Globecast puts HD in Rugby World Cup scrum

GlobeCast
is putting HD in the spotlight at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, providing
end-to-end satellite and fibre contribution services for host broadcaster TVH
as well as other major broadcasters, and experimenting with uncompressed HD
signal transmission, an exciting development that promises to make life easier
for telecoms wishing to transmit HD footage in a timely and cost-efficient
manner.

To service
its clients at this major event, GlobeCast will deploy a fleet of 15 SNG
vehicles to matches in every corner of

France, including three trucks
dedicated to HD. It will also provide on-site production, dedicated facilities
and network capacity to deliver High Definition coverage of the games.

Host
broadcaster TVH asked GlobeCast to transmit coverage in SD and HD from the
matches to its International Broadcast Centre (IBC) outside

Paris. Additionally, for the first time
in
Europe, GlobeCast will provide
long-distance, terrestrial transport of non-compressed HD signals – a development
that promises to help telcos transport HD video without modifying
infrastructures, updating equipment or compromising quality. This
experiment will be held at matches in Marseille.

As a
security measure, GlobeCast will also ensure the transport in SD of all backup
feeds via satellite.

The Rugby
World Cup, which starts at the Stade de France on 7 September, will be one of
the biggest sporting events of the year and GlobeCast’s expertise in providing
broadcast services from major competitions such as this will ensure secure and
flawless quality of coverage.