Overview
Custom wireless router stack designed for film sets where director monitors, camera telemetry, and crew tools must coexist without stepping on each other. Built for rapid setup, clean segmentation, and reliable throughput.
Problem
Typical on‑set networks devolve into a single flat Wi‑Fi with unpredictable performance. Video village traffic competes with camera telemetry, script tools, and crew devices, leading to dropped streams and unreliable monitoring.
Network Design
- Segmented VLANs to isolate video village, camera control, and general crew access.
- Mesh-based Wi‑Fi nodes for flexible coverage across locations.
- Dedicated SSIDs mapped to VLANs for predictable access control.
Key Features
- Stable director monitoring with prioritized bandwidth.
- Separate lane for camera telemetry and control signals.
- Secure crew access for docs, call sheets, and comms.
- On‑set two‑way communication via a custom phone app over the local network.
- Portable, low‑footprint deployment for quick turnaround days.
Automation & Ops
- Preconfigured profiles for different crew sizes and locations.
- Automated conflict checks and simple health indicators.
- Logging for troubleshooting RF or device issues mid‑shoot.
Challenges
- RF congestion and unpredictable venue interference.
- Mixed device capabilities and ad‑hoc hardware add‑ons.
- Balancing reliable video transport with low‑latency control traffic.
Outcome
Provided stable, segmented networking for video village and camera control, reducing dropouts and simplifying on‑set setup for small and mid‑size productions.
Stack
OpenWRT, VLAN segmentation, PoE power distribution, custom provisioning scripts.