Sapec updates its Avantos encoders and decoders with HEVC for the Main 422 profile in 10 bits

At NAB 2016, Sapec debuts improvements to its Avantos encoder/decoder line, the Siva One modular encoder, the Gredos encoder, IRD solutions, and the Altum-II HDTV high-definition encoders.

Sapec has introduced major enhancements to its Avantos line of real-time HD/SD encoders and decoders for broadcast and telecommunications service providers. Based on the HEVC/H.265 compression standard, Avantos allows users to contribute video to maintain or improve video quality, or reduce the required bitrate by up to 50 percent.

With the new version, Avantos solutions support the Main 422 (8/10-bit) profile for HEVC compression and offer new features for delivering video with less than a second end-to-end latency.

Miguel Ángel Cristóbal, CEO of Sapec, highlighted that "our Avantos products already operate with one of the most optimized encoding-decoding latencies on the market. Now, with this latest version, we are one of the first global suppliers to offer a complete HEVC encoding/decoding solution for the Main 422 profile in 10 bits."

“The new launch is an important milestone in our path to offer our clients the most advanced technology in video contribution,” he added.

The version announced in Las Vegas brings the Avantos line up to four products: the VHE5210 encoder and VHD5210 decoder for HD video, and the VSE5210 encoder and VSD5210 decoder for SD video.

With support for HEVC, systems are capable of delivering bandwidth savings between 35 – 50% compared to the previous generation H.264 standard. This allows users to deliver better video quality for the same bit rate or to reduce the bandwidth required to maintain the current video quality with a significant reduction in the operating costs of their contributions/links. AVANTOS solutions include HD-SDI/SDI input/output interfaces for video and support for embedded audio or with AES inputs.

In addition to 10-bit Main 422 support, Avantos encoders and decoders support high-definition Main and Main-10 profiles (720p and 1080i) and SD signals (480i, 575i), as well as MPEG-2 and H.264 compression (optional). For audio, these encoders offer the option to compress signals in MPEG-1, AAC, Dolby AC3 and EAC3 formats.

Sivac One

In Las Vegas Sapec also shows Sivac One, its new video encoding solution. It is a modular line for high definition HDTV H.264/MPEG-2 implementations. Supporting up to three encoder cards in a 1-RU rack, Sivac One enables H-264/MPEG-2 encoding, with extremely low latency and low power consumption. SIVAC ONE has HD-SDI/SDI video input and four AES/EBU interfaces that support up to 4 stereo audio channels and up to 8 embedded channels. The Sivac One She module provides H.264 and/or MPEG-2 Main, High and H422 (8/10-bit) compression.

Sapec also highlights its Gredos line of video encoders and integrated receiver decoders (IRD) for DSNG. This solution now supports Carrier ID, and DVB-S2X support. The family includes: the Gredos GHM encoder with integrated DVB-S2 modulator (upgradable to DVB-S2X) and the Gredos GHR IRD.

These devices support both contribution and distribution over ASI, IP and L-band connections for H.264 / MPEG-2 video in both SD and HD.

Finally, refer to the fourth generation of Altum-II from SAPEC, a professional line of HDTV audio and video encoders that supports H.264 / MPEG-2 Main, High, and H422 profiles with lower latency, lower power consumption, greater functionality and high reliability.

The new encoders offer advanced compression algorithms to preserve image quality at lower bit rates, as well as a reduction in total video-to-video latency of 20 percent and an improvement in energy efficiency of more than 50 percent over previous models.

Altum II devices also have more powerful processing technology and a larger front display that allows complete configuration of the device from the front.

At the 2016 NAB Show, Sapec is showcasing the latest innovations and features in ALTUM II, including a new internal MPTS generation function, which combines encoded video and audio to generate television and radio programs in a single unit.

Access to the NAB 2016 SPECIAL in Panorama