Objective
The progress in High Definition technology and in digital telecommunications is creating new opportunities for electronic distribution of high quality video and audio services.
The CINENET project will address the market for new services in the areas of:
cinema films, cultural and live events (e.g. theatre, sports), business applications etc. (known as "electronic cinema")
by developing a satellite and cable distribution network for:
permanent and temporary auditoria such as cinemas, community and cultural centres, universities and eventually homes.
CINENET will demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of "electronic cinema", and thus open the door to commercial services.
The key technologies to support these services will be developed. The complete prototype delivery system will be demonstrated in realistic environments.
Expected Impact
To end-users the CINENET system will offer new services including:
a full range of big-screen audiovisual services (e.g. live, cultural, films, sport, educational) in areas not currently reached.
new audiovisual material from this range to existing cinemas.
Since the system offers blanket service coverage over urban and rural Europe via satellite and cable, as well as low-cost and easy access, it provides potential benefits to social structure. For example in regions lacking commercial outlets (e.g. rural areas) the services can be introduced at community centres, schools, hotels, etc. enriching the social environment.
Also for people living in urban areas, interest will develop in additional material at existing cinemas, both live and with more of the dynamics of video.
To present cinema operators and film distributors, the system will additionally offer more convenient and less expensive electronic film distribution and other features such as:
Immediate 'global' releases of feature films.
Flexibility for multiple screen 'multiplex' cinemas to adjust rapidly their use (e.g. multiple parallel screening).
Advertising - marketing costs of feature films are significant.
Another group to benefit would be the European production industry since the increased market would stimulate a wide range of content production.
At a later stage when displays for the mass-market are available (projectors and/or flat panels), interest in domestic CINENET services could also develop.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Design of a satellite and cable High Definition Audio Visual Services distribution network for permanent and temporary exhibition sites such as cinemas, community and cultural centres and universities.
Contribution to the programme
Demonstration of transmission of High Definition Audio Visual Services via Satellite and Cable as possible services for the Information Society
Technical Approach
CINENET has adopted standards wherever applicable (e.g. MPEG-2 coding and multiplexing, DVB transmission and conditional access) for maximum interoperability with other equipment and services, leading to more rapid market acceptance. The technical approach includes the following principal activities:
System specification and service characterisation including video/audio quality requirements, as well as data services and format conversion.
Specification and development of the end-to-end delivery system including innovative components such as:
- HD MPEG-2 video coder (MP@H14L) and highly integrated receiver-decoders,
- reference MPEG-2 level II audio codec
- conditional access system based on Viaccess
- 128/256 QAM cable modems
- high performance LCD video projector for large screens.
Early experiments analysing advanced video projector image quality
System integration and demonstration; CINENET services will be demonstrated at several sites using National Host infrastructure, satellites and also CATV networks.
A business plan will address service introduction aspects.
Summary of Trial
The CINENET trials will implement a complete system for service delivery including transmission over satellite and cable of digital HD video, sound and data. Several trial sites in Europe will be chosen among cultural centres or other public viewing spaces accessed directly by satellite and indirectly by cable network.
The application will be based on a selection of representative material including cultural events such as concerts, opera, theatre as well as sports or business services.
Audiences of experts and members of the general public will be assembled at these sites in order to make a realistic assessment of the service applicability to market needs.
The trials will take place in the second half of 1997.
Key Issues
The principal topics being addressed in CINENET studies and developments are:
Characterisation of high quality cinema-like video services.
Performance aspects of MPEG-2 high definition video coding.
Multi-channel/multi-language audio formats.
Associated multimedia data services.
High bit rate cable modems compatible with current networks.
Conditional access/encryption.
Format conversion for audio and video source material.
Highly integrated and low cost receiver terminals.
Market introduction aspects and strategy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- humanities arts modern and contemporary art cinematography
- humanities arts performing arts dramaturgy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
92737 Nanterre
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.