Teradek Link AX Wifi Router – First Look

by Jeff LochJune 4^th, 2023

During Cine Gear 2023, we stopped by the Teradek booth to discuss the company’s latest Wifi router/access point dedicated to video production: the Teradek Link AX. A V-Mount/Gold Mount battery can power this compact unit, which features five Ethernet ports. Also, there is a USB-A port that can be used with a Teradek Node II and Teradek Data to get a fast and reliable Internet connection on location. So let’s take a closer look at it!

American manufacturer Teradek is considered by many as the go-to wireless video transmission solution provider. Indeed, when it comes to high-quality and reliable wireless video transmission systems, Teradek has nothing to prove. However, for a couple of years, the company has been releasing more and more livestream-oriented products, such as encoders, decoders, and streaming devices like the Teradek Prism mobile 4G LTE wireless video transmitter.

Also, as camera-to-cloud solutions are gaining in popularity, an exclusive CineD documentary about our NAB 2023 camera-to-cloud workflow is coming soon! Now there is a need for a reliable Internet connection on set everywhere. Teradek recently introduced an easy-to-use Wifi router/access point: the Link AX, to simplify filmmakers’ lives.

Teradek Link AX – features

The Teradek Link AX is a compact Wifi router made entirely of aluminum. As you can tell, this router with unique features is designed to be taken on set: four protected antennas, one 3/8″-16 mounting point with ARRI locating holes at the bottom, and two 1/4″-20 mounting points with locating holes on the left and right sides of the unit.

You’ll find multiple status LEDs at the back of the unit to quickly monitor your input/output Ethernet connection. Furthermore, an optional V-Mount or Gold Mount battery plate can be attached to the Link AX so you can easily power it on location, even without access to mains power.

The bottom of the Teradek Link AX is where all the input/output ports are located. You’ll find five Ethernet ports, one 2-pin Lemo 12-28V AC power input, and a USB-A port to connect a modem. Indeed, the Link AX is compatible with Teradek’s Node II 3G/4G/LTE, which has two SIM slots. Then, you can purchase a Teradek Data bucket that suits your needs, and get fast Internet connection anywhere on the planet.

The Teradek Link AX can be used in multiple configurations:

• You can centralize and route all your camera feeds into the Link AX if you shoot with multiple cameras. Then, with the Teradek VUER App – available for iOS and Android devices – you can connect up to 20 phones and view all the live feeds.

• Also, you can route all your cameras to the Link AX and send your live streams to multiple content collaboration platforms such as Teradek’s Core Cloud, frame.io, PIX, or Sony’s Ci Media Cloud.
• If you’re working with a DIT or colorist, you can connect the Link AX to a Pomfort Livegrade laptop on set to generate LUT and CDL (Color Decision List) in real-time.

Pricing and availability

The Teradek Link AX will start shipping this month for $999 with no battery mount. You’ll have to add $100 to get your choice of either a V-Mount or a Gold Mount battery plate.

For more information, please visit Teradek’s website here.

What do you think about this portable production-oriented Wifi router? Do you often need to live stream or send footage to the cloud on location? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!