'All-HD' is Tandberg’s IBC focus

Chris Forrester
08-09-2009
Tandberg Television has long championed the use of HDTV by broadcasters, and now says that IBC 2009 is perfectly timed as being the point where the migration towards an all-HD television universe is now realistic. Tandberg is using IBC to launch a number of ‘world first’ products that will enable more and better HDTV throughout the content to consumer delivery chain. “These will help the broadcast industry make ‘HD the new SD’ without compromising the ‘wow’ factor picture quality that is making high definition such a success,” says Tandberg.

“Our aim is to help broadcasters and platform operators to meet consumer expectations for more HDTV channels and better quality HDTV,” comments Roger Bolton, EVP of compression at Tandberg Television. “Having provided a quantum leap in MPEG-2 compression performance earlier this year, we are now raising the bar for MPEG-4 AVC HD compression in both the DTH and C&D markets. At IBC we are demonstrating how the combination of better picture quality, higher bandwidth efficiency and lower total cost of ownership will enable the expansion of HD services – and how it sets the scene for all popular content becoming available in HD.”


Visitors will also be able to see the world’s first MPEG-4 AVC HD 4:2:2 system solution for the C&D (Contribution and Distribution) market. The new system includes the world’s first MPEG-4 AVC HD 4:2:2 encoder and professional receiver that support up to 1080p50/60 HD encoding and which offers 10-bit precision.


“This opens the way to the large-scale migration from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC for the high quality 4:2:2 HD video used in the professional market, where one of the main requirements is moving content from its point of origin to where it will be transmitted. As a result, content owners and broadcasters will be able to deliver higher quality video for the same cost or meet current service requirements with less bandwidth,” says Tandberg.


IBC visitors will also see the global launch of the next-generation Tandberg Television’s MPEG-4 AVC HD encoder for 4:2:0 video. “This provides a 20-30% improvement in compression efficiency compared to today’s best MPEG-4 AVC HD encoding and will enable direct to home providers to carry more HDTV channels without increasing bandwidth costs. This product will help satellite, cable, IPTV and digital terrestrial television operators attract high value viewers with a greater choice of HD content. As part of a Tandberg Television HD solution, the EN8190 encoder enables an additional HD channel per transponder for satellite operators when compared to alternative compression solutions,” says the company.