Virtuoso (Nevion) ​​adds low bitrate H.265/HEVC encoding support

Newly added low-latency H.265/HEVC support enables Virtuoso, a software-defined media node from Nevion (Sony), provide encoding and decoding for contribution, remote production, and bandwidth-constrained GCCG contexts.

Virtuoso, a solution used in all types of IP-based installations, as well as common in high-level events such as sports tournaments, already supported various high-quality codecs for video transport, such as JPEG XS, JPEG 2000 y TICO. Adding to its compression capabilities H.265 / HEVC seeks to provide encoding and decoding at low bit rate with high image quality and low end-to-end system latency.

The offer of low latency H.265/HEVC from Virtuoso is based on technology Sony integrated into a new card Low-Bit Rate (LBR) media accelerator. This solution, which can be hosted on devices Virtuoso MI or Virtuoso RE, can handle multiple simultaneous encoding or decoding channels, offering “one of the highest densities in the industry” for H.265/HEVC in a 1RU chassis.

The initial version of the HEVC media feature provides an encoding and decoding capability of 10 bits 4:2:2 low latency. Likewise, TSoIP (Transport Stream over IP) encapsulation “guarantees” perfectly synchronized transport of video, audio and ancillary data, as well as interoperability with third-party equipment. An upcoming version of the software will also add support for the ultra-low latency (ULL) mode.

Jan Helgesen, responsible for products and solutions Nevion, highlights the brand's latest development: "Broadcasters, media companies, production companies, esports companies and telecommunications service providers around the world rely on Virtuoso to transport their mission-critical signals between locations, sometimes many thousands of kilometers away. Now, thanks to Sony's cutting-edge H.265 / HEVC technology, they will be able to benefit from an additional option when they want to select the most suitable codec for their application. Offering versatility within reach. “H.265/HEVC capability expands our compression offering for bandwidth-constrained environments without compromising quality or latency.”