VOD BarcoNet

	Video on Demand
'Lowest Cost per Stream' from dedicated VOD server December 2001 - January 2002

During the IBC Conference & Exhibition in Amsterdam, 14 September 2001, Belgium's BarcoNet launched what it describes as the first dedicated VOD-over-IP solution to make scaleable Video-on-Demand economically feasible.

BarcoNet's solution consists of an end-to-end digital TV delivery system based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology, enabling cable operators to roll out interactive applications, such as VOD, at the lowest cost per stream to both set-top boxes and PC's via high speed Cable Modems.

BarcoNet's VOD-over-IP system centres on three new component products:
GIGALYNX IP backbone, iMUX IP-to-ASI gateway and MERCURY interactive TV gateway with dense QAM modulation platform. Each product can be deployed individually, but collectively the solution uses IP to send the VOD signals from the servers over a backbone structure.

Nick Fielibert, COO & CTO comments, "Using IP to transport Video not only reduces cost, but also simplifies tremendously the delivery to the home as each stream is directed to the right destination by using its IP address."

Highest Flexibility and Lowest Cost

A key benefit cited for using IP as a delivery platform for broadband services is the combination of higher flexibility and considerably lower operational cost.
IP allows for flexible switching, which enables operators to direct programs only to specified subscribers instead of broadcasting them to every user, which saves bandwidth. In addition, recent developments in IP and Gigabit Ethernet-based video transport have lowered the costs for IP traffic dramatically.

IP component prices are dropping rapidly, which has made it possible to build a very cost-effective, high-speed IP backbone to interconnect VOD network nodes.

Video-centric Backbone

BarcoNet's VOD delivery system makes use of a newly developed IP backbone, called Gigalynx. BarcoNet says that Gigalynx is a true DWDM fibre optic link which offers 2.5 Gbps stream capacity compared to the 1 Gbps of traditional Gigabit Ethernet equipment currently in the market. Unlike other Ethernet-based VOD delivery systems, it easily interfaces with SDH networks, which allows telecom operators to transport VOD services over their existing SDH/DWDM networks without any hardware extensions.

Prepared for IP End-to-End

By making use of the newly developed iMUX IP-to-ASI gateway, the BarcoNet VOD solution can be used in combination with current cable set-top boxes, while being upgradable to an end-to-end IP-based system using IP-based set-top boxes.

BarcoNet's iMUX IP-to-ASI gateway device, developed with California based PATH 1Network Technologies provides typically 3MB to 4MB movies to the VOD gateway by breaking down large numbers of Internet Protocol data streams into individual movie
streams requested by the viewer. iMUX was developed under a joint development contract with Path 1.

Space-Saving Platform

Combined with the new Gigalynx backbone and iMUX, is a compact, multiple QAM modulator/scrambler called Mercury that can serve 250 users at one time from 3 U of 19 inch rack space. Combined with the use of BarcoNet's latest DirectRF QAM and up-conversion technologies, Mercury is designed to provide operators the lowest cost per stream for a smooth VOD roll-out, without compromising video quality. Mercury offers operators a low-cost transport solution for broadband services achieved through a combination of three main features. First, the high capacity of the unit, allowing for the simultaneous processing of more than 250 MPEG streams. Secondly, BarcoNet has developed and uses DirectRF¥ technologies resulting in a considerable decrease of production costs and extremely low power consumption. Thirdly, the compact design of the MERCURY saves precious rack space by acommodating up to 16 QAM channels, featuring signal scrambling, QAM modulation and up-conversion in a 1 U chassis. First product deliveries are scheduled for November 2001.

To ensure maximum up time, the whole network can be controlled by BarcoNet's
Rosa network management system, handling routing and bandwidth efficiency.


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