ASIA-PACIFIC BROADCASTING

In one word — efficiency. In two words — new technologies. In three words — smart business practices. And all three add up to reduced costs with enhanced flexibility and throughput.

By definition, broadcast delivery is a mass-market business. In theory, the bigger the mass, the more efficient the business.

Minimising components and complexities equates to efficiency. As does streamlining the operational process and eliminating inefficient equipment. But when times are really tough a quantum leap is necessary.

Three particular technologies, all refined for the broadcast-carriage business, are waiting in the wings: IP, MPEG-4 (Part10) AVC and, for the satellite industry, DVB-S2 modulation.

In satellite carriage, the application of DVB-S2 modulation melds perfectly with MPEG-4 (Part 10) AVC compression and improves data throughput by approximately 30%.

Dr Ali Ebadi, senior vice-president, Measat Space Systems Development, explained the DVB-S2 and MPEG-4 technologies in his View from the Top (APB  June 2008 edition). Dr Ebadi reminded us that the use of DVB-S2 could load in excess of 55Mbps onto a single 36MHz transponder. In addition, DVB-S2 supports four modulation formats: QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK and 32APSK. It makes good sense to adopt DVB-S2, particularly in conjunction with MPEG-4 compression and HDTV contribution.

For a new broadcast entrant, the choice of technology is uncomplicated. The new technologies have the edge. However, the challenge is far greater for the established operator with embedded legacy systems. But the idea should not be dismissed.

The thought of implementing IP into the broadcast-carriage chain may be more controversial. But, as reported in APB December 2008 edition (page 23), New Zealand is already transmitting its new MPEG-4 services over IP.

The combination of IP and MPEG-4 into the transmission chain might just be a very smart move in 2009. Consumers and retailers would love it; transmission efficiency and throughput would increase; and a new broadcast-business model would emerge.

The advantages of IP networking are well proven throughout the computing and telecommunications industries, yet IP is only just entering the realm of terrestrial and satellite broadcast processing and transmission.

IP enables video, audio and data applications to run in the same network. Such integration adds considerable management flexibility and assists with monitoring and inter¬operability. Furthermore, IP networks can run considerably faster than the traditional 270Mbps asynchronous serial interface.

An MPEG-4 thrust into the industry at this time would introduce a mass HDTV-delivery capability along with other benefits. And those legacy issues may be more manageable than first thought. Numerous set-top boxes (STBs) across the Asia-Pacific are nearing their end of life and will soon have to be replaced.

Being highly efficient and of recent design, MPEG-4 consumer boxes run on low voltage and use less electricity. They carry more features and capabilities, while the embedded memory can add a new broad¬cast dynamic to the home-entertainment system.

Many of the commercial processing and encoding counterparts at trans¬mission centres are also closing on their ‘use-by dates’. The new highly efficient low-latency encoders, multiplexers and signal processors take up less rack space, use less electricity, emit less heat and so require considerably reduced air-conditioning. These are substantial efficiency cost-offsets.

It has been suggested that the electric power savings alone could fund much of the change-over to a more efficient signal-processing and transmission practice. The cost-benefits are worth investigating.

Any efficiency gain brings with it an expectation. Service providers rely on efficiencies to preserve margins, while an audience expects ‘more for less’.

The trend in the DTV world remains towards more channels and personalised choice. But this is now being tempered by consumer demands for interactivity and improved technical quality.

It is now common to integrate a personal video recorder (PVR) or DVD recorder into the home-entertainment system. This is just the start of personalised TV — watching what you want when you want it. The PC adds the next phase — aided and abetted by enterprising telcos and IPTV offerings.