Satellite connectivity expert NEP Connect (formerly known as SIS LIVE) has been working with Sky to explore and develop the technology used to transmit ultra HD (4K) video via satellite.

The project kicked off on 22nd August with Ultra HD transmissions from High Wycombe to Sky’s Osterley base. As the market leader in satellite solutions and connectivity and a preferred supplier of Sky, NEP Connect was perfectly placed to handle the transmission of these innovative UK broadcasts, assigning to the project SIS 67, one of its new fully redundant, dual path uplink units.

SIS 67 features the innovative 1.8m DriveForce vehicle mounted antenna which was designed and manufactured by NEP Connect’s in-house engineering team. Aside from four 4K encoders fitted especially for this project all other equipment was already installed in the vehicle.

The tests successfully illuminated 72MHz of satellite space transmitting at 70dBW on Ku Band via the Eutelsat 3D satellite 4 carriers were multiplexed into 1 transport stream and transmitted at 140MB of data per second.

The signal was downlinked at Sky’s facility at Osterley where it was viewed live on an ultra HD screen and recorded onto servers. The same technical configuration was then recreated at the Premiership Games between Cardiff City and Manchester City on 25th August and at West Ham versus Stoke City on 31st August, in the process proving that live 4K content can be effectively transmitted and received. NEP Connect’s innovation here has supported Sky’s continuing mission to offer its customers the ultimate viewing experience technology can afford.

“Having worked with SIS for many years we knew that they were best placed to manage the delivery of the UHD trials. Once they knew the brief everything was put in place from organising the segment space to delivery of the signal back to Sky. Our relationships with our suppliers are key to our success and the collaborative approach from SIS was exactly the reason for choosing them.”Keith Lane Director of Operations for Sky Sports

David Meynell, Managing Director, NEP Connect commented “We have a great relationship with Sky Sports and I am delighted that we were selected to provide these 4K satellite services. The trials were a complete success proving the technical excellence of the NEP Connect uplink systems and of our dedicated staff. We are at the forefront of satellite technology, not only providing cutting edge services but also designing and building the equipment that delivers such excellence. We are looking forward to continuing our close relationship with Sky and excited about the future of 4K TV for the British public.”