Public Broadcasting Service has selected International Datacasting to provide infrastructure for a next-generation satellite network to deliver non-real-time HD and SD video programming to its member stations across the US.
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and International Datacasting (IDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding launching the alpha phase of the project which includes the installation and configuration of head-end transmission equipment and deployment of an initial group of receive sites. The next phase, roll-out to the 177 Public TV downlinks in the field, is expected to move forward in the first quarter of 2009.
Content, including file-based HDTV programming, will be distributed using IDC’s SuperFlex broadband DVB/S2-IP satellite datacasting system and the Datacast XD content management and distribution software. IDC will also be providing expanded network attached storage servers as part of the receive site kits.
John McCoskey, chief technology officer of PBS, said: This network is the culmination of years of research and work. It will enable PBS to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-quality HD programming and introduce efficiencies to make the system significantly more flexible and cost-effective.
