Video

Video: NMOS IS-07, GPI Replacement and Much, Much More…

Posted on by Russell Trafford-Jones

GPI was not without its complexities, but the simplicity of its function in terms of putting a short or a voltage on a wire, is unmatched by any other system we use in broadcasting. So the question here is, how do we do ‘GPI’ with IP given all the complexity, and perceived delay, in networked communication. CTO of Pebble Beach, Miroslav Jeras, is here to explain.

The key to understanding the power of the new specification for GPI from NMOS called IS-07 is to realise that it’s not trying to emulate DC electronics. Rather, by adding the timing information available from the PTP clock, the GPI trigger can now become extremely accurate – down to the audio sample – meaning you can now use GPI to indicate much more detailed situations. On top of that, the GPI messages can contain a number of different data types, which expands the ability of these GPI messages and also helps interoperability between systems.

Miroslav explains the ways in which these messages are passed over the network and how IS-07 interacts with the other specifications such as IS-05 and BCP-002-01. He explains how IS-07 was used in the Techno Project – tpc, Zurich and then takes us through a range of different examples of how IS-07 can be used including synchronisation of the GUI and monitoring as well as routing based on GPI.

Watch now! | Download the slides

Speakers

Miroslav Jeras Miroslav Jeras
CTO,
Pebble Beach Systems

Video: A paradigm shift in codec standards – MPEG-5 Part 2 LCEVC

Posted on by Adam K

LCEVC (Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding) is a low-complexity encoder/decoder is in the process of standardisation as MPEG-5 Part 2. Instead of being an entirely new codec, LCEVC improves detail and sharpness of any base video codec (e.g., AVC, HEVC, AV1, EVC or VVC) while lowering the overall computational complexity expanding the range of devices that can access high quality and/or low-bitrate video.

The idea is to use a base codec at lower resolution and add additional layer of encoded residuals to correct artifacts. Details are encoded with directional decomposition transform using a very small matrix (2×2 or 4×4) which is efficient at preserving high frequencies. As LCEVC uses parallelized techniques to reconstruct the target resolution, it encodes video faster than a full resolution base encoder.

LCEVC allows for enhancement layers to be added on top of existing bitstreams, so for example UHD resolution can be used where only HD was possible before thanks to sharing decoding between the ASIC and CPU. LCEVC can be decoded via light software processing, and even via HTML5.

In this presentation Guido Meardi from V-Nova introduces LCEVC and answers a few imporant question including: is it suitable for very high quality / bitrates compression and will it work with future codecs. He also shows performance data and benchmarks for live and VoD streaming, illustrating the compression quality and encoding complexity benefits achievable with LCEVC as an enhancement to H.264, HEVC and AV1.

Watch now!

Speaker

Guido Meardi
CEO and Co-Founder
V-Nova Ltd.

Video: What is 525-Line Analog Video?

Posted on by Russell Trafford-Jones

With an enjoyable retro feel, this accessible video on understanding how analogue video works is useful for those who have to work with SDI rasters, interlaced video, black and burst, subtitles and more. It’ll remind those of us who once knew, a few things since forgotten and is an enjoyable primer on the topic for anyone coming in fresh.

Displaced Gamers is a YouTube channel and their focus on video games is an enjoyable addition to this video which starts by explaining why analogue 525-line video is the same as 480i. Using a slow-motion video of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV, the video explains the interlacing technique and why consoles/computers would often use 240p.

We then move on to timing looking at the time spent drawing a line of video, 52.7 microseconds, and the need for horizontal and vertical blanking. Blanking periods, the video explains are there to cover the time that the CRT TV would spend moving the electron beam from one side of the TV to the other. As this was achieved by electromagnets, while these were changing their magnetic level, and hence the position of the beam, the beam would need to be turned off – blanked.

The importance of these housekeeping manoeuvres for older computers was that this was time they could use to perform calculations, free from the task of writing data in to the video buffer. But this was not just useful for computers, broadcasters could use some of the blanking to insert data – and they still do. We see in this video a VHS video played with the blanking clearly visible and the data lines flashing away.

For those who work with this technology still, for those who like history, for those who are intellectually curious and for those who like reminiscing, this is an enjoyable video and ideal for sharing with colleagues.

Watch now!
Speaker

Chris Kennedy Chris Kennedy
Displaced Gamers,YouTube Channel

Video: The Rise of IP in Remote Production Networks

Posted on by Russell Trafford-Jones

Like all good ideas, remote production is certainly not new. Known in the US as REMIs (REmote INtegrations) and in Europe as Remote Productions, producing live events without sending people there has long been seen as something to which most broadcasters have aspired. We’re now at a tipping point of available techniques, codecs and bandwidth which is making large-scale remote production practical and, indeed, common.

Carl Petch took to the podium at the IBC 2019 IP Showcase to explain how telco Telstra have been deploying remote production solutions by looking at three case studies including the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, and the technology behind them. Highlighting TICO, SMPTE ST 2022-6 uncompressed and VC-2 compression, previously known as the BBC’s DIRAC, we see how codecs are vital in underpinning successful, low latency, remote production.

Encoding and decoding delay aren’t the only delays to consider, simple propagation time for the signal to travel from one place on the earth to another have to be considered – including the lengths of your different paths – so Carl takes us through a table of real-world measurements between a range of places showing up to 280ms one-way delay.

Much of the success Telstra has had in delivering these solutions has been anchored on their dedicated remote production network based on the Open Transport Network principles which allows them to carve up parts of their bandwidth for different protocols which Carl covers in some detail and allows them to scale in 100Gb increments.

Watch now! and download the slides.
Speaker

Carl Petch Carl Petch
Principal Solutions Architect,
Telstra