IPTV delivery of high resolution video over wide area networks
IPTV provides an efficient and highly effective method of delivering live and pre-prepared video content over large buildings using the in-house IP network. Steve Montgomery investigate its growing popularity.
Businesses, public organisations, educational establishments and entertainment venues increasingly appreciate the benefits of delivering live video content, digital signage and emergency messaging using their in-house audiovisual systems. One of the most effective and efficient delivery methods of is by means of an IPTV system, which enables the capture and transmission of many different types of video and text content throughout a large complex.
“IPTV is essentially the delivery of media content, video or live television over an IP network. This can either use the public internet or a private local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). An IPTV service can be delivered to an IP-enabled TV, mobile phone, tablet, laptop or PC and can be easily incorporated into a video-on-demand solution,” explains Steve Rickless CEO of Tripleplay. “IPTV is commonly used by businesses and organisations to deliver TV and digital signage to waiting areas, reception and common rooms. It is also a popular solution for the provision of television services within hotels, hospitals and sports stadiums.”
The major benefits of IPTV systems over customised video distribution networks lies in their use of the existing IP network infrastructure within a building, rather than requiring a dedicated network. This reduces the installation overhead, reducing the expensive cabling cost and allowing the system to operate over existing wired and wireless transmission links. “An IPTV receiver can be located anywhere an IP connection can be made,” points out Colin Farquhar, CEO of Exterity. “The system is completely scalable: users can add sources and users whenever they need, while maintaining the very highest quality. It works with all types of screen, using a standalone receiver with a direct connection to a display device and equally easily can be delivered to individual personal computers, standard TVs, digital AV projectors, interactive whiteboards, digital signage or any other video display device. Channels, end points and users can be added virtually without limit – an Exterity IPTV solution provides fine grained control over what content is available, where it can be displayed, and who can see it.”
IPTV systems work by creating, by means of an encoder, a multi-channel TV and AV source which is distributed over an IP network to compatible decoders (receivers). Any combination of services can be included from digital terrestrial TV, such as Freeview, digital satellite TV, such as FreeSat, Pay TV services such as SKY and locally generated content, such as PowerPoint presentations, JPEGs, PNGs and HTML pages. Content within the multi-channel network can be scheduled by a playlist and targeted at specific receivers, enabling passive digital signage systems to be created that show individual content in different areas. The encoding device generally comprises standalone or rack-mounted encoders (or gateways) that transform incoming content to a form suitable for transmission over the IP network.
Transmission of off-air TV signals throughout an office complex is a major application of IPTV distribution; typically in broadcast organisations where the station’s own channels are widely distributed to staff, and in large sports venues where sports TV channels are licensed from third-party broadcasters or created internally and shown to supporters. A wide range of TV gateways is available to enable this. Colin Farquhar: “AvediaStream TVgateways capture live digital TV and radio from any terrestrial, satellite or cable source and stream it directly across an IP network. They support the widest range of digital TV standards: DVB-T/T2, DVB-C, DVB-S/S2, ATSC, Clear QAM, ASI, de-scramble encrypted content using standard Conditional Access Modules (CAMs) and provide hassle free, intuitive setup and an easy to manage web interface offers extensive control and monitoring. AvediaStream Encoders take any source and make a channel available on the network. They support MPEG-2 to MPEG-4/ H.264 encoding up to 1080p to create a single MPEG channel from the output of various video devices. These include video cameras, DVD/Blu-ray players, digital signage systems, personal computers or set-top boxes delivering premium TV channels.”
Advanced compression algorithms and encoding techniques like variable bit rate encoding allow encoders to operate at very high levels of efficiency and achieve the highest levels of bandwidth utilisation. This is important within business institutions, even though network capability is expanding at a phenomenal rate, as it allows greater numbers of HD channels to be distributed. Coupled with multi-purpose encoder technology it means that a vast array of user devices can be used within the same system. New applications such as in-stadia video replays direct to spectator mobile devices and in-car entertainment delivered over the 4G communication network are based on IPTV delivery methods and will greatly expand the future application of this technology.
Useful links:
NEC Displays – Corporate Solutions
NEC Displays – Education Solutions
Published on: 22/09/2014
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