Sarnoff Introduces Real-Time PC-Based MPEG-2 Software Encoders For Digital TV And DVD Conversions

Vision-Optimized Encoding Algorithms Deliver High Quality at Low Bit Rates for DTV Use, Camcorder/DV-to-DVD Transfers

22-Apr-04

Sarnoff Corporation announced two MPEG-2 software en-coders that deliver high-quality video and embedded stereo audio in real time on standard Windows-based PCs. The announce-ment was made at the NAB2004 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sarnoff's RTV-100 digital TV software, in-tended for use in the television industry, converts an un-compressed analog or digital program into a single MPEG-2 transport stream. The RDV-100 version, targeted at system suppliers, transfers camcorder, DV video and audio, or web content to an MPEG-2 program stream for recording on DVDs or distribution over home networks. Both versions use Sarnoff's Vision-Optimized Encoding (VOE) algorithms to produce video at 4 Mbps that is visibly superior to what (some) other real-time software en-coders produce at almost twice that bit rate. ìNow top-quality MPEG-2 conversion is within the reach of local TV stations and cable head-ends, professional videographers, and advanced hobbyists,î said Dr. Michael Isnardi, Technical Manager at Sarnoff. ìOur VOE technology gives Sarnoff soft-ware encoders a big edge in video appearance, even running on standard PCs. ìVOE is based on a decade of experience in measuring and maintaining video quality and it shows in the picture.î The DTV-100 encoder is targeted at TV stations and cable head-ends that need instant conversion of D1 video into an MPEG-2 stream for digital television broadcast or distribution over a cable system. Typical uses include conversion of electronic news gathering (ENG) video, or transmission of local studio programming. Coded video sizes include 720 x 480, 640 x 480, 528 x 480, 480 x 480, and 352 x 480 pixels. The DVD-100 is designed to meet the needs of videophiles and independent videographers. It accepts standard DV audio and video output. Coded video output rates include 720 x 480 and 352 x 480 at 30Hz, and 720 x 576 and 352 x 576 at 25Hz. Both software converters run under Windows 2000 on a 3.2 GHz Pentium-based PC and require a standard-definition capture card. The television-oriented DTV-100 also requires a DVB-ASI PCI card in the computer. For more information, please visit www.sarnoff.com.

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