TBC Integration, Inc., an equipment distributor and integrator of satellite video networks and subscriber management systems, has been selected by ABS (News - Alert)-CBN International to provide a new turnkey video system.

 

TBC Integration will supply a state-of-the-art MPEG-4/H.264 video encoding, multiplexing, control, and transmission platform to this U.S.-based subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting, the Philippines' one of the major entertainment and broadcasting company.

 

The new system would replace its current MPEG-2 system. The new MPEG-4/H.264 encoding technology is expected to deliver better than 50% efficiency compared to MPEG-2 systems.

 

This would enable ABS-CBN International to substantially boost video picture quality on its contribution channels delivered from Manila to North America - without having to increase its leased fiber bandwidth. It also will have the flexibility to add new channels within its existing bandwidth due to improved efficiency.

 

"Since 1994, when TFC (The Filipino Channel) was launched, we have grown from one to eleven channels, and expanded the distribution and viewer ship of our programming for cable and satellite affiliates, including DIRECTV and Comcast (News - Alert) in North America, as well as distribution to other countries," said Olivia Finina De Jesus, managing director of ABS-CBN International.

 

He further added, "This solution from TBC Integration lets us increase video quality, or add channels, or both - without increasing our fiber and satellite bandwidth expenses."

 

De Jesus stated, "We chose TBC Integration to help us evaluate and migrate to next-generation video technology because of their expertise in designing and delivering turnkey MPEG-4 systems, and their track-record in supplying us with quality product, service, and support in the past."

 

Sean Busby, Executive Vice President of TBC Integration, commented, "We are thrilled that ABS-CBN International, a leader in media and broadcasting, selected us for this system rollout. This is a great example of the benefits our broadcast customers around the world like ABS-CBN can gain from the MPEG-4 video compression and DVB-S2 satellite modulation technologies available in many of the products TBC Integration is shipping and installing today.

 

"The superior picture quality and excellent operator control of the Thomson (News - Alert) ViBE encoder system was also a key ingredient in making our design a success for this implementation," added Busby.

 

TBC Integration's solution includes Thomson's ViBE EM 2000 SD MPEG-4 encoders, NetProcessor 9030 transport stream processor, XMS eXtensible Management System, and XMU eXtensible Management Unit for control and management.

 

The in-built management, monitoring, and control features along with the satellite-backup sub-system allow ABS-CBN to dynamically reconfigure program bit-rates and route signals to a satellite backup link in the event of a redundant fiber network disaster.