what kind of format do the the HD broadcasters use when sending HD signal to DirecTV?

[kathymoore]

what kind of format do the the HD broadcasters use when
sending HD signal to DirecTV? (MPEG2, MPEG4, or other)

For example: HDNet is sent to us via MPEG2, while CNN HD
is sent to us via MPEG2... but is that the kind of signal
format that DirecTV receives from those broadcasters?
Or does DirecTV get the signal in a different format and
than re-encode them into MPEG2 or MPEG4?

Thanks! :)

[Indiana627]

CNN HD is sent to us in MPEG4.

[Earl Bonovich]

Multiple... they are all different.

Local carriers use OTA in the vast majority... so that is MPEG-2
Some of the channels use MPEG-2 via SAT, others MPEG-2 via fiber
Some of the channels use MPEG-4 via SAT, others MPEG-4 via fiber
Others are even getting them to DirecTV in methods other then that... (different codecs)

DirecTV then takes pretty much every signal... and makes sure it is in the exact compresion/codec that their systems need it in, and get's it there.

[Tower Guy]

what kind of format do the the HD broadcasters use when sending HD signal to DirecTV? (MPEG2, MPEG4, or other)

Thanks! :)

The simple way is to receive the MPEG2 off the air, convert it to IP, send the IP to the DirecTV uplink via Ethernet over fiber, decode the MPEG2 re-encode it as MPEG4, multiplex the MPEG4 stream with the other stations on the same transponder, and transmit it to the satellite.

[Drew2k]

Very soon, HBO will be providing their programming only in MPEG4 format.

[davring]

Very soon, HBO will be providing their programming only in MPEG4 format.

I believe HBOWHD is MPEG4 currently.

[shmengie]

The simple way is to receive the MPEG2 off the air, convert it to IP, send the IP to the DirecTV uplink via Ethernet over fiber, decode the MPEG2 re-encode it as MPEG4, multiplex the MPEG4 stream with the other stations on the same transponder, and transmit it to the satellite.
sheesh..i'd hate to see the un-simple way! :D

[esteeze]

The simple way is to receive the MPEG2 off the air, convert it to IP, send the IP to the DirecTV uplink via Ethernet over fiber, decode the MPEG2 re-encode it as MPEG4, multiplex the MPEG4 stream with the other stations on the same transponder, and transmit it to the satellite.

(sigh) Maybe one day each entity will use MPEG-4 and no encoding/re-encoding will be required.

[Tom Robertson]

I believe HBOWHD is MPEG4 currently.
I believe you are correct and that all the HBO feed except HBOE are MPEG4 today.

Happy New Year!
Tom

[Tom Robertson]

The simple way is to receive the MPEG2 off the air, convert it to IP, send the IP to the DirecTV uplink via Ethernet over fiber, decode the MPEG2 re-encode it as MPEG4, multiplex the MPEG4 stream with the other stations on the same transponder, and transmit it to the satellite.Generally speaking IP is not an ideal transport for a long running stream of data. Overhead is too high, QOS is not high enough, and the packets are not aimed at this use. Sure, can be done but really isn't the best technology, IMHO.

DIRECTV has a fairly extensive network of leased fibre from Level 3.

Happy New Year!
Tom