Using a compact satellite antenna (pictured) and receiver, travellers with the new CruiseCast system will be able to receive 22 TV channels and 20 radio stations.
What's more, the system gets over one of the major drawbacks of satellite transmission to moving receivers: CruiseCast has "a breakthrough technology that overcomes line-of-sight obstacles such as overpasses, buildings, trees or tunnels".
From news to cartoons
The CruiseCast system will deliver channels including Disney Channel, Disney XD, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, COMEDY CENTRAL, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC, plus those radio services. What's more, the service has the capacity to add extra channels when required.
CruiseCast uses a small pod-like antenna which can be mounted to a roof-rack or magnetically to roof of the vehicle. This is paired with a receiver able to provide video and audio connections to car audio systems, rear seat video displays and the like.
Video buffering avoids drop-outs
And how does that 'breakthrough technology' work? Yoel Gat, Chairman and CEO of RaySat Broadcasting Corp., has the explanation.
“AT&T CruiseCast is the first service that uses video-buffering technology to minimize loss of programming when a vehicle loses line of sight with the satellite while driving alongside a tall building or under a tunnel.”