Broadcast International today announced it will demonstrate live HD video encoding under 3 Mbps at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in Las Vegas next week. The demonstration at the Broadcast International booth, (# SU 14310) marks the first time in the broadcast industry video will be encoded from a live camera feed at this rate of video compression.
Until now, most HD video has been transmitted at the MPEG 2 standard of 19.4 Mbps. By compressing video to under 3Mbps, Broadcast International enables video providers to reduce their bandwidth needs by more than 80 percent for HD quality and pack more video into less bandwidth. Conservation of limited bandwidth resources has become a critical requirement in the broadcast, cable, satellite, mobile and IPTV markets, especially as bandwidth-intensive, high-definition video becomes the industry standard.
“The ability to squeeze more video onto less bandwidth is the number one priority in the industry,” said Rod Tiede, CEO of Broadcast International, in the press release. “Even a 20 percent reduction in bandwidth is seen as a breakthrough. Our demonstrations shatter the bandwidth barrier completely, offering unprecedented compression and transcoding in both live and real-time environments. That’s the industry’s holy grail.”
Broadcast International will also demonstrate real-time video encoding and transcoding, translating video from one format to another, in IBM booth # SU 3614 where its CodecSys video compression software will be integrated with the IBM Media Hub Solution Framework, IBM’s services oriented architecture (SOA)-based solution for the media and entertainment industry that is designed to manage the increasing complexity of running a content-focused business from the point of creation to the distribution of digital content. In this demonstration, which emulates a production broadcast environment, a variety of content, from live sportscasts to archived footage, will be encoded and transcoded in real-time for delivery over multiple modes of distribution to cellphones, laptops, and large-screen format HDTVs.
The real-time transcoding is necessary to deal with the complexity caused by the scores of file formats, bit rates, screen resolutions, and audio and video codecs involved in the video distribution process. A single piece of video, for example, may need to be transcoded dozens of times for the mobile and Internet distribution channels alone. Capabilities such as real-time transcoding are critical if video content is to become ubiquitous across all media delivery platforms.
IBM’s Cell multi-core processor accelerates video compression and transcoding
The NAB demonstrations utilize Broadcast International’s patented CodecSys video compression software running on the IBM BladeCenter® QS21 server. In December 2007, Broadcast International announced a license agreement with IBM. The agreement covers Broadcast International’s CodecSys video compression software running on the Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) multi-core processor and the IBM BladeCenter QS21 server. The combined technologies promise to change the video distribution world by making it possible for cable, satellite or IPTV providers to deliver live HDTV at compression levels four to six times higher than is currently possible.
“We are constantly striving to provide innovative solutions to our customers,” said Jim Comfort, vice president, IBM Systems and Technology Group, in the press release. “The IBM BladeCenter QS21, based on the multi-core Cell Broadband Engine processor, is designed to yield quicker application results, enabling organizations to get information faster in order to facilitate important business decisions. In combination with Broadcast International’s CodecSys software, this game-changing technology solution will have a profound impact on the video distribution industry.”
“This combination of the incredibly powerful Cell Broadband Engine, IBM Bladecenter QS21 and BI’s completely new approach to encoding, using multiple expert encoders in parallel, will change the entire economics of the video industry overnight,” said Peter White, CEO of Rethink Research Associates in the U.K., and contributing analyst for Multimedia Research Group, in the press release.
Unmatched video compression
CodecSys utilizes a patented, multi-codec approach in which a video stream is analyzed and the codec best-suited for a particular frame or video sequence is automatically selected from an entire library of specialized codecs.
These specialist codecs are designed to handle particular types of high-bandwidth video frames or streams, such as fast-motion sequences in a basketball game or explosions in an action movie. These types of video are extremely bandwidth-intensive and pose chokepoints to generalist codecs. By selecting the best expert codec for the job, CodecSys is able to eliminate these chokepoints and offer performance several times higher than competitive products based on general-purpose codecs.
The Cell/B.E. processor accelerates the CodecSys compression and codec-switching process, providing a platform for nearly unlimited processing power and video compression capabilities. The combined technologies deliver live HDTV at compression levels four to six times higher than is currently possible.
A “future-proof” solution
One of the key benefits of the CodecSys software approach is CodecSys-based encoders can be easily changed as standards and requirements evolve. With CodecSys, codecs can be upgraded and added through simple, cost-effective software downloads. Other commercial solutions based on embedded systems require costly, full replacement. The underlying IBM multi-core hardware platform is also highly programmable and scalable, enabling users to add additional processing power by simply adding extra processors.
This upgradeable, “future-proof” approach eliminates the need for the costly replacement cycles required with encoders based on tightly-coupled hardware/software architectures.
“Right now,” said Tiede, “there are literally billions of dollars in video compression infrastructure that will have to be thrown away when new standards like h.264 are adopted. You don’t have to throw out your computer every time Microsoft launches a new version of software. Why should you have to throw away a $50,000 piece of equipment like an encoder? It just doesn’t make sense.”
For more information:
http://www.brin.com
http://www.codecsys.com
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “ron” for the heads up.]
Yet another iPhone feature.
well … at least MicroShaft isnt heading up this effort
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Hey!
Here’s an idea..
Instead of spending all this money on research on ways to compress the image, make the data rate smaller and thus, the picture more crappy, why not just invest in the infrastructure to carry HD as it was intended?
MD magic word: through
Like I’m through with having the internet service of a third world country.
Right ON! jitnol…
You know, that would entail the government and industry cooperating and actually doing something.
The problem here is the infrastructure here is so antiquated, it would be easier to rip it all out and start from scratch than try to”upgrade” the existing wires and pipelines.
Third world countries were lucky to have missed the entire 19th century robber baron centralized build-up and control of everything. So, they got to start out with late 20th century technologies of fibre-optics and satellites instead of upgrades to cast iron and steam power.
Yes, every time I think of an African nation, “lucky” is the first word that comes to mind.
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That, and “obesity.”
LOL I agree with R all the way.
The answer is not to rip anything out, its to create new infrastructure based on a wireless protocol. We need to stop running wires all over the place when the technology is here to transmit high speed signals through the air.
Wireless data transmission will never catch fiber optics or other wired forms of data transmission.
I agree completely with jltnol. Stop compressing everything. All it does is dilute the picture and therefore ruin the whole purpose for HD. The only true way to get full HD is to watch a move on Blu-ray. Most broadcast TV is either 720i or 720p. Some are now 1080i, but none are 1080p. All other commercial forms use extensive compression.
Uh oh, here come the “Intel Switch” doubters.
IBM HAS to struggle for new technologies… wether they push innovation or they die.
It’s not like Microlost with such piles of $ that allow to cheat all along carelessly..
Anyone notice all the one-sided chat about compression? Not once was mentioned the fact that quality – the user experience – is likely to suffer!
‘You don’t have to throw out your computer every time Microsoft launches a new version of software’
Err, actually, you do. Vista, anybody?
With WiMax coming in fast, running at above 70 Mbps, streaming 19 Mbps of HD media would be a piece of cake, at least to the very few countries who started to invest in his technology.
Interestingly this technology is available by using the IBM Cell processor (i.e. PowerPC). I guess they were more concerned with actual performance rather than “performance per watt” – the Kool Aid that Apple had us drink when they moved to Intel processors. Anyone wonder why a 2.5 Ghz Quad G5 still outguns a 3.0 Ghz Octo-Core Mac Pro in most real-time apps? As the PS3, XBox 360, Wii, and most other graphics intense devices migrate to the Cell/PowerPC platform, those of us in a production environment on a Mac will be left wondering what could have been…Now we just have glossy aluminum Dells running OS X. Viva Apple!
Yeah, all they talk about was compression. What about the decoder? What kind of horsepower will it take to decode this format? And like RichT said, not a word about the quality of the results.
See, Team Zissou answered the call.
Now, let’s see if you can find examples of benchmarks that support your statement.
Waiting……
What strikes me as interesting is that MicroSoft is nowhere to be seen on the most important frontiers of tech. Yesterday, Adobe proposes a new Digital video standard, today IBM proposes a new method of sending HD video, meanwhile Apple is going to totally rule the mobile space for the next 10 years and Amazon is the only challenger to the iTunes Music store.
Man, they have lost their way
While wireless is a great technology, it has simple limitations that wired tech doesn’t face.
With wireless tech, once the bandwidth is used up in a given area it’s used, you can’t expand it except to take over more frequencies, with the same result.
With wired tech all you have to do to increase available bandwidth is add another wire, you can bundle a massive amount of wires (or fiber) and they won’t interfere with each other.
The capability comes with a cost, though, laying wire etc.
Bottom line, if you just go for a wireless world you will hit limitations on bandwidth, if you go wired (or mixed wireless/wired) you can avoid those limitations… but you need to invest a lot more.
Sissou, little thing called heat is the reason. Yeah, the G5 Quad core was smoking fast, but wasn’t it LIQUID COOLED. Not so good for incredible mobile devices like the Macbook Air. If you got a giant box with big noisy fans, who cares. But, if you want cool devices, then you have to make compromises. Apple decided that most people wouldn’t want to install plumbing for their laptop. Although the iHose peripheral market would be all theirs.
FILMFlame:
Read what I wrote again: “those of us in a production environment on a Mac…” I’m specifically referring to Apple killing of the Power Mac. Could care less about laptops. For power users, the Octo hasn’t matched up to the G5 Quad. And IBM has addressed the heat issues since moving to 45nm. Would not have been viable for a portable but since Leopard and going forward Apple promised “Universal” binaries of system and apps, why not keep the G5 or Cell a viable option for high-end production? This is one area where Macs have dominated Windows machines in the past. Yes – I know you can’t make a G5 MacBookAir. Yes, I know that many games will work Intel-only. My comment is solely to power processing. Cubert – not sure what you’re looking for. I’m not referencing any hypothetical lab-created renderings. I’m saying that we currently have 2.66 Xeons going head to head with Quad G5s in our production environment and on most any task involving encoding or rendering, the G5 still finishes faster even with the RAM limitations. Jesus…can Apple do no wrong? Anyone here makes a criticism of a corporate decision (even a valid one) and the rabid dogs start barking.
Zissou, fair enough. However, AAPL had to go with one processor for obvious reasons, and they went with Intel because they wanted to make small devices and they needed to have windows able to run on their computers. But, FILMFlame is damn funny. It’s all good. What do you expect from a line producer?
“What strikes me as interesting is that MicroSoft is nowhere to be seen on the most important frontiers of tech.”
Microsoft has patents for compression technology used in BluRay (VC-1) which is the only codec to be widely used for HD. I wouldn’t exactly call that “nowhere to be seen”.
Power 6 is up to 5 GHz now, it would have been nice.
It seems that Amiga is still using PowerPC (%20maybe%20we%20could%20all%20switch%20to%20them%20img%20src=http://www.macdailynews.com/images/smileys/raspberry.gif)
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Its all about execution which this company will have problems with even with IBM.
I guess that to get the http://lowest-rate-loans.com from creditors you must have a good reason. However, once I’ve got a credit loan, just because I wanted to buy a car.
Result aimed college students trouble about high grades, thus they utilize a professional essay editing service, which supposes to be very important.