Telstra has complete proof of concept trials of ultra HD/4K transmission on the Telstra Digital Video Network (DVN2) in preparation for live trials in October.
Telstra used Sony’s PMW-F55 4K camera and Media Links’ MD8400 video transmission platform for the trial, which was undertaken in conjunction with an un-named “major Australian broadcast group.”
Telstra first trialled the ‘stitching’ together of pre-recorded 4x1.5Gbps native HD transport streams into a 6Gbps stream, which was then transmitted studio-to-studio.
Phil Sansome of Industry Services - Media & Entertainment at Telstra, was reported saying: “It wasn’t elegant content, but it did prove the network was capable of carrying the transport streams.” He said the network configuration would potentially allow for live switching of coverage to take place at the studio, rather than the event venue.
Telstra’s DVN is a national video transport network built specifically to meet the needs of the broadcast media industry and carries around 80 percent of all free-to-air television content viewed in Australia. It’s one of the world’s largest purpose-built video transport networks and has supported a number of media achievements such as the introduction of live high-definition sports telecasts, 3D telecasts and live screening of large-scale international events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In November 2011, Telstra announced plans for a four year $100m upgrade to the Digital Video Network create DVN2. CEO David Thodey said the $100m would go towards bringing together DVN with Telstra’s content distribution network.
According to the Telstra Media Blueprint (Feb 2012), the upgrade will add advanced media asset and file transfer capabilities to support content acquisition, distribution and aggregation with industry content partners in domestic and international markets; enable the management of uncompressed video transmission nationwide; and enable hitless switching and distribution, with advanced path protection and add security and improved monitoring, reporting and management tools that offer full integration with Telstra’s Digital Video Operations Centres.
Media Links was named as the main contractor for the upgrade in February 2012 to supply advanced network management software, installation services, operational support and continuous system maintenance, as well as its MD8000 media transport system.