The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show is just a few days away; the broadcast video world will take over Las Vegas to showcase their latest innovations April 13-16. Over the years, this market has evolved from standard definition (SD) (SMPTE-259M) to high definition (HD) (SMPTE-292M) to 3G (SMPTE-424M). Fueled by the four-times-higher resolution, some content providers have already begun producing 4K content.
While the complete deployment of 4K could be as slow as the SD-to-HD transition, the transition is inevitable. 4K adoption will speed up when the cost premium of 4K content creation, transport and display becomes acceptable. Consumers then would be able to enjoy streaming 4K videos with higher clarity. In order to support ultra-high-definition 4K, semiconductor manufacturers need to deliver serial digital interface (SDI) devices capable of 12G performance to enable transmission over a single link.
A single link for SDI has traditionally been synonymous with coax cables. But recently, the video market has considered the use of the Internet protocol (IP) infrastructure (10 gigabit Ethernet) to facilitate video transmission (SMPTE 2022-5/6). As the IP infrastructure is available for transmission up to 100Gbps, it makes complete sense to tap into existing resources for video transport. Being a lower cost and widely used protocol makes IP attractive for the 4K transition. Depending on the system’s reach requirements, SDI or IP or both could be used. We are definitely looking forward to the dialogue and announcements tied to 4K/ultra-high-resolution (UHD) transport over SDI and IP at NAB this year.
Our latest innovation for broadcast video makes it easy for equipment manufacturers to take either approach for their 4K transmission link: IP or SDI. The LMH1218 is the industry’s first 12G cable driver to support both SDI- and IP-based 4K video transmission. The LMH1218 gives you the flexibility to design video-infrastructure equipment for either the SDI or IPformats using a single device. In addition, the device supports coax cable for short-haul networks and optical media for long-haul communication.
Jitter performance of the link is a key factor in quality of video transmission, making the difference for end users between a smoothly streaming video and annoying breaks or flickering in the transmission. This jitter becomes even more critical at higher date-rates given the media bandwidth limitations, requiring the signal to be reclocked before transmission. Featuring an integrated reclocker, the LMH1218 eliminates the need for an external reclocker, thereby simplifying system design. These features, packed in a 4mm x 4mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package, should put you at ease when deciding between the protocol (SDI or IP) or media (coax or optical).
To learn more about the capabilities of this device and to see a demonstration of the LMH1218, stop by TI’s booth, N8519, at the NAB Show April 13-16. If you happen to miss the show, you can learn more about the LMH1218 by reading its data sheet.
Additional resources:
- Order an evaluation module LMH1218EVM to speed your 4K development.
- Use an IBIS model to simulate and optimize broadcast and professional video circuitry.
- Explore TI’s entire offering for broadcast and professional video, please go to this page.