Case Study: How Vriezoo Achieved HD & 4K Imaging on Legacy ROVs with the Rayfin Uplink
When SubC Imaging introduced the Rayfin Uplink, Vriezoo ROV Services in the Netherlands was among the first to put it to the test. The company, known for performing detailed inspections with compact ROVs, had been limited by cameras that couldn’t deliver HD or 4K digital imaging over non-fiber connections.
The Rayfin Uplink, which enables real-time HD and 4K digital imaging and full camera control over existing coax or twisted-pair cabling, offered a breakthrough solution. Vriezoo’s early adoption proved just how much the technology could extend the capabilities of legacy ROV systems.
Challenge: Achieving HD & 4K Digital Imaging on Non-Fiber ROV Systems
Vriezoo specializes in underwater and offshore inspections across Europe’s wind farms, ports, and inland waterways. Their ROVs provide efficient access to tight or shallow areas, but the existing cabling on these systems isn’t designed to support the bandwidth required for 4K digital video.
The demand from clients and research partners for sharper, clearer imagery made the limitations of analog video increasingly clear. Existing cameras also offered little control over image settings, making it hard to adapt to changing visibility or lighting conditions.
“With small, non-fiber ROVs, getting 4K video to the surface just wasn’t possible,” said Vriezoo founder Willem de Vries. “The Rayfin Uplink finally changed that.”
Solution: Deploying the Rayfin Uplink for Real-Time 4K Video and Full Camera Control
When Vriezoo began looking for a way to achieve true HD & 4K imaging without switching to fiber optics, they became one of the first to test SubC Imaging’s Rayfin Uplink.
The Rayfin Uplink camera system delivers HD & 4K video and digital stills, along with full image control, without requiring ROV or topside infrastructure upgrades. The subsea camera connects to a topside Rayfin Uplink unit that converts coax or twisted-pair data into 100 Mb Ethernet for real-time digital streaming.
When Vriezoo used the camera, one of the first differences they noticed was the level of control it offered. Unlike traditional underwater cameras that rely on fixed settings, the Rayfin Uplink gives operators full flexibility to fine-tune imaging parameters in real-time.
“With other cameras, you’re stuck with factory settings,” said de Vries. “With the Rayfin, you can adjust everything—exposure, color, gain—even live during a dive. That’s a big plus, especially when you’re working in muddy water.”
The Rayfin Uplink integrated seamlessly into Vriezoo’s existing ROV fleet, immediately improving image performance. The team later paired it with SubC’s DVR+ Overlay for faster file transfer and easier data handling. “It’s handy for file transfer,” de Vries added. “I don’t have to wait to download all the files.”
Results: Superior Image Quality, Smoother Workflows, and Higher-Value Inspection Data
The Rayfin Uplink has allowed Vriezoo to capture sharp, consistent HD & 4K video and digital stills, transforming the quality of inspection data the company can deliver. The improved clarity and live image control have raised the standard of what’s possible with their ROV fleet, giving Vriezoo an even stronger edge in delivering precise, high-value visual data to clients.
“The quality of the images is superb compared to other cameras,” said de Vries. “With the Rayfin, I know I can deliver better inspection results and stand out from others in the field. It’s a real competitive advantage having that capability.”
By proving that true digital imaging is possible without fiber optics, Vriezoo’s experience shows how the Rayfin Uplink enables operators to modernize existing ROVs and provide higher-quality data without changing infrastructure or workflows.
