Obama, WiMAX and 1 Mbps HDTV at the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Obama, WiMAX and 1 Mbps HDTV at the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Obama, WiMAX and 1 Mbps HDTV at the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC), by industry veteran, Frank Ohrtman, is must reading for anyone considering the many enterprise applications for WiMAX. The report includes analysis provided by Mr. Ohrtman and a case study presented by KMGH's use HDTV over a WiMAX network implemented and operated by Mr. Ohrtman and his company, WMX Systems. WiMAX and video conferencing vendors, telecommunications service providers, telecommunications investors and any stakeholders in the fast moving field of broadband communications will find the information and insights invaluable.

Key Findings

• HDTV over WiMAX services in the above markets are estimated to achieve as much as $12.5 billion market value by 2014.
  
  
• WiMAX vendors will learn that HDTV is a very lucrative niche market for those willing to focus on it and adjust their sales and marketing strategy accordingly
  
  
• Service providers will learn from this real-world case study that HDTV over WiMAX has powerful applications for enterprise videoconferencing, video surveillance, residential, triple or quadruple play, distance learning and telemedicine.
  
  
• Key lessons learned from WiMAX operation in which 1 Mbps High Definition TV (HDTV) news reports were uploaded over WiMAX by ABC affiliate KMGH during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO.

• The broadcast TV industry is now free from expensive satellite or microwave trucks to support newsgathering.
  
  
• Any one with a digital video camera, the appropriate encoding/decoding device and a WiMAX connection can gather the same reports live and distribute via the internet thus braking a near-monopoly on broadcast spectrum, distribution and infrastructure (towers, transmitters, and other radio equipment)

Executive Summary

Why WiMAX for Broadcast TV Industry?

Cheaper (CAPEX)

Cheaper (OPEX)

Simpler and more convenient to use

Smaller

Importance of ``cheaper, simpler, smaller, more convenient to use`` in news gathering

Potential Objections to WiMAX in the Broadcast Industry

Range and Throughput

Quality of Service (QoS)

Security

Enabling video compression technologies: the other half of the equation

HD at 1 Mbps?: HD recording and streaming live anywhere, any time

Standards

Cameras

Audio Factors

Echo Cancellation

The Audio Secret Sauce: Compression Algorithms and ``wideband``

Applications

Broadcast TV

Lesser broadcasters/news gatherers

Traveling broadcasters

Video Conferencing

Distance learning

Telemedicine

The market implications for WiMAX-based HD video services

HD Video Conferencing for the Enterprise

HDTV for WiMAX Residential Triple Play or Quadruple Play

HD Video Surveillance for the Enterprise

What is the market for WiMAX-based HD video services?

Broadcast Industry

Video Conferencing

Video Surveillance

HDTV in Residential Triple or Quadruple Play

Telemedicine

Medical Imaging

Case study: WiMAX services for TV broadcaster during 2008 Democratic National Convention

Conclusion

Figures and Tables

Figures

Figure 1 KMGH used WiMAX services from WMX Systems and Nth Air to upload video content from the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver

Figure 2 Invesco Field August 28, 2008-are all those satellite trucks really necessary?

Figure 3 Compare WiMAX subscriber station (top of SUV, left) to satellite dish. Many efficiencies follow.

Figure 4 Video editing stations: WiMAX on the left (a Denver Starbucks) and a satellite truck on the right

Figure 5 How do you get your tape to the satellite truck when you are on the wrong side of the police line?

Figure 6 WiMAX performance parameters make it a very competitive alternative to satellite services for the broadcast industry

Figure 7 WiMAX security: authentication and encryption

Figure 8 Field-testing for WiMAX and HD camera with laptop-sized encoder

Figure 9 Advances in compression technology and WiMAX make 1 Mbps HD video viable

Figure 10 KMGH covered daily Democratic national Convention press conferences from the Colorado Convention Center using WiMAX to backhaul content to their studios

Tables

Table 1: Pros and Cons of WiMAX and other wireless uploading solutions

Table 2: WiMAX prioritizes video traffic over other uses ensuring a high level of quality of service (QoS)

Table 3: Annual Revenue by Application for WiMAX

Table 4: Savings by KMGH in using WiMAX and an HD video solution during the Democratic National Convention