Envivio and Hughes Network Systems Demonstrate H.264 Encoded Content Transmission for Satellite News Gathering

Strategic Insights -

Envivio, a leading provider of MPEG-4 and H.264 broadcast and streaming solutions, has announced its demonstration of the transmission of H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) encoded content for satellite news gathering (SNG) using Hughes Network Systems' (HNS) DIRECWAY(R) broadband satellite service. The demonstration showcases the efficiency of Envivio's 4Caster(TM) 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) live broadcast encoder, which encodes content at 1.2 Mbps, a significant reduction compared to traditional MPEG-2 systems that require twice this bandwidth for equivalent quality. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize satellite news gathering by enabling groundbreaking applications and unlocking new value-added benefits for broadband customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Envivio demonstrated the transmission of H.264 encoded content for satellite news gathering (SNG) using Hughes Network Systems' (HNS) DIRECWAY(R) broadband satellite service.
  • The demonstration used the Envivio 4Caster(TM) 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) live broadcast encoder, which encodes content at 1.2 Mbps, a significant reduction compared to traditional MPEG-2 systems.
  • Envivio's 4Caster(TM) 4500 encoder and 4View(TM) 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) broadcast decoder were used in the demonstration, which showcased the efficiency of H.264 encoding and decoding technology.
  • The technology demonstration used HNS' current DIRECWAY Ku-band satellite service, providing an example of the types of advanced applications that will be available with the launch of HNS' next-generation Ka-band platform, SPACEWAY(TM).
  • HNS will market the advanced Ka-band services under the brand name, DIRECWAY-SP(TM).
  • "The enhanced capability of the new DIRECWAY-SP service and the highly efficient and powerful Envivio MPEG-4 encoding and decoding technology, will enable groundbreaking applications and unlock new value-added benefits for broadband customers," said Julien Signes, President and CTO of Envivio.
  • "This demonstration provides a glimpse of what's ahead for the broadcast industry. The combination of the DIRECWAY-SP service and MPEG-4 AVC products such as Envivio's, will revolutionize satellite news gathering," said Darrell Tanno, Senior Director of Business Development, SPACEWAY Division, HNS.
  • Envivio is currently taking orders for the 4Caster 4500 full-resolution H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) encoder.
  • The new encoder and decoder products are being demonstrated for the duration of the NAB 2004 conference and exhibition at Envivio Booth SL5842.

Statistics:

  • Envivio's 4Caster(TM) 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) live broadcast encoder encodes content at 1.2 Mbps.
  • Traditional MPEG-2 systems use twice this bandwidth (2.4 Mbps) for equivalent quality.
  • Hughes Network Systems' (HNS) DIRECWAY(R) broadband satellite service was used in the demonstration.
  • The demonstration showcased the efficiency of H.264 encoding and decoding technology.
  • The first SPACEWAY satellite will launch in mid 2004, with commercial service in North America commencing in 2005.

Sources:

  • "Envivio Demonstrates H.264 Encoded Content Transmission for Satellite News Gathering." PRNewswire, April 19, 2004.
  • Envivio. "4Caster 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) Live Broadcast Encoder." http://www.envivio.com/.
  • Hughes Network Systems, Inc. "DIRECWAY(R) Broadband Satellite Service." http://www.hns.com/.
  • The DIRECTV Group, Inc. "DIRECTV(R) Satellite Television Receivers." http://www.hns.com/.