Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

NEWSGATHERING TRANSMISSION TECHNIQUES

Ennes Workshop – Miami, FL March 8, 2013 Kevin Dennis Regional Sales Manager

2 Vislink is Built on a Firm Foundation 3 Presentation Outline • 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 Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

• 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 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 H.264 is approximately twice as efficient as 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 (MPEG-4 AVC) vs. MPEG-2 Low Motion Video - there is very little video quality difference between H.264 and MPEG-2

Video Images posted by Jan Ozer, Video Technology Instructor H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) vs. MPEG-2 High Motion Video - H.264 retains image continuity while MPEG-2 becomes “blocky”

Video Images posted by Jan Ozer, Video Technology Instructor 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) Newsgathering Transmission 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 Quality Video MPEG-2 compression •H.264 is well suited for the real world of ENG Newsgathering from mobile platforms in multipath rich 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 environments. to 100 Mbps source material. DVB-T (COFDM) Bandwidth 1/4 Guard 1/8 Guard 1/16 Guard 1/32 Guard

Code QPSK 16 64 QPSK 16 64 QPSK 16 64 QPSK 16 64 Rate QAM QAM QAM QAM QAM QAM QAM 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 COFDM System Numbers - 2 GHz Mode Pout LabThreshold

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 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 Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

• 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 Advancements in Public Access Networks • 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 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 Newsgathering Transmission Techniques

Terrestrial ENG Digital SNG Diversity WCS Advantages Advantages Advantages • High bandwidth (Fat • Unlimited coverage area • Very rapid deployment Pipe) at minimal OPEX • Worldwide spectrum • No expensive vehicles • Rapid deployment access • Good coverage indoors • Wide coverage area • Single to multiple and across densely • Dependable/Reliable distribution points populated city centers Disadvantages Disadvantages • Best option for “moving event” coverage • Requires skilled • Requires very costly operators vehicles Disadvantages • Requires heavyweight • Must pay recurring • Limited coverage area vehicles satellite usage fees • Camera battery powered • Leased receive sites are • Requires skilled • Must own or lease expensive operators receive sites • OneOne-way-way transmissions HD/ SD Newsgathering via Advantages Bonded 3G / 4G Networks • Story acquisition without spectrum licenses, expensive vehicles or costly infrastructure • One button operation • Dispatch non-technical trained Journalists / NLE Freelancers 3G/4G Bonded But • No coverage guarantees HD SDI • 3G/4G bandwidth is limited and asymmetrical • latency can be several seconds Ideal for spot story coverage and fill-in content • Civil authorities may override • Cellular congestion 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 [email protected] 978-671-5756