Ericsson and BT have partnered to showcase their first-ever live demonstration of a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) contribution link used in the delivery of 4K ultra-high definition television (UHDTV), at the ongoing IBC 2016.
The high performance single-slice HEVC link will be used to broadcast live rugby matches on BT Sport in 4K ultra-high definition during Round 2 of the AVIVA Premiership.
Together with Ericsson, BT Media and Broadcast (BT M&B) is showing how UHDTV content can be broadcast through one single slice, without any signal stitching. Ericsson's new encoding/decoding technology supports HEVC and removes the need for complex AVC quadrant based UHDTV contribution. This technique offers TV service providers savings of up to 40 percent on bandwidth usage with far greater network efficiencies, as it only requires the use of one encoder/receiver to deliver optimal picture quality, said Ericsson
BT M&B will deliver the signal to Ericsson's Playout Centre in Hilversum, Netherlands, and Ericsson will broadcast the rugby matches live and direct to Ericsson's booth at IBC 2016.
Elisabetta Romano, Vice President and Head of TV and Media, Ericsson
Ericsson and BT have a proud history of working together to push boundaries in immersive TV, and this latest 4K HEVC project highlights our focus on delivering new and improved services to today's demanding consumers.
Mark Wilson-Dunn, Vice President at BT M&B
We're delighted to be using Ericsson's state of the art encoding/decoding equipment for our 4K broadcast at IBC. The combination of the new equipment with our new UHD links truck will deliver unbeatable high-quality sports footage to viewers at this year's event.
