Hispasat launches 4K trial with Thomson Video Networks

Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has launched a trial demonstration of ultra-HD TV in the HEVC compression format using Thomson Video Networks’ ViBE VS7000 encoding platform.

Hispasat is deploying the VS7000 to deliver HEVC-encoded Ultra HD content to air via its Hispasat 1E satellite platform. At IBC2013, Hispasat will demonstrate live Ultra HD video streams using the Thomson Video Networks technology.

Thomson Video Networks has been participating in a proof-of-concept trial with Hispasat that ends this summer to demonstrate how its technologies can form an ecosystem to drive future commercial Ultra HD service offerings based on HEVC compression. The ViBE VS7000 will provide 4K file transcoding in HEVC, and Thomson Video Networks’ Sapphire transport stream server will play out the Ultra HD HEVC-encoded content. The open-source GPAC or VLC HEVC-enabled media players will decode the HEVC content for display on TV sets.

This trial demonstration is also one of the first steps in the H2B2VS and UltraHD4U Eureka research projects where partners set up a satellite 4K HEVC transmission, paving the way for HEVC-based broadband and broadcast services, according to Thomson.

In addition to this HEVC trial demonstration, Thomson Video Networks and Hispasat have signed a wider cooperation agreement to promote Ultra HD TV jointly. As part of this agreement, Thomson Video Networks will be a partner to the Hispasat 4K channel, which will be launched at IBC this year

“This demonstration plays an important role in our plans to promote the deployment of the most cutting-edge compression and delivery formats – giving our customers the ability to offer their viewers the absolute highest-quality viewing experience,” said Ignacio Sanchis, chief commercial officer at Hispasat. “With the Thomson Video Networks technology, we are hoping to create awareness within our customer base and deliver live Ultra HD streams that can be used in many different ways, such as demonstrating interoperability among manufacturers of TV sets and set-top boxes.”

Thomson Video Networks will exhibit at IBC on stand 14.A10