek Cube and also stream the signal to laptops and iOS devices.
In terms of build – the Bolt receiver is made of high grade aluminum to withstand the wear and tear of being attached to a camera. It has numerous 1/4" mounting holes so that it can be attached to your rig wherever is most convenient for you. The receivers are enclosed in a plastic shell, which should be no problem given that they will most likely be sitting next to your monitor.
The transmitter also has an internal Lithium Ion battery that provides up to 70 minutes of run-time. This can be charged via a mini-USB port, or the Lemo DC input. The Lemo DC input (available on both the transmitter and receiver) also means that you can use an external battery, such as an Anton Bauer, to power these units, so when attaching the transmitter to your camera rig, it should easily interface with whatever external power option you have on board.
At this price point, this is by far the best wireless transmitter i’ve used and as I mentioned it exceeds the performance of some very high end receivers that are noticeably more complicated, bigger and expensive as well. The bolt will now remain permanently connected to both my 21" and 9" Marshall Monitors for wireless use.
For more information hop over to Teradek’s site!
amazing product. I’ve been using the cube lately, which is nice, but not perfect. This seems to be perfect. Can’t wait to get my hands on a set. Combining the two products will be best of both worlds.
I used the IDX Camwave system which comes in at about $5000 for a rx/tx pair and it has always worked very nicely, but its big and a bit bulky with no external antena. The plus of that system is it mates into a V lock system so you can make it part of your external power supply setup on your rig. But this looks pretty awesome, I like the size and form factor, and obviously the price if it can keep up.
The big thing for me on the CamWave and more expensive systems is that you have less than a ms of latency, I understand this is supposed to be very low latency but I am wondering how low, as I often integrate into live performance situations as well, there must be some level of latency since it is sending a 4:2:2 signal.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 12th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I’ve had not so good experiences w/ the Camwave… to the point that I refuse to rent them on production…
What’s the max distance you’ve got before unusable or dropped out signal? What about around corners and through walls? I have one of these and am testing but not convinced quite yet. I use Boxx and Microlite daily so am deep in the wireless mindset.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 12th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I need to do the exact same tests – you know how finicky even the Boxx units can be… and they cost $15k+… so I don’t have anything definitive for you other than these look like solid competitors to the Boxx at this point… Would also like to hear of your findings – please DO share.
@Vincent Laforet, My experiences with it were on a Broadway Show I designed so the environment was more predictable, I can not speak a variety of environments. We saw frame drops on occasion, and only once ran into interference when someone else was using a similar wireless system right outside the building. I look forward to hearing a more in depth review on this new Taradek system.
This is almost to good to be true! I have also used the Camwave and the BOXX on a lot of different jobs and i have had mixed results to say the least. Sometimes i cant get a clear signal even on a very short distance. And sometimes very good coverage on distances even over 50 metres when i flew it on a steadicam during a live TV-event (camwave).
I think i will order a kit and hope for the best.
Thanks guys for sharing your experience!
After using it the Bolt for a few weeks, I can say that it is not as dependable or as long-range as the Boxx, as one would expect from the price. The signal is not clean enough to record as if it were hard-wired–you can see noise in the waveform. The incoming voltage will switch over to battery at 16. 8v or so, which is possible with a hot battery off the charger, and if the internal battery isn’t in a charged state, you are SOL. It happened to us. Teradek promises they are working on a fix for this.
Overall: a decent contender and a good price point but not a miracle.
In the 5th paragraph, I believe you meant to say that the transmitter is made of aluminum, not the receiver. Just wanted to help avoid confusion.
is the teradek bolt has 1080 50i single pass
Thanks for sharing! WIll definetely also try the Taradek Bolt. Do you know if it is possible to get it for less than 2490?
Thanks,
Hans
Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
I don’t – reach out to them – I don’t get involved in pricing! 😉
Hey,
Quick question for the guys doing tests. I know the bolt is touted as SDI compatible, but what kind of results does it give when you connect it to a regular camcorder through composite out? I am asking because I am considering specing this as a rental for a small one act theatre show where the transmitter has to be hidden in a desk that stays onstage for the entire show. The blocking is such that I need a wireless solution because the desk is manipulated by actors during scene changes.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 12th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Havent’ tried it w/ anything but HDSDI so maybe someone else here can contribute.
Is it compatible with Red Epic?
Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 12th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Yes.
I wish the bolt transmitted meta data (or at least time code) so I can get the script supervisor off my butt. Anyone know if The Bolt will ever do this?
The Boxx had a software update a year ago that allegedly allows it to carry meta data but I have not tested those waters.
The Bolt went about 250 feet when the Transmitter was high in the air. It’s very line of site if you are in a building with metal girders but it passed through drywall well the few times I used it.
The bolt can roll and cut a Pix240, so something like data seems to be coming through.
amazing product. Is this device available in the Netherlands? Hope so…