34 TVBEurope IBC Wrap-Up
technologies, such as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). “Many of the technologies
enabling the improvement of services are based on compression of the signals, and these enable AMOS Spacecom to transmit more channels more effectively and more cost-effectively for our clients,” noted Keret. “In addition, with more available bandwidth, our customers are able to offer more localised content to better position them in their marketplaces.”
“As Ka-band
satellite operators and service providers to explore the potential of selling managed services on their multi- service networks.” At IBC, the company
showcased its new M6100 broadcast satellite modulator, a DVB-S2, DVB-DSNG and DVB-S modulator designed specifically for multimedia contribution, broadcast direct-to-home and primary distribution to head- ends and towers. The platform supports Carrier-ID insertion and anticipated DVB-S2 extensions. The technology is inherently built on an IP architecture, and is said to be ideally suited to support DVB- S2 multi-service applications.
Ku-band, C-band: not dead With all the talk of Ka-band, it would be easy to believe that other transmission paradigms are dead. That’s patently not the case, as Jacob Keret, senior vice president of sales at AMOS Spacecom made clear. “At IBC, Spacecom provided
a great deal of information about our TV delivery systems over satellite,” he says. “DTH platforms on AMOS-5 to Africa were especially popular as we spoke with many channels to join us. AMOS-5 provides
offerings come
online, broadcasters will benefit from unprecedented
improvements in bandwidth,
coverage, mobility and flexibility” Michele Franci
services to all of Africa with Ku- and C-band, and we are planning to announce more and more TV channels as they join the neighbourhood. We also introduced AMOS-4, which is scheduled for launch in mid- 2013 covering India and Russia, and AMOS-6 for servicing Europe, Middle East and Africa with a scheduled launch in early 2015.” For Keret, three of the key
trends at IBC2012 so far as satellite technology is concerned were the way in which the world is moving towards HDTV — and, in all likelihood, Ultra High HD — over satellite; the increasing localisation of services to individual geographic audiences; and the advent of even more powerful compression
The opportunities presented by higher satellite bandwidth – whether to deliver higher quality content or to deliver more choice – were a recurring theme at IBC2012. Elsewhere on the show
floor, there was much talk
about what the implications of
the new 4K resolution might be.
Sony, for example, took the opportunity to transmit 4K content using the uplink at SES HQ via the ASTRA satellite system.
Growth in HD Newtec’s Steven Soenens pointed out that the 30% efficiency gains made by satellites — a function, he says, of a new HDTV standard, H.264 compression and DVB-S2 — means that 12 HD programmes can now be transported to homes in the same satellite transponder space that used to carry 14 SD programs. SatLink Communications CEO David Hochner noted that he too is seeing consistent growth in the HD channel market — “especially broadcasters wanting to distribute both to and from Europe to emerging markets” — and believes that the opening of SatLink’s HD playout centre was one of his company’s most exciting ventures in 2012. “It has opened up more options for customers old and new by localising content, distributing OTT content, providing them with disaster recovery and digital archiving all in one hub,” he said. SatLink has also launched two
new DVB-S2 platforms to allow customers to distribute their content to emerging markets such as Asia and Latin America, while the upgrade of the company’s MCPC platform on the AsiaSat 5 satellite to DVB-S2 will allow SatLink to distribute
international HD, SD and 3D channels more cost-effectively as well as provide access to 620 million households and hotels in the fast growing Asian market. “Our move into OTT
distribution is also something the company as a whole is very excited about,” continued Hochner. “I am positive the satellite industry will soon witness a new innovation that will combine OTT with satellite solutions in the future. Not only will this innovation allow broadcasters and content owners to distribute high quality video feeds across the globe, but may address bandwidth capacity issues that the industry as a whole is seeing in Europe and other parts of the world.” Walking the RAI halls at IBC, it became apparent how central satellite technology has become to the broadcast industry — and how vitally important it will continue to be. Satellite broadcasting of television has come a long way since the launch of Telstar. The Tornadoes, unfortunately, did not have the same longevity.
www.amos-spacecom.com www.cobham.com www.inmarsat.com www.newtec.eu www.satlink.tv www.vislink.com
Intelsat signs agreements with Bulgarian DTT and DTH providers
Intelsat recently announced new agreements with two of Bulgaria’s media companies for Intelsat transponder services to enable digital terrestrial television (DTT) and distribution of high-definition programming.
Under the first agreement, NURTS, the primary tower company and sole DTT operator in Bulgaria, will use capacity on Intelsat 12 at 45° East to contribute content to its terrestrial
towers for DTT services launching soon in Bulgaria.
Intelsat currently provides proven DTT solutions in several nations, supported by advanced coding and modulation techniques that enable efficient use of bandwidth. Intelsat also hosts video neighbourhoods that serve all of the populated continents, offering increased access to the most popular content that complements the programming distributed by DTT providers.
In the second agreement, Bulgarian Telecom (VIVACOM), Bulgaria’s national telecommunications provider, also signed a multi-year agreement on Intelsat 12. VIVACOM plans to add high-definition programming to its recently launched direct-to-home (DTH) platform for delivery to viewers in Bulgaria, greatly expanding its current offerings.
www.intelsat.com
www.tvbeurope.com November2012
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