Siemens Business Services to provide technical support for UK HD TV trial

Siemens Business Services has announced that it is providing the coding, multiplexing and distribution infrastructure for the BBC’s trial HDTV system, which will be used in its HD trials later this year.
As part of the range of infrastructure and services Siemens will provide during the trial, it has also secured a contract with Red Bee Media to provide project management assistance in implementation of its HD playout solution.
The HD trials represent an important step in the play-out, distribution, multiplexing and transmission of HD content in the UK, and Siemens is heavily involved at every stage of the broadcast chain.
Key activities include:

Providing HD connectivity from The World Cup in Germany to Television Centre in London.

Providing HD cross site inter-connectivity in London for cable platforms.

Providing project management services for a HD play-out system for Red Bee Media.

Providing coding and multiplexing systems for the HD on DSAT trial.

Providing a coding and multiplexing system for the HD on DTT trial.

Providing the Uplink facilities for the HD on DSAT trial.

Working with BBC, BBC Resources and BBC Research for system architecture and technical standardisation of the HD broadcast chain.
The BBC’s HD trial will launch in May and feature some of the broadcaster's best sport, drama, events and documentaries including the BBC's World Cup coverage and major Wimbledon matches. The trial is due to last 12 months and will show a few hours of originated programming a day. (CD/CL)