CCTV, China Mobile, and Huawei said they have successfully completed what they claim is the industry’s first 4K live streaming test on a 5G dual-band convergent network in Beijing, China.
Compared with the previous fixed-point 4K live streaming tests, this test has expanded the application scope and scenarios of 4K live streaming, and takes another step towards 5G commercial use, Huawei said in a release.
“The real 4K video had a resolution of 3840 x 2160 px and a frame rate of 50 fps,” the Chinese vendor said, which renders “lifelike details with a wider color gamut and more natural colors to deliver an immersive experience. However, real 4K video transmission consumes a large amount of bandwidth. The transmission rate on a 5G network can reach 10-100 times that on a 4G network. This caters for the ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency required by the real 4K live streaming.”
The joint test of 4K live streaming used a 5G network, provided by China Mobile and Huawei. The test route passed through the Beijing Mobile Building in Dongzhimen to the Meihui Building covered by multiple 5G gNodeBs. The test verified that the 5G network of China Mobile can effectively support 4K UHD live streaming of CCTV at a rate of 40 to 60 Mbit/s in mobility scenarios.
During the test, the three parties used a “5G dual-band networking+live streaming package” solution. This solution helps transmit 4K UHD live video signals to the CCTV headquarters through 2.6 GHz and 4.9 GHz frequency bands.
“Live streaming in mobility scenarios is an important requirement of the media industry. The success of this test will greatly change the production mode of video collection, editing, and broadcasting in major events and sports events. By leveraging 5G technologies and commercial networks, the media industry will unleash new vitality through digitalization. In addition, the innovation of vertical industry applications is the ultimate goal in realizing the value of the 5G network and fully demonstrates the strong capability of 5G to enable an industry,” Huawei said.
Sharp says 5G will lift 8K/4K video services: report
In related news, Dai Jeng-wu, president and CEO of Sharp, said that the developments of related key technologies and solutions for the ultra-high definition (UHD) 8K/4K video services will be accelerated and realized by optimizing 5G networks, Digitimes reported.
8K live broadcasting will become a reality in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 and also at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, Dai reportedly said.
Dai also highlighted that Sharp has completed what it claims to be the world’s first 8K live video recording and simultaneously transmitting the recorded images using wireless technology, and the company has also successfully transmitted 8K images wirelessly to high-speed mobile vehicles.
Sharp, together with parent company Foxconn Electronics, has completed a trial 8K+5G live broadcast in Chengdu in cooperation with China Telecom, Dai said.
