From November 2005, Plazamedia will implement what the company describes as Germany’s first live-capable HDTV playout operation. The full-service provider for television and new media, and Germany’s largest sports television producer, will handle live sports channel operations and playout for the new HDTV channel Premiere HD Sport. The necessary technical infrastructure was installed at Plazamedia over the past few weeks and has been successfully tested.
“HDTV sets new standards for television picture quality. Plazamedia believes in the future of high definition as a forward-looking television standard and sees itself as a driving force behind its development in Germany and Europe,” explains Florian Nowosad, chairman of Plazamedia’s management board. “We invested in the new technology very early and consistently. The fact that Plazamedia can already implement HD across the entire production chain is a unique selling point.”
Hans Seger, Premiere AG’s head of programming, describes the launch of Premiere HD Sport as the high point of the companies’ cooperation to date. “Sport in HD will create a completely new television experience,” Seger says.
Playout for Premiere’s HD sports channel will use the MPEG-4/H.264 transmission standard and Dolby 5.1 audio. HD production involves more than changes in technology. The new 16:9 aspect ratio and increased image detail also impose new requirements on camera deployment and operation, directing and television graphics. More text information can be incorporated, for example, while remaining easier to read.
