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· Distribution of audio, video and text content via DAB using Windows Media 9 Series
· Live streaming using DAB and DVB to the PC, and latest news and music content datacast using DAB to the Pocket PC
· Full-motion broadcast video over DAB at 150 kbit/s using Windows Media 9 Series
NTL Broadcast and TANDBERG Television today announced that they are working with Microsoft to deliver a ground-breaking technology demonstration showing that Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) can be used to deliver real-time video content at bit rates as low as 150 kbit/s using Windows Media 9 Series. The demonstration specifically showcases the distribution of the latest TV news from Europe and live UK radio broadcasts to a Windows XP PC and Pocket PC using DAB and DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) transmission standards. This demonstration also helps to open the door to many new content distribution scenarios to PCs, PDAs and mobile phones around the world.
The demonstration is taking place on the Microsoft booth (SL136) at this week’s NAB exhibition in Las Vegas. It utilises RadioScape infrastructure technology to build a DAB data stream for file transfer of cached audio and video clips to PDAs, as well as ‘live’ streamed audio/video content to a Windows XP PC. It also showcases an end-to-end DVB-S broadcast system, via satellite capacity from PanAmSat, using Windows Media 9 Series - the latest digital media technology from Microsoft - to deliver high-quality video streamed to the PC.
“NTL Broadcast has a long and proud history when it comes to innovating the delivery of broadcast content,” said Steve Holebrook, NTL Broadcast’s director of media solutions. “This latest demonstration proves that DAB is a cost-effective means of delivering compelling, attractive multimedia content to handheld and mobile devices. NTL’s leadership in DAB and DVB means that we’re able to deploy the latest broadcast technologies and integrate them with best-of-breed third-party solutions to deliver cost-effective new business opportunities to our customers.”
Tim Sheppard, director of strategic partnerships at TANDBERG Television, added: “This showcase is a strong demonstration of how the combination of NTL’s broadcast expertise with Microsoft’s and our own innovative technologies can enable exciting new content delivery applications.”
“The transition from analogue TV and FM radio to digital DVB TV and DAB
radio standards is accelerating around the world, so this is a timely demonstration
as the world looks for new ways to fully harness the potential of DAB and
DVB,” said Jim Beveridge, director of EMEA broadband policy at Microsoft.
“Together with our partners, we are pleased to demonstrate the use of
Windows Media 9 Series with current open digital broadcast standards to drive
new business models and services.”
Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser, President of the WorldDAB Forum, said: “Digital Audio Broadcasting using the Eureka 147 standard allows the broadcaster to deliver a wide range of content to mobile, portable and fixed devices. As President of WorldDAB, I am very excited by the DAB services being demonstrated on the Microsoft stand at NAB 2003. They show clearly that the marriage between broadcast and personal devices can create exciting new services that consumers want. These services will revolutionise the way audio and video is consumed when mobile.”
“The DVB Project congratulates Microsoft, NTL Broadcast and TANDBERG Television on their NAB demonstrations which combine internet-bred services and technologies with digital broadcast systems. Such innovative applications open up a new realm for DVB systems, especially in this converging media landscape”, said Peter MacAvock, executive director of the DVB Project.
The NAB demonstration involves key contributions from a number of technology and content partners, each leaders in their own field: PanAmSat, CNN International, Capital Radio Group, RadioScape, Unique Interactive and MobileInvent.
The Las Vegas NAB demonstration
Broadcast content for the demonstration is provided from two sources: CNN International (video feeds) and Capital Radio Group (four audio feeds). The video sources are encoded using TANDBERG Television’s EN5920 real-time hardware encoder for Windows Media 9 Series. The DAB audio and video sources are IP encapsulated and multiplexed through RadioScape’s Digital Radio Broadcast suite of products. The DVB and DAB streams are uplinked by NTL from the UK to one of the 24 high-powered Ku-band transponders on PanAmSat’s Atlantic Ocean Region satellite PAS9.
A satellite receiver dish, located at the NAB convention centre in Las Vegas, downlinks the signals enabling them to be decoded for re-transmission over DAB.
The DVB (TV)
feed is decoded by a satellite receiver card within a Windows XP PC on the
Microsoft booth at the NAB show, delivering high-quality live content at a
data rate of 1.5 Mbit/s and displayed on a large plasma screen.
The DAB transport stream is first decoded by a QPSK satellite receiver before
being re-transmitted by NTL from a low-power local DAB antenna. This re-transmission
makes a ‘real’ DAB digital radio signal available at the convention
centre. CNN International’s live content over DAB, encoded in Windows
Media Video 9 at 150 kbit/s and decoded using a RadioScape DAB decoder card,
is streamed into a window in the Windows XP PC. The EPG from Capital Radio
is re-formatted by Unique Interactive for inclusion in the DAB stream.
Capital Radio Group’s four audio feeds – Capital FM, Capital Gold London, XFM and Century 105 – are also carried via the DAB transport stream. MPEG-encoded live audio broadcasts (at 128 kbit/s) from each channel are made available through the Windows XP PC and handheld PDAs, which are DAB-enabled by MobileInvent.
In addition, NAB attendees are able to experience the latest audio and video content from Capital Radio that is transferred via DAB and saved directly onto Pocket PCs and Windows XP PCs using technology from the Plus! Sync & Go feature of Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition. This means that the latest dynamically delivered content is continually updated and available on these devices including My Capital Travel, My Capital News, My Capital Entertainment, My Live Music, My Capital Videos and My Capital Interviews. The EPG is displayed on the Windows XP PC using a RadioScape user interface.
Both end-to-end
systems were designed and integrated by NTL Broadcast.
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New hardware-based solution uses Windows Media 9 Series and enables real time encoding, paving the way for new video services
Las Vegas, Nevada, April 7th 2003 - TANDBERG Television, a leading provider of digital broadcasting solutions, is launching its hardware implementation of the powerful Windows Media(tm) 9 Series at NAB 2003 (Las Vegas Convention Centre). The real-time hardware encoding platform, named the EN5920, provides the very lowest possible bit-rate available on the market today for quality video delivery and is designed for use in professional broadcaster, cable, telco and streaming environments.
"Virtually everybody who moves video professionally from one place to another will benefit from the EN5920's ability to reduce the bit-rate for the same quality picture by as much as 50% over the performance of MPEG-2. This massive shift enables an entire generation of new video services based on the EN5920's ability to deliver high quality compression from 100 kbit/s up to full D1 resolution at 3 Mbit/s," says Eric Cooney, COO of TANDBERG Television.
The EN5920 is the first product to be released as part of a TANDBERG Television and Microsoft Corp's previously announced engineering collaboration last August. TANDBERG Television's strong track-record in the digital TV market has enabled it to integrate critical broadcast specifications into the EN5920.
"The launch of TANDBERG Television's real-time hardware encoding platform clearly extends its legendary reputation in the broadcast industry to a new level of quality per bit for low bit-rate professional video delivery," said Amir Majidimehr, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division. "Whether deploying DVB and ATSC broadcasting, or emerging DSL, cable, and broadband infrastructures, operators can enjoy a new range of service scenarios and efficiencies thanks to the high quality compression of Windows Media 9 Series and TANDBERG Television's innovation."
The TANDBERG Television EN5920 is a 1RU (rack-unit) encoder that packs a massive range of advanced broadcast features to take Windows Media 9 Series beyond the PC. These include video pre-processing, noise reduction, very low latency (low buffering), "high" bit-rate operation (up to 3 Mbit/s) providing full D1 resolution, PAL and NTSC support, no frame dropping, key frame alignment technology, accurate rate control, broadcast industry quality and reliability. Moreover, the EN5920 can be provided with the capability to transmit MPEG-2 video alongside the Windows Media 9 Series streams, making it ideal for broadcasters to test and transition to the new encoding platform.
Applications drive a new wave in revenue generating services
"The EN5920 has potential in every area of broadcasting. Its performance will satisfy the demand for video from the exponential growth in DSL Internet subscribers and is a powerful weapon in the Telcos' battle to provide triple-play to the home. It also facilitates low bit-rate broadcasting for narrow channel delivery to mobile devices and vehicles or narrow satellite contribution links," says Charles Cartwright, Business Development Manager for Advanced Encoding at TANDBERG Television.
The first key markets are expected to include:
Broadband operators offering video services over DSL or FTTH - With two or more TVs in the home, MPEG-2 over DSL struggles to provide a competitive solution to today's digital cable offerings. Now, with the TANDBERG Television EN5920, DSL providers can offer multiple channels of television on a single twisted pair connection. The data rates available on DSL networks are typically from 500k up to 6 Mbit/s. At the lower end of the data rate spectrum, it is difficult for Telcos to get both "universal" coverage and typical video rates required by MPEG-2. The bit-rate efficiencies provided by the EN5920 encoder for Windows Media 9 Series allow both increased geographical coverage and broadcast quality pictures to be distributed to a far greater number of DSL users in each coverage area.
Content Delivery Networks (CDN) - Streamed video services appeal to the population of DSL internet subscribers who have 500K broadband connections. In the CDN world, content providers have become used to very low bit rates in real-time streaming (less than 300 kbit/s typically). Higher rates or complex content cause encoders to frame skip and delivery bit rates are often uneven, with data lost to the network resulting in frame loss at the decoder. Content providers cannot build revenue generating services when users will be reluctant to pay for unreliable video delivery. The EN5920 has guaranteed no loss of frames and guaranteed bit-rate, as well as professional video pre-processing and efficient compression, including patented autoconcatenation and noise reduction technology. This provides better picture performance at lower bit-rates and very high quality coding for the new bit-rate demands created by broadband consumers.
Low bit-rate broadcasting over digital terrestrial (ATSC/DVB-T) - Terrestrial networks have limited bandwidth making it difficult to compete against bandwidth rich networks such as satellite and cable. The bit-rate efficiencies of the EN5920 enable more channels and services to be added to greenfield DTT networks, creating a more competitive offering, as well as opening up the possibilities for delivering very low bit-rate video content in DTT mobile applications.
Video on Demand (VoD) over cable - VoD services require multistream delivery over finite bandwidth. The EN5920 is ideal for maximising the potential of VoD over cable and even over DTT.
Other potential applications include:
· Video streaming over corporate and hospitality networks
· UMTS and DAB mobile media networks
· Very low bit-rate satellite news gathering
· Surveillance and security systems
· Archiving and clip capture systems
· Digital dailies and remote production
Last, but not least, beyond new channels there are new devices. MPEG-2 was never designed for very low bit rates and consequently does not perform well at bit-rates of 200 kbit/s or lower. The EN5920's ability to enable the delivery of low bit-rate real time content, such as sporting events or news, over a cell phone network to PDAs or the new generation of smartphones (hybrid PDA/cell phone devices) creates entirely new revenue opportunities for broadcasters and content owners.
Additional key
Features of the EN5920
· SDI video input
· Composite NTSC and PAL video input
· Four audio channels
· Digital and Analogue audio support plus SDI embedded audio
· Part
of Windows Media 9 Series headend with control, management and redundancy
options
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Entone Technologies, a global provider of video on demand (VOD) infrastructure solutions, has announced that it will launch the latest addition to its family of StreamLiner tm video servers at NAB 2003. The StreamLiner 8380 delivers up to 1260 simultaneous video streams (at 3.6 Mbps each) when configured with 14 hot-swappable disk drives and 5 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Coupled with Entone's proprietary Streaming File System (SFS) and network subsystem, the solution achieves the industry's leading performance levels for a number of different metrics, including: price per stream, streams per rack unit, and streams per disk.
"The StreamLiner VOD server sets the high water mark in the industry for both scalability and price per stream," commented Mark Evensen, VP of Product Development for Entone Technologies. "Our hands-on experience over the past eight years of developing video servers coupled with a flexible, software-based server architecture allows us to push performance levels far beyond what others in the industry have achieved."
The StreamLiner 8380 has attained dramatic improvements over some of the first generation VOD sever providers. For example:
- The StreamLiner 8380 is able to achieve 90 streams per disk against the industry norm of 10 -15. Not only does this bring down server costs, it also brings down the ongoing cost of ownership due to the significant power consumption and heat generation that come with large disk arrays.
- The StreamLiner 8380 can support up to 420 simultaneous video streams per rack unit (assuming 3.6Mbps streams), which is more than ten times the level offered by other major VOD server vendors. This is important, because many operators' facilities weren't built with adequate space, power and cooling capabilities for other video servers. Entone enables these operators to deploy VOD without undertaking expensive civil engineering projects.
- The StreamLiner 8380 is able to fully utilize the available capacity of its Gigabit Ethernet network interface, achieving about 960 Mbps of usable payload. Other major server vendors achieve below 480Mbps, less than half of Entone's performance. This has implications on the number of switch ports required for server interconnection. Higher efficiency levels result in lower overall costs.
The Entone StreamLiner architecture has been designed from the ground up for on-demand television services, such as viewing movies on demand and time-shifted television programming. The Entone team developed its first video server architecture in 1995 when launching the world's first commercial VOD service in Hong Kong. The advances since that time have been primarily around improved performance, dramatically lower costs, and a highly scalable architecture design that allows the StreamLiner to be matched to the network topology.
Entone's Armada clustering solution enables the StreamLiner servers to be deployed in either a centralized configuration or a widely distributed cluster of servers that reside at the network's edge. As more and more television programming is viewed from disk, the burden on the network will be too great for the centralized server architectures that are common among the first generation server providers.
"Viewer consumption patterns suggest that the 80/20 rule very much applies to television on demand," says Tim Warren, CTO of Entone Technologies. "The economics of caching the most popular content at the edge of the network make a distributed server architecture a business necessity. The challenge is the ability to effectively manage those servers as a unified cluster that can dynamically manage content and provide redundancy. This is the core capability of our Armada solution."
"Entone leads the industry when measured by cost per stream, but perhaps as important are the significant advances we have made in terms of performance and scalability to lower ongoing operational costs such as physical space requirements, power consumption, and even inter-office fiber tariffs," says Steve McKay, CEO of Entone Technologies. "The net result of deploying the StreamLiner is an improved business case for operators seeking to launch profitable VOD services."
The Entone StreamLiner architecture is a software based solution that works with standard hardware components and either Gigabit Ethernet or ATM network interfaces. By working with standard hardware, Entone is able to achieve significant cost advantages over proprietary hardware solutions, and also much more rapidly evolve with advancements in underlying technologies.
Entone's StreamLiner
video servers have been deployed at a number of the world's leading video
service providers and can be seen at upcoming conferences that include China
Cable Broadcasting Network (Beijing, March 20-22), National Association of
Broadcasting (Las Vegas, April 7-10), EBC 2003 (Prague, April 9-11), Cable-Tec
2003 (Philadelphia, May 11-14), MediaCast (London, May 20-22), and ANGA Cable
2003 (Cologne, June 3-5).
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Deployment of
Digital Broadcasting System Will Empower PBS Station in Louisiana to Expand
Delivery of Emergency Alert System Notifications
Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB), i-Notification.net, and Triveni Digital
are presenting a homeland security broadcasting application in the Triveni
Digital booth, # SU5475, at the National Association of Broadcasters convention,
April 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The application empowers terrestrial DTV
stations to deliver Emergency Alert System (EAS) notifications using datacasting
through a digital signal. The system will be deployed at LPB to expand the
delivery capabilities of PBS stations in Louisiana.
In todays world, government agencies have the important responsibility of protecting citizens and responding to emergency situations. The challenge is communicating information accurately and quickly to government agencies and the public. i-Notification.net currently offers products and services to government agencies and corporations to help them meet this challenge. Depending solely on public wireless and telephone delivery systems is unwise, because these systems are usually the first to malfunction in a time of crisis. Instead, the notification network needs to be enhanced using a broadband wireless delivery system that disseminates information immediately to a broader area - one powered by the robust DTV broadcast signal. This new wireless platform uses Triveni Digital's SkyScraper datacasting system as the base for the i-Notification.net service. Terrestrial broadcast signals can be picked up from a PC equipped with a DTV tuner card.
LPB is committed to serving our state which includes taking an active role in homeland security. Combining the i-Notification.net applications built on Triveni Digitals datacasting system with our DTV signal will help create a notification system for Louisiana, Louisiana Public Broadcasting President/CEO Beth Courtney said. After we successfully implement this program in Louisiana. We can easily expand the service for other stations through our satellite distribution network.
i-Notification.net has a variety of customers ranging from petro-chemical, pipeline, transportation, healthcare providers, and state and local agencies that use its secure communications platform. All of these customers can benefit from a system that integrates with Triveni Digitals SkyScraper datacasting system, providing them access to fault resilient DTV signals and coverage of remote areas that arent easily serviced by other communication technologies. Furthermore, by integrating this application with the SkyScraper system, rich media such as related medical symptoms, details and diagnosis procedures, escape routes, locations of shelters and other important life-saving information could be distributed along with the alert.
The use of DTV datacasting in conjunction with our service provides a robust and resilient delivery via a wireless distribution mechanism so alerts can reach every square mile of a region, whether or not they are attached to the Internet, said Jason Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer of i-Notification.net. During emergency situations, public communications networks tend to fail as seen in 9/11. We were searching for a solution that would provide our customers their own communications network unaffected by phone failures or network congestion, the combination of the two products addresses these issues. Our relationship with Triveni Digital also opens new opportunities to include rich media content that we never could have foreseen with just traditional Internet communication.
The LPB deployment
will set an example for other terrestrial DTV stations across the country.
The service application is both viable and valuable particularly in view of
current events, said Mark Simpson, President and CEO of Triveni Digital. Integrating
Triveni Digital's SkyScraper datacasting system with the i-Notification.net
service offers stations the ability to expand the beneficial services they
provide to their communities.
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iTTV delivery platform makes “Triple Play” a reality with mix of video, voice and data to the home Orlando, FL, March 11, 2003 TANDBERG Television, a leading supplier of open solutions for digital broadcasting, brings to NAB 2003 its open iTTV concept for interactive television delivery via commercial xDSL and FTTH (fiber to the home) deployments. TANDBERG Television will demonstrate a complete head-end package designed to assist telcos and other non-traditional broadcasters to enter the broadcast market quickly and cost effectively. The potential to offer a “Triple Play” service of telephony, high-speed internet and broadcast television over one network, coupled with true video-on-demand (VoD), creates substantial benefits to both operators and consumers.
“TV and VoD over DSL and FTTH offers a variety of attractive business models that reduce churn and increase ARPU,” said Carl Furgusson, Director of Business Development for the Americas. “In North America, independently operating telcos in particular can benefit from revenue growth and consumer/subscriber protection by offering a triple play mix of broadcast video along side telephony and high-speed internet. In order to meet and impact customer expectations, these services must deliver video quality of at least the same level as that of traditional television. With years of experience equipping large pay-TV networks, TANDBERG Television is able to offer expertise in solutions such as ATM/IP delivery, transport stream descrambling, high-quality encoding and bit-rate changing to produce a TV system that meets today‚s requirements and can grow as scope and scale increases.”
Worldwide, TANDBERG Television has secured many significant “triple play” broadband wins, including FastWeb, Italy‚s largest telecommunications company, and Lyse, a power utility company offering video, voice and data via FTTH. Companies that deploy iTTV delivery platforms receive benefits such as higher picture quality at lower bit-rates with TANDBERG Television‚s world-renowned encoding solutions, plus straight or bit-rate changed digital turnaround using MPEG-2 compression. Telcos interested in DSL deployments and companies with existing fiber-optic lines stand to benefit from the triple play possibilities of a broadband IP rollout. With iTTV, operators can offer triple play services with low start-up and operational costs.
Visitors to TANDBERG
Television‚s booth at NAB can expect a full demonstration of the carrier-class
iTTV delivery platform, an integrated, revenue-generating broadband IP delivery
platform available in a scalable package.
Demonstrations will include streaming video and true video-on-demand over
MPEG-2, plus picture quality and bit-rate improvements realized when deploying
broadband IP delivery over the new Microsoft Windows Media 9 platform. At
NAB, TANDBERG Television will launch a dedicated real-time hardware-based
encoding platform for Windows Media 9.
A typical DSL
or FTTH deployment features a complement of TANDBERG Television MPEG-2 encoders,
IP streamers, transport stream descramblers, and integrated receiver/decoders.
Third-party set-top boxes, video-on-demand servers, and middleware for electronic
program guides, channel navigation and other additional services are supported.
TANDBERG Television‚s prime contractor systems integration skills supports
all network management and video processing from content aggregation to feeding
the broadband backbone network.
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At NAB2003, on stand # SU5449, Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT), a leading provider of standards-based digital video and transport systems, will be showcasing new products that reduce deployment costs and increase potential revenue streams for operators and broadcasters. These will include a new Digital Program Insertion (DPI) solution that enables broadcasters to regionalise content and increase revenue potential.
The core of the DPI solution is Harmonic’s DiviCom® MV50 MPEG-2 video encoder which has been enhanced to support “Digital Cue Tones” as defined in the SCTE 35 standard. The complete solution allows for both long and short form content, such as feature-length programs and advertisements, to be inserted into an already encoded video stream. Harmonic’s standards-based approach reduces costs and minimizes risk for cable, satellite, telecom and terrestrial operators.
The DiviCom MV50 encoder provides advanced compression and noise reduction capabilities with dual pass LookAhead encoding for constant bit-rate and statistical multiplexing variable bit-rate applications. The result is a very efficient, high-quality encoding of the video program. The MV50 has a unique architecture that allows software upgrades to quickly deliver new features as well as further optimizations to core algorithms. A software upgrade now available enables the system to insert standards-based “digital cue tone” into the compressed video stream.
The MV50 seamlessly integrates and interoperates with other elements of a complete DPI solution, including the Terayon CherryPicker, which recognizes the program cue and inserts the local content. Since the remotely acquired video does not need to be decoded and then re-encoded in order to accomplish the localization, the video quality remains unaffected, and less equipment needs to be deployed and maintained.
New Module Enables Ethernet Output from Harmonic’s MN20 Multiplexer
The MN20 system, Harmonic’s flagship multiplexer, is currently deployed in video distribution networks around the world. The system, which takes video input from multiple sources in multiple protocols and formats, can now multiplex MPEG-2 content and data for transport/distribution across an IP network. The new Ethernet Output Module (EOM) encapsulates the MPEG-2 stream into IP packets, which are then transmitted via IP unicast or IP multicast.
A single-box
solution, the MN20 minimizes complexity and therefore reduces the costs of
deployment and operation. Use of multiple systems provides redundancy and
improves the reliability of service. The MN20 multiplexer supports a wide
range of input and output network interfaces, allowing seamless integration
with transports such as ASI, ATM and now IP/Ethernet at 100BaseT.
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TANDBERG Television, a leading supplier of open solutions for digital broadcasting, will continue its commitment to high definition broadcasting at NAB 2003 with the introduction of a new encoding platform designed to support a broad range of HDTV applications. High definition TV is making its mark in the US ATSC market and beyond. HD-ready TVs are continuing to increase their sales year over year, and broadcasters are beginning to provide more HD programming, as witnessed by the recent launch of Discover HD and the upcoming launch of ESPN HD. Key Asian and European countries are also looking to HD as a way to deliver stunning pictures of content such as movies and sports, and to add razzle dazzle to new revenue generating applications like video on demand and 3D gaming, says Eric Cooney, Chief Operating Officer of TANDBERG Television.
Being demonstrated
for the first time at NAB, TANDBERG Televisions new ATSC and DVB compliant
E5780 encoder brings key benefits in efficiently managing bandwidth utilisation
in traditionally bandwidth heavy HD applications such as digital cinema and
digital dailies. The E5780 is built on the same platform as the highly successful
E5720 MPEG-2 encoder. This development path facilitates a key benefit of the
new unit-any E5720 standard definition encoder can easily become HD capable
with the addition of a new module fitted into the back of the unit. ATSC stations
looking to upgrade to high definition encoding when business plans warrant
therefore retain their
initial capital investment.
As high definition becomes more of a reality, TANDBERG Television remains committed to providing flexible, cost-effective solutions, said Lisa Hobbs, Marketing Director of TANDBERG Television Americas. US station groups, networks and local affiliates continue to seek out the most cost-effective solutions possible as they prepare to migrate from standard to high definition television. By providing a modular solution, broadcasters are able to protect their capital investments while moving forward. Additionally, the digital cinema and digital daily markets can only benefit from the additional functionality provided through our new high definition encoding platforms. The introduction of this solutions further solidifies our long-term commitment to the high definition market in general and the ATSC market specifically.
The first customer shipments of the E5780 will occur in Q3 2003. The unit features: improved processing power for better overall performance, implementation of the SMPTE 334 standard for embedding closed captioning into the vertical ancillary space of high definition SDI signals, and embedded timecodes to facilitate editing of high definition signals for digital daily applications. Additionally, the E5780 will offer bit rates of up to 90Mbps-making it appropriate for use in digital cinema transmissions.
The second phase
of the encoder release, scheduled for Q4 2003, will add via software upgrade
4:2:2 encoding capability and full statistical multiplexing of both HD and
SD signals. The 4:2:2 capability will dovetail with the first customer shipments
of the new TT1280 high definition receiver/decoder, which will also be shown
at NAB. This addition to the product line will enable TANDBERG Television
to provide end-to-end contribution quality high definition programming to
broadcasters for applications ranging from contribution feeds from outdoor
broadcast events to network distribution feeds to affiliates. The new receiver
will also be available in a 4:2:0-only format.
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NAB 2003 to see world-wide launch of Windows Media 9 Series real-time hardware encoding platform
Debut of TANDBERG
Television MPEG-2 innovations for Broadband, HD delivery, Newsgathering, DTH
and Control & Monitoring
NAB 2003 will see the fruits of TANDBERG Televisions investment in innovation
with the launch of a number of key products and the unveiling of the companys
new real-time hardware encoding platform for Windows Media 9 Series. This
NAB world first is a landmark in digital broadcasting development and will
see TANDBERG Television join other major players as they launch the industrys
first advanced platform solutions. Other new NAB product highlights from TANDBERG
Television will include the introduction of a 2U digital flyaway system for
remote newsgathering applications; a DSL video system aimed at the US telco
market; a new HD encoding solution; and Earlybird, a complete digital broadcasting
system designed to minimize start-up costs for new direct-to-home broadcasters.
There is no doubt that one of the big topics at NAB 2003 is going to be how new advanced encoding platforms, such as Windows Media 9 Series and MPEG-4, benefit broadcast and broadband business models. Therell be a lot of people doing a lot of talking, but the true measure of a company is what it has to show, says Eric Cooney, COO of TANDBERG Television. There is a huge need for delivery of the highest quality audio and video at the lowest data rates, to save bandwidth costs and enable greater subscriber reach. Advanced encoding platforms such as Windows Media 9 Series create new opportunities for video delivery, particularly in sectors such as broadband, where the ability to deliver broadcast quality video at bit-rates around 1Mbits makes television over DSL a commercial reality.
At NAB, TANDBERG Television will continue its pioneering role in the broadband DSL and Fibre markets. NAB will see the launch of an end-to-end DSL broadband system, based on the companys iTTV delivery platform, designed to meet the needs of US independent telcos who are looking to add video services to their existing high-speed internet and telephone offerings to create a triple play package. In addition, TANDBERG Television will show its carrier-class iTTV delivery platform for broadband DSL and FTTH (Fibre to the Home) that was launched at NAB last year and has now been deployed around the world by customers such as Bell Canada, Fastweb and Lyse.
TANDBERG Television will also build on its lead in MPEG-2 solutions, a market where it is already serving hundreds of customers around the world. Eric Cooney continues; There are almost 80 million MPEG-2 set top boxes installed today, and we continue to support the standard. MPEG-2 made digital satellite, multi-channel broadcasting explode and created and fulfilled new markets such as Digital SNG, Distribution, High Definition Broadcasting, wireless cameras, and most recently TV over IP. MPEG-2 has a healthy future in current broadcast applications.
TANDBERG Televisions NAB stand will house a number of zones, each focused on specific areas of the broadcast chain. The zones combine new TANDBERG Television technologies alongside third party partners solutions to provide complete interoperable systems for the acquisition, exchange and delivery of broadcast quality content. In addition to advanced encoding and broadband systems, other new solutions will include: ATSC/HD - the launch of the E5780, a new encoding solution for high definition broadcast delivery over ATSC and DVB networks. For increased flexibility, the encoder offers both standard and high definition broadcasting modes.
DTH - US launch of Earlybird, a complete entry-level digital broadcasting package developed in conjunction with Irdeto Access and now available for terrestrial and cable networks, as well as satellite DTH. Earlybird is an end-to-end system comprised of everything from content encoding through to the set top box, designed to minimize start-up costs for new direct-to-home broadcasters. Newsgathering - groundbreaking DSNG developments will be introduced, including a compact DSNG solution created in cooperation with Raytheon and Vocality International (see press release of February 4th 2003: NBC News to Deploy New Digital Satellite Technology for Extensive NEWS Coverage). The new system is a fully integrated 2U digital flyaway, capable of bi-directional transmission of audio, video and data feed from a remote transmission site. It provides two-way phone, data and IP communications between the satellite downlink and remote transmit site. New DSNG features such as L-Band, Diversity reception and HD DSNG will also be introduced alongside advancements in wireless DENG camera systems.
Control and Monitoring - the NAB debut of the nCompass integrated solution that provides a unique model for future broadcast operations management and enables an open approach for integrating multiple element managers and discrete system components to a central collection and processing point.
Content exchange
- TANDBERG Televisions technology moves billions of dollars worth of content
across telco and satellite networks every year. At NAB, the company will show
its leading IP and ATM solutions as well as Cortex, the state-of-the-art system
for scheduling, controlling, monitoring and optimising IP and ATM connections
to maintain Quality of Service levels.
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End-to-end solution allows new satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasters to minimize start-up costs and go on-air quickly
At NAB 2003, TANDBERG Television, a leading supplier of open solutions for digital broadcasting, will introduce U.S. audiences to the Earlybird system for direct-to-home satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasting. Developed in partnership with Irdeto Access, Earlybird is an end-to-end system comprised of everything from content encoding through to the set top box, designed to minimize start-up costs for new direct-to-home broadcasters.
Direct-to-home operators planning to launch new services are faced with barriers such as increasing audience fragmentation and reduced subscriber levels. Introduced overseas to provide new DTH satellite broadcasters with an economical "break-even" level, TANDBERG Television has expanded the reach of Earlybird through entirely new packages aimed at the cable and terrestrial markets. Partnerships with Irdeto Access for conditional access systems technology, Great Lakes for subscriber management, and several set-top box manufacturers combine with TANDBERG Television's encoding, multiplexing, modulation and management platforms to create comprehensive packages for launching successful new DTH services. While designed for lower subscriber levels, Earlybird can be upgraded easily as services grow.
"With direct-to-home operators around the globe faced with many challenges as they strive to break even with smaller audience figures, we are pleased to be working with Irdeto Access to deliver a solution that radically lowers the financial barriers to entry," said Eric Cooney, COO of TANDBERG Television.
"Earlybird allows the new direct-to-home operator to concentrate on content and the marketing of its new satellite, cable or terrestrial offering," said Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto Access. "Another advantage is that with a complete solution, operators can slash the time it takes to get on the air, which produces revenue earlier and is critical for first mover advantage."
Given the recent success of terrestrial system launches in Europe, 2003 appears to be a year in which many countries will accelerate the pace of their digital terrestrial trial systems. As a leading supplier to the existing digital terrestrial broadcast market, TANDBERG Television is well positioned to support and advise on systems implementation and getting broadcasters to air. Small cable operators looking to digitize their networks also stand to benefit from additional services and revenue-generating opportunities possible with the Earlybird system.
Compression, modulation and multiplexing Encoding TANDBERG Television's 4th generation MPEG-2 encoding solution, the E5710 provides great flexibility with the highest performance compression and flawless picture quality. Its compact 1U size and low-bit rate performance make it an ideal component in multi-channel solutions for broadband, satellite, terrestrial or distribution applications.
Multiplexing The TANDBERG MX5600 MPEG video, audio and data multiplexer benefits from an open systems concept. It supports industry-standard interfaces, scrambling and communications protocols. The highly flexible modular architecture enables custom configurations and fully scaleable, class-leading solutions for satellite broadcasters based on evolution 5000 products.
Modulation The SM5600 is a compact, second-generation satellite modulator from TANDBERG Television. It builds on extensive experience in DVB-S modulation, and its advanced features ensure ease-of-use, high levels of integration and maximum flexibility. The SM5600 utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide a flexible, cost-effective platform for enhanced satellite modulator functionality. TANDBERG Television's new PREKOR ensures maximum data throughput while maintaining link budgets.
Network Management System Forming an integral part of an evolution 5000 solution, the network management system is an advanced software control product that configures, coordinates and monitors all the hardware in a multiplex. Running on a Windows NT platform, it is flexible, reliable and easy to use. The control computer for the evolution 5000 hardware automates the broadcast operation by managing equipment, performing protection switching to constantly ensure high availability.
Conditional Access and Scrambling: Irdeto M-CryptDVB is a compact conditional access system designed specifically for small to medium-sized operators, but as professional as any large-scale CA system. As the operation expands, the Irdeto M-Crypt range of optional service modules allows the operator to grow the business, adding functionality and capacity at an appropriate pace. Irdeto M-Crypt EPG- Electronic Program Guide to insert DVB Service Information that constitutes the EPG when processed by the STB; Irdeto M-Crypt Schedule- to play out EPG data at predetermined times; Irdeto M-Crypt CodeDownload- to allow STB software upgrade over the air. Irdeto M-Crypt DVB supports up to 100,000 subscribers at which stage it can be upgraded to Irdeto's PIsys, the next generation large conditional access system handling a wealth of digital services for millions of subscribers. Set Top Boxes Earlybird supports a range of set top boxes, including models from Zinwell, Pace and Coship.
Upgradeability
and support As the broadcaster's business grows, subscriber numbers in the
millions can be handled by an upgrade to the Irdeto PIsys system, and the
operator can implement a Subscriber Management System (SMS) from any SMS vendor,
through the Irdeto M-Crypt DVB SMS interface specification. Earlybird is also
backed with decades of digital broadcasting experience from both Irdeto Access
and TANDBERG Television. Customers benefit from this track record through
systems design, installation, training and maintenance and support services.
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TANDBERG Television will introduce a state-of-the-art digital satellite newsgathering (DSNG) technology developed in cooperation with Raytheon and Vocality International, during the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) 2003 convention. The new system is a fully integrated 2U digital flyaway, capable of bi-directional transmission of audio, video and data feed from a remote transmission site. It also provides two-way phone, data and IP communications between the satellite downlink and remote transmit site. Because of the units size and ease of operation, set up is quick and simple, permitting broadcasters to get on the air faster. NBC News assisted during the development of this system and is an early adopter, deploying several of the units for its coverage from the Middle East.
Employing a TANDBERG Television E5740 Voyager DSNG encoder, miniaturized antenna technology from Raytheon, and V100 versatile multiplexer from Vocality International, the mobile transmission system is extremely compact and provides real-time broadcast of remote news coverage with easy integration to uplink terminals. The system supports a bi-directional link using conventional satellites. Due to recent improvements in video encoding algorithms and modulators ability to work at low symbol rates, the new DSNG system can work with smaller satellite dishes and low power amplifiers.
Currently, similar flyaway applications either utilize satellite phones or IP technology. Transmitting via satellite phone or over IP results in lesser quality video in a non-realtime transfer - over expensive transmission media. TANDBERG Televisions E5740 is a proven MPEG-2 video encoder offering superior picture quality and low data rate modulation in a compact package.
News crews typically use an MPEG-based system for the main uplink and a separate transmission chain for the communications channels. The new system from TANDBERG Television, Raytheon and Vocality integrates the majority of field newsgathering requirements into one unit.
This new system will be able to document news from across the globe with a speed-to-air and transportability that weve never seen before, said Eric Cooney, COO, TANDBERG Television. Recent advances in compression and modulation converged at exactly the right time to make this product a reality. We see a bright future for this system, with applications ranging from worldwide broadcasters to government organisations.
For Raytheon, this expands the use of its MVSAT (Mobile Very Small Aperture Terminal) product, which focuses on worldwide coverage with a portable, easy-to-use, broadband, voice, data, and video capability for the broadcast newsgathering industry.
Raytheon The digital flyaway system features a patented, miniaturized antenna technology. Raytheons MVSAT is the first broadband communications unit that can be deployed quickly and easily anywhere in the world. Using a fold-up 1.2 meter antenna and a telecom centre the size of a small suitcase, Raytheons MVSAT can handle voice, video and data simultaneously at speeds beyond 4 Mbps. The 1.2 meter antenna assembles in less than 30 minutes and can transfer extremely high data rates. The system is transportable and can be easily carried by one person.
TANDBERG Television As part of its statistical multiplexing technology, TANDBERG Television has been offering low data rate video encoding that compresses multiple program streams within a limited satellite transponder segment. With recent improvements to both the modulator and demodulator, TANDBERG Television now offers low data rate compression for flyaway applications.
The E5740 Voyager encoder combines quality low bit-rate encoding performance with totally flexible satellite modulation in a fully expandable and upgradeable package. It supports symbol rate modulation and demodulation below 1Msymbol/s.
Vocality International A UK-based company, Vocality International manufactures satellite communications products designed for field deployable telecommunication, networking and video communications hardware. The V100 range of multiplexers can combine secure telephony circuits with TCP/IP, ISDN, data and high-quality MPEG audio. The V100 is one rack unit high and incorporates a link and data port. A compact, two rack unit, field deployable flyaway package has been made possible by the integration of V100 functionality, as an option module, within the TANDBERG Television E5740 Voyager encoder. This module will debut at NAB2003. The V100 and integrated module will soon include an integrated IP router.
About Raytheon Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2002 sales of $16.8 billion, is an industry leader in defence, government and commercial electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 76,000 people worldwide.
About TANDBERG Television TANDBERG Television (Oslo, Norway, Stock Exchange: TAT) is a market leader in the provision of open solutions for the digital broadcasting of audio, data and video across various networks including cable, satellite, terrestrial, IP and telecom. The company is an innovator in digital broadcasting and its broad offering includes professional receivers, MPEG encoders, modulators, multiplexers, a range of solutions for transport stream processing, easy to use control and monitoring solutions, as well as market leading digital Satellite News Gathering and digital ENG. TANDBERG Television has proven systems integration and global support capabilities. Committed to open systems, the companys solutions are based on international standards and it plays a major part in developing standards such as MPEG-2, DVB, ATSC, SMPTE and DTTV.
TANDBERG Television
has sales and 24-hour support and monitoring operations in Asia, Australia,
Europe and the US. TANDBERG Televisions customers include major broadcasters,
network operators and convergence players around the world including Australian
Broadcasting Corp. (ABC), BSkyB, CBC, Emmis Broadcasting, FOX, NBC, NTL, Telenor,
Televisa and Tribune Broadcasting. For more information visit: <http://www.tandbergtv.com>
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Pharos
Communications
Booth: C2625 NAB 2003, Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, April 7-10
Pharos Communications specialises in broadcast process control architecture.
The company will demonstrate its capabilities in providing Web-enabled workflow
control from the desktop. These embrace the areas of tape library management,
library cataloguing, video browsing, Web searching and print copy requests,
and automatic CD/DVD printing.
New: Pharos Playtime is a multi-channel multi-layered presentation
playout system enabling broadcasters to emulate on-air the look and feel of
internet Web pages. Playtime uses the edit timeline as the basis of a unique
toolset for the creation and playout of broadcast media publishing channels.
It allows a scheduler to create television channels that would otherwise require
extensive post-production. Playtime introduces the concept of packaged-playout
integrated with multi- layered nonlinear editing; a package can have any number
of layers and the overall system will scale from one to hundreds of channels.
Enhanced:Pharos Almanac: Now Web-enabled so clients can make bookings,
Pharos Almanac is a scheduled event based management system for timed switching,
automated record and playback. It allows switching, archiving and duplication
from the desktop.
Pharos Audio Server Multichannel: Pharos has added automated remote
ingest to its Audio Server Multichannel, offering full networking and media
management for voiceovers and programme repurposing.
Established equipment
Pharos Mediator: A digital asset management system that scales from one
to hundreds of users. Features include invisible acquisition, material logging,
content browse and editing, copy request and automatic printing on CD or DVD.
Pharos Pilot: Master control room routing and device control. Reactive control
of broadcast routers and process devices from the desktop.
Pharos Accura. Automated playout in 1U. Broadcast automation timers for switching,
record store and playback. Ideal for stadiums, music events and 'info and
entertainment' systems.
Representatives attending NAB 2003: Roger Heath Nigel Haycock Steve Robinson
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Booth C2912,
Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, April 7-10
Senior staff attending: Nicholas Jennings, Managing Director Jerry Lyle, Technical
Director Ken Chalmers, Director of Sales and Marketing Richard Reis, International
Sales Manager.
New:Broadcast Technology will be introducing at NAB 2003 a further set of
cards in the 3000 series of 3U front-loading digital and analogue television
modules. These complement the existing receiver cards for CODFM DVB-T (DTTR3000),
QPSK DVB-S (DTSR3000) and QAM DVB- C (DTCR3000) along with the professional
4:2:0 and 4:2:2 MPEG-2 decoder module (DTVD3000).
The new modules are:
DTCA3000 conditional access module based on DVB-C1 technology and capable
of descrambling multiple services per module.
DTDA3000 DVB-ASI distribution amplifier module with three switched DVB-ASI
inputs and six DVB-ASI compliant outputs. This unit is a key part of the Broadcast
Technology redundant architecture capability.
DTCC3000 control card. This module allows communication with external network
management systems via RS-232, RS-422 and Ethernet. The control card also
allows autonomous local management for no-single- point-of-failure systems.
Also exhibiting:
DTSR3000 QPSK-DVB
(S) digital satellite television receiver.
DTTR3000 COFDM-DVB (T) digital terrestrial television receiver.
DTCR3000 DVB digital cable television receiver for DVB (C) QAM signals.
DTVD3000 MPEG-2 4:2:2 video and audio decoder;
DTMD1000 COFDM demodulator.
DTCR1000 digital television cable receiver.
DTSR1000 digital television satellite receiver.
DTTR1000 DVB-T digital television terrestrial receiver.
DTVD1000 professional MPEG-2 decoder.
DTSM700 ASI data stream monitor.
Founded in 1987, Broadcast Technology Ltd (www.btl.uk.com) specialises in
manufacturing high quality equipment for broadcast systems, including digital
and analogue receivers/demodulators, MPEG-2 decoders, conditional access descramblers,
signal switchers, distribution amplifiers and signal converters. The company
employs around 50 people at three modern factory units covering 1,700 square
metres on the outskirts of Andover.
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Company to Introduce Upgraded Virtual Studio System, 24P Version of Hanabi Switcher, and Video Stabilizer with Digital I/O
At this year’s NAB convention, FOR-A Corporation of America will extend its traditional broadcast line of signal processing and switchers and strengthen its offerings within virtual studio and real-time broadcast graphics technology. The company is introducing a new version of its digiWarp virtual studio system, a 24P version of its popular Hanabi two mix/effect digital switcher, and will debut the IVS-500 video stabilizer with digital input and output. Products seeing their first NAB include the IVS-300 video stabilizer and the cost-efficient FA-115 and FA-125 time base corrector/frame synchronizers.
Virtual Studio and Broadcast Graphics FOR-A provides a full, integrated suite of 2D and 3D graphics solutions based on Windows open architecture. Being introduced at NAB is digiWarp-EX II, a new version of FOR-A’s digiWarp virtual studio system. The enhanced feature set includes expanded masking and chroma key capabilities. With its competitive price point, digiWarp-EX II enables smaller studios to generate virtual studio programming.
Like its predecessor digiWarp, the EX II version can operate with a VPS-400D digital switcher, which can include a chroma keyer module and 3D DVE. DigiWarp EX II also includes: a software-based image processor, a controller with software, and a camera tracking or sensor system. The standard digiWarp system includes all of the above-listed components, with the exception of the camera tracking system.
Current users of digiWarp can upgrade to digiStorm, a full 3D real-time virtual studio, for increased productivity, flexibility and full 3D camera movements. Current digiWarp customers can simply replace two components and optionally enhance their camera tracking/sensor system.
FOR-A will also introduce and demonstrate a turnkey, data-driven graphics solution at NAB 2003. The new template-based, on-air graphics solution provides real-time, high-quality 2D and 3D CG for graphics and animation for sports, weather, election coverage, financial data, mapping, statistics box and information graphic applications. It provides a central interface to newsroom computing systems for the management and distribution of media assets within a broadcast environment.
Production Switchers Designed for postproduction houses, a 24P progressive scan version of FOR-A’s popular Hanabi two mix/effect, dual SD/HD switcher with multiple channel DVE will be introduced during NAB 2003. The Hanabi (meaning “fireworks” in Japanese) switcher is a compact 3RU high and is also well suited for OB vans and live applications. Hanabi is easily upgradeable from standard to high definition with a quick board replacement. It works with all major formats.
Video Stabilizers FOR-A will introduce the IVS-500 video stabilizer with digital input and output. The IVS-300 with analog composite I/O will be shown at NAB for the first time. Both stabilizers are designed to correct picture shake and judder. For broadcasters, the IVS-500 and IVS-300 stabilize shaking images from ENG shoots and footage from atop weather or surveillance cameras. This is a common production problem, especially when telephoto or zoom lenses are used. The stabilizers electronically correct movement up to 20 percent from a still picture down to the sub-pixel level for both recorded and live images. While unwanted movement is eliminated, both stabilizers preserve intentional pan/tilt camera movements.
Time Base Correctors Appearing at their first NAB will be FOR-A’s FA-115 time base corrector/frame synchronizer and FA-125 time base corrector/frame synchronizer with built-noise reduction. The new models expand FOR-A’s popular FA-series of time base corrector/frame synchronizers to 10 models.
The affordable FA-115 and FA-125 come as stand-alone units or modular cards (UFM-115TBC and UFM-125TBC) so that they can be easily integrated into existing systems. Both the FA-115 and FA-125 offer a digital recursive noise reducer to improve picture quality by lowering signal noise, and the stand-alone units come in a compact half-rack size. The FA-125 offers superb performance with 10-bit quantization.
FOR-A is a major
manufacturer and distributor of audio and video systems to the broadcast,
postproduction and professional video markets. For more information about
FOR-A’s product line, call 1-714-894-3311 or visit our web site at www.for-a.com.
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Receiver Targeting,
Encryption, and Enhanced Scheduling Features Increase
Revenue-Generating Opportunities for Broadcasters and Content Providers
Triveni Digital, the leading solutions provider for data-enhanced digital broadcasting, will debut the latest version of its SkyScraper datacasting system at NAB2003 in booth # SU5475. The system is a platform for managing data to be broadcast through the digital television infrastructure. New features for receiver targeting, encryption, and support for multi-station networks provide increased opportunities for broadcasters and content providers to design and deploy innovative, revenue-generating solutions using digital television.
The Receiver Targeting feature allows content to be directed to specific receivers or groups of receivers within a broadcast area. For ease of targeting, content providers may define an unlimited number of receiver groups, each containing any number of receivers. The Receiver Targeting feature also tightly integrates with the SkyScraper system's current Acknowledgement Service. The combination of these features permits content providers to target receivers and know that these receivers have successfully received their designated content. Content Encryption may be activated by the content provider, ensuring that the information is fully secure over the DTV broadcast transmission.
Enhanced Scheduling features make it easier than ever to schedule content for distribution simultaneously through many DTV broadcast streams in a multi-station network. Consequently, content providers can leverage the emerging hybrid datacasting networks (a combination of fixed line and DTV transmission systems) among broadcast stations. When combined with the built-in forward error correction features of the SkyScraper system, this offers a highly robust and reliable DTV data broadcasting platform for covering large geographical areas.
The SkyScraper System Provides an End-to-End Platform for DTV Datacasting
Triveni Digital's SkyScraper system allows broadcasters to easily deliver large quantities of data end-to-end, from content providers through broadcast stations to information customers. The system includes broadcast plant servers, to manage the data flow from content providers into the broadcast stream, and customer-site receivers to extract the data from the broadcast and make it available to end-users. The SkyScraper system allows broadcasters to maximize the amount of content delivered within a given bandwidth by ensuring that the data has been completely received. If the content is only partially acquired the Receiver Acknowledgment feature will automatically resend just the missing portions, consuming less bandwidth than resending the complete content.
The open standards-based
SkyScraper platform provides a scalable architecture for supporting customized
extensions and is compatible with the leading encoders, multiplexers and data
encapsulators. By maximizing use of their available bandwidth for data distribution,
digital television broadcasters can team together with other content providers
to create new revenue streams. The SkyScraper system is comprised of three
main modular components each with its own convenient user interface:- DataFab
collects and manages data content, scheduling and access
- DataHub allocates bandwidth and inserts data into the broadcast stream
- DataReceiver extracts data from the broadcast stream for the end user
The complete
system allows broadcasters to manage and monitor datacasting bandwidth while
supporting multiple data content providers. Furthermore, content providers
may control broadcast scheduling across many data broadcasters while effortlessly
leveraging content from any location.
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Solution Enables Cable Operators to Capture and Manage Off-Air DTV Channels' PSIP Data
Triveni Digital, the leading solutions provider for data-enhanced digital broadcasting, is currently shipping its StreamBridge AG system. The system will be demonstrated at NAB2003 in Triveni Digital's booth # SU5475. The metadata and data translation system bridges off-air terrestrial DTV broadcast streams into digital cable headend systems. The system ensures the delivery of critical tuning, branding, and program guide metadata for "in-the-clear" signals to cable-ready DTV receivers. StreamBridge AG automates and simplifies compliance with terrestrial-to-cable cross-carriage agreements including the NCTA-CEA agreement for carrying ATSC signals over local cable infrastructures.
The StreamBridge
AG system grooms both programs and metadata from terrestrial DTV streams and
customizes them for cable headend delivery. It can optimize streams to decrease
the bandwidth used for PSIP, and support multiple inputs and outputs simultaneously.
StreamBridge AG also allows cable operators to capture the off-air terrestrial
DTV broadcasters' PSIP information for use in the digital cable plant.
System features include: -
Multiple user interface support via a secure client-server architecture -
Support of ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 profiles (formerly DVS-234) - Merging, filtering
and translating ATSC PSIP and MPEG-2 PSI tables -
Enforcing bit rate limits on PSIP PIDs and table playout controls The system is available as both a stand-alone system and a software-only configuration that can be integrated to regular MPEG-2 multiplexers.
Back to topTerrestrial Broadcasters and Cable Operators Can Use the StreamScope MT-25 to Ensure the Integrity and Reliability of Their DTV streams
At NAB2003, booth # SU5475, Triveni Digital, the leading solutions provider for data-enhanced digital broadcasting, will showcase the latest features of its StreamScope ATSC Transport Stream Monitor and Analyzer. StreamScope MT-25 monitors, measures, and analyzes the DTV streams and signals to ensure they are error-free and comply with the ATSC standards. New features include an at-a-glance transport stream summary display, support for closed captioning, and tools for cable headend analysis. Both terrestrial broadcasters and cable operators can use StreamScope MT-25 to minimize the time it takes to diagnose and correct problems while ensuring the integrity and reliability of their DTV streams.
The new StreamScope MT-25 summary display shows the overall compliance status of the transport stream being monitored. To enable quick visual verification that closed captioning is being sent, both EIA 608 and 708 information are decoded and displayed. The StreamScope MT-25 system's award-winning graphical interface still saves engineering troubleshooting time by translating complex information into easy-to-read status indicators and messages.
In order to support cable headend environments, the StreamScope MT-25 has been upgraded to monitor and analyze variable-bit rate streams. Supported stream types have been expanded to include SCTE as well as ATSC. The new StreamScope MT-25 can also decode and display MPEG-2 audio/video programs of various formats, including ATSC and SCTE.
Broadcast Engineers Use Award Winning StreamScope Tool To Learn More About Their Own DTV Signals
StreamScope instruments by Triveni Digital enable broadcast engineers to learn more about their own DTV signals without requiring a detailed knowledge of ATSC, SCTE, and MPEG-2 standards. The tool acts like a DTV textbook in digital form, because it accurately and clearly breaks down the ATSC stream with a user friendly on-screen interface. Using StreamScope MT-25, broadcasters and cable operators can measure and monitor their DTV signals and transport streams throughout their geographic coverage area, while ensuring that their transport streams are standards-compliant.
StreamScope MT-25
features an advanced state-of-the art VSB tuner and demodulator for improved
VSB reception, cross-table analysis functionality for easy visualization of
complex cross-linking of PSIP and MPEG-2 tables, and recording of MPEG-2 transport
streams. This product is available both in rack-mountable and portable versions.
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