New decoder promises ultra-high definition viewing experience

16th December 2016

By: Schalk Burger

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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The video and broadband equipment multinational Arris set-top boxes – including the latest DStv Explora 2 decoder in South Africa being made for video entertainment company MultiChoice – will form a part of increasingly connected homes by providing new video compression for broadcast and streaming services, says Arris Middle East and Africa sales regional VP Darren Granger.

The High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard used in the new decoders enables video files to be compressed and transmitted more efficiently without losing quality. Thus, the standard also enables higher quality video to be streamed using the existing connectivity to houses, which includes satellite and ground-based telecommunications.

“HEVC is an enabler for 4k resolution ultra-high definition video to be streamed to any device, in keeping with increasingly connected homes and mobility trends,” he notes.

The HEVC decoders enable video and content service providers to deliver video content to consumers more efficiently, making high-definition video entertainment more accessible to a larger portion of the consumer market.

Video entertainment and streaming services are driving the growth of demand to view subscription entertainment services on any device, and the HEVC standard improves the quality of video consumers can receive.

“Arris focuses on providing service and content providers with the technology to meet evolving consumer demands. The new HEVC decoders will enable service providers to lower their costs to transmit video files, which will benefit consumers, enabling them to either reduce their data consumption or receive higher quality video files without increasing data costs.”

The DStv Explora 2 decoders will, similar to the earlier Explora decoders, be fully manufactured in South Africa to exacting international standards, with some of the units being made for export to other Southern African markets, says Granger.

“While the HEVC standard will support the adoption and growth of 4k resolution ultra-high definition, the standard could also potentially be used to compress virtual reality files for more efficient transmission in the future.”

Arris, which has core capabilities in network infrastructure and cloud systems, aims to help service providers to transform their networks and, as a result, increase their ability to use their existing systems more effectively and cost effectively.

The key aspect of the network transformation trend is the principal of convergence; this trend impacts on service providers, business clients and consumers, and has a commensurate effect on the businesses serving these segments, concludes Granger.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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