MPEG TRANSMISSION: Withtheir interframe compression, both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video can be storedand transmitted more efficiently than motion-JPEG and other intraframevideo compression schemes. Direct-broadcast satellite, digital cable, andDVD all use MPEG. In addition, low bit-rate MPEG via bonded T-1 lines --two 1.5 Mbps T-1 lines grafted together for a 3Mbps rate -- yields good,fault-tolerant results for use in cable head end program distribution,distance learning, corporate video, remote screening of film rushes, newsgathering, and cable ad insertion. Bonded T-1 MPEG over existing phonelines offers lower installation and operation costs than traditional fiber,microwave, or satellite alternatives.
MPEG EDITING:In addition to transmission, Janek Kaliczak of FutureTel is going to addressthe editing issue. Those who assume that non-"studio profile"MPEG cannot be easily edited are going to be surprised to hear that wecan successfully edit various "flavors" of MPEG quite well, evenwhen bit rates differ. (MPEG is already used in non-linear broadcast newsediting suites.) Where and how will be answered in this technical seminarby Janek and members of FutureTel's technical support team.
MPEG HARDWARE DEMOS: We're holding the meeting at FutureTel to get completeaccess to their equipment demonstration area. In addition to MPEG editingdemos, you'll see how good MPEG-1 looks when transmitted at 3 Mbps, allwhile maintaining crucial synchronization of audio and video program elements.The demo will include professional real-time encoders for MPEG-1 and half-and full- resolution MPEG-2 with composite, YUV and YC component inputs.If you're involved in providing content in any area--from broadcast tomultimedia--bring your sample Betacam tape to the demo to see how it holdsup under various encoding and transmission methods. Bring a blank CD-R(cheap at nearby Fry's and Costco) if you want to take the results withyou.
Over 80 people crowded into the demo room of FutureTel, Inc. in Sunnyvale,California, on 21 August, 1997, to hear that company's latest news abouttheir low-cost, high-quality MPEG compression, transmission, and editingtechnologies. Janek Kaliczak, FutureTel's marketing director, organizedthe meeting with SF chair Charles Hintz. The FutureTel VP of Marketing,Franco Franca, made the formal presentation to the SMPTE group.
Many variations from the MPEG "tool kit" are forming the heartof the new digital television system (DTV), worldwide. MPEG is used inDTV for direct-broadcast satellites, newly mandated terrestrial digitalbroadcasting, cablecasting, station-to-station links, CD-ROM, and DVD.With the Federal Communications Commission's recent decision to close the2-gigahertz microwave frequency to ENG use, stations will have to squeezeinto increasingly crowded slots in other bands. MPEG compression schemessuch those as offered by FutureTel will allow broadcasters to shoehornseveral signals into one frequency, making the difference between everyonegetting their news feeds to their stations and some not getting throughat all.
With their interframe compression, MPEG video can be stored and transmittedmore efficiently than motion-JPEG and other intraframe video compressionschemes. In addition, low bit-rate MPEG via bonded T-1 lines--two 1.5 MbpsT-1 lines grafted together for a 3Mbps rate--yields good, fault-tolerantresults for use in cable head end program distribution, distance learning,corporate video, remote screening of film rushes, news gathering, and cablead insertion. Bonded T-1 MPEG over existing phone lines offers lower installationand operation costs than traditional fiber, microwave, or satellite alternatives.
MPEG-1 looks quite good when transmitted at 3 Mbps, all while maintainingcrucial synchronization of audio and video program elements. The equipmentdemo included professional real-time encoders for MPEG-1, and half- andfull- resolution MPEG-2 with composite, YUV and YC component inputs.
Those who assume that non-"studio profile" MPEG cannot beedited easily will be surprised to hear that most "flavors" ofMPEG can now be successfully edited quite well, even when bit rates differ.MPEG is already used in non-linear broadcast news editing suites.
s/ Peter Hammar
Location
FutureTel, Inc.
1092 E. Arques Ave.
Sunnyvale
Click on the map to browse, then click on DRIVING DIRECTIONSto find out how to get here.
Location details: From U.S. 101, either north- or southbound, take theLawrence Expressway South exit; go past Fry's to Arques Ave., the 2nd trafficlight; turn right (west) and go to Santa Trinita (2nd traffic light); turnleft (south) into the industrial park; FutureTel shares a building withKanematsu; the entrance is at the back (south side) of the building.