We caught up with b<>com to talk about their prize-winning SDR to HDR technology
European Research Institute b<>com focuses on creating innovations in services, tools, and products across a broad range of areas. Their SDR to HDR technology recently received recognition from the broadcast industry’s leading trade fair, NAB Show. They collected the event’s top prize, the Technology Innovation Award, in front of 103,000 attendees. We caught up with their communications manager Delphine Jugon, to discuss the win.
b<>com have just been awarded at the NAB Show (the biggest event for the broadcast industry). Congratulations, what was the prize for?
It was for our SDR-to-HDR up-conversion technology. This prize recognizes organizations that bring advanced technology exhibits and demonstrations of significant merit to NAB.
Why do you feel your technology edged out the competition?
For a few months, HDR has been recognized as the key technology for the future of TV. High Dynamic Range offers a significant visual advantage in perceived user experience: it increases the contrast, color saturation, and feeling of depth in HD and Ultra HD images. Although Ultra HD TV is being rolled out gradually, little content is or will be produced in HDR and therefore available for distribution. At the same time, the first HDR-compatible screens for consumers have been entering homes since 2015. How will content distributors be able to make use of existing content and SDR equipment while offering the immersive experience promised by HDR? This is the demand we are meeting.
How does it work?
The SDR-to-HDR technology provides a simple yet powerful way to convert SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content into an HDR (High Dynamic Range) format. The algorithm intelligently exploits high dynamic range of the target display while carefully preserving the artistic intent of the source SDR video.
What are the use-cases?
It is particularly well suited for production and distribution of content: behind SDR cameras, in the final control room… It can also be used on the receiving side in set-top boxes or televisions.
Among the applications are broadcasting of live events in HDR, using a number of cameras which are not necessarily HDR-capable. It’s also great for up-conversion of legacy channels to HDR for broadcasters or OTT providers that would like to offer a HDR version of SDR legacy channels
What’s next from the solution?
We are working on a Saas version for this techno. It will leverage video and audio processing in the cloud, using Linux container technology to ensure reliability, robustness and scalability.
Find out more on b<>com’s website
