Broadcasting Digital Video Lessons Learned: Transmitting MPEG-1 Video over a Microwave Relay System

This paper explores a side-by-side comparison of the behavior of digital video and analog video in a test system, and demonstrates the consistent and controllable behavior of digital video. The video delivery system used for the tests was comprised of a PC-based MPEG-1 encoder, T1 telecommunications lines, a television settop box decoder, and a 27GHz microwave transmission system. Analog and digital video signals were then tested for responsiveness to noise, reduction of power, and interference. As the tests show, digital video has an unrivaled ability to provide consistently high results under very difficult transmission conditions. Unlike its analog counterpart, MPEG video is not susceptible to uncontrollable external factor, such as rain, snow and fog. This ability gives the broadcaster a much higher degree of control over video quality and the ability to evaluate cost vs. quality tradeoffs. For forward looking broadcast and entertainment companies and corporations, MPEG provides a cost-effective way of creating new services and improving the distribution mechanisms for existing services.

Published

1995-09

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/M00502

ISBN

978-1-61482-923-2