General Instrument and Sony Team Up with CBS for High-Definition Broadcast of American Football Conference Divisional Playoff Game
01/19/99
PR Newswire
(Copyright (c) 1999, PR Newswire)
HORSHAM, Pa., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC) announced today that the CBS network used GI's HDTV transmission equipment to broadcast the AFC playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at Giant Stadium at the Meadowlands (New Jersey) on January 10, 1999. CBS uses GI's high-definition encoders and decoders for its entire system, and it combined these technologies with Sony Electronics' full suite of high-definition production equipment, including high-definition cameras and monitors, HDS-7000 digital switcher, HDME-7000 multi-effects unit and HDCAM(R) HDW-500 VTRs, for this game's live HDTV broadcast.
CBS Sports has made broadcasting breakthroughs this season, by utilizing high-definition television technology to illustrate the enhanced viewing experience that HDTV brings to live sporting events. The live HDTV telecasts are produced and transmitted independent of the regularly scheduled CBS Sports football coverage broadcast on the traditional analog network.
The original HDTV feed from the Meadowlands was compressed to 40 megabits per second by GI's ATSC-compliant DigiCipher(R) II HD encoder. Using the encoder's DS-3 output, the compressed stream was transported via fiber to CBS Broadcast Operations, where it was decoded with GI HD decoders to baseband HD for editing/graphics application. The on-air ready program material was then re-compressed and sent via satellite using another GI encoder outfitted for satellite transmission to KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, as well as other HD-equipped CBS affiliates.
Overall, the CBS television network is using GI's DigiCipher II system for the conversion of their total network distribution system from analog to digital. This project includes the digitization of all current CBS programming, as well as future advanced television HDTV programming.
"We were pleased to team with GI on this historic telecast that ushered in the new era of HDTV. By adopting this technology, we are able to enrich the viewers' experience of sporting events," said Brent L. Stranathan, CBS Vice President of Broadcast Distribution. "We look forward to a long-term partnership with GI as we use its technology to convert our total system to digital. GI's reliable platform will ensure a seamless transition for our affiliates."
"We are pleased with easy integration of GI's encoders with Sony's HDVS(R) production system," said Anthony Gargano, Senior Vice President of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "This series of high- definition television broadcasts has been highly successful. The overall solution is the future of television programming."
"This application demonstrates the power and quality of our high- definition technology and is an example of our commitment to the success of digital television," said Thomas J. Lynch, Senior Vice President and General Manager of General Instrument's Satellite and Broadcast Network Systems business unit. "This was a great opportunity to participate in an event with a broadcasting pioneer like CBS, and we were pleased to work with Sony's innovative technology, which offers a reliable solution for HDTV transmission."
DigiCipher II technology is developed by General Instrument's San Diego- based Satellite and Broadcast Network Systems business unit, which provides digital television systems sending compressed video service to cable television headends, television network affiliates, corporate locations, or consumer homes. The technology compresses and multiplexes both SDTV and HDTV signals within a single integrated transmission system. It is compatible with MPEG -2 standards for transport and video syntax. The DigiCipher II system uses the Dolby(R) AC-3 audio compression system.
The Broadcast and Professional Company of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. provider of video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production, business, industrial, government, medical, and education markets. Sony offers a wide array of products and systems for image capture, production, and display. Sony also provides specialized equipment and systems for data recording, duplication, electronic photography/publishing, videoconferencing, high-definition video, interactive and security applications. In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 1998, Sony Electronics had record sales of $10.5 billion. Visit the Sony web site at: www.sony.com/professional.
General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC) is a leading worldwide provider of integrated and interactive broadband access solutions, teaming with its business partners to lead the convergence of the Internet, telecommunications and video entertainment industries.
Visit the General Instrument website at www.gi.com.
/CONTACT: Media, Sharon Corbitt, Director of Communications of General Instrument, 215-323-1873, or scorbitt@gi.com, or Lisa Young of Sony Electronics, 408-955-5683, or lisa_young@mail.sel.sony.com; or Investors, Dario Santana, VP, Investor Relations of GI Corporation, 215-323-1617, or dsantana@gi.com/ 17:32 EST
Contact: /CONTACT: Media, Sharon Corbitt, Director of Communications of General Instrument, 215-323-1873, or scorbitt@gi.com, or Lisa Young of Sony Electronics, 408-955-5683, or lisa_young@mail.sel.sony.com; or Investors, Dario Santana, VP, Investor Relations of GI Corporation, 215-323-1617, or dsantana@gi.com/ 17:32 EST
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