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Subject: NS Video
Content-Length: 11368
Backgrounder
on Digital Compression
Technology
Digital compression uses computer and algorithm techniques to
compress a video signal from 216 Mb/s (CCIR-601) or 120 Mb/s (NTSC) to
between 1.5-8 Mb/s while maintaining good picture quality. With digital
compression, more programs can be squeezed into a single transponder,
and more channels can be packed into a 6 Megahertz slot on the broadband
cable spectrum.
The technology promises a host of benefits to cable programmers,
operators and subscribers. For programmers, it means up to 18 programs
can be transmitted via a single satellite transponder to the cable
headend. Up until now, a single satellite transponder could only handle
one program per channel.
With this technology, the amount of compression -- also known as
the compression ratio -- can be flexibly selected by a service provider
to match a particular service offering like pay-per-view movies and
video-on-demand, live-action sports, in-home education, homeshopping,
etc.
For example, compressed rates as low as 1.5 Mb/s can be used to
provide fairly inexpensive -- but highly compressed -- VCR- quality
services from film sources. On the other hand, an 8 Mb/s compression
rate can transmit the most complex video material -- a Superbowl game,
for example -- while maintaining the highest "broadcast quality" picture
for viewers or other distributors.
Digital compression not only provides programmers with tremendous
savings, it offers spectrum capacity that wasn't previously available
for new types of programming.
Once the technology is fully deployed, it's expected to boost the
capacity of today's cable networks 3 to 13 times. With more programs
and channels squeezed into a set amount of space, the technology
ultimately will allow hundreds of programs to be transmitted from cable
operator "headend" locations to subscribers' homes.
More channels for cable operators means, of course, new sources of
revenues. For cable TV subscribers, digital compression will provide a
wealth of new video services. Enhanced pay-per-view -- giving people
the shows they want, when they want it -- video-on-demand and
interactive services are just some of the possibilities. In fact, the
technology promises applications that have yet to be developed or even
imagined.
AT&T's video compression algorithm is based on the one used in the
high-definition television (HDTV) system that AT&T and Zenith
Electronics Corp. are asking the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to adopt as the U.S. HDTV standard.
AT&T proposed its program delivery system to CableLabs, Inc.
(CableLabs), Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Viacom International and
the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) last December after the industry
consortium asked companies to describe how digital compression
technology could be deployed.
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