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.

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 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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.

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