feature iptv/hybrid tv
Developing a non-linear workflowfor IPTV
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from a video or image asset, or be generated dynamically from a graphics or text-rendering engine. These video tracks are assembled frame by frame, compositing the frames together based on their opacity parameters, and then the frames are transcoded into the appropriate output codec. This allows video assets to be overlaid, within the same track, and mixed with effects such as cross dissolves, wipes or transitions. Multiple video tracks can also be assembled into arrangements such as PIP (picture-in-picture), promo over credits or mosaic. By assembling elements while still in the transcoding platform, it also eliminates a step in the process and speeds up delivery. As with any workflow, organisation is a key element and workflows for IPTV are no different. Many broadcasters have metadata coming from other stages of the workflow upstream and they want to make sure that once transcoded, this information is passed out to a cable provider, to iTunes for distribution and download, or to online video services such as Hulu. One solution for this need that has seen an increased demand, particularly among the IPTV outlets in Europe to aid with this, is catalogue management. Catalogue management is basically a form of digital asset
The proper packaging of content makes it easily accessible in the server farm as well as providing, throughout the workflow, clear communic- ation of metadata of the different elements involved.
management that allows the administration of metadata with a catalogue of assets that broadcasters want to be delivered. It allows for all items associated with a file (a thumbnail view, a preview version, the master) to be packaged up to be delivered along with metadata to a cable head end.
To even further expedite the process of preparing content for IPTV, the industry is going to start to see more software options that allow for live capture from SDI or MPEG transport streams. RadiantGrid has developed software that will allow the capture to originate from anything that is connected to SDI (for example, a tape deck or satellite feed) and perform a transcode to a mezzanine format. Once converted to a mezzanine file, it can then be checked into the transcoding workflow. One of the biggest reasons why many broadcasters cannot transcode to these formats in real time is that the codec is not fast enough. By developing an option for live capture from SDI, it gives a way to make sure that broadcasters will be able to capture every single frame, all closed captioning data and all audio. Another option combined with live capture is that it can speed up the conversion processes because pre-processing like image and loudness correction can be done in real time at the point of capture. Then when this file goes through the transcoding farm to be converted to the different formats
Don’t just watch TV,
Fetch TV
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connect the consumer from their TV screen to a particular brand’s online sales area, connected devices such as the FetchTV box occupy a front and centre position in this new market. Connectivity and interactivity between a brand and its consumers is vital nowadays to ensure customers feel attached to and part of the products they choose to buy.
While this type of connection is not new, previous incarnations have been clunky and not user friendly. IP vision is able to offer brands that connection with their customers via a user interface that is easy to use, intuitive and as easily brandable as a traditional website. The flexibility of the platform ensures that IP Vision can create everything from completely branded
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channel environments, as has been done for National Geographic channel, to a fully branded platform for any brand that should require it.
Another aspect of the service that IP Vision has addressed is how to find the content you want to watch. In the online environment users are more than happy to type keywords into a search engine and then select the content they want to look at from the presented list. No company has, as yet, delivered such a mechanism for a TV environment. IP Vision’s FetchTV box is able to access over 1200 hours of on-demand content, all of the video and photographic content that is on any networked storage device, and any content that may have been recorded directly to the box’s hard drive. Being able to easily search this vast library as well as programme the box’s recording facility remotely, so making the user’s life easier in the process, is a facility that IP Vision feels is key to its customer base.
required, the file is not being corrected each time for each specific file format. This takes away the additional step of having to process the audio and video after it has been converted to an alternate format.
We are seeing rapid expansion of the capabilities of IPTV. Just recently, several broadcast providers in the UK have started offering their customers the ability to record broadcast content to their PC or laptop, much like a DVR, with the use of a USB drive. As popularity in the delivery format continues to increase, broadcast outlets are going to have to be prepared to handle this increase in managing content in multiple formats. It seems only fitting that, with this technology moving into the computer- based realm, that it be software providers that are offering some of the most effective solutions to help manage and prep content for broadcast. By moving most of the correction processes into the transcoding platform, it helps to eliminate the need for a file-in/file-out means of processing and greatly reduces the time needed to convert a file. The proper packaging of content makes it easily accessible in the server farm as well as providing, throughout the workflow, clear communication of metadata of the different elements involved. As the technology continues to evolve, we are soon going to see increased capabilities where much of the different processes will all be done in real time.
IP Vision is also aware that consumer choice for hardware to deliver content is vast. While FetchTV is a traditional TV set top box that delivers an over the top solution other devices, such as gaming consoles, are also able to do this. This market, however, is set for rapid growth in coming years. To this end, IP Vision has signed a partnership deal with ANT Software Ltd.
This joint collaboration will bring together the complimentary strengths of IP Vision’s FetchTV platform and the Ant Galio platform, which will enable rapid integration of the FetchTV service on Hybrid Broadcast Broadband (HBB) devices, including Freeview UK and the emerging Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV specification (HbbTV) in Europe. IP Vision plans to support a number of third party manufacturers in 2010, enabling access to FetchTV content and services on a range of Freeview and Freeview HD set top boxes and technologies.
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