http://contemporaryresearch.com/more-support/rf_iptv

Convergence starts with 4 letters

Solutions

• AV, RF, and IP use HDMI TDMS streams at the start and use IP to distribute video• TDMS is an uncompressed stream of packets, using R,G,B, Clock and EDID lines

– AV Switchers - convert to TDMS, IP switch to HDBaseT– IP Switchers – encoders use TDMS, encode as Motion JPEG, out via IP switch– IPTV - convert to TDMS, encode to MPEG, send over LAN – Digital RF - convert to TDMS, encode to MPEG, send over RF– to JPEG 2000, use generic IP switch to decoders

AV/ IP Switching

• Shared values:

– 0 to low latency

– “Lossless” video, often up to 4K

– Dedicated UTP/Fiber wiring

– Proprietary system

– Limited to 300’ via wire

• AV switching uses an internal IP switch, distributing control and media via HDBaseT

• IP Motion JPEG switching links encoders and decoders via a Layer 3 IP switch

Encoding - IP and RF

• MPEG is called inter-frame encoding, as it references other frames to operate

• The stream consists of several “Group Of Pictures” called the GOP

• Actually in each group there is only one picture –the first frame. The other frames describe what has changed

• The decoder has to snag the first frame, plus a few more to start decoding back to video

• Typical latency for RF is 500 ms to 1500 ms end to end, IP delivery takes longer

• MPEG2 is the standard for off-air, compatible with IP as well

• MPEG4 streams are half that of MPEG2, in use by

Satellite ,Cable TV and Ethernet, H.264 is an advanced version of MPEG4

• HEVC H.265 is the current standard for 4K video

– HEVC is not fully efficient as yet, wants to charge for streaming, but it’s the current standard

– The new AOMedia AV1 standard is far better and free, but not till 2019

– Very long latency for encoding and decoding

Encoding - IP and RF

RF Distribution

• RF is simple, as it operates using national standards for encoding and decoding

• TVs already have tuners (decoders)

• RF is essentially passive, driven by one or a few amplifiers

• RF is versatile and can mix coax, fiber, and Cat5 wiring

• RF is a long-distance carrier, operating far beyond the 300’ limit

• RF just works 24/7 with no maintenance or support

IPTV Distribution

• It’s complicated• The network must support IPTV streaming

• The network must support the streaming bandwidth

There are three types of IPTV systems:

– Open Standard IPTV

– Proprietary IPTV

– IP-based AV Switchers

RF/ IP Origination

IP - Unicast

udp://@:1235

IP - Multicast

udp://@:1235

• Enable multicast (broadcast to all ports)

• Enable IGMP (limits streams)– Player (Host) requests a stream

using multicast URL (ex: 239.27.0.27)

– The Quierier is always asking if anyone wants to see a stream

– The PC’s switch has been “snooping” the IGMP traffic and says Yes

– The router or encoder sends the stream to the switch, making copies if other hosts have made a request

– A “Leave” message from the host stops the stream to that port and switch

IP - Multicast

IPTV decoder Integration

• Channel List– IR/UDP playlist control, updatable list

– Control similar to TV channels

• Virtual video switching– Web application

– Extra cost licensing

– Custom programming

• Display control – Local, remote, none

• VLC Software– Free software

– Geek tool

• Amino H140

– Simple playlist editing

– IR control only

• Brightsign – IR/UDP interactive control

– Complex to program

Open-Standard IPTV Decoders

udp://@:1235

RF Facility/Local Integration

• Display Express software now controls TVs over RF

– Display Control Center creates RF control channel and hosts DX Lite software

– Display Express app on PC offers extensive control features

– ICC1-series TV Controllers manage TVs through RF

• Local Control

Convergence is a 2-way Street

• Sports stadiums are moving back to RF:– .5 second latency vs 8 seconds

– Far less cost and maintenance

– Fan experience is the same

• Commercial sites are streaming over RF and IP

• Many other ways converge

• You don’t have to rely on expensive cable or satellite programming

• Hulu, Sling TV and others can deliver live-stream content

• Units like our QMOD Encoder-Modulators can ingest content from ROKU boxes as cable or 8VSB

• With 8VSB, you can mix in-house content and signage with free off-air channels

Convergence is a 2-way Street

RF Integration

• When planning for RF, there are several questions

– Can we use our existing RF coax?

– Do we plan new coax for everywhere or specific locations?

– Do the planned TVs have built-in tuners?

– Do we need tuners for projectors and monitors?

– Do the TVs have RS-232 or only IR control?

– How are we creating channels from cable/satellite?

– What kind of in-house channels do we want to include?

IP Integration

• When planning for IPTV, there are several questions

– What streams can be decoded?

– How is the playlist populated?

– How integration-friendly is the unit?

• How are streams selected? IR, RS-232, IP, Web page

• Can the player control the display?

• Is there a method for facility-wide management?

• Can the receiver be a part of an integrated system?

– Are you forced to use one make of encoder/decoder?

– Will this operate in my site network, or do we need a dedicated network for video?

http://contemporaryresearch.com/more-support/rf_iptv