French Eye Ultra HD, Sans Bandwidth Hit

ATEME in France announced the launch of a research consortium, 4EVER, to reduce the bandwidth required for the delivery of ultra high definition TV using high efficiency video coding (HEVC). HEVC is the latest compression standard developed jointly by ISO/MPEG and ITU-T/VCEG. Currently a draft, it is expected to be submitted for final standardization approval in January 2013 as MPEG-H Part 2.The primary goal of the 4EVER program is to pave the way for the delivery of an enhanced HDTV experience regardless of the viewing context (in the home, on the go, in public places, etc.). Initially a large part of the research effort will be invested in the evaluation of the TV experience enhancement that can be offered from not just higher resolutions, but also higher frame rates, increased color depth, surround sound, and more.The consortium expects to demonstrate a first complete Ultra HD production and transmission chain within one year, and several field trials are planned throughout the 4EVER project for sports events, music concerts and other live shows.