The right OTT Codec: HEVC, AV1, AVC or? Prepared by: Jeff Campbell. June 2016, ANGA Com Cologne, Germany

Transcription

1 The right OTT Codec: HEVC, AV1, AVC or? Prepared by: Jeff Campbell June 2016, ANGA Com Cologne, Germany

2 Metcalfe s Law The value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users of the system (n 2 ). -Source: The value of a codec for your OTT deployment is proportional to the square of the number of end devices that can decode your content. For operators, there are tech and business risks to being first with a new codec. The goal is to maximize the number of subscribers while minimizing the cost of delivery. 2

3 Alliance for Open Media Members include Google, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Cisco, Nvidia, ARM, others Based on Google VPx IP, and IP from other founding members Now known as AV1, planning for 1H 17 first release of spec and codec Timeline for low power HW decode in mobile devices unclear; Android OS support immediate Support on the web will be immediate due to the footprint of the founding members Interestingly (so far), there are no members from traditional broadcast and pay-tv Existing members enjoy powerful influence over mobile, cloud and consumer infrastructure 3

4 V-Nova Perseus Very interesting and unique new approach, early reports suggest great potential Sky in Italy IPTV, Eutelsat Soccer Euros in 4K, FastFilmz via 2G/3G in India Requires updates to encoder and decoder eco-system and workflows Making in-roads with Intel, Broadcom, Nvidia, other semi-conductor and software companies Could be game changing, but launching a codec from scratch incredibly hard Disruptive technologies can require long integration cycles to reach industry wide acceptance Story particularly strong in 4K, but not clear indication when 4K will be must have in pay-tv 4

5 HEVC HEVC making consistent in-roads in traditional broadcast and pay-tv eco-system UHD Blu-ray, German DVB-T2 broadcasts, Satellite transport, but VERY computationally expensive Problematic for OTT, via CPU decode only, drains power of mobile device, HW options via STB Active multi-vendor eco-system emerging, reducing technology choke point Specialists like ebrisk, Vanguard (now Beamr), x265 project and all major headend vendors Likely heir to the throne in the broadcast space, but disruption is possible Timeline for broad based HEVC adoption and support looking like 2019/2020 Situation still complex, Technicolor exited patent pool, AOM pushing AV1 as head-on competitor Licensing model triggered substantial objections from industry, slowed adoption 5

6 AVC has the best business case for OTT codec deployment, heart of OTT today Lowest technology risk, lowest cost, HW playback possible on highest number of end devices Everyone here has (multiple) devices that support low power, HW accelerated AVC AVC plays central role in existing pay-tv workflow, widely supported globally, efficiency still improving High density, low power, feature rich infrastructure readily available E.g. WISI 4430 Transcoder, 18 HD Inputs -> 72 Profiles Output, 1RU, 300W total power A decision to go with AVC solutions allows operator focus on revenue and subscriber growth 6

7 And in Conclusion Deploy the platform that supports the largest addressable market It will take months for new codecs to reach critical mass with end users & eco-system Balance business and tech considerations, focus on winning customers The winner for the next-generation of OTT encoding has not yet emerged, will by 2020 AVC is the most mature technology, best business case WISI and others in the industry can provide cost effective AVC OTT options today 7

8 Contact Info Your speaker today has been: Jeff Campbell, CEO Inca Networks Inc. A WISI Group Company Jeff.Campbell@incanetworks.com 8