COMSTAR-Direct is expanding its IPTV head-end to support MPEG-4 AVC encoding and transcoding. The Moscow-based ISP is a long-standing customer of TANDBERG Television’s MPEG-2 encoders for its standard definition television service. The upgrade means COMSTAR-Direct can benefit from the higher bandwidth efficiencies of MPEG-4 AVC encoding, which is ideally suited for video over DSL networks. The addition of TANDBERG Television’s single module iPlex transcoding means the operator can ingest widely available MPEG-2 feeds and convert them to MPEG-4 AVC without the need to decode and re-encode. This one-step approach to transcoding is cost-effective, helps preserve picture quality and makes it considerably easier to re-synchronize video with subtitles. Visitors to IBC can see TANDBERG Television’s iPlex transcoding in action in Hall 1.D61.

The new transcoding function introduced at COMSTAR-DIRECT is part of the multi award-winning TANDBERG iPlex UltraCompression IPTV video processing and transcoding system. In addition, TANDBERG Television’s next-generation MPEG-4 AVC encoder, the EN8030, is providing COMSTAR-DIRECT with industry leading picture quality at low bit rates. The head-end upgrade followed a competitive tender and will be supported by TANDBERG Television’s local business partner, ISPA.