New 4G Wireless Standard Implemented for the First Time for Live Broadcast Transmission
Alcatel-Lucent Germany demonstrates performance of new 4G LTE network in pilot project with the help of Teracue IPTV Encoders/Decoders for live mobile sports broadcasting from sailing boats on the World Match Racing Tour.
Odelzhausen (Munich), Germany(31 May 2010)
This year's 13th Match Race Germany sailing championships took place from 19th to 24th May 2010 in Langenargen, near Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. The competition in Langenargen is the only German Grand Prix on the World Match Racing Tour. Match Racing is similar to the America's Cup, where two teams sail with two identical boats in a battle against one another (www.matchrace.de).
For the first time, the UMTS successor, 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution), was used for a live mobile broadcasting. Alcatel-Lucent provided the mobile transmission technology, the images were processed by Teracue with H.264 encoders and decoders, of the ENC-200 and DEC-200 series.
On each sailing boat a Teracue H.264 encoder is installed. This receives the video signal from the onboard camera. The live signal is then encoded in real time and broadcasted over LTE as an IP stream. The LTE radio cell was used to transmit the video signal into the mobile television studio, where the H.264 IPTV signal is decoded by a Teracue decoder. The decoder SDI output signal is delivered to the studio director and mixing desk for live broadcast cutting, graphics and audio overlays.
The Teracue encoder was chosen as it is one of the smallest IPTV encoders and can be powered by batteries, crucial for mobile IPTV encoding scenarios. The ENC-200 encoder requires at full encoding load only 3.5 W, and 5 V of voltage. A simple to setup, yet secure and robust IPTV video-networking solution was the topmost priority.
The advantages of the encoder/decoder solution can particularly be seen in regards to the tough conditions out at sea. The ENC/DEC series contain no moving parts, and a particular advantage is the expanded temperature range of -35°C to +60°C, as well as the quick resumption of IPTV streaming after loss of the power or video sources.
The Encoder/Decoder are being presented at IBC Show in Amsterdam between 10.09. and 14.09.2010 on the Teracue Stand 303 in Hall 9.
About Teracue
Teracue was established in 1991 and currently employs 15 personnel. Development and the marketing of professional Broadcast and IPTV systems through an international network of specialised dealers represent the main business activities of the firm today. Clients include public and private broadcasting companies, corporations, banks, universities, clinics, medical and training facilities, fire services and police centres, aerospace companies, military and other federal organisations. Further information is available at www.teracue.com.