DBS/IPTV Provider Sky Angel Chooses Algolith's Algogear Video Noise Reduction Cards

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DBS/IPTV Provider Sky Angel Chooses Algolith's Algogear Video Noise Reduction Cards

Oct 11, 2007 08:01 ET
DBS/IPTV Provider Sky Angel Chooses Algolith's Algogear Video Noise Reduction Cards


MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2007) - Algolith, a leading provider of advanced video image processing solutions, today announced that Sky Angel(R), the leading multi-channel, direct-to-consumer provider of Christian TV and radio channels, has selected the Algogear(TM) line of Standard Definition Video Noise Reduction (VNR) cards to enhance its video processing. Sky Angel will deploy the developed VNR-1000-SD cards from Algolith throughout its facility to provide its subscribers with high-quality digital programming virtually free of MPEG artifacts and digital noise.

Sky Angel currently delivers over 30 TV and radio channels of Christian and family-friendly programming to homes, churches, youth centers, hospitals and more throughout the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company recently announced plans to expand its service using a broadband Internet protocol, commonly known as IPTV.
Sky Angel rigorously evaluated other noise reduction products and found Algogear to be the best solution to remove digital noise and MPEG artifacts from its program videos while reducing its transport stream bandwidth requirements delivering the high-quality signal processing the company required.
The unique Algolith noise reduction algorithms on-board VNR cards will help remove digital noise, DCT-based or mosquito noise, and block artifacts that result from analog to digital conversion, recording equipment, atmospheric conditions, or data compression.
"We were particularly impressed with the quality of the picture processing from the Algogear product and with the bandwidth reduction results we were able to achieve. With its discrete multi-channel processing capability, we are now able to process all of our television channels at a lower cost per channel than otherwise possible," said Raymond LaRue, vice president of engineering at Sky Angel.

The VNR-1000-HD and VNR-1000-SD Noise Reduction Cards harness Algolith's Noise Reduction suite of technologies to dramatically increase picture quality and reduce bandwidth requirements for delivering content to cable, satellite, terrestrial networks, as well as IPTV delivery platforms. The VNR-1000-SD Quad Video Noise Reduction Card allows for four independent channels to be processed at the same time. This solution gives broadcasters more channel processing density than any other solution available on the market today, significantly reducing their cost per channel.

"Today's announcement demonstrates that the Algogear VNR-1000 product has excelled in delivering both a significant removal of both digital noise and compression artifacts, as well as a substantial reduction in bit rate," said Yvan Ouellet, president and CEO of Algolith Inc. "We are delighted to have been selected by Sky Angel for its video image processing needs."
Sky Angel will install Algogear VNR-1000-SD cards in several locations, with the majority in its new DBS/IPTV Network Operations Center located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The cards are housed in the award winning 2RU 10-slot openGear(R) frame and will be used as a video pre-processor to the company's DBS and IPTV encoders. The cards are SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) enabled for centralized monitoring, and control will be handled remotely through a custom, Sky Angel-developed monitor and control system. They will also be controlled by the openGear Dashboard Java interface.
About Sky Angel

Sky Angel(R) is a Christian-owned multi-channel provider of faith-based and family-friendly television and radio programming, delivering the widest variety of Christian-based channels to the television, plus news and family channels. Sky Angel was founded by Robert Johnson Sr. more than 25 years ago to provide a Christ-centered and family-friendly alternative to the standard television fare. Since then, it has grown into a service providing quality television and radio programming to all corners of the contiguous United States. More about Sky Angel is available by visiting Sky Angel: Christian Family-Friendly Television (TV) and Radio.
About Algolith

Based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), Algolith is a leading provider of advanced image processing solutions offering a broad range of products designed to meet the exacting needs of the television broadcast industry, cable and satellite providers, the emerging IPTV market, digital TV consumers, post-production houses, and media server manufacturers. Founded in 2003 as a spin off of Miranda Technologies, Algolith develops products based on an exceptional intellectual property portfolio that significantly improves image quality in all formats.

For further information, please contact Esther Hotter, Marketing Communications, esther.hotter@algolith.com, or visit Algolith: Splash.
Download an image of the Algogear VNR-1000 card.
To learn more about the VNR-1000, read Algolith's VNR White Paper.

 

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Algolith First to Ship Reprogrammable High-Definition and Standard-Definition Video N

Oct 11, 2007 08:01 ET

Algolith First to Ship Reprogrammable High-Definition and Standard-Definition Video Noise Reduction Cards
Algolith First to Ship Reprogrammable High-Definition and Standard-Definition Video Noise Reduction Cards

Algogear[SIZE=-1]TM[/SIZE] VNR cards first to provide a reprogrammable core HD and SD VNR cards boost image quality and reduce bandwidth requirements for Broadcasters, IPTV and Cable Companies.



MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2007) - Algolith, a leading provider of advanced video image processing solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the new Algogear high-definition and standard-definition video noise reduction (VNR) cards. The VNR cards, first introduced at NAB2007, represent the first in a series of Algogear products, a new line offering reprogrammable core-based solutions incorporating Algolith's acclaimed Intellectual Properties portfolio. The cards are the first on the market to provide broadcasters, IPTV service providers and cable companies with reprogrammable cores, allowing them the flexibility to repurpose the cards' functionality over time.

The VNR-1000-HD and VNR-1000-SD Noise Reduction Cards harness Algolith's Noise Reduction suite of technologies to dramatically increase picture quality and reduce bandwidth requirements for delivering content to cable, satellite, and terrestrial networks, as well as IPTV delivery platforms. They comprise the first two Algogear products, which are designed to employ the latest in Algolith's growing battery of video processing products.
One of the first customers Algolith shipped the VNR-1000 card to was DBS/IPTV provider Sky Angel(R), the leading multi-channel, direct-to-consumer provider of faith-based and family-friendly television and radio programming. "We were particularly impressed with the quality of the picture processing from the Algogear product and with the bandwidth reduction results we were able to achieve. With its discrete multi-channel processing capability, we are now able to process all of our television channels at a lower cost per channel than otherwise possible," said Raymond LaRue, vice president of engineering at Sky Angel.
Being the first reconfigurable core-based cards, the new Algogear VNR-1000-HD and VNR-1000-SD Noise Reduction solutions offer unparalleled flexibility. As new intellectual property based applications are developed, these cores will be able to be uploaded into the cards without physically removing or replacing card equipment.
"Algolith is changing the paradigm of what customers can expect from image processing equipment, now providing them with greater control of how their terminal equipment can be used in the future," said Yvan Ouellet, president and CEO of Algolith Inc. "As such, Algolith is strengthening its legacy as a provider of advanced image processing solutions with unprecedented price-performance."

Increased bandwidth through more efficient compression of video content
Used as a pre-processor to the encoder, the Algolith VNR cards enable video content to be compressed more efficiently, allowing the broadcaster the choice of delivering higher-quality images to consumers and/or to use the resulting increased bandwidth to deliver extra video channels which results in higher revenue for the operator.
Superior image quality

When used as a post-processor, the new cards will correct any DCT-based (Discrete Cosine Transform) compression noise and artifacts, providing the consumer yet again with a higher quality image-particularly important in today's market where 42"+ screens are becoming the norm in households.

Simultaneous discrete multiple channel processing reduces cost per channel
Algogear is the only product to offer simultaneous discrete multiple channel processing thereby reducing the cost per channel for operators. The VNR-1000-HD Dual Video Noise Reduction Card allows for two independent channels to be processed at the same time and the VNR-1000-SD Quad Video Noise Reduction Card allows for four independent channels to be processed at the same time. This allows operators to hold more channels in one frame, saving up to four times the rack space which provides a much more cost-effective solution than what is available on the market today. This is particularly important for operators who want to save costs by optimizing their rack space, and for example, mobile broadcasters with both limited physical space and bandwidth.
Pricing and Availability

The Algogear VNR-1000-HD and VNR-1000-SD high-definition and standard-definition Video Noise Reduction cards are available immediately at $9,995 U.S.
About Algolith

Based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), Algolith is a leading provider of advanced image processing solutions offering a broad range of products designed to meet the exacting needs of the television broadcast industry, cable and satellite providers, the emerging IPTV market, digital TV consumers, and select OEM and intellectual property licensees. Founded in 2003 as a spin off of Miranda Technologies, Algolith has built its reputation around its unparalleled core Intellectual Property (IP) protected technology that significantly improves image quality in all formats.

Download an image of the Algogear VNR-1000 card.
To learn more about the VNR-1000, read Algolith's VNR White Paper.

 

[catkoko]

The company recently announced plans to expand its service using a broadband Internet protocol, commonly known as IPTV.

Why "expand" rather than "switch to" or something a bit more descriptive of what is really taking place?

The Algogear VNR-1000-HD and VNR-1000-SD high-definition and standard-definition Video Noise Reduction cards are available immediately at $9,995 U.S.

Nice to know they have money now!

Sky Angel will install Algogear VNR-1000-SD cards in several locations, with the majority in its new DBS/IPTV Network Operations Center located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The cards are housed in the award winning 2RU 10-slot openGear(R) frame and will be used as a video pre-processor to the company's DBS and IPTV encoders.

Why "DBS/IPTV Network Operations" and why "DBS and IPTV encoders" when they are discontinuing DBS service shortly?

 

[NYRman1975]

Do they have money, or are they taking a gamble with running up a line of credit?

 

[catkoko]

credit? good point!

I guess their creditors haven't been reading this forum if they gave them that kind of credit based on a US IPTV system that isn't even up and running! maybe that is why the DBS/IPTV quotes? Using the soon to be defunct DBS to get credit to use for IPTV?