International Datacasting gets nod for PBS DVB/S2-IP satellite infrastructure

Public broadcaster PBS has selected International Datacasting to provide infrastructure for its next-generation satellite network to deliver non-real-time HD and SD video programming to PBS member stations across the United States.

PBS and IDC have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the alpha phase of the project, which includes the installation and configuration of headend transmission equipment and deployment of an initial group of receive sites. The next phase, the rollout to the 177 public TV downlinks in the field, is expected to move forward in the first quarter of 2009.

Content, including file-based HDTV programming, will be distributed using IDC's SuperFlex broadband DVB/S2-IP satellite datacasting system and the Datacast XD content management and distribution software. IDC also will provide expanded network-attached storage servers as part of the receive site kits.

For more information, visit www.datacast.com.