HDorSD-OCTA.pptVIP

HD Distribution in the Digital Headend Nov 13, 2002 Marek Skupien Scientific-Atlanta Sr. Market Manager, Headend Systems marek.skupien@ 770-236-6493 HD what’s taking so long? Has the time arrived for HD? Over 2M house holds in US have an HD ready TV set Prices for HD sets are coming down, 2M more sets are expected to be sold this year “USA’s 10 biggest operators - including ATT Broadband, AOL Time Warner, Comcast, Charter and Cox – said that by 2003 they will provide a package of high-definition television” USA Today, May 2, 2002 Numerous Headends are in process of creating “room” in their plants for HD programs S-A has shipped over 100,000 HD set top boxes!!! DTV adoption by consumers Why bother with HDTV? HDTV in the Headend DVT Program Reception DTV Program Reception……Alternating HD and SD transmission Some programs alternate between one HD and several SD services Program Management……Multiplexing of HD programs HD typically uses 13 to 19.4 Mbps vs 3 to 5 Mbps for SD programs (HD transmission in VBR may go as high as 20 or 21Mbps for short periods of time) For Efficient use of cable plant b/w Multiplex 2 HD programs into 256 QAM or Top of an HD program with some SD programs Program Management……Transrating of HD transcoding, transrating, rate reducing, rate shaping All refer to bit rate reduction of the program May allow 3 or even 4 HD programs to fit through a 256QAM But, lower bit rate = lower quality Program providers generally do not want HD programs further rate reduced at the Headend Need to consider subscriber reaction to lower video quality Program Management……PSIP information What is PSIP? Program System Information Protocol (ATSC defined) PSIP contains the program information (ex. Program Name, Number, EPG, etc.) PSIP Management: 3rd party PSIP management systems are available PSIP Management System coordinates and consolidates PSIP information from different program streams Transmission ……Bandwidth Management Bandwidth Management……Crea