Tektronix, FORE Deliver Full-Bandwidth HDTV Over High-Performance Network

Fore Systems Inc. (Warrendale, PA) and Tektronix Inc. (Wilsonville, OR) have demonstrated the transport of uncompressed High Definition Digital Television (HDTV) signals in real time over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. The demonstration highlights potential solutions for broadcasters, post-production professionals, video-related service providers, entertainment firms, and government agencies that have long sought the benefits of a networked HDTV environment.

The networked HDTV solution uses two Tektronix HD48 video transport devices connected to an ASX-4000 using OC-48c connections to transport the uncompressed SMPTE292M HDTV signals at 1.5 Gbps. When transporting HDTV signals with this configuration, the first HD video transport device converts an incoming serial digital video stream into ATM cells, which then are transmitted to the ASX-4000 over a single-mode fiber connection. The ASX-4000 receives the cells and switches them to the second HD video transport device, where the ATM cells are reassembled to produce the outbound 1.5 Gbps HDTV serial digital video stream.

The companies will showcase their technologies at NetWorld+Interop '99 in Las Vegas (May 11-14).