IBC2007 – Net Insight focuses on ‘Entertainment 2.0’

Net Insight showed at IBC2007 that it is on top of its game when it comes to eye-catching next generation entertainment, as evidenced by the display of a 4k HD stream at its stand and its focus upon ‘Entertainment 2.0’, or high-quality content anytime on any device.  Jamie Beach reports

Göran Forslund, Vice President Strategic Accounts talked to me about the company’s latest manoeuvres, as well as showing off the 4k HD stream (four times the detail of regular 1080p).  The 4k HD picture was incredibly sharp and vibrant, achieved by a ‘super HD stream’ delivered by the same Net Insight platform that is used for IPTV services.  The video source originated in Stockholm and the feed was transported over TeliaSonera’s media network, using Net Insight’s Nimbra 680 high capacity switches.  The content was produced in four separate quadrants and then digitally glued using Net Insight’s Nimbra range of broadcast switchers.

The screen used at the Net Insight booth was a 4k LCD monitor supplied by Astrodesign.  Mr Forslund commented that the picture quality at present has purely medical applications, picture quality in this case being literally a case of life and death, and he added that unfortunately we will not be seeing 4k HD content for quite some time over commercial services.  However the demonstration proved that the technology works, and that existing high-capacity networks can be used to broadcast uncompressed super-high quality video.

Mr Forslund also demonstrated Net Insight’s headend protection for broadcast services, involving the placement of two headends on the network thereby preventing interruptions to transmission.  As one headend was disconnected the picture faltered for half a second before the auxiliary headend entered the loop and service resumed.  Mr Forslund mentioned that this is one of the ways that IPTV service providers can ensure quality of service for customers, with the gap in picture barely noticeable.  Entertainment 2.0 services, including IPTV, will in future need to offer superb quality of service and interactivity without buffering or latency, according to the executive, who added: “We can deliver that”.