SES Launches HDR-Capable Ultra-HD Demo Channel

SES Platform Services’ playout center. Photo: SES Platform Services

[Via Satellite 05-26-2016] SES has launched a 24/7 Ultra-HD test channel for transmitting High Dynamic Range (HDR) content at its annual industry days event May 26. The company is, with industry partners, demonstrating several technologies for enhancing the quality of Ultra-HD television with HDR, which provides much higher contrast and offers a more realistic viewing experience.

The broadcasting industry is currently in discussions to formulate a standard for HDR transmission. The goal of SES’ HDR demo channel is to allow industry partners to test the various technology candidates. At the moment the channel carries Ultra-HD content from LG Electronics with a backwards-compatible HDR technology called Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). HLG HDR content will be demoed on LG’s E6 4K OLED TV.

“High Dynamic Range will be a major improvement for satellite-delivered Ultra-HD television. As industry and operators now face the challenge of standardizing and implementing a plethora of technology candidates, we intend to support the process with our test channel. At the same time, we have started to implement relevant HDR technology at our Munich playout facility,” said Thomas Wrede, VP of reception systems at SES.