Bandwidth Optimization

A rapidly growing variety of video services are being delivered over the cable network, with high definition (HD) broadcast streams consuming the most bandwidth. To address this problem and keep up with consumers' demands for more HD services, operators must either go the costly route of redesigning their network to add more capacity or they must find ways to optimize the efficiency of their current network architecture.

Utilizing patented video processing techniques, RGB's Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) offers high-quality, real-time bandwidth optimization solutions for broadcast and switched digital video (SDV) environments, allowing operators to reclaim up to half of their current bandwidth capacity to use for new, revenue-generating services, such as HD VOD, higher bandwidth broadband Internet access, or network-based video storage.

Optimizing Bandwidth in the Broadcast Environment

HD services have become a primary differentiator for video service providers; however, not only do the operators need to find ways to deliver more broadcast HD programs, they also need to be assured that these programs are delivered at the highest video quality possible. This challenge can be met through advanced statistical multiplexing, allowing for the multiplexing of up to three HD programs in a single 38.8 Mbps MPEG-2 MPTS MUX. Operators typically receive HD programs from broadcast partners at 15 to 19.2Mbps MPEG-2 compressed bandwidth per program, meaning that achieving a 3:1 HD program per MUX ratio requires sophisticated transrating and statistical multiplexing techniques.

Advanced video processing plays a significant role in managing the quality of video multiplexes, for both SD programs and especially for HD video programs. RGB's Video Intelligence Architecture^TM (VIA) uses both short- and long-term analysis of video usage and video characteristics in order to optimally buffer and manage video multiplexes. The SD and HD video content of these multiplexes is a mix of variable and complex video streams. Through patented technology, RGB's VIA is able to maintain optimal quality for each video stream while taking full advantage of available bandwidth through real-time statistical multiplexing.

By leveraging the VIA architecture in the Broadcast Network Processor (BNP), RGB gives operators confidence in deploying 3:1 HD program multiplexing to achieve optimal video quality and bandwidth-savings.

Optimizing Bandwidth in the SDV Environment

Due to the dynamic nature of a switched digital video architecture, real-time, high-density processing can play a very critical role in this environment. RGB's BNP offers the ability to prepare the broadcast streams for distribution in a switched architecture.

Click here for more information on the use of RGB's BNP in the switched digital video environment.