Tandberg announces new MPEG4 encoders

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Tom Bombadil

Tom Bombadil

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I'm pretty sure E* is using Tandberg MPEG4 encoders. Here is their announcement for their next generation. Note they are claiming that "HD Services" can be delivered using just 6Mbps. And 8 channels of "full-resolution HD" on a single satellite transponder.

TANDBERG Television Extends Market Lead with Next Generation MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD Encoders

Date: Thursday, September 07, 2006

· Industry leading performance with up to 50% bandwidth savings

· World's most flexible and high density encoding range

· Unique combination for HD and SD MPEG-4 AVC single and multi-channel encoding and transcoding

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 7th September 2006 - TANDBERG Television (TAT.OL) is unveiling its next-generation high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) MPEG-4 AVC encoding solutions at IBC 2006 (Hall 1:461). The move continues the company's market leading momentum in the MPEG-4 AVC arena and brings a step change in digital video distribution by combining the broadest choice of density and enhanced features with the industry's leading picture quality versus performance through bandwidth improvements of up to 50% over currently deployed MPEG-4 AVC units.

TANDBERG Television's next-generation compression platform is being launched simultaneously across its encoding family with the introduction of the new EN8030 MPEG-4 AVC SD and EN8090 MPEG-4 AVC SD/HD ultracompression broadcast encoders, alongside the introduction of new MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD ultracompression encoding modules for the Plex range of high density, multi-channel encoders. The new encoders enable HDTV services to be delivered at data rates below 6Mbits/s, with similar improvements to SD services, and are designed to enable operators to deliver HD and SD multi-channel and single channel services across cable, satellite, telco and terrestrial networks.

The new TANDBERG encoders use a comprehensive tool-set of advanced compression video processing features, combined with new pre-processing techniques. They have a common form-factor to previous units and therefore existing users of TANDBERG Plex and broadcast encoders have a simple upgrade path.

"Based on four years of first-to-market advanced compression experience and over 4,000 MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD encoders commercially deployed, we know that broadcasters and operators need a unique combination of industry leading performance, reliability and choice. With the launch of this new encoding generation, we are continuing our market lead in providing customers with the performance and product features they need on which to confidently build their digital video businesses," says Eric Cooney, President and CEO of TANDBERG Television.

Industry leading performance

The new EN8000 and Plex encoders use TANDBERG's Intelligent Compression Engine (ICE) version 3 and are setting new bandwidth benchmarks thanks to a number of innovative features. These include improved motion estimation processes, single slice video processing architecture, dedicated processing for low resolution encoding of Picture-in-Picture services, and a number of performance boosting features such as Multi-Pass analysis and enhanced video pre-processing which are the basis of 12 new patent applications.

At IBC, TANDBERG Television will be demonstrating ICE3 powered products delivering 6Mbits/s full resolution HD and improvements of up to 50% over currently deployed units. This step change in bit-rate performance represents tangible benefits to broadcasters and telcos.

· For IPTV operators it enables 2 full-resolution HDTV channels over ADSL2+ @ 2km.

· For satellite broadcasters it delivers transponder cost savings and the opportunity to add in more HD channels. For example, a 36MHz transponder with:

§ DVB-S2 and QPSK - can fit more than 6 channels of full-resolution HD

§ DVB-S2 and 8PSK - can fit more than 8 channels of full-resolution HD


Multi-channel and high density front-runner

TANDBERG Television has designed its next-generation encoders to support the needs of today's digital media service providers through multi-channel capability and high density configurations. Running in HD mode from a single HDTV input, the platform is capable of generating 3 channels:

§ the main HD full resolution channel,

§ a secondary version of the main channel running up to full SD resolution, allowing operators to internally convert HD content to SD to also deliver their services to SD-only set-top-box consumers

§ a third "micro" channel for use in Picture-in-Picture, mosaic, and alternate/multi-view applications.

This multi-channel feature results in the new EN8090 HD MPEG-4 AVC broadcast encoder being able to deliver 1 HD + 1 secondary SD + 1 low resolution PiP service per 1RU, while the high density Plex systems are capable of 12 channels - 4 HD + 4 secondary (up to full SD) + 4 Low resolution (up to SIF / 1/4SD) services - in 1RU.

Flexibility and choice for digital business models

The new TANDBERG EN8000 and Plex encoders provide the right choices of packaging and features to meet the true needs of today's digital video service providers. For high-end DTH satellite service providers and cable operators, the TANDBERG EN8000 broadcast encoders provide the ideal fully featured video head-end solutions with support for 1080i, 720p, constant bit-rate, variable bit-rate and statistical multiplexing support, as well as internal multi-channel audio encoding and audio transcoding abilities such as Dolby Digital stereo and 5.1 multi-channel encoding, Dolby Digital audio transrating, Dolby E to Dolby Digital transcoding, and Dolby to HE-AAC conversion. Moreover, the EN8000 has transport stream (ASI) and IP outputs and is part of the TANDBERG iSIS 8000 IP-based system solution which includes IP multiplexing, multi-platform professional receivers and TANDBERG Reflex™, the most widely deployed statistical multiplexer in MPEG-4 AVC SD and HD, all brought together under a single control and management system, nCompass.

Telcos and IPTV service operators often prefer a multi-channel encoding chassis, and also require MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding functionality as most of the content they source has already been compressed in MPEG-2. The NEBS-certified, telco-designed Plex encoders include both encoding and MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding solutions to provide telco operators with a multi-purpose product that reduces capital and operating expenditures, and also minimizes rack space and conserves energy. In addition, the Plex product line features stream replication - the ability to take each video stream processed inside the unit and output it across different delivery formats (ASI, IP, ATM), enabling an operator to deliver their service simultaneously across multiple delivery mechanisms, for example cable and DSL services from a single head-end.

A number of TANDBERG Television's existing MPEG-4 AVC customers have already had demonstrations of these ground-breaking new encoders and have confirmed that they deliver industry leading performance. "Sharing this development along the way with our key customers has been a critical part of the development path. They have seen the performance improvements in our EN8000 and Plex encoders and how the form density and feature choices they offer address their different needs. Our customers are excited about including these new encoders as part of their deployments when we start shipping in early Q4 2006," says Roger Bolton, VP of Business Development at TANDBERG Television.
 
These are the new encoders I have been mentioning that finally offering some bandwidth savings while maintaining PQ.

And while they are finally going to be finally saving bandwidth with MPEG4 the savings is still not where it should be yet.

A lot of folks dont understand about MPEG4, this is not proven technology yet, Dish and DirecTV are not using off the shelf MPEG4 equipment the stuff is being made for them.

This is a big step in the correct direction. :)
 
So if Dish decided this was the perfect solution and decided to impliment this technology ASAP, how long would it be before we would see anything on the consumer end?
 
The trouble is that Dish will likely never increase the PQ once they have "dialed it down" successfully. Plus who knows how bad the PQ settings are on those encoders to acheive 8 HD chs per TP?

Dish has shown in the past that "Good enough" is good enough as far as PQ is concerned. Look how pathetic our SD channels look on any TV larger than 27"? So even if we get super efficient MPEG4 encoders, expect dish to still keep the PQ where it is today, and just use up the "freed capacity" on some new channels.
 
Cyclone said:
Dish has shown in the past that "Good enough" is good enough as far as PQ is concerned. Look how pathetic our SD channels look on any TV larger than 27"? So even if we get super efficient MPEG4 encoders, expect dish to still keep the PQ where it is today, and just use up the "freed capacity" on some new channels.
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm guessing that "good enough" pq on a 32" (the widescreen equivalent to 27") 720p hdtv will be the eventual quality standard most providers settle on.
 
That is the kicker. I'm sure these advanced encoders would enable E* and D* to put up high quality HD channels at a much higher density than before. Perhaps even to the point of having 4 or 5 high quality HD channels per TP.

But they won't stop there. They have lowered the quality bar, just like many of us have been predicting for several months, and they are much more likely to keep this new low standard, HD-lite, and pack in channels at near the 8 per TP mentioned as being possible.

This would be a dream come true for both E* and D*. At 8 HD per TP, they have an extremely high total capacity of "HD" channels. This means much less pressure on launching a lot of satellites. The savings would be in the hundreds of millions.

So it will not just a few hundreds complaints about HD-lite. The only way to stop a large-scale implementation of HD-lite is for the masses to complain and object to the point of not sub'ing to E* or D*. To force the issue on economic grounds. I think the odds of this happening are next to nil.

But maybe, just maybe, E* will place some value on good quality HD and not pack in the channels at the greatest possible density.
 
Tom Bombadil said:
That is the kicker. I'm sure these advanced encoders would enable E* and D* to put up high quality HD channels at a much higher density than before. Perhaps even to the point of having 4 or 5 high quality HD channels per TP.

But they won't stop there. They have lowered the quality bar, just like many of us have been predicting for several months, and they are much more likely to keep this new low standard, HD-lite, and pack in channels at near the 8 per TP mentioned as being possible.

This would be a dream come true for both E* and D*. At 8 HD per TP, they have an extremely high total capacity of "HD" channels. This means much less pressure on launching a lot of satellites. The savings would be in the hundreds of millions.

So it will not just a few hundreds complaints about HD-lite. The only way to stop a large-scale implementation of HD-lite is for the masses to complain and object to the point of not sub'ing to E* or D*. To force the issue on economic grounds. I think the odds of this happening are next to nil.

But maybe, just maybe, E* will place some value on good quality HD and not pack in the channels at the greatest possible density.
Click to expand...

The only way I can see the HD-Lite situation changing is by a) enough of the average Joe comsumers start complaing about the PQ. That's not going to happen because it doesn't happen now with the current SD channels.

or B

Verizon Fios quickens the pace on converting neighborhoods from copper. Which in turn follows allows Verizon to start a constant national ad blitz; Similar to what they do with DSL and cell service

If Dish ever gets the space to improve PQ they will probably just use it to add more HD channels. As evidenced on this site itself (shockingly) people are happy that they have a alot of HD channels to choose from and will live with the quality.

But who knows they may surprise us
 
Scott Greczkowski said:
A lot of folks dont understand about MPEG4, this is not proven technology yet, Dish and DirecTV are not using off the shelf MPEG4 equipment the stuff is being made for them.

This is a big step in the correct direction. :)
Click to expand...


This is a HUGE step. I worked for INTELSAT before they went public and know first hand that "one off" equipment can be very expensive.

Let's hope that these satellite providers find using this equipment advantageous.
 
Once E* decides to go for a full conversion to MPEG4, including SD channels, they will need to swap out so many machines that maybe they will use better picture quality as an incentive to keep the churn down.

I'm not saying picture quality won't go down (or return to current levels) but if they have the space to spare for good quality picture once MPEG4 is properly implemented, I would think they would do it and only when they start getting close to capacity would they start squeezing picture quality again.
 
How this press release reads with Echostar Executive Glasses on:

TANDBERG Television Extends Market Lead with Next Generation MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD Encoders

Date: Thursday, September 07, 2006

· Industry leading performance with up to 75% bandwidth savings

· World's most flexible and high density encoding range

· Unique combination for HD and SD MPEG-4 AVC single and multi-channel encoding and transcoding

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 7th September 2006 - TANDBERG Television (TAT.OL) is unveiling its next-generation high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) MPEG-4 AVC encoding solutions at IBC 2006 (Hall 1:461). The move continues the company's market leading momentum in the MPEG-4 AVC arena and brings a step change in digital video distribution by combining the broadest choice of density and enhanced features with the industry's leading picture quality versus performance through bandwidth improvements of up to 75% over currently deployed MPEG-4 AVC units.

TANDBERG Television's next-generation compression platform is being launched simultaneously across its encoding family with the introduction of the new EN8030 MPEG-4 AVC SD and EN8090 MPEG-4 AVC SD/HD ultracompression broadcast encoders, alongside the introduction of new MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD ultracompression encoding modules for the Plex range of high density, multi-channel encoders. The new encoders enable HDTV services to be delivered at data rates below 3Mbits/s, with similar improvements to SD services, and are designed to enable operators to deliver HD and SD multi-channel and single channel services across cable, satellite, telco and terrestrial networks.

The new TANDBERG encoders use a comprehensive tool-set of advanced compression video processing features, combined with new pre-processing techniques. They have a common form-factor to previous units and therefore existing users of TANDBERG Plex and broadcast encoders have a simple upgrade path.

"Based on four years of first-to-market advanced compression experience and over 4,000 MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD encoders commercially deployed, we know that broadcasters and operators need a unique combination of industry leading performance, reliability and choice. With the launch of this new encoding generation, we are continuing our market lead in providing customers with the performance and product features they need on which to confidently build their digital video businesses," says Eric Cooney, President and CEO of TANDBERG Television.

Industry leading performance

The new EN8000 and Plex encoders use TANDBERG's Intelligent Compression Engine (ICE) version 3 and are setting new bandwidth benchmarks thanks to a number of innovative features. These include improved motion estimation processes, single slice video processing architecture, dedicated processing for low resolution encoding of Picture-in-Picture services, and a number of performance boosting features such as Multi-Pass analysis and enhanced video pre-processing which are the basis of 12 new patent applications.

At IBC, TANDBERG Television will be demonstrating ICE3 powered products delivering 6Mbits/s full resolution HD and improvements of up to 75% over currently deployed units. This step change in bit-rate performance represents tangible benefits to broadcasters and telcos.

· For IPTV operators it enables 2 full-resolution HDTV channels over ADSL2+ @ 2km.

· For satellite broadcasters it delivers transponder cost savings and the opportunity to add in many more HD channels. For example, a 36MHz transponder with:

§ DVB-S2 and QPSK - can fit more than 12 channels of full-resolution HD

§ DVB-S2 and 8PSK - can fit more than 16 channels of full-resolution HD


Multi-channel and high density front-runner

TANDBERG Television has designed its next-generation encoders to support the needs of today's digital media service providers through multi-channel capability and high density configurations. Running in HD mode from a single HDTV input, the platform is capable of generating 3 channels:

§ the main HD full resolution channel,

§ a secondary version of the main channel running up to full SD resolution, allowing operators to internally convert HD content to SD to also deliver their services to SD-only set-top-box consumers

§ a third "micro" channel for use in Picture-in-Picture, mosaic, and alternate/multi-view applications.

This multi-channel feature results in the new EN8090 HD MPEG-4 AVC broadcast encoder being able to deliver 1 HD + 1 secondary SD + 1 low resolution PiP service per 1RU, while the high density Plex systems are capable of 12 channels - 4 HD + 4 secondary (up to full SD) + 4 Low resolution (up to SIF / 1/4SD) services - in 1RU.

Flexibility and choice for digital business models

The new TANDBERG EN8000 and Plex encoders provide the right choices of packaging and features to meet the true needs of today's digital video service providers. For high-end DTH satellite service providers and cable operators, the TANDBERG EN8000 broadcast encoders provide the ideal fully featured video head-end solutions with support for 1080i, 720p, constant bit-rate, variable bit-rate, very low bitrate and statistical multiplexing support, as well as internal multi-channel audio encoding and audio transcoding abilities such as Dolby Digital stereo and 5.1 multi-channel encoding, Dolby Digital audio transrating, Dolby E to Dolby Digital transcoding, and Dolby to HE-AAC conversion. Moreover, the EN8000 has transport stream (ASI) and IP outputs and is part of the TANDBERG iSIS 8000 IP-based system solution which includes IP multiplexing, multi-platform professional receivers and TANDBERG Reflex™, the most widely deployed statistical multiplexer in MPEG-4 AVC SD and HD, all brought together under a single control and management system, nCompass.

Telcos and IPTV service operators often prefer a multi-channel encoding chassis, and also require MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding functionality as most of the content they source has already been compressed in MPEG-2. The NEBS-certified, telco-designed Plex encoders include both encoding and MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding solutions to provide telco operators with a multi-purpose product that reduces capital, operating expenditures [/b]and picture quality[/b] and also minimizes rack space and conserves energy. In addition, the Plex product line features stream replication - the ability to take each video stream processed inside the unit and output it across different delivery formats (ASI, IP, ATM), enabling an operator to deliver their service simultaneously across multiple delivery mechanisms, for example cable and DSL services from a single head-end.

A number of TANDBERG Television's existing MPEG-4 AVC customers have already had demonstrations of these ground-breaking new encoders and have confirmed that they deliver industry leading performance. "Sharing this development along the way with our key customers has been a critical part of the development path. They have seen the performance improvements in our EN8000 and Plex encoders and how the form density and feature choices they offer address their different needs of delivering more poor-quality HD-Lite. Our customers are excited about including these new encoders as part of their deployments of HD-Lite when we start shipping in early Q4 2006," says Roger Bolton, VP of Business Development at TANDBERG Television.
 
WOW, sounds like BIG news. So is this an upgrade from their headend or on the customers end at the receiver? I hope it is at their headend because Dish/Direct would not want to replace receivers everytime there is an improvement like this. If it is on the customer's end then they need to make the receivers upgradable without replacement with the memory, hard drive, boards, etc. This would reduce costs a bit I would think.
 
8 HD channels per transponder? Color me skeptical. Just the latest attempt to enhance the fine art of "perceptual encoding." Translation: How many bits can we throw away without it becoming too obvous?
 
How many SD and HD channels are we getting per transponder now vs. what we will see after the new Tandberg encoders will be used? How many channels per transponder were there around 10 years ago when they first started service?
 
None of this means squat. As long as the competition is for channel quantity, that's what it's going to be. Besides, the HDPQ quality "bar" has already been "re-set" at slightly better than regular DVD.

You people need to come to grips with the fact that it's all determined by marketing strategy. Purchased media MUST always be better than broadcast because that is where the bulk of production money is for ALL theater releases.

When ONE high-def DVD format finally emerges as the leader and the masses come to expect higher quality then the demand might rise enough to again make HD PQ a competive factor.
 
Walt,

Your message reads like it is in disagreement with all of the earlier messages. But as 8 earlier messages all cast doubt upon E* using the gains to improve PQ, you are really in agreement with the majority of the people posting to this thread.
 
M

a@e hd

  • moviemax
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Jolard

Too much good HD!! Not enough Space!

  • Jolard
  • Replies: 22

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