Featured Story
Intel and telcos left in virtual RAN limbo by rise of AI RAN
A multitude of general-purpose and specialist silicon options now confronts the world's 5G community, while Intel's future in telecom remains uncertain.
For the Paris Games, Comcast will trot out an 'enhanced' 4K feed on USA Networks that packs more pixels, adds enhanced audio and brings 'ultra-low latency' that delivers coverage to the TV about 10 seconds behind the live action.
Following earlier trials, Comcast said it will offer an "enhanced" 4K stream for a portion of its coverage of the Summer Olympics in Paris that beefs up the quality of the image, enhances the associated audio and delivers it all just seconds after the live action.
Comcast said its enhanced 4K offering, for X1 customers with 4K-capable boxes (such as the Xi6) and 4K/HDR-capable TVs, will be available on USA Network's 24/7 coverage during the games.
During the Games, X1 customers will be able to locate the enhanced 4K within X1's Olympics "destination," which also curates access to NBCU's Olympics coverage on NBC, E!, CNBC, Golf Channel, Telemundo, Universo, two new "Paris Extra" channels and streaming via Peacock. Viewers will also have the ability to customize access to live events and replays by tagging their favorite sports, a function that will carry over to the Xfinity Stream app.
The enhanced 4K feed itself will pack in more pixels and support Dolby Vision HDR (high dynamic range) and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Trialed during Super Bowl LVII
Comcast shed more light on what it calls enhanced 4K and "high fidelity video" in February at its "Converge" event in Philadelphia.
Execs there noted that the format packs about 66% more bits than a traditional 4K feed at latencies that are only about 10 seconds behind the live action at the venue. Comcast's version of a high fidelity video stream, requires speeds of 25 Mbit/s to 35 Mbit/s, Fraser Stirling, Comcast's global chief product officer, said at the event.
A Comcast official confirmed that the stats disclosed at the Converge event will also hold true for its enhanced 4K coverage of the Paris Games. The official also confirmed that the enhanced 4K stream on USA Network will be delivered on a managed, IP video stream (so, not delivered via the public Internet).
Streaming media expert/analyst Dan Rayburn noted on LinkedIn that Comcast is using high-bitrate HEVC compression for the enhanced 4K content it will deliver during Paris games.
Prior to its coming during the summer games, which open on July 26, Comcast tested enhanced 4K with about 200 employees in the US and with Sky in Europe for Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. At Converge, Comcast also demonstrated how TV coverage of a soccer game in high fidelity video compared to a traditional HD broadcast.
Enhanced 4K is Comcast's new standard for live sports
"Moving forward, enhanced 4K will be the new quality standard for live sports delivered in 4K on X1," Comcast said in its announcement.
Among other enhancements for the Summer Games, X1 will also feature an interactive daily schedule of all live and upcoming events, allowing viewers to tune directly to live events, set reminders and set DVR recordings. X1 will also provide access to AI-assisted catch-up highlights that take viewers directly to key moments and plays during Olympic events.
On Xfinity Flex and the Xumo Stream Box – streaming devices that are offered at no added cost to Comcast's broadband-only subscribers – Comcast will also feature an Olympics destination that highlights Peacock's 5,000-plus hours of live coverage and Peacock's new multi-view feature, as well as Olympic-related programming from other sources, including YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+ Max and Amazon Prime Video.
You May Also Like