Teradek has announced the Bolt 6 Series, the industry’s first 6GHz zero-delay wireless video solution. They are available in a variety of different versions and configurations with an operating range from 750′ to 1500′.
The Bolt 6 Series can deliver crystal-clear 6GHz transmission in high-traffic environments while remaining fully cross-compatible with the entire Bolt 4K BB3 ecosystem. The Bolt 6 Series now joins the zero-delay Bolt 4K family in the recently-unlocked U-NII 5 frequency spectrum. This allows users to operate in the untapped bandwidth while remaining fully compatible with Bolt 4K on traditional 5GHz bands.
Every Bolt 6 device will pair with every Bolt 4K device on 5GHz bands, however, a Bolt 6 TX/RX combination is required for 6GHz connectivity.
What is the 6GHz frequency band?
6GHz is a 1200 MHz spectrum from 5,925 to 7,125, whereas, the 5GHz frequency band is a 500 MHz spectrum. Essentially 6GHz was introduced to significantly reduce traffic in the already crowded 2.4Ghz and 5GHZ spectrums.
Now, 6GHz isn’t available everywhere around the world, but quite a few countries have started to open up the 6GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi and unlicensed usage.
Above you can see data from the WiFi Alliance that shows you what countries have adopted 6GHz and what countries are still discussing its implementation.
Wi-Fi traffic is doubling every three years and the 6GHz spectrum is key to dealing with this problem. Wi-Fi networks that have access to the full 6GHz band would be able to support three to four times as many simultaneous users as existing Wi-Fi networks.
With wireless video transmission, you want to operate in frequencies with the least amount of interference and traffic possible, and this is why 6GHz devices make a ton of sense.
The Bolt 6 series can transmit and receive images and audio over the newly-available 6GHz frequency band as well as the industry-standard 5GHz, which dramatically reduces signal congestion in challenging RF environments while remaining fully cross-compatible across all Bolt 4K devices, including the Bolt Manager App for iOS and Android. Every Bolt 6 device will pair with every Bolt 4K device on 5GHz bands, however, a Bolt 6 TX/RX combination is required for 6GHz connectivity.
New features
New Bolt 6 features on all models include an improved Long Range mode and an SDI Eye Pattern Tool to check SDI cable integrity. Bolt 6 MAX models also feature integrated flexible H antennas for increased field longevity.
What models are in the Bolt 6 Series?
Just like the Bolt 4K series, the Bolt 6 Series represents an ecosystem of devices optimized for different user workflows and that is why there are a few different products being introduced:
Bolt 6 XT
The Bolt 6 XT offers the most upgrades in the Bolt 6 family, including a redesigned form factor that’s smaller, lighter, cooler, and up to 50% quieter than its Bolt 4K counterpart. Bolt 6 will also feature an integrated 5-pin USB for a more seamless SmallHD camera-control setup.
Bolt 6 LT
The Bolt 6 LT fills the same demand for a compact, lightweight solution with a 750–5000+ ft. range as Bolt 4K LT, and is fully-capable of operating on the 12 U-NII 5 channels like the rest of the Bolt 6 line. Bolt 6 LT also comes in an HDMI-only version.
Bolt 6 Monitor Modules
The Bolt 6 Monitor Modules offer ranges of 750–1500′ and integrate seamlessly into SmallHD Smart 7 Series Monitors like their Bolt 4K counterparts.
The Teradek Bolt 6 Monitor Module 750 TX for Smart 7 Monitors retails for $2,890 USD.
The Teradek Bolt 6 Monitor Module 1500 TX for Smart 7 Monitors retails for $3,890 USD.
The Teradek Bolt 6 RX 750 Monitor Module for Cine 7 and 702 Touch also retails for $2,890 USD.
The Teradek Bolt 6 RX 1500 Monitor Module for Cine 7 and 702 Touch retails for $3,890 USD.
Pricing & Availability
The Teradek Bolt 6 Series ranges in price from $1,990 USD for a Teradek Bolt 6 LT HDMI 750 Transmitter/Receiver Kit up to $11,990 for a Teradek Bolt 6 XT 1500 12G-SDI/HDMI Wireless RX/TX Deluxe Kit.
You can see all of the available kits here.
