ethernet-based live television production
DESCRIPTION
Ethernet is poised to become the backbone of the live television production industry. Live television broadcasts have for decades been produced using the circuit-switched method, but recent networking advances have enhanced Ethernet to the point where packet-switching can reliably process and deliver multiple uncompressed, high-definition television signals. By moving to near-commodity Ethernet-based technologies the test television industry stands to make significant cost savings over currently-used switching and distribution equipment. This paper examines the current and near-future feasibility and impact of using Ethernet as the sole medium for distributing all signals in a television studio or outside broadcast.TRANSCRIPT
1
DAN FLETT
BROADCAST ENGINEER
GLOBAL TELEVISION
SMPTE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE 2011
21 JULY 2011, SYDNEY
EthernetEthernet--BasedBased
Live TelevisionLive Television
ProductionProduction
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The Status Quo
Circuit-switched multicamera production– Live means live – very low latencies
“Traditional” Ethernet unsuitable– Drops packets
Broadcast-quality video over IP is possible– e.g. contribution links or IPTV
– Too much latency
– Latency is unpredictable
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Why use Packet-Switching?
Clearly, this situation would benefit from multiplexing technology
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Bandwidth Increases Over Time
Digital Video vs. Ethernet Link Bandwidth
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10
100
1000
10000
100000
1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Year
Mbps
VIDEO ETHERNET
SD-SDI 270Mbps HD-SDI 1.5Gbps
3G-SDI 3Gbps
100 Gbit Ethernet
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Live Video over Ethernet –The Challenges
Why use uncompressed video?
– Doesn’t require codecs everywhere
The big hurdle: Latency
– 1 frame of delay (40ms) is too much
Synchronisation
– Vision mixers have approx. 4 to 20µsautotiming windows
– Can Ethernet deliver?
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IEEE Audio/Video BridgingTask Group
“Bounded” latency– IEEE 802.1Qav Traffic Shaping for AV
Genlock over the network– IEEE 802.1AS Timing and Synchronisation
– Based on IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol
Reserved bandwidth paths– IEEE 802.1Qat Stream
Reservation Protocol
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Other Helpful Technologies
Encapsulation of SDI for packet-switching
– High Bit Rate Media Transport (HBRMT)
– Adds Forward Error Correction (FEC)
IPv6
– Dynamic addressing - no need manually assign static addresses
– Merge and separate networks with ease
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Impact on Broadcast Systems
Cameras
– CCU is redundant
Signal Routers and Distribution Amps
– Are redundant!
Vision Mixers
– All signals via 2 100GbE connectors
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Impact on Broadcast Systems
Video Replay Devices
– More flexibility in architecture
Multiviewers
– Auto detection of signals “out of box”
Signal Processors
– 30 processors in a frame, 2 connectors
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Impact on Broadcast Systems
Monitors– Copper 10 GbE port
– Multitouch screen, replaces router panels
Configuration / Control Server– Combines network and broadcast systems
management
– Service Oriented Architecture
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Cabling Topology – Control Room
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Cabling Topology – OB
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Cost Comparison:Traditional 24 Camera Facility 2011
Video Router (576x576) $ 432,000
Distribution Amps x 50 $ 25,000
CCUs x 24 $ 600,000
Video<>Fibre mux gear $ 40,000
Audio, comms gear $ ?
Cabling, install costs $ ?
TOTAL:~ $1,097,000
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Cost Comparison:Packet-Switched 24 Camera Facility 2015
Ethernet Port Costs
100GBASE-LR4 x 6 $150,000
100GBASE-SR10 x 72 $360,000
10GBASE-LR x 52 $ 78,000
10GBASE-T x 148 $ 55,000
1000BASE-T x 156 $ 7,800
TOTAL:~ $651,300
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Conclusion
Ethernet opens up significant efficiencies
– price reduction curve
Shorter job-cycle time
= Faster return on investment
AVB standards are open, royalty-free
Ignore Ethernet at your peril!
