MLB Network Telecasts 2010 All-Star Programming in Live HD with Ericsson Solution

Ericsson’s HD video processing solution was selected by MLB Network for its live coverage surrounding the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, including the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet, MLB Tonight All-Star Batting Practice and MLB Tonight All-Star Edition. The innovative solution allows MLB Network to use less bandwidth and simultaneously improve picture quality. Ericsson's market leading MPEG-4 AVC HD encoders placed at Angel Stadium and Disneyland feed streams into a multiplexer that combines the signals into a single multiservice stream for transmission back to Secaucus, NJ for re-distribution to MLB Network.

Played on Tuesday, July 13, in Anaheim, Calif., the 81st MLB All-Star Game features the best of the American League taking on the top players of the National League. The game is televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet, Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau de Sport, and around the world by Major League Baseball International. MLB Network programming is also streamed for viewing on MLB.com.

"We’ve been able to expand our network operations center out into the field with the equipment provided by Ericsson so that we can seamlessly control the product from capture through delivery," said Brad Cheney, Director of Engineering, MLB Network. "We’ve given our engineers and technicians the ability to control the video, audio and multiservice stream throughout the entire transmission process."

"When a consumer purchases an HDTV, they expect live sporting events to have amazing picture quality. To make that happen the entire process from venue to viewer must support the capture and delivery of the event," said Matthew Goldman, Head of Compression Technology at Ericsson. "Working with sports partners like MLB Network challenges us to create the best solutions for the market. It is an honor to have been selected to support coverage of these exciting All-Star events."

The complete solution includes Ericsson encoders, multiplexers and multi-format receivers (decoders). As part of the production and monitoring process, encoders and decoders placed at Angel Stadium and Disneyland provide the onsite crew with two router feeds (video from MLB Network edit rooms and other production sources) and two confidence feeds (network programming).

"Through the use of MPEG-4 AVC based transmission technologies, like the Ericsson solution featuring MPEG-4 AVC encoder and decoders, we have been able to streamline and enhance the quality of service we are providing to ourselves and our partners, including MLB International. With the added use of multiplexing multiple feeds into a single stream, we’re able to provide more product to our users, which is higher quality at a lower cost," added Cheney.

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 55 million cable, telco TV and satellite homes. In its inaugural year, MLB Network was honored with four Sports Emmy Awards and 12 nominations by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans.

About Ericsson

Ericsson provides award-winning TV solutions and services that enable global media companies and operators (cable, satellite, telco and terrestrial) to deliver TV content, either directly to consumers or for professional digital video content exchange. With a broad suite of open, standards-based products, Ericsson offers the highest quality solutions for Digital TV, HDTV, VOD, IPTV, Mobile TV, connected home, content management and advanced advertising, based on industry leading technology and a strong heritage in television.