GlobeCast Australia to Launch Australasia’s First MPEG-4 Service on Optus D2

GlobeCast Australia announced a major upgrade that will allow the company to deliver its customers the first high-quality MPEG-4 services on the Optus D2 DTH satellite platform. GlobeCast Australia is a provider of broadcast services for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands and is part of the worldwide GlobeCast group.

“We have invested in MPEG-4 to give our customers access to the latest world-class technologies to help them innovate and grow,” says GlobeCast Australia’s Chief Executive Simon Farnsworth.

GlobeCast will commence its new MPEG-4 service with its channel partner RTS SAT, on behalf of EURO World Network (EWN). EWN operates a DTH and IPTV distribution platforms in Australia; using GlobeCast Australia DTH satellite distribution on Optus D2.

Mark Lobwein, Chairman of EURO World Network said, “It is a pleasure to be working with GlobeCast Australia in this region for our blue chip customer, RTS SAT. GlobeCast has been looking after DTH services in Australia for over a decade and we are excited to be working with them to deliver this new technology for our satellite customers.”

Farnsworth said MPEG-4 offers GlobeCast customers:

• Increased household penetration potential because of its higher-quality video delivery to large-screen flat-panel displays
• Higher-quality sound with an option for Dolby audio
• Greater bandwidth efficiency and value

GlobeCast Australia’s enhancement of its Optus D2 DTH platform includes upgrading four carriers to state-of-the art Thompson Video Networks MPEG-4/MPEG-2 encoders. The Optus D2 DTH platform covers Australia and New Zealand.

RTS SAT will be available in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 until the end of the year.