Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) Satellie Special Supplement 2016 | Page 5

FSS PLUS HTS KEEP SATELLITES PULSATING
Loke believes that the lack of 4K / UHD content remains one of the major reasons for the delay in the launching of 4K / UHD commercial services , where the full ecosystem of 4K / UHD production equipment still needs to be made available and affordable for more 4K / UHD content to be distributed .
Be prepared for the future of satellite broadcasting
Increased carriage of HD and particularly 4K / UHD TV across the satellite infrastructure merits the monitoring of the HEVC / H . 265 codec and algorithm , together with its accompanying developments and licensing agreements , noted APB ’ s Rossiter .
As H . 265 was designed with future screen displays in mind and can support 10-bit colour , its importance in 4K / UHD transmissions cannot be understated . The end-user quality achieved by both the H . 264 and H . 265 codecs is arguably responsible for the growth in demand for HD video streaming , and the associated data growth across broadband networks .
Within these broadband networks , on-demand models are emerging , where the Internet of Everywhere and the Internet of Things ( IoT ) are becoming pivotal , and where the Asia-Pacific satellite sector is fast becoming an amalgam of converged telecommunications , IT and IP services .
How , then , can broadcasters overcome the increasing
demand and pressure to make content available instantly , and to a variety of different platforms ?
The key to preparing for the potential increase in demand comes down to technology and training , advised Martin Coleman , executive director of the Satellite Interference Reduction Group ( IRG ).
Coleman cited how a lack of basic technical understanding could lead to an increase in errors and instances of interference in , for example , the operation of SNG trucks , an occurrence that broadcasters can ill-afford .
“ Today , with more automated systems , there is less chance of human error ,” he acknowledged . “ But things can still go wrong and the SNG operator needs knowledge to be able to resolve technical problems quickly . Adding CID ( Carrier Identification ) to this mix means that , at the very least , resolution of interference , if it does occur , will be quickly and efficiently dealt with , as identifying the interfering carrier becomes obvious .”
The need to continuously train anyone who will be asked to operate any satellite equipment is obvious , as satellite still has an important role to play , especially in remote or mobile environments , where it can be the only communication method available .
And as the demand for multi-platform content delivery increases , so will the demand for all types of communication technology . In the process , satellite is set to become an increasingly key player , given its reliability , as well as its global coverage , Coleman concluded .