Envivio encoders used in trial of AVS video encoding for DTT broadcasting in China

March 26, 2008 – Envivio has revealed that its 4Caster C4 encoders are being used in “extensive” broadcast trials in Shanghai that combine AVS video encoding with China’s standard for digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

The company claims that this is the first large scale evaluation of AVS with the Digital Terrestrial Media Broadcasting (DTMB) standard to take place in China; full commercial rollout of DTT services based on a combination of the two standards is expected to take place later this year.

The three month long trial broadcasts were organised and managed by Shanghai Oriental Pearl Company Limited.  AVS streams encoded using the Envivio 4Caster C4 were broadcast using the DTMB standard and then decoded by set-top boxes powered by Shanghai Longjing AVS chipsets.  Commercial roll-out of the technology will reportedly target over 1mn subscribers in Shanghai alone and offer a range of services including standard TV set content delivery, in-vehicle entertainment, and outdoor and indoor signage and advertising.

The success of the trial in Shanghai is expected to pave the way for trials and deployments of similar systems in other regions of the country.