8K Transmissions via

DTH Satellite

Thomas Wrede
8K Conference Las Vegas, 10 April 2019
VP, New Technology & Standards

SES Proprietary and Confidential |

Agenda

▲ UHD 4K via Satellite: Current Market Situation

▲ 8K Transmissions via a DTH Satellite

▲ Preconditions for a commercial Launch of 8K TV

▲ Conclusions

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4K Channels via Satellite Worldwide: March 2019

Russia: 22 ME:
Europe: 48 Asia/Pacific: 24 6

North America: 21
9

Regional Split

Source: Lyngsat 2018/2019 Evolution Q3/15 – Q4/18

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4K Channels via SES’ Satellites Worldwide: March 2019

50

Source: Lyngsat 2019

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4K Channels Forecast 2016 - 2026

We are here

Source: NSR

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UHD (4K) broadcast delivery parameters

HEVC codec: Bandwidth efficient distribution of UHD

o Data rates: 14 Mbit/s up to 25+ Mbit/s
o Content dependent: 20 – 25 Mbit/s is the norm

DVB-S2 modulation
o 2-3 programmes per 26/33 MHz transponder

Transmission & coding parameters determined by technology available at market launch

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4K on Satellite – Commercial Situation

Commercially
131 linear UHD All large flat
viable: up to 3 channels screens sold
programmes
worldwide now have a 4K panel
per txp

Rather slow
Operators need The 1080p ghost
uptake of HDR
more content for is in the room –
(too many
launching 24/7 (+ believe in
technical
linear channels upscaling......)
variants?)

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8K Transmissions via DTH Satellite

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Next step: 8K with 7680x4320 pixels

 33 million pixels – 16 x HD resolution and 4 x UHD resolution

 First channels on air in Japan – developed/promoted by NHK

 Challenge: about 80-100 Mbit/s data rate using HEVC codec

 Industry is starting to mass produce 8K flat screens this year

 No formal industry standard for 8K TV yet developed (except in Japan)

SES did a first 8K via DTH satellite transmission at its Industry Days in May 2018

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 IP Multicast 8K Satellite Transmission - Overview

Satellite ASTRA 3B
Transponder BW 36 MHz
Modulation DVB-S2X
Roll-Off 10%
MODCOD (prof) 16 APSK 3/4
Required C/N > 10 dB

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iD18 IP Multicast 8K Satellite Transmission - Details

 In 2018 SES tested 8K IP transmissions via satellite on its 23.5° East orbital position using:

 the backwards compatible DVB-MPE IP scheme and

 a native IP DVB-GSE transmission

 The codec used was HEVC and the data rate has been 80 Mbit/s.

 These transmissions were a partnership of SES, Newtec, Spin-Digital and Sharp

 The only commercially available 8K flat screen for this demo was a Sharp 70’’ LC-70X500

 Decoder: Software solution from Spin-Digital running on Intel Xeon 18 core CPU@2.4GHz
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Preconditions for a commercial launch of 8K TV

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CES 2019: 8K flat screens are reaching the consumer market

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Commercializing 8K via Satellite

1. 8K needs a more efficient codec, e.g. VVC (Versatile Video Coding), the successor of HEVC
o 8K resolution with 35-40 Mbit/s possible with VVC => two channels per transponder

2. An 8K broadcasting standard is needed

 DVB-S2X standard mandatory to achieve highest possible net throughput
 Recommendation to consider native IP rather than Transport Stream

3. Satellite industry must lobby for DVB-S2X satellite front-end integration into TVs and STBs
 Alternative: use IP input fed via a satellite gateway device

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The limits of our eyes remain but we can change the viewing distance...

OPTIMAL VIEWING DISTANCE

20

18
OPTIMAL DISTANCE (FEET)

16
480p
14

12
Typical household
10
720p viewing distance
8

6 1080p
4
4K UHD
2
HIGHER RESOLUTION

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
TELEVISION SIZE (INCHES)

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Conclusions

 UHD 4K and 8K important to demonstrate leadership of satellite broadcasting

o Only satellite transmissions allow ubiquitous coverage at highest data rates and QoS

 The satellite video business today is about HD and UHD

 8K needs a more efficient codec, e.g. VVC (Versatile Video Coding), the successor of HEVC
o 8K resolution with 35-40 Mbit/s possible with VVC – two channels per transponder
o DVB-S2X is the best standardized channel coding technology
o Decision whether native IP or Transport Stream

Industry partners need to start working on an 8K broadcast standard

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Thomas Wrede
VP, New Technology and Standards, SES Video

thomas.wrede@ses.com
T +352 710725 430

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