content distribution feature
of the air chain can be backed up 1:1 or 1:N as appropriate, and management of redundancy changeovers is accomplished through the convergence platform. Furthermore, the media convergence platform exports a unified management interface, including a unified dashboard suitable for operations monitoring. Alarms and alerts are clearly displayed, identified down to interfaces and modules. A graphical user interface using Microsoft Silverlight technology simplifies the management and monitoring aspects, and keeps the configuration process workflow-oriented by following a series of graphical block diagrams instead of being weighed down with user manuals and bespoke commands.
Doing more with less
The new media convergence platform permits the management of all elements of the delivery process with an overarching network management system that is driven from a single, easy-to-use GUI. Audio and signal preparation, OTA transmitter feeds, CATV headend feeds, in-plant monitoring feeds and Internet distribution feeds are all handled within the chassis.
Take audio preparation: if HD network programming typically has 5.1 audio, the newsroom produces stereo only and syndicated content is all over the map. You can then add Dolby E - often used by playout and master control to facilitate multichannel audio - which at this end of the chain must be decoded to PCM. A MultiMerge algorithm is used to create a consistent 5.1 upmix of the audio with a stereo downmixed version. These are each subsequently loudness managed for EBU128t compliance. Additionally, Visual Description Service audio can be processed for each programme.
Signal preparation is also key, when video and audio signals arrive as HD-SDI but over long- distance fibre. Selenio permits the termination of the fibre and the synchronisation of signals, whilst static delay adjustments are applied to the audio when compensation is needed. Format conversion of the video is also possible. The same principle applies to the CATV head end feed, where both HD programming and associated SD programming can be delivered to the head end, or in-plant monitoring where an IP version or even an Internet distribution of the feed also can be handled.
By integrating infrastructure into one platform, Selenio achieves much needed simplification and sets the stage for significant cost savings. We can see how this works in an example application: a broadcaster has four programming channels prepared for distribution. Outputs are required for DVB-T and DVB-T2 terrestrial transmitters, local cable head ends, internal monitoring IP feeds, and Internet distribution feeds. In addition, various audio configurations exist for the different feeds.
Using traditional equipment that includes a
degree of redundancy, 67 separate functional items are required. This includes frame syncs, video format/aspect convertors, Dolby E decoders, MultiMerge processors, loudness processing, and a variety of video and audio compression encoders and multiplexers. IP processors, Ethernet switches, and redundancy management controllers round out the rack infrastructure.
A total of 25 rack units, more than 150 cables and 2500 watts of power are typical for this approach. Configuration, management and monitoring of all this equipment present an additional operational challenge, with associated costs increasing as services are increased. Using Selenio’s integrated solution provides significant cost reductions in the areas of: • Power consumption - reduced by 75%. • Space - reduced by 88%. • Cables - reduced by 88%.
Using the Harris Selenio Media Convergence Platform, a typical multiplatform system is reduced from 25RU to 3RU while reducing operational costs by 75%.
Selenio conveniently packages the video before the final step in the transmission phase. During the transition over to DVB-T2, typically both DVB-T and DVB-T2 transmitters will be in use. To accomplish this, two different multiplexes are produced containing the appropriate HD-only or mixture of HD and SD signals. The four HD signals are statmuxed using MPEG-4 encoding with 5.1 AAC audio for the DVB-T2 transmitter, whilst the DVB-T mux contains a single HD and three SDs using MPEG- 2 compression.
By offering an integrated video head end and DVB-T2 gateway system that brings these two complex elements together under the same infrastructure - enabling easier control and monitoring and maximum redundancy - the Selenio platform offers a simple upgrade path to DVB-T2.
An innovative platform for the 22nd century
A proactive approach to telecommunications infrastructure is vital to ongoing growth, and the new Selenio media convergence platform offers an integrated and simplified way to manage the various aspects of the delivery process - such as audio preparation, CATV head end feeds, in-plant monitoring feeds, transmission feeds and Internet distribution feeds - with an overarching network management system.
Selenio is the next generation of infrastructure for the 22nd century television operation - an anything in, anything out reliable tool for providing enormous savings of space, and power, and reducing operations monitoring/management complexity. The Selenio platform quickly aligns broadcasters with the moving targets of the multimedia explosion for audio/video, analogue/digital, baseband/ broadband and prepares them for meeting the burgeoning demand in content delivery.
www.ibeweb.com l march/april 2011 l ibe l 55
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