Cox Goes HD-IP With Path 1

Cox Communications is using Path 1 Network Technologies’ Cx1000 video routers to telecast the Padres’ MLB season in uncompressed HD in realtime. The Cx1000 will be used from venues such as PETCO Park and other Western Division National League ballparks to Cox Communications cable customers in the San Diego regional market. Cox will telecast 104 Padres games in HD, as well as San Diego State University football and basketball, University of San Diego basketball, San Diego Gulls hockey, high school football championship games, the Miramar Air Show, and the Holiday Bowl Parade. All told, approximately 150 games will be broadcast using HD-IP.
Instead of requiring a dedicated network that would only carry a video signal, Path 1 video routers enable Cox Communications to use one fiber-optic network simultaneously for three different types of signals—voice, video, and data. “Cox uses Path 1’s video gateways to maximize our capital investment in a compelling cost model,” said Dan Novak, vice president of programming and communications for Cox. “Path 1 allows us to use our existing metro area networks that we serve other customers with and transport video over IP without tying up fiber resources.”
On March 14, Cox utilized Path 1 technology to telecast the first college baseball game ever to be shown in HD over an IP network. This milestone also took place at PETCO Park in a contest between San Diego State University and the University of Nebraska.
Cox Communications San Diego is the first cable television provider to utilize Video-over-IP to distribute HD programming.