WBU-ISOG Completes and Publishes MPEG-4 (H.264) Contribution HD Codec Interoperability Test Results

The following press release was issued by the WBU-ISOG (World Broadcasting Unions
International Satellite Operations Group):

Toronto, Canada (January 20, 2012) – WBU-ISOG (World Broadcasting Unions
International Satellite Operations Group) has released the results of interoperability
tests of high definition (HD) video equipment that is required for the transmission of
HD video around the world. The tests of MPEG-4 (H.264) HD encoders and
decoders from 6 vendors (ADTEC Digital, ATEME, Ericsson, Television Inc., Harris
Broadcast, International Datacasting and NTT Electronics) recorded a 98% pass
rate for video and a somewhat lower pass rate for audio – a significant improvement
from earlier tests.
Formal tests were conducted at Telesat in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from October 3-
7, 2011 and the results of these tests are now available on the WBU-ISOG website
at: http://www.nabanet.com/wbuarea/library/documents.asp#sub_interoperability
The MPEG-4 HD Codec Interoperability Program was sponsored by WBU-ISOG, an
organization of international broadcasters whose goal is to examine and resolve
technical issues concerning international video transmissions. Each participating
vendor created 22 HD transport streams based on parameters set by WBU-ISOG.
The transport streams were uploaded to a server and made available for
downloading to all participants for internal vendor testing. Vendors then took their
equipment to Telesat of Canada, which conducted formal tests. A total of 588 video
tests and 112 audio tests were conducted.
The tests were overseen by Thomas Gibbon, long time consultant/attorney to
Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, on behalf of WBU-ISOG. “One of the reasons the
tests turned out so well is because of the hard work the vendors did before the
tests,” he told a WBU-ISOG Forum in Zagreb. “The WBU-ISOG MPEG-4
interoperability program is critical for the global broadcasting industry because it
gives assurance to broadcasters and satellite and fiber carriers that MPEG-4 HD
video may be seamlessly transmitted around the world regardless of the particular
HD encoder or decoder that is used.”
The recent test results followed first round testing in 2009, also sponsored by WBUISOG
with Telesat acting as test contractor.
About WBU-ISOG
Founded in 1985, the International Satellite Operations Group is a committee of the
World Broadcasting Unions. ISOG provides a global forum for members of the
WBU to exchange information, outline requirements and resolve common
operational problems. WBU-ISOG is a joint working group of satellite operators,
service providers, manufacturers and broadcast members from around the world.