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COMPANY CONTRIBUTION
infrastructure.
By using both ground and cloudbased resources, video providers
can fine-tune the balance between
CAPEX and OPEX in deploying
video processing capabilities. In
many cases, providers may keep
core video processing and delivery
in an appliance-based deployment
with cloud-based resources
handling spikes in demand, testing
of new services and providing
system redundancy. Virtual
machines can be allocated for video
processing and delivery tasks
alongside other business
applications like CRM and
BSS/OSS. As processing and storage
capacities of cloud infrastructures
improve, video processing can
benefit from increased performance while
legacy hardware can then be re-purposed for
less computationally intensive applications.
Software-defined video solutions
minimize system downtime as upgrading or
enhancing a codec or feature involves a
simple software update or upgrade.
Underlying hardware does not need to be
switched out and software instances can be
re-assigned to standby units or cloud-based
resources to assure continual service. For
example, the manner in which softwaredefined H.264 and HEVC video processing
can share off-the-shelf and cloud-based
processor resources can greatly mitigate the
risks associated with a new service launch.
Adding New Multiscreen Capabilities
As the number of consumer viewing devices
and video formats continue to multiply, video
providers need to keep costs under control
and streamline management of their
broadcast workflows by consolidating their
video processing and delivery systems. On
the content delivery side, whether over cable,
satellite or the Internet, this means moving to
IP-based video technology including HTML
video and adaptive bitrate streaming formats
such as HLS and MPEG-DASH, allowing for
universal support across multiple types of
devices such as smart TVs.
IP networking enables
distributed storage for
greater levels of content
backup and redundancy,
over internal infrastructure
as well as commercial cloud
services. The IP standard
also allows for more
efficient transport of video
from broadcast studios, to
head-ends, and local edge
all sorts of advanced features and
capabilities to be fully integrated
into a single unified system.
Software-defined Video
Processing and the Way
Forward
servers for just-in-time packaging of VoD
content.
With software defined-video, live-to-VoD
features such as nPVR and catch-up TV can
be integrated at any time, allowing for even
more flexibility and scalability. In dedicated
hardware environments, trying to integrate
Elemental Innovation
Elemental’s implementation of
software-defined video enables
rapid innovation, including:
l Industry-leading live HEVC
encoding for up to 50% efficiency
gains compared H.264
l First live 4K UHD TV HEVC video
delivery over IP, satellite, a CDN,
and the Internet globally
l Early integration with Adobe
Primetime, Apple SAMPLE-AES
Encryption, MPEG-DASH and Nielsen
ID3 tags
third-party ad messaging or forensic
watermarking capabilities means enabling
communication with legacy video processing
equipment. With its ability to support thirdparty integrations, a software platform allows
Traditional video infrastructure
solutions must give way to those
that are flexible enough to address
new and emerging requirements
that are dramatically different from
those of the past.
Broadcasters and pay-TV
operators rolling out premium
streaming services can strengthen
their competitive position and
speed time to market by deploying
software-defined video processing
architectures as the core of their
next-generation infrastructures. Softwaredefined video solutions offer a way around
the dilemma between long-term investments
in technology and short-term return on
investment. Unlike legacy solutions, this
infrastructure-agnostic approach to
implementing flexible, scalable and easily
upgradable video architectures allows video
providers to deploy software across an
optimal combination of dedicated and
virtualised resources in private and public
data centres.
Software-defined video frees broadcasters
and pay-TV operators from the constraints of
dedicated equipment by allowing for the best
architecture and processor combination to be
used for a particular application – even if
that application changes over time. This
approach to video processing enables media
enterprises to lead and manage the transition
to new video codecs such as HEVC, advanced
audio codecs, advanced colour spaces,
increased colour bit depth, object-oriented
audio specifications, forensic watermarking
and new display formats such as 4K Ultra
HD.
Elemental’s software-defined video
solutions are leading the way across ground
and cloud infrastructures. With more than
400 customers around the world, including
most of the leading media
brands, Elemental understands
that video providers want the
same thing as their customers:
more choice. As new software
features continue to be
introduced in line with changes
in consumer habits and
technology, the benefits of
adopting a software-defined
approach will become even
greater.
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