PANELLISTS
❝ We believe that IP networking is the future , and it is closely aligned to our core design principles – making it easier to create even more engaging content with a lower overall investment .”❞
30
January-February 2016
Arianespace looks to build on 2015 success
Arianespace has announced that a new record was set in 2015 for its family of launchers operating from the Guiana Space Centre ( CSG ) in French Guiana , with 12 successful launches in 12 months . Arianespace carried out six Ariane 5 launches , along with three by Soyuz and three by Vega — a three-fold increase for the latter over 2014 . Based on these , Arianespace expects to boost sales to more than ¤ 1.4 billion in 2015 , the highest total in the company ’ s history . 2016 highlights include the scheduled eight launches on the Ariane 5 heavy launcher . Two of these are single launches , carrying only one satellite , the first in January for Intelsat and another for Eutelsat this March .
Fibre providing the critcal link to IP transmission
Fibre infrastructures continue to lie at the heart of many broadcast applications and , with IP increasingly in the equation , are likely to grow , as Shawn Liew discovers …
TeamCast delivers for KBS
South Korean broadcaster KBS has selected TeamCast ’ s exTra3.0 , an ATSC 3.0 exciter product . Designed by TeamCast , exTra3.0 is said to be the “ first ” real-time and standalone terrestrial TV exciter supporting the ATSC 3.0 technology . Yim Zungkon , deputy director at KBS , said : “ In the context of evaluating the new ATSC 3.0 technology , in particular for broadcasting 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) content , we were seeking a very flexible and straightforward solution to integrate within our existing TV transmitter environment . “ We have selected TeamCast ’ s exTra3.0 product because it is the only real-time ATSC 3.0 exciter solution available today on the market , and also because of its ease in integration and operation within already installed transmitter systems .”
Next Month @ Distribution
Digital Terrestrial TV
PANELLISTS
Dr Ali R Ebadi
Senior Vice-President Space Systems Development Measat Satellite Systems
Lim Kian Soon
Head , Satellite Singtel
Martin Coleman
Executive Director Satellite Interference Reduction Group
The search for increasing cost-efficiencies that will allow companies to stay ahead of intense competition remains the holy grail across many industries . The broadcast industry is no exception .
While many issues remain to be resolved before it can become a fully operable proposition , broadcasters have in recent times , been awakened to the plausibility of integrating IP into traditional broadcast workflows . 2016 is unlikely to see the IP discussion abate ; along the way , an established transmission and delivery platform could prove to be synonymous with IP — if it is not already so .
Fibre is an IP discussion , says Cameron O ’ Neill , director , APAC at Riedel . He points out to APB : “ Ethernet networks have been using fibre for the better part of three decades . Just like SDI , the bandwidth required by Ethernet connections is outpacing the capacity of copper , especially when distances are involved . ISPs use technologies like Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing ( DWDM ), a much denser standard than the Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing ( CWDM ) that we see in broadcast , which allows them to move tremendous amounts of data .”
At Fischer Connectors , the company believes that the use of fibre optic ( FO ) will be the next standard technology replacing triax for video acquisition in the field , a trend observable worldwide .
And because FO was originally developed by telcos , it is only natural that FO interfaces easily with IP networks , suggests Jacques Miéville , engineering project leader at Fischer Connectors . “ There are many cost-effective transmission solutions already available off-the-shelf ,” he tells APB . “ In our view , fibre transmisson over IP is not only one of the best ways to guarantee safe and reliable data transfer , but also because it is a universal protocol ,
it ensures a high level of compatibility between devices and enables broadcasters to make content ready for distribution to end-users with limited post processing .”
It should be “ obvious ” to most observers that fibre is the way of IT networks , says Riedel ’ s O ’ Neill . After all , most countries now have a developed fibre network for their Internet , with many countries offering fibre-to-thehome ( FTTH ), he adds . For Riedel , the transition of the company ’ s systems to the IP platform is hardly a new endeavour . Its AVB-based intercom panels and connections have been available for a number of years , while 2016 will see the release of Riedel ’ s AES67-based equipment . O ’ Neill reveals : “ We are also closely following developments in the video world , and we ’ re expecting
A combination of fibre and Riedel ’ s Mediornet real-time network allows signals to be instantly added or removed from fibre cabling , a task that copper is not able to achieve , says Riedel .
❝ We believe that IP networking is the future , and it is closely aligned to our core design principles – making it easier to create even more engaging content with a lower overall investment .”❞
— Cameron O ’ Neill , Director , APAC , Riedel
to be able to make some announcements in that field during the course of the year .
“ We believe that IP networking is the future , and it is closely aligned to our core design principles — making it easier to create even more engaging content with a lower overall investment .”
And allowing broadcasters to focus more on creating compelling content by making the “ big leap ” to new FO technologies remains one of Fischer Connectors ’ key goals . Miéville shares : “ For decades , we have been working closely with our customers to develop ready-to-use fibre-optic cabling solutions for field broadcasting activities that maintain the stability they need for a high-quality optical link , plus are safe , easy to use , fast to deploy , and are