2K Server Parsing 4K Content for Dual-Link HD-SDI Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cinema systems face challenges in supporting higher resolutions like 4K and higher frame rates using existing 2K server technology, leading to high costs and complexity due to the need for multiple servers and specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize existing 2K server technology to serve high resolution and high frame rate image data by parsing and decompressing image files into a data stream, allowing for transmission over a standard dual-link HD-SDI connection, using spare bits to carry high resolution components and ancillary data packets for efficient data transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single 2K server is used to serve both 2K and 4K content, then equipment cost and inventory are reduced, but the server must handle higher data rates and resolution requirements that exceed its native capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The 2K server is designed to handle both 2K and 4K content delivery by implementing a universal architecture that can process different resolution requirements. The server parses incoming 4K content, separates it into base 2K layers and enhancement layers, and transmits them through the same HD-SDI interface, making the 2K server universally capable of serving both resolution types without requiring separate dedicated servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments 4K content into multiple components: a base 2K resolution layer and enhancement layers containing the additional high-frequency data needed for 4K reconstruction. This segmentation allows the 2K server to process and transmit 4K content by breaking it down into manageable data streams that can be handled by existing 2K infrastructure, while still delivering full 4K quality when combined at the display端.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 4K content is transmitted over dual-link HD-SDI connection, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but the connection must carry increased data bandwidth beyond standard 2K requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unused bit depth dimension of the HD-SDI interface to transmit 4K content. By encoding 4K data in the available bit depth capacity of the existing dual-link HD-SDI connection (which has spare capacity beyond what is needed for 2K), the system can carry higher resolution content through the same physical infrastructure without requiring new connection types or additional bandwidth infrastructure.
3Manufacturing precision
If high frame rate content (e.g., 48 fps) is delivered, then image quality is improved, but the data transmission rate requirement increases beyond standard capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple lower-resolution frames into a single high-frame-rate stream by combining base 2K layers and enhancement layers in real-time. This allows the system to deliver high frame rate content (such as 48 fps) by efficiently packing and transmitting the necessary data components together through the existing HD-SDI connection, achieving high temporal resolution without proportionally increasing the overall data transmission burden.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for serving audiovisual content comprises a parser, a decompression module, a packaging module, and a transmission module. The parser is adapted to receive an image data file and separate the image data file into a first compressed image component and a second compressed image component. The decompression module is coupled to the parser and adapted to decompress the first compressed image component into an uncompressed image component. The packaging module is coupled to the decompression module and adapted to package the uncompressed image component into a data stream having plural data fields arranged in a format defined in accordance with an industry-accepted standard and the second compressed image component into unused ones of said plural data fields, for transmission over a data interface. The transmission module is coupled to the packaging module and adapted to transmit the data stream over the data interface.