The feasibility of introducing digital ENG/OB video links
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The feasibility of introducing digital ENG/OB video links |
A study by The Smith Group for the Radiocommunications Agency
General
This document has been prepared by The Smith Group Limited (Smith) for the Radiocommunications Agency (RA), to investigate the technical feasibility of the introduction of digital electronic news gathering (ENG) and outside broadcast (OB) video links and to propose a migration plan for their introduction.
This document represents the final report of the study.
Background
Analogue FM video links are currently used to transfer pictures from outside broadcast locations back to television studios. Such links occupy significant amounts of spectrum and, with the advent of digital techniques which can reduce the bit rate required to transmit a video picture, the RA is seeking to investigate the possibilities for the digitisation of these links.
With the explosion in the number of television channels that is taking place through the introduction of digital television, there is an increasing demand for ENG/OB spectrum to enable more programmes to be made and it would therefore be of great benefit if digital techniques could be used to increase the number of video links that share the available spectrum.
There are also pressures on the spectrum used for ENG/OB links from other users and, within 4 years, the introduction of UMTS will, potentially, further restrict the spectrum available.
Digital techniques which allow video signals to be transmitted at low bit rates typically add delay into the transmission path and, in extreme cases, can lead to deterioration the picture quality. Whilst the drive for lower occupied bandwidths is important, it must be balanced against the need for high quality pictures and, where important, low delay transmission paths.
In order to give ENG/OB link users the confidence to invest in new digital technology, it will be necessary to ensure that spectrum can be made available to them. Whilst it may be possible to share spectrum between digital and analogue links, the creation of specifically designated digital link bands would be more likely to increase the uptake of the new technology.
Download the complete report in Word 6.0 (277 KB)
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