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RD4000
DISTRIBUTION RECEIVER DECODER
INPUT
APPLICATION NOTE
MPEG PLAYOUT
SAPPHIRE CHANNEL-IN-A-BOX SOLUTION
SERVICE CREATION FOR
DIGITAL TV OPERATORS
SERVICE CREATION FOR
DIGITAL TV OPERATORS
DIGITAL TV SERVICE CREATION
TODAY’S SERVICE CREATION
Compressed Broadcaster Feeds
e.g. 3.5 Mbps SD/ 8 Mbps HD
IRD
SDI Server
Playlist Management
Automation System
PROS
- High flexibility
- Seamless
content insertion
CONS
- Complexity
- Need for expertise
- Costly
- Impact on video
quality
Live
SD/HD SDI
Master Control System:
- Router
- Switcher
- Mixer
SD/HD SDI
Logo and Crawl
Inserter
ENCODER
Digital VCR
BASEBAND
Limited alternatives for service creation
Service creation is the core business for digital TV operators. Operators
receive compressed content from broadcasters, mainly from satellites,
and use these services as building blocks to create their own bouquets.
Designing a new multiplex by staying in the compressed domain
is theoretically possible, but in practice only applicable to limited
turnaround services. This is due to the complexity of manipulating MPEG
compressed video: MPEG is very efficient for bandwidth optimization
but doesn’t lend itself to program customization. In particular, inserting
new content — commercials, local news — is not a frame accurate
workflow, whether performed manually via a GPI or automatically with an
automation system.
In order to achieve real content differentiation that will attract viewers
and as a result advertisers, digital TV operators usually have to adopt
baseband architecture for uncompressed video processing.
A baseband process offers many features for designing value-added
content, but it is complex and the investment and operational costs
are high. It also demands the right level of expertise, which has a price.
Another drawback is the successive decoding and re-encoding, which
negatively impacts video quality.
Operators have been looking for a solution that offers architectural
simplicity while also enabling them to efficiently design differentiated
content.
TERRESTRIAL
CABLE SATELLITE MOBILE TV IPTV & WEB TV CONTRIBUTION

RD4000
DISTRIBUTION RECEIVER DECODER
INPUT
APPLICATION NOTE
STREAMLINED WITH SAPPHIRE
Sapphire Benefits
Compressed Broadcaster
Feeds
e.g. 3.5 Mbps SD/
8 Mbps HD
Descrambler
Demodulator
ASI
IP
Playlist Management
Sapphire
MPEG STREAM SERVER
UP TO 20
CHANNELS
IN A BOX
ASI
IP
• Seamless, frame accurate service creation
• Advanced customization
• Equal or improved video quality
• Simple workflow
• Limited technical expertise required
ASI
IP
• Significantly increased density
• Minimized CAPEX and OPEX
Live
ENCODER
Digital VCR
COMPRESSED
Breakthrough in processes and economics
Based on these requirements, Thomson Video Networks has developed
the Sapphire, an innovative platform that leverages our extensive
experience in MPEG processing:
››
Sapphire allows frame-accurate splicing and logo/graphic insertion
in the compressed domain, resulting in fully deterministic and
seamless playout and program switching.
The goal here is not to deliver the sophisticated effects (fade in/fade out,
squeeze back, wipe or voice over) found in baseband servers. It is to
achieve unsurpassed insertion: clean, seamless, frame accurate MPEG
insertion.
››
The 1 RU platform integrates a number of processes that often require
multiple boxes with other compressed domain solutions: not only a
native server but also a splicer, router, character generator, and logo
inserter.
Digital TV operators can add commercials, logos, combine live services
in a new bouquet, and inject personalized content. In short they can
perform playout tasks in a compressed mode and benefit from flexibility
that is comparable to baseband. Sapphire’s simplicity, lightness and ease
of operation, however, spare the operators from the constraints imposed
by a baseband system.
››
From a service perspective, the elimination of unnecessary encoding
and re-encoding naturally benefits video quality, which remains at the
level originally delivered in incoming sources.
››
For the processing of MPEG-2, H.264, SD and HD content, it is
possible to handle up to 20 channels in a single box. This is a true
industry revolution in terms of processing architecture and economy.
A channel in a box
With Sapphire, digital TV operators can conciliate high-service
customization and quality transparent program switching, while improving
investment and operational cost.
The addition of new SD/HD channels is a real breakthrough since it
means that a single platform can support one, five or a dozen new
channels at a marginal cost compared to having to duplicate the systems.
Sapphire defines a new business model where service cost and breakeven
levels are significantly lower.
Moreover, evolving to HD often implies a forklift upgrade of the legacy
system: this is the perfect opportunity to choose a new generation
platform, associating high density, flexibility and scalability.
Digital TV operators now have an effective alternative to limited
customization in a compressed mode versus complex editing in
baseband.
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Specifications subject to change without notice. CDT-5174D
>> www.thomson-networks.com