Implementation of 8K vision mixer that transports 8K image as multiple 2K SMPTE ST 2110-20 flows

摘要

We are developing an IP-based program production system for 8K UHDTV. SMPTE ST2110-20, which is the standard for transporting video over IP network, covers 8K transmission. However, the required bandwidth to transport an uncompressed 8K image (YCbCr 4:2:2, 10bit, 60fps) is about 40 Gbps so devices must use a high bandwidth interface such as 100GbE. Also devices for processing a single 8K stream require far more processing power than 2K and 4K production devices. — To solve these limitations and make it easy to deploy 8K production system, our 8K production system divides an 8K image into sixteen 2K images and transports each image as an SMPTE ST 2110-20 flow. This system has three advantages. First, our system can use lower bandwidth interfaces like 10 and 25 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) to transport 8K. Second, this transport method enables devices designed for 2K production to be used in 8K and 4K productions, and broadcasters can upgrade their system from 2K to 4K or 8K instead of replacing it. Finally, this method enables us to operate a production facility more efficiently and flexibly. As processing 2K images does not require high performance, production processes can be performed without high CPU usage. We can implement a software production system and run it on generic servers to enable us to deploy and use resources for program production on demand.