Eurosport HD will deliver HD video and audio to viewers around Europe using high-definition MPEG-4 ViBE encoders from Thomson.

Recently added to the broadcaster's transmission infrastructure the ViBE encoders feature Dolby Surround Sound and use a Mustang chip which can bring high-quality signals in to people's homes - even where bandwidth is limited - by going as low as 4 Mb/s.

Eurosport's standard definition channels are also encoded using Thomson ViBE equipment, and the production centre includes a K2 storage area network (SAN) with 1,000 hours of on-line storage.

Patrick Montliaud, senior vice president of Thomson's Networks and Integration Solutions within the Systems division, said: “Eurosport is a big broadcaster with ambitious plans for the future.

“Thomson is supporting them right across the board, from our 44 channel, multi-format K2 media server to the output codecs which are the critical component in delivering the best possible quality to the home. Sports viewers are very critical, and with ViBE Eurosport is maximizing their HD experience.”

Eurosport HD, which recently signed up Panasonic as a technology partner, is a simulcast sports channel that is currently available in 24 countries across Europe including the UK where it is available on Sky.