UHDTV with DVB-S2X from MEASAT, Newtec
June 10, 2014
By Colin Mann
Satellite operator MEASAT and satellite communications specialist Newtec are teaming up to deliver 4K Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV) content via transmission scheme DVB-S2X to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center at the forthcoming CommunicAsia 2014 expo.
According to the pair, the extensions to the DVB-S2 standard will be instrumental for the satellite industry to keep pace with demands for new features and increased efficiency.
Published in February 2014, DVB-S2X reaches efficiency gains over DVB-S2 of up to 51 per cent for professional applications and up to 20 per cent for DTH. MEASAT says the new standard is much needed as the growing consumption of video and data continues to squeeze bandwidth.
The CommunicAsia 2014 demonstration centres on MEASAT’s booth (Level 1 T3-01). The feed will be uplinked via MEASAT’s teleport in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, and delivered live via MEASAT-3 satellite in C-Band, using Newtec’s new DVB-S2X modulation equipment.
“Last year MEASAT demonstrated its capability to deliver 4K UHDTV over satellite. This year we continue our efforts to pioneer the early adoption of cutting edge technologies with a live demonstration of UHDTV over satellite using the new DVB-S2X standard,” said Raj Malik, SVP – Sales and Marketing, MEASAT. “With DVB-S2X, MEASAT can support our broadcast customers with a more efficient and cost-effective use of our satellite capacity.”
The new standard implemented on Newtec’s product range, or as a software upgrade to existing products, brings multiple new capabilities on top of DVB-S2. These include lower Roll-Offs (RO), increased granularity in MODCOD choices, higher efficient modulation optimised for use in linear and non-linear operations, and a standard mechanism to bond carriers together, creating one big transmission pipe for multiple 4K programmes over existing transponders.
“This demonstrates not only that satellite networks are ready for 4K UHDTV but also that DVB-S2X is ready to help satellite operators and broadcasters cut costs or deliver more content within the same capacity. It is no longer a question of whether the new DVB-S2X standard will be used in broadcast contribution and distribution networks, but rather a question of when,” said Steven Soenens, VP Product and Market Management at Newtec.
Newtec’s M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulators will be used for the demonstration as well as Newtec’s demodulators. Video processing capabilities at both ends of the link are to be provided by Ericsson through its AVP 2000 Contribution Encoders and RX8200 Advanced Modular Receivers.
“We are excited to be working with our Asian partner MEASAT on this world first which demonstrates a bright future for satellite contribution worldwide,” concluded Mario Querner, VP Asia of Newtec.