Eutelsat starts 4K demo channel

Satellite operator Eutelsat is launching a 4K TV demonstration channel.

Eutelsat will begin transmitting in 4K from today. According to the Paris-based operator, the channel is designed to benefit everyone in the broadcasting chain who wants to acquire expertise in 4K, including production companies, pay TV operators, rights owners and TV set manufacturers.

Eutelsat has teamed up with video compression provider Ateme to deliver the channel, which will be uplinked from its teleport in Rambouillet, Paris.

Eutelsat is launching the channel to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where 4K or Ultra HD is expected to be a key highlight, with a number of new Ultra HD TV sets beingshowcased by consumer electronics manufacturers.

The channel will operate in progressive mode at 50 frames per second, transmitting in the MPEG-4 format at 40Mbps in four Quad HD (2160p) streams.

“This new step towards 4K continues Eutelsat’s longstanding commitment to achieving new broadcast milestones that over the last 20 years have included digital TV, HDTV and 3D,” said Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat’s commercial director. “Early and close collaboration between all players in the broadcast chain will be a key success factor for this new revolution and so we are delighted to propose this first broadcast platform for Europe.”