Zixi protocol provides low latency delivery over the Internet in end-to-end 8K live video showcase
Zixi the industry leader for enabling dependable, live broadcast-quality video over any-IP, and award winning architect of the Software-Defined Video Platform (SDVP), has joined Intel, NHK, Spin Digital and more to demonstrate 8K live streaming over the Internet. The demonstration consisted of an end-to-end 8K live video showcase from live production to encoding, streaming and playback on 8K TVs.
Intel, NHK Technologies, Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center – PSNC, Spin Digital, and Globo were supported by Sony, Astrodesign, and Zixi in the event, which demonstrated:
- Software HEVC real-time encoder that can compress 8K 60 Hz video with broadcast-grade quality at low bitrate and with low-latency
- Low-latency live streaming over the internet
- 8K live production using three cameras
- 8K HEVC software decoder and playback on 8K TVs with HDMI 2.1 interface
The demonstration consisted of an end-to-end 8K live video showcase from live production to encoding, streaming and playback on 8K TVs.
The 8K live programme was produced at the PSNC’s 8K studio in Poznan (Poland), with the video signal encoded using Spin Digital’s HEVC encoder and streamed to multiple locations across the world, where it was received live and played on 8K screens. Viewing locations included NHK Technologies in Tokyo, Globo in Rio de Janeiro, Intel in Portland Oregon, and Spin Digital in Berlin.
The 8K content, with 7680×4320 pixels, 10-bit, at 60 frames/s, was encoded in real-time using Spin Digitak’s HEVC software encoder. The encoder was able to provide broadcast-grade quality in a low-latency configuration at 120 Mbit/s, with the same level of quality possible with a bit rate of 48 Mbit/s in a high-efficiency encoding configuration.
The content was then distributed to multiple viewing points across the globe using the internet. The streaming module of the encoder simultaneously produced a HTTP live stream (HLS) for final distribution, and a low-latency stream that was distributed using RTP and Zixi point-to-point protocols.
The live stream was played back using a software HEVC decoder and 8K media player developed by Spin Digital running on Intel Core i9 CPUs. The media player includes a flexible output module with support for different 8K interfaces including HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1, and 12G SDI.
“Transmitting broadcast-quality 8K content live over the internet requires highly efficient video coding as well as reliable streaming technologies. This demo highlighted the possibilities of a state-of-the-art HEVC software encoder for reducing the bitrate needed for 8K live applications, as well as the possibility of delivering low-latency live 8K over the internet. This is the result of our multi-year joint R&D efforts and perseverance to deliver more, better and faster pixels while collaborating with the industry leaders worldwide”, said Dr Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, CEO, Spin Digital and Ravindra Velhal, global content strategist, Intel Corporation.
Read the original article by Jenny Priestley in TVEurope.
