Envivio and Hughes Network Systems Demonstrate Live Full-Resolution H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) over Satellite
Delivers Live 1.2 Mbps Transmission from Germantown, MD, to NAB 2004 Conference and Exhibition, Envivio Booth SL5842
Las Vegas, NV, April 19, 2004 – Envivio, Inc., a leading provider of MPEG-4 and H.264 broadcast and streaming solutions, today announced that it is demonstrating the transmission of H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) encoded content for satellite news gathering (SNG) using Hughes Network Systems’ (HNS) DIRECWAY® broadband satellite service. The source content is encoded live at 1.2 Mbps. Traditional MPEG-2 systems use twice this bandwidth for an equivalent quality. The demonstration uses the Envivio 4Caster™ 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) live broadcast encoder as part of the DIRECWAY system providing service from HNS headquarters in Germantown, Maryland. The video is transmitted to Envivio Booth SL5842 on the NAB 2004 show floor. Content is decoded using the Envivio 4View™ 4500 H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) broadcast decoder.
The technology demonstration is using HNS’ current DIRECWAY Ku-band satellite service, providing an example of the types of advanced applications that will be available with the launch of HNS’ next generation Ka-band platform, SPACEWAY™. HNS will market the advanced Ka-band services under the brand name, DIRECWAY-SP™
“The enhanced capability of the new DIRECWAY-SP service and the highly efficient and powerful Envivio MPEG-4 encoding and decoding technology, will enable groundbreaking applications and unlock new value-added benefits for broadband customers,” said Julien Signes, president and CTO of Envivio, Inc. “This translates into higher speeds, smaller dishes, and more IP-based services like video, data, and voice.”
“This demonstration provides a glimpse of what’s ahead for the broadcast industry. The combination of the DIRECWAY-SP service and MPEG-4 AVC products such as Envivio’s, will revolutionize satellite news gathering,” said Darrell Tanno, senior director of business development, SPACEWAY Division, HNS. “For an industry moving to IP, this combination will deliver significant cost reductions and increase functionality and productivity across the board.”
Envivio is currently taking orders for the 4Caster 4500 full-resolution H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) encoder. The new encoder and decoder products are being demonstrated for the duration of the NAB 2004 conference and exhibition at Envivio Booth SL5842.
About Envivio
Envivio is a leading provider of complete MPEG-4 and H.264 solutions, which consist of a rich set of integrated streaming media tools and systems including high-performance audio and video, two-dimensional graphics, and animation. The company has established itself as the most experienced creator of high-quality MPEG-4/H.264 solutions that enable broadcasters, network operators, and content developers to build new revenue streams and use the efficiencies of delivering content to the full range of MPEG-4 capable devices. The Envivio solution includes various components to create, encode, protect, distribute, manage, and view MPEG-4 content.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 600,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY® brand. The DIRECWAY-SP™ service, which will operate over SPACEWAY™, the next-generation broadband satellite system being developed by HNS, will unlock a wealth of benefits from new value-added applications. The first SPACEWAY satellite will launch in mid 2004, with commercial service in North America commencing in 2005. HNS also is a leading manufacturer of DIRECTV® satellite television receivers, having shipped more than 14 million to date.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV), formerly Hughes Electronics Corporation (NYSE:HS), is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit www.hns.com.
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Envivio, 4Caster, and 4View are trademarks of Envivio, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All trademarks used herein, whether recognized or not, are the properties of their respective companies.
HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, DIRECWAY, SPACEWAY, DIRECWAY-SP, and DIRECTV are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
Media Contact:
Envivio
Barry Strauss
+1 650 243-2718
bstrauss@envivio.com
