NDS Becomes First to Demonstrate Multiple Channel Encoding in a Single ATSC Channel at WHD-TV
11/30/98
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1998, Business Wire)
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 1998--
NDS Americas and WHD-TV Successfully Conduct Three Separate HDTV
Technology Demonstrations
NDS Americas Inc. today announced it has successfully demonstrated at WHD-TV the capability to digitally compress four NTSC 480i signals into a standard ATSC 19.39Mbps channel.
In a separate test, NDS also successfully compressed one ATSC 1080i and one NTSC 480i signal into a single 19.39Mbps channel.
Overlaid with these tests was a first ever demonstration at WHD of the transmission of basic PSIP (Program Specific Information Protocol) information to a consumer ATSC receiver, which subsequently displayed time, channel name, event name and extended event description information as detailed in the ATSC specifications for each multiplexed channel.
These demonstrations follow on the heels of successful on-time deliveries and installations of several NDS high-quality ATSC-compliant encoding systems to stations around the country for the November 1 launch of digital TV.
"The NDS high definition encoding system is the first to successfully demonstrate to us basic PSIP functionality and two different versions of multichannel compression," said Bruce Miller, President and COO of WHD-TV, the model HDTV station in Washington, DC. "NDS has now proven what others have been saying for a long time -- whether a broadcaster wants multiple standard definition TV channels or simply one channel in addition to high definition programming, the technology is available today to allow for this kind of flexibility within a standard 6 MHz television broadcast channel."
WHD-TV, the nation's certified HDTV experimental television station located in Washington, D.C., uses an experimental license granted by the FCC to provide broadcasters and manufacturers the opportunity to evaluate HDTV equipment in a live broadcast environment to help the nation transition from analog to digital broadcasting. The television station is funded by more than 250 television stations and equipment manufacturers nationwide.
"The WHD-TV test is another major milestone for NDS Americas," said Dr. Dov Rubin, NDS Americas Vice President and General Manager. "For those customers who have already purchased an NDS ATSC encoding system, the tests are added assurance that they made the right decision. For those who are still considering their encoder purchases, these tests send a message to the industry that NDS has the most complete system, not just encoder , available today."
Better Price/Performance with the NDS Series 5810 Encoder
The Series E5810 encoding system meets all of the prevalent profiles required by Table 3 of the ATSC specification, including 480p, 720p and 1080i, with the highest-quality encoding. The design incorporates a bank of six standard-definition encoders, which compress and multiplex the digital feed into one chosen ATSC/HDTV format signal for broadcast to a network affiliate, or in the case of the affiliate, into the viewer's home.
The system offers the added benefit of enabling broadcasters to use the same equipment for single or multicast SDTV transmissions during program hours they prefer not to broadcast in HDTV. Additionally, the Series 5000 encoders provide a number of different options to suit specific broadcast applications, such as statistical multiplexing, data streams, multiple audio channels, locally inserted bugs and support for 4:2:2 distribution and contribution feeds.
The dual SDTV/HDTV approach is preferable to other competitive product offerings that are only capable of broadcasting in a defined HDTV format. A single design approach requires broadcasters with a two-tier SDTV and HDTV business strategy to significantly increase their capital expenditures for new compression equipment to meet both requirements. The NDS solution cost effectively meets both needs and provides the added optional benefit of full redundancy.
About NDS
NDS, headquartered in the UK, with operations worldwide, provides end-to-end solutions for digital broadcasting through the company's research, development and manufacturing activities. NDS is a recognized leader in digital video compression and conditional access, and has proven systems integration and global support capabilities.
NDS is providing its advanced technologies, products and services to many of the current and planned satellite and terrestrial broadcasting systems around the world. In addition, over ten million subscribers around the globe use NDS conditional access systems to receive Pay-TV satellite and cable services.
NDS plays a major part in developing open systems and the international standards for the digital broadcasting arena, providing the technology and market know-how to implement standards such as MPEG-2, DVB, ATSC, SMPTE and DTTV. The company continues to make a major commitment to R&D, with over 700 of its 1,350 plus employees dedicated to its pioneering development work at research centers in Israel, the U.S. and the UK.
NDS is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NWS), a leading global media company. NDS has won many awards for technology including an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and three Queen's Awards, one for Technology and two for Export. NDS is on the World Wide Web at: ndsworld.com.
CONTACT: NDS Americas Inc. Lisa Hobbs, 949/725-2548 lhobbs@ndsamericas.com or NDS Limited Margot Field, 011 44 181 476 8158 mfield@ndsuk.com or The Benjamin Group Inc. Daniel McKean, 408/559-6090 dmckean@sv.tbgi.com
06:01 EST NOVEMBER 30, 1998
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