Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium has chosen Haivision Network Video’s Makito video encoder to deliver high definition (HD) H.264 program return video feeds for the venues at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Feb. 12-28.
The Consortium, the official Canadian broadcaster of the 2010 Winter Games, will use the Makito encoders to provide the highest quality with the lowest latency HD video over IP between its broadcast and production teams throughout the events.
“A high-performance HD system that offers high-quality video with the lowest possible latency was one of our most important criteria in selecting a video encoding solution. Among the vendors we evaluated, only HaiVision could offer the low-latency HD H.264 encoders we require,” said Mike Kozlakowski, senior manager, Media Technology Systems, CTVglobemedia. “The MAKITO’s flexible architecture will allow us to easily add additional channels as needed.”
The Makito compact encoder combines the efficiencies of H.264 video compression, the image quality of full HD video of up to 1080p60, and a very compact form factor. The Consortium will deploy 30 Makito encoders at its international broadcasting center in Vancouver, where they will be used to supply video feeds to on-air talent at the ten venues of the Winter Games.
“The Consortium’s Winter Games coverage is a perfect example of the type of HD broadcast operation for which the MAKITO was designed,” said Peter Maag, senior vice president of HaiVision Network Video. “Today’s broadcasters require affordable high-performance HD solutions that enable efficient low-latency distribution, capture, and rebroadcast of the highest-quality signals possible, especially for high-visibility sporting events such as the Winter Games. We’re pleased we were able to provide a solution that will meet the Consortium’s needs and thrilled to be involved in this important Canadian event.”
