According to the conclusions of a recent broadcast study, IP networking, content distribution, and 4K/UHD are among the top three economically relevant innovations in broadcast right now. It’s no secret that broadcasters are under a lot of pressure. In order to accommodate 5G wireless networks, not only are the C-Band and other satellite broadcasting services that they have come to depend on to deliver material to their viewers becoming limited, but they are also facing increased demand for live, 4K UHD video.
Establishing up a private network or depending on dedicated fiber are both expensive and time-consuming alternatives to C-Band. Meanwhile, high-speed internet is almost universally available. As a result, broadcast technicians are progressively turning to internet technologies for live HD and 4K video creation.
Consider the advantages
Consumers are increasingly purchasing 4K UHD TVs as the tide begins to change. As a consequence, whether they prepared for it or not, broadcast engineers, OB van operators, and television producers are increasingly being asked to provide live 4K UHD material. The drive to distinguish and provide premium service quality for 4K UHD displays is causing broadcast professionals to become more concerned that they may fall short when it comes to providing 4K content, particularly for live remote productions.
Following the widespread adoption of 4K UHD TV displays, broadcast engineers are now being requested to expand the scope of their video contribution through internet processes to include double the frame rate, four times of resolution, and 10-bit color schemes.
When all of these factors are taken into account, it’s evident that 4K UHD takes substantially more bandwidth than HD. More pixels, higher frame rates, and more bandwidth are all advantages. Workflows have to be able to adjust to changing bandwidth needs when HD material coexists with the rising volume of 4K footage. To learn more about 5 things to consider for live 4K and HD production over the Internet, keep reading.
Important features
When creating a process for both HD and 4K video contribution via the Internet, keep the following points in mind:
Video Compression: HEVC/H.265
Improvements in video encoding, particularly HEVC, now allow 4K UHD material to be streamed over a regular internet connection. When compared to H.264, HEVC may shrink the size of some video streams by up to 50%. (also known as AVC). Bandwidths may be kept low while simultaneously maintaining appropriate quality levels for live TV production in both HD and 4K by integrating HEVC video encoding for remote production processes.
Also, read the differences between H264 and H265 at h.264 vs h.265
Low Latency
The nightmare of live broadcasting production is latency. Delay will increase further down the pipeline if there is an increase in latency in the initial mile of broadcast contribution. Therefore, broadcast engineers and remote production managers must guarantee that a 4K video encoding delay is under less than half a second, just as they do with HD footage.
Color 10-bit
While 8-bit colors may serve for HD material, 10-bit colors are required for 4K UHD to accommodate broader HDR and Rec.2020 color spaces. Contribution over the internet procedures may adapt to both HD and 4K by adding the option of toggling between 8 and 10-bit pixel levels.
The reason 10-bit color is important for 4K UHD is that it allows for a much broader range of colors to be displayed. This becomes especially important when trying to display HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which requires an even wider range of colors. With the option to toggle between 8 and 10-bit pixel levels, internet contribution procedures can be adapted to accommodate both HD and 4K content.
SDI 3G to 12G
While 3G SDI connections are ideal for recording live HD footage from specialized cameras, 4K requires more. Four 3G SDI connections or a 12G SDI input are available. Because no two 4K inputs can be the same, a video encoder should be able to accommodate both HD and 4K workflows utilizing 3G, 6G, or even 12G SDI.
Streaming Security and Reliability
Delivering a 4K video is focused on giving the viewer a fantastic experience. When unpredictable internet connections harm the quality of a 4K stream, the viewer’s experience diminishes. When streaming 4K material over the internet, it’s now more necessary than before to use a secured traffic protocol like SRT to ensure that the information is delivered properly. Using SRT technology for encryption of videos in the AES-128 and 256-bit standard also protects sensitive information from unauthorized access.
As we have seen, streaming live 4K and HD video over the internet is possible with the right equipment and bandwidth. The quality of the video depends on a number of factors, including the encoding method, bitrate, and network conditions. While there are some challenges to overcome, such as latency and buffering, the benefits of streaming live video far outweigh any potential issues. With proper planning and execution, businesses can deliver stunning live video presentations that will engage and impress their audiences.