Swiss telco Swisscom has selected German technology company Rohde & Schwarz to provide ultra-high definition encoding facilities for its upcoming broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Ultra HD.
Using Rohde & Schwarz’ R&S AVHE100 video encoding and multiplexing system, Swisscom will provide support for Ultra HD (UHD) channels on its IPTV platform Swisscom TV for Swiss public broadcaster SRG, the rights holder of the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Rohde & Schwarz will supply a fully redundant UHD encoding platform enabling SRG to distribute live and recorded coverage of the tournament on three domestic channels.
The encoder uses an HEVC algorithm developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute. As well as being 4K compatible, the R&S AVHE100 platform is capable of handling high dynamic range (HDR) content.
Rohde & Schwarz will also provide technical and operational support in the run-up period and throughout the World Cup.
“It’s not just outstanding image quality that attracted us to Rohde & Schwarz – it employs the lowest possible bitrate, which presents major operational advantages,” said Bruno Haug, Head of TV Development at Swisscom. “This efficiency enables us to provide UHD services to more viewers thanks to unparalleled signal chain processing technology.”
