Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 4, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The IP transcoders from dicas support the two most widespread video codecs, MPEG-2 and H.264, as both input and output, thus making it easier for providers of television,
satellite and IP services to migrate cost-effectively to the new standard. MPEG-2 streams can be re-encoded into H.264 streams in real time with dicas transcoders, reducing their data rate by more than half. The IP transcoders will be presented at IBC in Amsterdam, the world’s largest trade fair for film and broadcast technology.
Three different models designed for different streaming applications will be presented to the public in Amsterdam:
dicas2011 SD for standard-definition resolutions, dicas2021 Multiformat for distributing one video channel to different receiving devices, and dicas2031 HD for high-definition programmes. The IP transcoders are equipped with dicasVICO, the new encoding algorithm closely modelled on the characteristics of the human visual system. dicasVICO achieves the same perceived image quality as conventional H.264 encoders at data rates up to 30 percent lower.
With the IP transcoders, dicas is offering its MPEG-2 codec, previously available only as the mpegable software package, in 19-inch encoder boxes for the first time. The Berlin manufacturer is thus addressing the needs of television broadcasters and operators of IPTV and WebTV headends that already have a complete MPEG-2 infrastructure.
“Anyone who purchased all their studio equipment during the MPEG-2 era has previously shied away from switching to H.264, primarily for financial reasons,” says Sebastian Moeritz, CEO of dicas. “But an expensive complete changeover is not necessary at all.” Existing MPEG-2 technology can continue to be used as usual in production. Transcoding to H.264, which offers compression rates more than twice as high as MPEG-2, takes place only immediately before transmission to clients. “Using dicas IP transcoders can reduce transmission costs drastically,” Moeritz continues.
The dicas transcoders also open new prospects for operators of satellite headends and local-area networks in hotels, business parks or hospitals. MPEG-2 will remain the standard for DVB-S-compliant transmission of satellite channels for some time. However, the introduction of more efficient and therefore more cost-effective compression methods is also in full swing here. Moeritz therefore recommends investing in H.264 infrastructure already when building the lower network levels between the handover point and end devices. “The incoming channels are re-encoded into H.264 in real time by the IP transcoders at the headend already.
At the front end, it is therefore possible to invest in H.264 technology today instead of purchasing MPEG-2 technology that will have to be replaced again in a few years. The dicas IP transcoders are thus the cost-conscious entry point for anyone wishing to move from MPEG-2 to H.264 step by step.”
The dicas2011 SD, dicas2021 Multiformat and dicas2031 HD transcoders will be presented to the public for the first time at the dicas IBC stand (hall 1, stand A80) in Amsterdam from September 11 to 15, 2009.
