NEWSGATHERING TRANSMISSION

TECHNIQUES

Ennes Workshop – Miami, FL

March 8, 2013

Kevin Dennis

Regional Sales Manager

2

Vislink is Built on a Firm Foundation 3

• Advancements in video encoding technology

– H.264 versus MPEG-2

• Advancements in licensed microwave technology

– Implementing HD/SD H.264 encoding

– Modulation, FEC, high power Linear Amps

• Advancements in bandwidth capacity of public access

networks (Cellular and Wi-Fi)

– 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMax

– HD/SD Bonded Cellular Video Transmission

• Comparison of strengths and weaknesses of licensed

microwave transmission versus public network transmissions

Presentation Outline

• Advancements in video encoding technology

• Advancements in licensed microwave technology

• Advancements in bandwidth capacity of public

access networks (Cellular and Wi-Fi)

• Comparison of strengths and weaknesses of licensed

microwave transmission versus public network

transmissions

Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC / Part10) versus MPEG-2

• H.264/MPEG-4 AVC is a block-oriented motion-compensation

based codec standard

• First version of the standard was completed in 2003

• H.264 video compression is significantly more efficient than

MPEG-2 encoding providing two-fold improvement as compared

to MPEG-2

• H.264 HD encoding not excessively expensive to implement as

compared to first MPEG-2 encoders

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) vs. MPEG-2

Video quality comparison of H.264 (solid blue line with squares) and MPEG-2 (dotted red line with circles) as a function of bit rate compared to 100 Mbps source material.

H.264 is approximately twice as efficient as MPEG-2

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) vs. MPEG-2

Video Images posted by Jan Ozer, Video Technology Instructor

Low Motion Video - there is very little video quality

difference between H.264 and MPEG-2

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) vs. MPEG-2

Video Images posted by Jan Ozer, Video Technology Instructor

High Motion Video - H.264 retains image

continuity while MPEG-2 becomes “blocky”

H.264 AVC versus MPEG-2 HD Encoding Features

MPEG-2

• 4:2:0MP@HL, 4:2:2MP@HL, 8-80Mbps

• Good HD picture quality from as little as 12Mbps (MPEG-2)

• Contribution quality at ~18Mbps

• Low Latency ~42mS (decoder dependent)

H.264 (AVC)

• Good HD picture quality from as little as 5Mbps (H.264)

• Contribution quality at ~10Mbps

• Low Latency ~300mS (encoder and decoder dependent)

• Advancements in video encoding technology

• Advancements in licensed microwave technology

• Advancements in bandwidth capacity of public

access networks (Cellular and Wi-Fi)

• Comparison of strengths and weaknesses of licensed

microwave transmission versus public network

transmissions

Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

Digital ENG Contribution Techniques

Microwave Transmit Systems

o Mobile (truck/van, SNG/ENG)

o Portable (tripod or airborne)

o Wireless Camera

High-Definition H.264 (AVC)

• H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10)

• Video compression standard is a

two-fold improvement in efficiency

compared with MPEG-2

•Able to transmit high-definition

video at low bit rates using DVB-T

(COFDM) with greater range and

reliability than systems using HD

MPEG-2 compression

•H.264 is well suited for the real

world of ENG Newsgathering from

mobile platforms in multipath rich

environments.

Video Quality

Video quality comparison of H.264 (solid blue line with squares) and MPEG-2 (dotted red line with circles) as a function of bit rate compared to 100 Mbps source material.

DVB-T (COFDM) Bandwidth

Code

RateQPSK 16

QAM

64

QAMQPSK 16

QAM

64

QAMQPSK 16

QAM

64

QAMQPSK 16

QAM

64

QAM

1/2 4.98 9.95 14.93 5.53 11.06 16.59 5.85 11.71 17.56 6.03 12.06 18.10

2/3 6.64 13.27 19.91 7.37 14.75 22.12 7.81 15.61 23.42 8.04 16.09 24.13

3/4 7.46 14.93 22.39 8.29 16.59 24.88 8.78 17.56 26.35 9.05 18.10 27.14

5/6 8.29 16.59 24.88 9.22 18.43 27.65 9.76 19.52 29.27 10.05 20.11 30.16

7/8 8.71 17.42 26.13 9.68 19.35 29.03 10.25 20.49 30.74 10.56 21.11 31.67

Note: Payload data throughput is scaled down by 1/4 for 6 MHz

bandwidth systems and by 7/8 for 7 MHz systems

1/4 Guard 1/8 Guard 1/16 Guard 1/32 Guard

COFDM System Numbers - 2 GHz

QPSK 1/2 +38 dBm -95.0 dBm

QPSK 3/4 +38 dBm -93.0 dBm

16 QAM 1/2 +36 dBm -90.0 dBm

16 QAM 3/4 +36 dBm -86.5 dBm

64 QAM 1/2 +33 dBm -84.5 dBm

64 QAM 3/4 + 33 dBm -78.5 dBm

Mode Pout LabThreshold

RF Advancements and Improvements

• Existing 5W Digital power amplifiers can be replaced with ultra-linear

10W Digital power amps

– Provides 3dB additional system gain

– Higher MER performance

• Pre-Distortion correction for wireless camera systems

– Internal feedback circuit to further linearize RF spectral mask

LMS-T Advanced Modulation

• Link Research designed modulation

– Derivative of DVB-T

– 9.4MHz spectrum (c.f. 7.61MHz of ‘8MHz’ DVB-T)

– LDPC error correction scheme

• Overall LMS-T has 65% more throughput than

DVB-T (COFDM) and has more robust RF performance

• Ideal for HD Wireless Camera systems

• Ultra-Low Latency ~20mS

• Advancements in video encoding technology

• Advancements in licensed microwave technology

• Advancements in bandwidth capacity of public

access networks (Cellular and Wi-Fi)

• Comparison of strengths and weaknesses of licensed

microwave transmission versus public network

transmissions

Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

Advancements in Public Access

Networks

• 3G – Third Generation• Upload speeds ~ 500 Kbps – 1.4 Mbps

• 4G – Fourth Generation

• Upload speeds ~ 1 - 6 Mbps

• LTE – Long Term Evolution

• Upload speeds ~ 5 – 7 Mbps

• WiFi – wireless local area network

• Speeds ~ 300 – 600 Kbps

• WiMAX - Worldwide Interoperability

for Microwave Access

• Speeds ~ 1 – 4 Mbps

• 3G – Third Generation• Upload speeds ~ 200 - 800 Kbps

• 4G – Fourth Generation

• Upload speeds ~ 1 - 5 Mbps

• LTE – Long Term Evolution

• Upload speeds ~ 8 Mbps

• WiFi – wireless local area network

• Speeds ~ 300 – 600 Kbps

• WiMAX - Worldwide Interoperability

for Microwave Access

• Speeds ~ 1 – 4 Mbps

Advancements in Public Access

Networks

Bonded Cellular Transmission

• Uses H.264 HD/SD Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) Encoding to transmit

live video via public access networks over the internet

• Simultaneously aggregates available bandwidth from multiple

cellular network connections

– creates a single virtual “high-speed” bandwidth connection

• Multiple cellular providers “bonded” together

– improves network upload speeds

– improves network connection persistence

• Can be implemented with various service provider’s modems

– 3G, 4G, LTE, WiFi

• ABR dynamically adjusts the encoder’s video data rate (typ. Mbps)

adapting to the fluctuations characteristic of cellular networks

Cellular Video Transmission Workflow Diagram

Live Portable Cellular Video Transmission Systems

• Live HD/SD – almost anywhere, almost any time

• 3G/4G LTE Bonded Cellular Modems

• H.264 (AVC) HD/SD Encoding

• Dynamic Bandwidth Optimization

• WiFi Reception and Transmission

• Support for multiple camera interfaces

• Support for file transfer

• IFB comms

• Wireless Edge Device Remote Control

• IP Termination Receiver

23

• Advancements in video encoding technology

• Advancements in licensed microwave technology

• Advancements in bandwidth capacity of public

access networks (Cellular and Wi-Fi)

• Comparison of strengths and weaknesses of licensed

microwave transmission versus public network

transmissions

Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

Advantages & Limitations of Legacy Newsgathering

• One-way transmissions

Advantages

• High bandwidth (Fat

Pipe) at minimal OPEX

• Rapid deployment

• Wide coverage area

• Dependable/Reliable

Disadvantages

• Requires skilled

operators

• Requires heavyweight

vehicles

• Leased receive sites are

expensive

• One-way transmissions

Advantages

• Very rapid deployment

• No expensive vehicles

• Good coverage indoors

and across densely

populated city centers

• Best option for “moving

event” coverage

Disadvantages

• Limited coverage area

• Camera battery powered

• Must own or lease

receive sites

Advantages

• Unlimited coverage area

• Worldwide spectrum

access

• Single to multiple

distribution points

Disadvantages

• Requires very costly

vehicles

• Must pay recurring

satellite usage fees

• Requires skilled

operators

Terrestrial ENG Diversity WCSDigital SNG

HD/ SD Newsgathering via

Bonded 3G / 4G Networks

Advantages

• Story acquisition without

spectrum licenses, expensive

vehicles or costly

infrastructure

• One button operation

• Dispatch non-technical

trained Journalists /

Freelancers

But8

• No coverage guarantees

• 3G/4G bandwidth is limited

and asymmetrical

• latency can be several

seconds

• Civil authorities may override

• Cellular congestion

HD SDI

NLE

3G/4G

Bonded

Ideal for spot story coverage

and fill-in content

Cellular Video Transmission vs. Licensed Microwave

CONS PROS

• Variable data rate availability vs. Fixed data throughput

• Unpredictable signal strength vs. Relatively stable receive carrier level (RSL)

• Unknown “network” availability vs. Pre-determined frequency coordination

• Eminent domain black-outs vs. Secure specific user spectrum allocation

• Limited to Network accessibility vs. Controlled portable deployment (ENG/SNG)

PROS CONS

• Lower Capex/Opex vs. Higher Capex and complex/costly infrastructure support

• Immediate venue accessibility vs. Scheduled venue event coordination

• Inexperienced technical operators vs. Experienced ENG/SNG operators

• Portable system design (hand-carry) vs. Larger hardware infrastructure

Summary

• H.264 (AVC) HD/SD Encoding

– Very efficient encoding – roughly half the bandwidth required

for same picture quality as MPEG-2

• Advancements in Licensed Microwave

– Use of H.264 encoding provides high quality, robust RF

transmission/reception

– Strive for higher linearity RF components / higher system gain

• Advancements in Public Access Networks

– Bandwidth and speeds are ever increasing

– Bonded Cellular video transmission

• Another tool for ENG and OB applications

• Dependent upon cellular coverage and infrastructure

utilization

Where can I see these new solutions in action?

Please visit the VISLINK Booth at NAB 2013 to see the

Broadcast Industries most versatile solutions to suit any

application.

We deliver HD quality video anytime, anywhere!

Booth C6508

29

Questions?

Thank You!

Kevin Dennis

Regional Sales Manager

Kevin.Dennis@Vislink.com

978-671-5756