| [April 19, 2004] |
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SkyStream Demonstrates MPEG-4 - AVC/H.264 - at NAB 2004; SkyStream Mediaplex-20 Supports MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 over DVB, IP or ATM in Same Chassis
LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- April 19, 2004 -- SkyStream Networks(R), the leader in IP video delivery, today announced it will demonstrate the real-time, broadcast-quality MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) encoding capability of its Mediaplex-20(TM) video delivery platform in its NAB Booth #SL2484, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 19 - 22.
SkyStream is showing a first-of-its-kind demonstration of advances in video compression techniques at NAB. As part of the demo, the company's flagship Mediaplex-20 encodes digital video in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 format in the same chassis. MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) is a next-generation compression technology standard that allows high-quality video content to be delivered at lower encoding rates, with less bandwidth. MPEG-4 allows high-bandwidth applications like HDTV to be delivered over existing DSL and existing cable networks.
SkyStream's Mediaplex-20 is the only delivery platform to allow reliable IP video delivery with forward error correction (FEC), transrating, video stream replication to different platforms simultaneously, bandwidth rate reduction, and MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 encoding and transcoding, all in the same high-density, multi-channel chassis.
"The benefits of MPEG-4 are significant -- especially for telco operators who want to extend their reach further in the loop and offer more channels to the home -- but so are the challenges associated with delivering it," said Claude Dupuis, vice president of engineering for SkyStream. "Service providers expect MPEG-4 to be delivered live, in broadcast quality, alongside existing compression techniques, like MPEG-2. Our demonstration will showcase the benefits of hybrid MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 solutions for the delivery of video services over cable, satellite or telecom networks."
SkyStream's blueprint for MPEG-4 migration assumes that the average household has 3 television sets, with each potentially showing a different channel or "stream" simultaneously. This scenario places heavy bandwidth demands on the DSL line to the home, particularly for bandwidth-intensive programming like sports or music videos. MPEG-4 makes it far easier for telcos to use existing lines for video delivery by significantly reducing the amount of bandwidth required to deliver each video stream.
"Our NAB demo will show how MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) can improve a service provider's bandwidth allocation by as much as 50 percent to reliably deliver three channels to each home, and offer new services like HDTV and content on demand to more subscribers," Mr. Dupuis added.
MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) encoding and transcoding capability for the Mediaplex-20 will be available later this year, allowing current customers to transition to MPEG-4 by adding field-upgradeable modules to existing and deployed Mediaplex-20 chassis.
About SkyStream Networks
SkyStream provides IP video delivery platforms that enable service providers to transform their business. With SkyStream products, they can better manage their existing services and generate new revenues from broadcast TV, movies on demand and multimedia. By taking IP closer to the edge, SkyStream's software and hardware products dramatically lower costs to provide services and optimize video delivery in any network. SkyStream is the leader in IP video delivery with over 200 customers. Visit SkyStream on the web: www.skystream.com.
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