Conventions: CBS Encodes Debates With Fujitsu

10.09.2008

CBS News is using the Fujitsu IP-9500e MPEG-4 encoder to deliver HDTV coverage of the presidential and vice presidential debates.

The network also used the Fujitsu encoder for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this summer.

The highly compressed HD video stream from the IP-9500e enabled multiplexing 10 to 14 HD video channels and simultaneously transmitted them from the conventions back to the CBS Control Room in New York over terrestrial IP networks with bandwidths traditionally associated with standard-defiintion feeds, Fujitsu said. The low latency eliminated lip-sync issues, the company said.

CBS first used the IP-9500e to broadcast the 2008 Presidential State of the Union Address in HD—the first time CBS used HD MPEG-4 AVC compression for a network contribution feed. CBS also uses Fujitsu encoders for HD satellite news gathering as part of "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." CBS will also use the IP-9500e in election coverage in November.