New MPEG-4 encoding system dramatically improves bandwidth efficiency for Starz and Encore high-definition channels

Motorola (NYSE:MOT) today announced it is implementing a four-channel, high-definition (HD) MPEG-4/AVC encoding system for Starz Entertainment, a premium movie service provider in the United States, to begin migration from current MPEG-2 installations to MPEG-4 installations. The system compresses, encrypts, modulates, and receives HD signals within a single integrated transmission system to allow Starz to expand its HD offerings for subscribers. The system is currently being implemented for Starz Entertainment’s existing HD channels, Starz, Starz Kids and Family HD, Starz Edge HD and Starz Comedy HD. The latest addition to Starz Entertainment’s HD movie channel lineup, Encore HD, will be launched in MPEG-4 concurrent with this migration.

“Starz has a history of delivering the best in first-run, hit films in HD and we continue to expand our programming lineup with the highest quality for our viewers,” said Ray Milius, SVP Programming Operations & IT, Starz. “Motorola’s highly efficient MPEG-4 encoding system allows us to seamlessly migrate from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 with the video quality that we require while conserving satellite bandwidth to deliver diverse additional HD content for our customers.”

Motorola is integrating high quality and high efficiency technologies to deliver high-bandwidth HD channels through increased capacity. Key to this migration is Motorola’s DSR-6050 digital satellite receiver/transcoder, which supports both MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 outputs to enable Starz to transition to more efficient MPEG-4 formats, while maintaining compatability with existing MPEG-2 based cable networks. Also included in the new uplink and the new receivers is support for DVB-S2 satellite modulation which can increase the satellite transponder output by 50% – thus expanding the number of possible HD channels without increasing transponder usage.

“As a leader in video delivery, Motorola has been at the forefront of helping service providers, operators and programmers deliver high-quality HD content efficiently,” said Doug Means, vice president and general manager, IP Video Solutions, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility. “As Starz demonstrates, our field-proven MPEG-4 transmission technology provides the flexibility programmers need to seamlessly and successfully meet their distribution plans.”

As a long-time leader in HD digital compression systems and a member of the Grand Alliance HD encoding effort, Motorola has deployed hundreds of HD encoding systems in the MPEG-2 standard. The MPEG-4/AVC technology has been optimized for today’s content requirements, handling both 1920 x 1080i and 1280 x 720p resolutions at approximately half the bandwidth required with similar MPEG-2 coded signals.

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