TVU Networks used IBC 2026 to introduce Pocket, a full broadcast transmitter built into a device the size of a phone. It runs two active SIMs bonded live, built for reporters and sideline crews who currently carry a bonded backpack, or nothing at all.
Two SIMs. Two Wi-Fi. Four bonded paths.
Most phones use one data path at a time. Pocket transmits on both 5G SIMs simultaneously, bonded by TVU's ISX transport, the same bonding engine that carries TVU packs on air today, with error correction, adaptive bitrate and sub-second latency. Dual Wi-Fi rides on top of that, holding two separate networks or bands (2.4 and 5/6 GHz) at once, and both feed the same bond. If one path fails, whether that's a congested carrier or a dying venue access point, the design shifts load to the remaining paths to reduce the chance of the shot dropping.
Headline specs
- 4 bonded paths: 2 SIM + 2 Wi-Fi
- 0.3 second glass-to-glass latency class
- 256GB internal recording with multi-push
- Approx. R64,770 unit price, landed in South Africa, subject to exchange rates, freight, duties and VAT
Under the hood
Pocket is built on a flagship phone platform, locked down and rebuilt as a dedicated broadcast device rather than an app running on a phone. TVU Anywhere runs at OS level, so the unit boots straight into broadcast, with no app store, no distractions and no IT risk.
Transmission and production
- Dual 5G plus dual Wi-Fi: 4-channel ISX aggregation, broadcast-stable in weak signal.
- Time Lock: frame-accurate sync with TVU One packs and RPS remote production.
- Return video and VoIP intercom: studio return from paired receivers, so the operator can talk to the gallery.
- Partyline remote control: resolution, frame rate and exposure set from the control room.
- TVU cloud production: one unit extends into a full remote production chain.
Imaging and encoding
- Triple Zeiss primes: 14, 35 and 85mm with hybrid zoom transitions between them, plus optional extenders to 200 or 400mm.
- 1/1.12 inch sensor, 14-stop dynamic range: clean night-news pictures, with highlights and shadows held in backlight.
- CIPA 6.5 to 7.0 stabilisation: gimbal-grade, stable for walking and tracking shots.
- Live production tools: split-screen, real-time keying, and URL, HTML or GPS overlays.
- H.265 adaptive encode: holds a broadcast picture through bandwidth swings.
Field operations and I/O
- IP68 / IP69 sealed: rain, dust and spray-proof for harsh-environment coverage.
- Liquid cooling: sustained transmission in heat and hours-long lives.
- 6600mAh battery, 100W charge: charge while live, with no unit swap on long field days.
- UVC input over USB-C: DJI Osmo, drones, or any UVC camera becomes the source.
- 256GB storage with multi-push: internal recording while live, plus one-tap push to social platforms.
Monitor and control
- 6.82 inch 2K display: viewfinder, monitor and control surface in one, with no external monitor needed.
- 3168x1440, 510 PPI: 100% P3 colour, 10-bit, with an ultra-bright dynamic display.
- 1 to 144Hz adaptive touch: one-handed parameter and stream control.
- Daylight-viewable: framing and monitoring stay legible in direct sun.
One ecosystem: Anywhere, Pocket, and One
TVU positions these as three separate tiers rather than competing products. They share the same ISX transport, the same TVU receivers and routing, and the same Command Center fleet control, so a team can start on Anywhere, step up to Pocket, and scale to One without relearning or replacing anything.
| TVU Anywhere | TVU Pocket | TVU One | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | The app, on any phone | The dedicated device | The flagship pack |
| Paths | Runs on a phone a contributor already owns | 2 SIMs plus 2 Wi-Fi, ISX-bonded: 4 simultaneous paths | Up to 8 bonded connections |
| Onboarding | Download, sign in, go live to the same receivers | Locked and fleet-managed, provisioned like a pack | SDI glass and pro I/O, full camera-back integration at 0.3s latency |
| Best for | Stringers, correspondents, occasional contributors | Daily professional live: reporters, sidelines, IRL professionals | Flagship news, top-tier sports, mission-critical events |
Who it suits
- News: no pack to fetch from the truck, pull it from a pocket and go live in seconds, with dual-carrier resilience when breaking-news crowds saturate networks.
- Sports production: bonded sideline, tunnel and fan-cam angles anywhere a camera operator can stand, with UVC input for a pro camera when the phone lens isn't enough.
- Creators and IRL: an upgrade path from single-SIM streaming apps that drop, at a price built for individual creators rather than only networks.
Pricing and next steps
KPG has sold and supported TVU's bonded transmission and IP contribution gear in South Africa for years. Pocket is priced at approximately R64,770 landed, based on TVU's list price converted at current exchange rates, plus freight, import duties, local clearance and VAT. Final pricing, lead time and warranty terms are confirmed at quote stage, subject to exchange rate movement and stock availability.