Arqiva and SAT-GE to deliver MPEG-4 High Definition platform to Asia Pacific

 

 

Arqiva’s Satellite Media Solutions division announced today that it is joining forces with SAT-GE, a subsidiary of General Electric, to provide an Asia Pacific satellite-based High Definition (HD) video platform. Collaboration and co-ordination by both parties has already begun on the new platform that will enable broadcasters to distribute and contribute HD and Standard Definition (SD) channels to Asian-Pacific broadcasters and cable headends.

From Arqiva’s Digital Media Center and teleport facilities in Los Angeles, California, the new HD platform will be uplinked onto GE 23 at 172 degrees East, which is ideally positioned to provide a broad satellite footprint for coverage from the United States into key locations including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.

MPEG-4 encoding will be employed in a fully flexible range of bit rates including 12 and 8 megabits per second for HD, and 4 megabits per second for SD. The HD Video platform offers a state-of-the-art and cost-effective solution for customers wishing to reach the Asia Pacific.

The Multi Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) signal is transmitted using High Order DVB-S2 8PSK modulation for maximum bandwidth efficiency and performance, while providing customers with a high quality solution that optimizes satellite space segment capacity on the 36 MHz C-band transponder. Arqiva will also offer a wide range of key value added services including backhaul, standards conversion, local connections and remote cable headend antenna placement.

Andrew Jordan, SAT-GE President & CEO said, “We are excited about working with Arqiva to deliver video services to the growing market. The MPEG-4 technology behind the new platform will enable broadcasters to deliver HD content at an extremely cost-effective price and will encourage SD broadcasters to enter into progressive HD delivery. Arqiva’s global infrastructure and international reputation for delivering exceptional levels of reliable connectivity makes them the ideal partner for this project.”

Simon Thrush, Senior Vice President for Arqiva in the US added: “The Asia Pacific market offers tremendous opportunities for broadcasters, and Arqiva is excited to be facilitating this growth with SAT-GE. The available capacity on GE 23 makes it a particularly attractive proposition for broadcasters with an eye on future expansion, while its extensive footprint provides access to key growth markets including China. The combination of Arqiva’s MPEG-4, DVB S2 8PSK technology, and relationship with SAT-GE, will be instrumental in redefining and expanding the HD satellite neighborhoods in the Asian Pacific marketplace, enabling Arqiva to offer a cost effective and high quality service to our customers.”