CableLabs names 15Mbps as "safe harbor bitrate" for MPEG2 HD VOD
We already know how fond CableLabs is of HD VOD content, so it makes perfect sense that the gurus behind the scenes are aiming to provide media that satisfies the discerning eye of the HD viewer. Considering that nearly every HDTV owner has a sneaking suspicion that they're not getting the bandwidth they're paying for at times, CableLabs new specifications hope to ensure that HD VOD viewers don't get the "HD Lite" experience. While the recommended SD VOD rate remained steady at just 3.75Mbps, CableLabs has named 15Mbps the "safe harbor bitrate" to allow all forms of HD VOD content (including talking heads and fast-moving action films) to be seen at a quality that represents what HDTV should be about, including 5.1 audio and an absence of pixelation. Of course, these latest suggestions are entirely based on MPEG2 transfers, and could very well change if MPEG4 starts running the show, but at the very least it's good to see someone making sure we get our due bandwidth.
Filed under: Industry, Regulatory
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fd @ Jan 31st 2007 1:42PM
Glad to hear somebody is looking into this issue and looking for a good standard. We notice a big difference between the few HD channels we receive.
On most of the major broadcast companies' HD channels, their signal is overcompressed - either by them or the cable company (Time Warner in our case). Exactly the same issue as with most of the digital channels that suffer from pixelation, granular and fuzzy image. At least there you could blame it on SD on a large TV set.
In the few days we've had HD, we're not really impressed with the current state of affairs. Save for like HDnet and the HD music & sports channels, I find it sad to see HD suffer the same over digitization where it takes a second or two for enough pixels to arrive for an accurate & sharp representation of peoples faces, fuzzy logos, catch up with movement ...
I think our HD cable box may go back ...
riverside_guy @ Feb 1st 2007 11:17AM
Not so sure they are "making sure we get" but they ARE making a line in the sand, and that is FABULOUS. After getting into HD and doing way too much reading, I came to the conclusion that the bit rate is very much a key issue. I see a LOT of grousing against the TV guys for issues that I thought had everything to do with the signal they were getting, specifically the bit-rate.
I also see some folks say that a 19Mb/s rate as the "best" but that may be for full 1080p signals (which are limited to the HD DVD players ATM).
fd @ Feb 1st 2007 4:42PM
I just returned our HD cable box to Time Warner, with the message that I was unhappy with the HD signal quality received on most channels like ABC, CBS, ...
Of course the ladies tried to blame it on an inaccurate setup (sorry ladies I'm a geek, technology & wiring runs in my blood) and questioned my TV set as they have HD at home and don't see anything wrong. Maybe they need their eyes checked?
Upon leaving their office there was another customer who overheard our conversation and shared exactly the same opinion on bad signal, over compression and the lack of programs, in general.
I will miss HDnet though, it had consistently a very crisp high quality signal. I hope they keep up the good work for when I try HD again.