Broadcasters and video providers are continuously looking for ways to improve the viewing experience, and when it comes to live TV production, this means improving quality and reducing latency of video streams. Latency is a particular issue in live TV production because the time between the content being captured on camera and delivery to the end user can make or break the viewing experience. Every second counts in live TV, whether news reporting on breaking events or broadcasting a sports match or race.
Broadcasters are turning to JPEG-XS, a relatively new video compression standard designed to provide visually lossless quality at very low compression ratios. Unlike other formats, which focus on achieving maximum compression, JPEG-XS prioritises maintaining image fidelity while offering incredibly low latency. This makes it particularly suited for applications where speed and visual quality are critical. It’s hardly surprising then that JPEG-XS is fast becoming the go-to choice for live production environments. And with more broadcasters investing in JPEG-XS enabled production equipment, there’s a clear need for cloud playout systems to keep pace with this evolution.
As mentioned, latency is a critical factor in live TV delivery because viewers expect what they see on their screen to be in real-time (or very close to). JPEG-XS is helping broadcasters to deliver on this front because it ensures near-instantaneous transmission with minimal delay. Additionally, the format delivers high-quality visuals, offering visually lossless compression that’s essential for high-definition and ultra-high-definition content. Viewers expect crystal-clear picture quality, and JPEG-XS meets that demand without sacrificing speed.
Another advantage is its efficient bandwidth usage when compared to uncompressed video formats. While JPEG-XS compresses video to a degree, it strikes the right balance, ensuring excellent image quality while optimising the amount of data transmitted. As broadcasters move toward more bandwidth-intensive content like 4K and 8K, this efficiency becomes crucial. Another advantage of JPEG-XS is that it is highly flexible and scalable, so can be used across a range of resolutions and frame rates, making it versatile for different production and distribution needs.
Broadcasters are quickly adopting JPEG-XS-enabled production equipment to handle the demands of modern workflows, especially for live premium sports or news broadcasting. From cameras to switchers, the ability to compress and decompress video signals in real-time is transforming production environments. However, this integration also creates a need for playout systems that can manage JPEG-XS-encoded content without creating bottlenecks.
JPEG-XS is clearly growing in popularity and was a notable talking point at this year’s IBC show. However, despite the growing momentum behind JPEG-XS, few cloud playout providers offer support for the format. This poses a challenge for broadcasters looking to take advantage of both JPEG-XS technology and the flexibility of cloud playout systems.
Recognising this gap, Veset recently added JPEG-XS support to its cloud playout solution, Veset Nimbus, being one of only a few cloud playout companies that has this feature. This move allows Veset Nimbus users to integrate JPEG-XS workflows into their operations seamlessly, so that they can leverage the benefits of JPEG-XS across their entire production and distribution pipeline.
For anyone not familiar with Veset Nimbus, it’s an intuitive cloud-based playout management platform created to simplify the handling of professional linear channels for complex operations. As a SaaS (software-as-a-service) cloud solution, Nimbus fully leverages cloud technology, offering broadcasters and service providers the flexibility to manage numerous linear channels with ease while ensuring their systems are future-ready. As a cloud-based solution, it provides flexibility, scalability and ensures robust redundancy, all while delivering the highest-quality channels.
To find out more about how Veset Nimbus can help you to create, manage, and deliver high-quality JPEG-XS content on your professional TV channels, get in touch.
The Veset team will be at InterBEE from 13-15 November 2024, book a meeting here.
