Fraunhofer IIS reveals software H.264/AVC-encoder for real-time HD video at IBC 2006

Together with content protection, complete DVB-H media player solutions and new audio coding technologies for surround and stereo audio, Fraunhofer IIS is one of the leading technology providers for tomorrow’s broadcasting world. To learn more about these exciting new technologies, visit our booth 8.380 and our slot at Mobile Zone M230.

Since “HD ready“ flat screen televisions are becoming more and more popular these days, broadcasters should be prepared for the rising demand for high-definition material. With the new MPEG-4 AVC real-time HD encoder software by Fraunhofer IIS broadcasters do not need special hardware for high quality compression of HD video. At the booth of Fraunhofer IIS, a whole broadcasting chain is going to be demonstrated: A portable hard disc recorder by Megacine sends 720p / 25 fps uncompressed high-definition video material to a high-performance Linux computer where the material is real-time encoded using MPEG-4 AVC at a data rate of 6 Mbps. Via IP connection the material is being sent to a regular work station PC which plays back the video.

Surround sound is a hot topic in the field of audio coding. MPEG Surround is a whole new audio coding scheme that allows a good 5.1 sound experience at bit rates so far used to compress stereo material – especially suitable for broad­casting. The surround extension is compatible with every current broadcast audio format and fully backward-compatible to stereo or mono receivers – thus, a soft transition from stereo to surround sound can easily be achieved.

A new audio format developed by Fraunhofer IIS in collaboration with I²R is High Definition Advanced Audio Coding (HD-AAC). By adding a fine-grain scalable lossless (SLS) layer to the AAC core broadcasters are able to distribute audio signals via bandwith-limited channels (with maximum data rates or maximum buffer sizes) with the highest quality of service.

With state-of-the-art implementations of the new Open Mobile Alliance standard OMA DRM 2.0, Fraunhofer IIS offers most efficient and user-friendly content protection for example for internet streaming or download applications.

A big topic at IBC 2006 is the world of mobile entertainment. In the field of DVB-H technology, Fraunhofer IIS demonstrates the new media player SDK for embedded Linux and Windows Mobile platforms supporting the latest standards of audio and video coding. MPEG-4 HE-AACv2 and MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) are integrated as well as real-time transport protocol (RTP) and MPEG-4 file (MP4) playback. All these components are also available individually for other embedded multimedia applications. At the IBC Mobile Zone, Fraunhofer IIS shows a complete broadcasting chain with several transmitted channels and playback on a handheld device.

Visit us at: IBC 2006, Amsterdam, Booth 8.380 and at Mobile Zone M230