It looks like Mpeg2 may not be used for broadcasting high-def content in Europe for very much longer!
Euro1080 is currently testing real-time encoders for use with its Mpeg2/4 combo prototype receivers. And has placed an order for 50,000 Mpeg4 receivers for delivery this summer. It's also expected that their new set-top boxes will cost around quot;half the pricequot; of existing Mpeg2 only boxes. Which is just in time... because from June 2005, Euro1080 will be simulcasting their HD1 and HD2 channels!
It would seem the cost of up-linking, down-linking and cross-linking (to studios) in real-time using high-def Mpeg2 signals is proving very expensive... and an alternative is required using much less bandwidth.Cheers
HDTV is not widely adopted in europe in contrast to the US. At least in Germany it is very hard to get a MP@HL capable receiver, but even if you got one of these expensive gadgets, apart from HD1 and Astra test channel there is hardly any content available. That's why this is a chance to make the hard cut and go directly for mpeg4 avc. The broadcast industry has recognized this too -- it can save a whole lot of money because h.264 allows to transmit twice as many channels. See these dvb-s2 slides (dvb-s2 also helps as it improves bandwith over dvb-s).
Not only HD2, but also the German pay-tv company Premiere will use mpeg4 avc plus dvb-s2 (has been published only a month ago) for its new HDTV channels that start 11/2005. In the US previously DirecTV and Voom have opted for h.264 too. It is pretty obvious by now that h.264 will be the future de facto standard in HDTV broadcasting.
I'm quite excited about the possibilities, but I wonder when these receivers will hit the market. I cannot believe that they will be half the price of mpeg2 MP@HL receivers (what is your source for that ?). If you think about that todays PCs can hardly play HDTV resolutions in h.264 in real-time, how are they supposed to come up with a product that is totally user-friendly and integrated in the next half year ? However, read today that Premiere has ordered receivers from Humax, Philips and Pace for their customers. They are supposed to be backwards compatible with dvb-s/mpeg2 (pal) and support 720p/1080i (50/60 Hz), DD+ (Dolby Digital plus). HDMI will be the only outbound connector to guarantee Hollywood that their content is protected (HDCP). At least it saves another cable for digital sound...
Hi Ogig,
My source was from the Feb 2005 issue of What Satellite amp; Digital TV magazine.
Broadcom have been pushing their Mpeg4/AVC chip-sets for use in set-top boxes as one of their designs incorporate high-def Mpeg2 and Mpeg4/AVC decoding!
And although Sky have not yet decided which high-def format to go with, they have revealed that its receivers must support 720p and 1080i formats and instructed proposed set-top box manufacturers to include HDMI sockets... what a pisser!Cheers
I read somewhere that AAC was also under consideration for sound, so I hope they'll incorporate that in their receivers as well. Though it seems the new DD+, which is also used in HD-DVD, will also be used in conjunction with h.264 broadcasts.
I assume HDTV content in mpeg2 is not protected, right ? I wonder now if the broadcasters will take the opportunity and introduce protection of h.264 streams. Otherwise, with a PC dvb card you would get high quality content with a minimum of storage space. No need to transcode whatsoever, a dream coming true
Originally posted by Ogig
I read somewhere that AAC was also under consideration for sound, so I hope they'll incorporate that in their receivers as well. Though it seems the new DD+, which is also used in HD-DVD, will also be used in conjunction with h.264 broadcasts.
Mpeg4/AVC will without doubt include AAC audio!
Originally posted by Ogig
I assume HDTV content in mpeg2 is not protected, right ? I wonder now if the broadcasters will take the opportunity and introduce protection of h.264 streams. Otherwise, with a PC dvb card you would get high quality content with a minimum of storage space. No need to transcode whatsoever, a dream coming true
Both channels broadcast by Euro1080 are already encrypted, although at the moment, the HD1's service is encrypted only between 20:00 and 00:00. Repeating in the clear from 16:00 to 20:00 the next day!
Euro 1080 are planning more channels too, so there's no doubt in my mind that they will eventually fully encrypt, to protect their investment!Cheers
As reported earlier, Euro1080 are going to start broadcasting HDTV in Mpeg4 very soon....
And it would seem the first set-top boxes are beginning to appear. Say hello then to Inverto's ILD5000HD, which supports both Mpeg2 and Mpeg4... but sadly not an DVI or HDMI output socket
For more information, please look here: -
news.php?show=newsamp;art=1380 Cheers |
Post at 2011-4-15 15:32
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