What caught your attention at IBC 2013

First all, congratulations and well done to all the exhibitors at IBC 2013 (all 1400 plus ) for another fantastic show.

Numbers are up from last year, as the show continues to grow. This year saw 52,322 pairs of feet hit the show halls. Up from 50,937 the previous year.

Show highlights for me this year included the the first 4K (UHD) Live transmission from London to the big screens at INTELSAT.

Live 3840 x 2160 resolution, 4:2:2, 10-bit, 60 frames-per-second screening on Sunday of the Saracens v Gloucester rugby match

4K it seems in my opinion has the staying power more so than 3D to be the next step in broadcast. However it's shelf life may be cut short as manufacturers and broadcasters press ahead for 8K.

This is even more evident when the IOC awarded Tokyo the 2020 Olympic Games. Thrusting NHK's long term super Hi-Vision project on the masses.

The manufacturers of the consumer units have a job on there hands to make units affordable as we edge towards the 2020 deadline. Maybe we will never get to 4K and by pass it all together, food for thought?

Another highlight for me was Panasonic's new PX 5000. Bit rate and bit depth is really covered here. Plus the add-ons for cloud connectivity and storage media cards 2x P2 and 2x Micro P2 cards. A really knock out piece of kit that is on sale next month.

Is Live TV the only Savior for Linear TV?

LINEAR TV  =  Time-and-channel-based TV, Linear Video, Linear Schedule, Linear Programming, Appointment-based TV, Traditional Television

Definition:
(1) Television service where the viewer has to watch a scheduled TV program at the particular time it’s offered, and on the particular channel it's presented on. Opposite of this would be incorporating the use of DVRs, VCRs or Video on Demand.

(2) When the broadcaster wants your attention only to be focused on the TV program. Typically this leaves little call for interactivity. They certainly don't want you to leave the show by going to your computer. They only want your attention to be on that show and it's advertisers.

(3) (Linear TV) - Non-interactive television.

In turn,  Social media has come to the rescue of linear television by turning programmes into must-see events!

Live events are the the only savior for Linear TV model?
	True
	False
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BSkyB and 4K

Sky trials live Ultra HD

Source Broadcast Now

Sky has ramped up its Ultra High Definition (UHD) tests - with a Premier League fixture the UK’s first live broadcast in the 4K format.


The broadcaster used four Sony F55 cameras (pictured) to capture the action in Saturday’s Premier League game between West Ham and Stoke City.

Sky said the test, which was not transmitted outside of its premises, was part of its ongoing work to meet any future demand for UHD.



It follows the October 2012 test at the Emirates, when Sky put UHD cameras from Sony, Canon and Red through their paces as part of a pre-recorded trial.

The West Ham v Stoke City match was transmitted live over satellite to Sky’s West London base from a Telegenic OB truck which was positioned at Upton Park.

The footage was encoded as four synchronous full HD feeds by Ericsson over a Eutelsat transponder to its HQ in Isleworth, where it was shown on a Sony 84” UHD TV at a resolution of 2160 X 3840 and at 50 frames per second - double the current HD rate of 25Fps.

Sky used the quad full HD (QFHD) format of four full HD tiles to construct the image.

Two UHD servers from EVS were used for replays and graphics.

4K potential

In a blog post, Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said the test showed “live sport in UHD has real potential”.

He said: “The broadcast also demonstrated the capability of our satellite platform, which is ideally placed to continue supporting high-bandwidth video.

“That said, we’ve still much more to learn, particularly about how to make full use of UHD from a live production perspective.”

Francis added that as Sky continues with its R&D work it would “keep a close eye” on the number of UDH TVs that are sold in the UK.

“As and when affordable UHD TVs are available, over the next few years, our early leadership will position us well.”

A Sky spokesperson added: “As you’d expect from Sky, we are constantly experimenting and evaluating new technologies which may help our customers get more enjoyment from the TV they love.

“As part of this research we have successfully broadcast a test event in Ultra HD.  It’s yet another UK first for Sky.

“We will continue to test and learn so that we’re ready as and when the market for Ultra HD begins to develop.”