This month we had the opportunity to learn about Enterprise IPTV solutions from Ed Carabetta at Cabletime. If you have begun to deploy IPTV in enterprises, you have probably run into the IPTV distribution bottleneck. IPTV video streams have data rates ranging from 500 kbps (for VHS type quality) to more than 8 Mbps (for HD quality on MPEG-4). Even with only dozens of streams, this can rapidly add up to hundreds of megabits of traffic which can overwhelm enterprise data networks. Cabletime has developed a hybrid enterprise IPTV system that enables the deployment of thousands of televisions throughout an enterprise without having to worry about the IPTV streaming bottleneck.

Enterprise systems are commonly provided by simulcast television distribution on coaxial systems. When considering the conversion of a simulcast distribution system in the enterprise to an IPTV system, excessive conversion costs and data bottlenecks may occur since each television set requires and IP set top box (STB) and 2 to 10 Mbps connections. With hundreds or thousands of televisions in a corporation, the amount of bandwidth is beyond the capability of local area networks.

A key option for the upgrading of enterprise TV systems to have IPTV capability is to use a hybrid solution that can combine simulcast television content (analog and digital distribution) with multicast and unicast IPTV channels. The hybrid system provides for a mix of traditional broadcast, one demand and digital signage applications.

Existing CATV distribution systems commonly use RF cabling to simultaneously carry dozens or even hundreds of television programs. Companies have made substantial investments in these distribution systems. When they hear that IPTV systems offer an unlimited channel selection options, they consider converting their systems to IPTV. 
While enterprise systems have data networks in place that can (and often already do) carry IP digital

video signals (e.g. YouTube), the capacity of these systems is not enough to provide for thousands of SD or HD digital video signals. Each IPTV viewing device consumes its own stream of 2 to 4 Mbps. If these channels are not shared (as they are in legacy television distribution systems), this creates a data concentration bottleneck that even fiber distribution systems cannot handle. What is needed is a logical and financially effective migration path from analog RF to digital IP without having to "fork lift" all of the equipment those companies have invested in.

These situations are complicated by the desire and need for companies to integrate IPTV services and to provide newer HD capable screens that are currently deployed in their conference rooms, lobbies, training areas and presentation centers. Also, most of the current endpoints are tube TVs that may take several years to replace but will eventually require digital content.

The "Hybrid" solution provides an intelligent endpoint that can receive both analog and digital content. This intelligent STB has dual feeds and multiple outputs so it would satisfy the analog and digital requirements of both input and output. It would also be seamless in its operation to the viewer.

Let's look at an example of a deployment of 60 TV channels currently delivered to 500 assorted screens over a structured Cat/(n) network. To change over to a total IPTV solution at 1080 capable resolution would involve 60 encoders and 500 STBs that could easily top $1.5M just in equipment costs. Most of these type existing systems would also be managed by a software program controlling channel tiers, viewing rights, log in records, etc., which would all need to be integrated in the totally new IPTV network. While we suggest that at some point this customer would have to convert, the current high cost of the total digital network is slowing that ultimate decision.

Figure 1., Enterprise IP Television System

Content Needs Analysis - What Content and Format is Needed

Some of the needs of enterprise television systems include providing public information, company information, sports events, video conferencing, learning centers, monitoring and other multimedia services. Enterprise TV systems typically are multi-channel television systems that provide a mix of live television, scheduled television and information displays.

Offering our example customer a hybrid solution changes the dynamic and would involve several steps. The first would be to analyze what content is required at each end point and how many concurrent digital channels are necessary at inception. A reasonable assumption for the above referenced numbers would be 10% of the channel line up converted to digital, 15% of the current endpoints capable of HD display and 60% of the total number required to view those IPTV channels. The endpoints that fit into these categories would require an STB capable of receiving and displaying the existing analog content in addition to the new digital content. However, the balance of the endpoints at inception could continue to receive the analog only content. The customers' expenditure at this point would be about one third of the all digital transition.

Gradual Conversion to IPTV

The hybrid solution not only has the advantage of major cost reduction, it also provides the customer a migration path to total IPTV conversion. Transition can now take place over a longer time period, making it easier to budget for and the system management stays in tact. The logical secondary assumption is that the cost of digital components over time will also come down and the overall savings will be greater across the scope of the entire transition.

Figure 1 shows some of the different types of uses for enterprise television systems. This diagram shows that enterprise IP television systems contain a variety of video sources (servers), encoders and media adapters. The display types range from small computer monitors to large screen formats. 

Video Hubs

A video hub is a distribution device or assembly that can receive, copy, and redistributes the same information on other ports of the hub. Video hubs can be located in the distribution system to split and distribute video signals to multiple users. Figure 2 shows video hub that can take  up to 16 packet digital video inputs, copy and redistribute them on up to 16 video output ports. 

Figure 2., Video Hub Source: Cabletime

End Point User Equipment 

End point user equipment for hybrid enterprise IPTV systems includes televisions, multimedia computers (PCs) and touch screen displays. Because the hybrid system mixes broadcast television with IPTV, the types of viewing devices can range from inexpensive televisions to multimedia computers with touch screen displays. When set top boxes are used, they are able to receive and process both traditional broadcast channels and on-demand IPTV channels. The power for STB can be provided by a hub line power unit increasing power supply reliability and reducing the need to install power outlets near the viewing devices.

Remote Control

Coordinated remote control of the viewing devices can be provided by relaying infrared commands to the system using an IR receiver. The IR commands are converted into data packets and routed through the data network. These commands can be processed (check for authorized services) by the system and converted back into infrared commands by an IR blaster that is located in front of DVD, VHS players or cable set top boxes. Figure 3 shows how the MediaStar system can use an IR receiver to allow remote controls to access to media sources in other locations by relaying the IR commands through the LAN data network.

Figure 3., Infrared Source: Cabletime

Ed Carabetta is an audio visual industry expert since 1972. Ed's expertise includes designing and building RF and digital television systems with as many as 6,000 outlets. Ed specializes on upgrading, optimizing and deploying CATV, SMATV and IPTV systems.