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The CodecSys Enterprise multi-channel H.264 / MPEG-4 Part 10 / AVC encoder delivers real-time live high-definition (HD) H.264 video. The CodecSys Enterprise is designed for broadcasters who require high channel density. It is specifically well suited for IPTV, satellite and Telco service providers, delivering a very cost effective way to solve their bandwidth crisis. The CodecSys Enterprise is a software-based encoder featuring Broadcast International's highly efficient, fully compliant H.264 codec. The software is optimized to take full advantage of the IBM BladeCenter which features the IBM Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) multi-core technology. This architecture creates a powerful encoder that is more flexible, more scalable and delivers a far better ROI than traditional single-channel hardware based encoders.

System Overview

The CodecSys Enterprise accepts video and audio feeds via input boards that reside in a NextIO PCIe consolidation appliance. This unit provides a flexible platform for I/O partitioning and virtualization. The PCIe appliance delivers video data to the BladeCenter QS21 blade server for processing and encoding through a high-speed switch module. Each QS21 blade server has two powerful Cell/B.E multi-core processors. The blade servers reside in the IBM BladeCenter H chassis which can hold up to fourteen QS21 blades. Encoded video output is delivered via IP through a high-speed Ethernet switch module. The system can also be configured to ingest video from and direct output to an IBM DS3200 disk array.

Video Encoding Performance

The CodecSys Enterprise offers Main Profile H.264 compliant video compression, with bit rates from 1.0 to 20.0 Mbps. The advanced compression technology and powerful Cell/B.E processor can create high-quality encoded video in HD at bitrates as low as 3 Mbps. The encoder supports I, P and B frame types, frame and field encoding, and CABAC entropy coding. Motion estimation is calculated in a 144x112 full-pel search range with motion vector accuracy down to ¼-pel for luma and chroma.

Scalable, Flexible Solutions

The CodecSys Enterprise unit features a highly scalable hardware architecture based on the IBM BladeCenter. Increasing encoding and channel processing power is as simple as installing an additional blade server in your existing CodecSys Enterprise unit. This capability provides a cost effective way to scale the encoding platform – making it simple to add new channels or repurpose existing channels for new distribution networks. The flexible CodecSys Enterprise can be configured to accept YUV file input or industry standard SDI & HD-SDI video with embedded audio and closed captioning data. The CodecSys system boasts robust output options which provide standards-based high speed storage and network delivery capabilities. As new codecs and delivery standards are developed and new distribution opportunities arise, the system’s software can be easily upgraded.