Streaming TV to the PC
description
Transcript of Streaming TV to the PC
Streaming TV to the PC Danna Bethlehem
Copyright Information The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form by any means, in part or in whole, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authors and publisher make no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. Neither shall the authors or publisher be liable for any errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing or use of this material. The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Introduction 2
Streaming Applications 2
Video Streaming Formats 3
The Benefits of IP for Streaming 3
Streaming Scenario and Optibase Solutions 4
Streaming TV to the PC – Optibase White Paper
2/4
Introduction
Research shows that broadband penetration in the form of DSL and broadband cable is growing steadily. The DSL Forum reports that during the first half of 2002, there was a 36% rise in the number of DSL lines worldwide. Most of the increase is a result of a rise in business subscribers. In the US, cable is ahead of DSL in the penetration race, with nearly 2/3 of all broadband deployments.
This broadband landscape is causing Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Storage Service Providers (SSPs), Netowork Service Providers (NSPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) to re-evaluate the range of services they provide. By introducing new services that include delivering TV or video to consumers’ PCs, service providers can increase their revenue potential.
This white paper will examine how service providers can take advantage of the rise in broadband deployment by adding TV to the services consumers get on their PCs.
Streaming Applications
There are several video based applications that fall under the umbrella of “TV to the PC”.
Time Shifted TV and NPVR Network PVR (Personal Video Recording) and time shifted TV let viewers store a TV program for viewing at a later time. They differ slightly from a technical perspective. nPVR is based on the concept of unicast streaming.When consumers at home play back the program they “recorded” they are in fact requesting that a video server at the operator’s head-end, stream them the program in unicast mode. Time shifted TV works on a nVOD model. Consumers can hook into a multicast stream of a program that the operator schedules for transmission at specific intervals eg, every 15 minutes. Because nPVR works on a unicast model, it is more bandwidth consuming than time shifted TV. On the other hand, it affords consumers greater flexibility, since they can request the program at any time, without having to wait for scheduled on-demand streams as is the case with time shifted TV.
Program Reruns This service lets viewers at home see reruns of missed TV programs on their PCs. The business model for this type of service can be similar to that of publishing sites: micro-payments. Viewers can make one-time credit card purchases for the specific program that they want to watch, or buy packages of a few programs. Viewers can also have the option of having a monthly subscription.
Video Shopping Online Another kind of web streaming application is streaming the shopping channel to viewers’ PCs. WINDOWS MEDIA and MPEG-4 are both video formats that enable onscreen interactivity so that viewers can click on the video to fulfill their purchase.
Advertising Video advertising online lets viewers purchase directly from the commercial. For example: movie previews. Customers can click on the movie preview and buy tickets for that night’s show.
Adult Entertainment Many countries regulate the distribution of adult entertainment over TV networks. Streaming adult entertainment to PCs can provide this service while complying with broadcasting regulations.
Streaming TV to the PC – Optibase White Paper
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Video Streaming Formats
Windows Media from Microsoft Microsoft Windows Media Technologies (WINDOWS MEDIA) is a set of tools and components from Microsoft for the encoding, decoding and delivery of digital media. Microsoft’s streaming format, ASF (Advanced Streaming Format), like the AVI file format, can carry audio and video streams in many different formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.
Windows Media Services 9 Series is the server component of the Windows Media 9 Series platform and works in conjunction with Windows Media Encoder and Windows Media Player to deliver audio and video content to clients over the Internet or an intranet. These clients might be other computers or devices that play back the content using a player, such as Windows Media Player, or they might be other computers running Windows Media Services (called Windows Media servers) that are proxying, caching, or redistributing content. Clients can also be custom applications that have been developed by using the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK).
Real Networks’ RealSystem® iQ™ RealSystemR iQT is an RTSP/RTP delivery system that supports many media types. In particular, RealAudio and RealVideo are proprietary codecs and are not MPEG-4 compliant. Real Networks does support MPEG-4 ISMA through integration with Envivio, which has integrated its plug-in into the RealOne player. Through the integration, the RealOne player is ISMA Profile 0 and Profile 1 compliant.
Apple’s QuickTime Apple’s QuickTime supports many audio and video codecs, among them mp3 and QDesign’s Music Codec for audio, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and Sorenson’s codec for video.Though it does use proprietary tools, Apple is a pioneer in the standardization of multimedia streaming. Apple’s QuickTime was adopted by MPEG-4 as the basis for the MPEG-4 file format, and Apple is one of the founders of ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance). The recent codec from Sorenson, Sorenson MPEG-4, is MPEG-4 compliant and works with Apple’s QuickTime.
The Benefits of IP for Streaming
The term IP refers to a transmission protocol – the Internet Protocol. The IP protocol is actually part of TCP/IP, a group of Internet protocols, which enable communication over heterogeneous networks. This means that when using the IP protocol different types of network can interface and communicate with each other, regardless of the networking infrastructure. The IP protocol is used for all Internet-based communication. Several factors have made TCP/IP very popular: it is well documented, easy to implement, effective for transmission and versatile. In addition, because it was developed with public funds, it is free of any licensing fees.
IP is a connectionless protocol. This means that data is not transmitted through a pre-defined network path. Rather, data is divided into packets. A stream of data comprises many packets. Each packet travels independently through the network to the same destination (IP address). At the destination, the packets are re-assembled into the original stream. This type of communication is very efficient, as each packet of data can find its way to the destination IP address in the fastest way, bypassing areas of congestion. On the other hand, IP can be unreliable as there is no quality of service mechanism that guarantees that all data does indeed reach its destination.
Streaming TV to the PC – Optibase White Paper
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IP Multicasting The IP protocol supports three main transmission modes: IP unicast, broadcast and multicast. When using IP Unicast, each stream of data or video is sent separately to each recipient. In IP broadcast, the stream is sent to all network nodes, regardless of whether they want to receive it or not. On the other hand, when using IP Multicast, a single stream of data or video is sent to one group address. All recipients can access the group IP address and receive the transmitted data. IP Multicast greatly enhances transmission efficiency since it saves bandwidth considerably: Instead of transmitting multiple copies of the same stream to multiple recipients, just one copy of the stream is sent to a single group address which can be accessed by multiple recipients. IP Multicast is broadly implemented in TV over IP entertainment solutions.
Streaming Scenario
The following diagram shows the MGW 2400 streaming TV to both a PC (Windows Media Player), and a TV via a set-top-box.
MGW2400
MGW2400
© 2002 Optibase, Optibase Inc, and the Optibase logo, areregistered trademarks of Optibase. Other product namesmentioned here are used for identification purposes onlyand may be trademarks of their respective companies. Theinformation contained herein is accurate at the time ofprinting and subject to change without notice.
Technical Specifications
WMT Streaming
ServerSystemPhysicalDimensions: 17.1" ( w) X 15.4" ( d) X 2RU ( h)
(19" rack compliant, 23" rack, ETSI compliant
with brackets)
Weight: 9kg, 20 lbs
Scalability: up to 6 MGE- 400D encoding modules,
field swappable
Electrical CharacteristicsMaximum power consumption: 350 V, Max. 350W,
90-130V, 180-260V autorange
Operating line frequency: 47- 63 Hz
Input/Output Interfaces2 x 10/ 100 BaseT Ethernet 2 x RJ- 45 ( Full Duplex
or Half Duplex support. )
Ultra- wide SCSI - SCSI connector
RS- 232 serial port- RS- 232 ( D- 9) connector
EnvironmentalEMC standards: CE Class B
FCC Class A
CSA Class- A
Safety StandardsCE-LVD
ManagementSNMP in-bound management application
Local configuration via RS-232 port
HP OpenView ™ integration module (optional)
Network ProtocolsUDP Multicast
TCP/ IP Unicast
MMS (Microsoft proprietary over HTTP).
ww
w.o
ptib
as
e.c
om
Corporate
Headquarters
7 Shenkar Street
Herzliya 46120, Israel
Tel: +972-9-970-9288
Fax: +972-9-958-6099
Optibase Inc.
1250 Space Park Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
Tel: +1-800-451-5101
+650-230-2400
Fax: +650-691-9998
Des
ign
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to L
td.
UD
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889
Encoding Module
MGE-400DMicrosoft Windows Media Technology, ASF compliant
Physical Dimensions: 185 x 100mm, 7.2 x 3.9”
Standard Compliance: Microsoft Windows Media
Technology, ASF compliant
Input Signals
Video InputsNTSC &PAL
S-Video (MiniDin)
Composite Video (BNC)
SDI (BNC)
Audio InputsUnbalanced Analog Stereo Line Input (MiniJack)
Input Impedance: 10K Ohm
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz, +/- 0.25db
Digital AES/EBU (RCA JACK)
Sampling Frequency: 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz at 20 bits
per sample
Output StreamsVideo Bit-rates: SIF: 64 Kbps – 1.5 Mbps;
QSIF: 64 Kbps – 384 Mbps
Audio Bit-rates: Determined by the audio sample rate
Frames per Second: Up to 30 Frames per second
Dynamic frame-rate variations according to the input
video content for best quality
Video ResolutionsNTSC:
SIF 352 x 240
SIF SP 320 x 240
QSIF 176 x 112
QSIF SP 160 x 112
PAL:
SIF 352 x 288
SIF SP 384 x 288
QSIF 176 x 144
QSIF SP 192 x 144
File Format: WMT ASF
Audio Format: WMA (Windows Media Audio)
Audio Mode: Stereo
Video Format: MPEG-4
MGW 2400Applications:
TV Broadcast over IP to Home PCs
Webcasting
Video server upload for Web
streaming
Business TV
Corporate training
Distance learning
Benefits
A wide range of bitrates (up to 1.5
mbps) offers flexibility that can be
achieved only with a hardware
encoding solution.
Channel density allows you to
maximize return on investment by
streaming multiple live channels
from a single chassis.
A rack mount system running on an
embedded operating system with no
moving parts offers reliability and
stability.
SNMP management, including
monitoring and alarming, allows you
to easily integrate the system into
your networking environment.
MGW 2400 cuts video delay to almost
half the delay of a software-based
WMT solution.
Multi-channel Streaming
MGW 2400 encodes and streams up to six live Microsoft WMT
compliant streams over broadband terrestrial and wireless networks
such as ADSL, FTTx, satellite, cable, Ethernet LANs and the
Internet. It supports live WMT stream upload to Microsoft
Windows Media Server and IP multicast, unicast, UDP and HTTP
protocols, ensuring efficient transmission over a wide range of
networks. MGW 2400 encodes up to six live channels concurrently
at bitrates between 64 kbps to 2 Mbps. Such a flexible encoding
range allows you to optimize video quality according to available
bandwidth. MGW 2400’s IP traffic shaping was specifically
optimized to work with sensitive network devices.
Automatic control overexternal Windows MediaServer
MGW 2400 offers a central management and control interface
for Windows Media Servers. This lets you transparently configure
and control the Windows Media Server to upload multiple
multicast and unicast streams for each encoding channel directly
from the MGW 2400’s management application.
Empower your Network withVideo
MGW 2400 is a multi-channel WMT
encoding and streaming server designed to
enable the deployment of advanced
streaming media services over the
broadband Internet and corporate networks.
Service providers and IT specialists can
now offer bit-rate efficient WMT video
for live webcasting and corporate video
streaming.
At home, service providers can offer web
surfers the option to receive and view TV
streams or on-demand clips on PCs running
Windows Media Player. Setting up
a professional web streaming service is as
easy as that. No special players. No special
installations. Just start streaming and your
clients are ready to play your stream.
In organizations and educational institutions,
MGW 2400 lets you easily implement live
multi-channel distance learning and business
TV applications that enrich your organization
without overloading your network.
SNMP Management
MGW 2400’s SNMP remote management
enables the configuration, alarming, operation
and monitoring of multiple streams from any
remote station. Additional management
modules enable HP OpenView ™ integration,
and advanced scheduling options.
Reliable and Stable
Designed to meet the needs of mission critical
video networking and media streaming
applications, MGW 2400 operates 24 x 7 and
supports features that give it rock-solid stability
and reliability. MGW 2400 is a rack-mount,
standalone server. It has no moving parts and
runs on an embedded operating system.
Encoding modules are swappable and can be
easily adapted to changing application needs.
Features
Multi-channel rack-mount video streaming
server
Encodes, multiplexes and transmits up to 6
live Microsoft WMT compliant streams
Real-time uploading to Windows Media
Server
Real-time multicast and unicast streaming
Multiple multicast targets per channel and
multiple on-demand live unicast per channel
Saves encoded streams to file
SNMP management application
Half the end-to-end latency of software based
encoding
On-the fly change of encoded video bitrate
STB+TVSatellite
Local Content
Video
WMT Server
TCP/IP
MGW 2400
Remote Management
UD
P Multicast
TCP/IP U
nicast
UDP Multicast
HTTP UnicastInternet/LAN
WMT MediaPlayer
MGW 2400Applications:
TV Broadcast over IP to Home PCs
Webcasting
Video server upload for Web
streaming
Business TV
Corporate training
Distance learning
Benefits
A wide range of bitrates (up to 2
mbps) offers flexibility that can be
achieved only with a hardware
encoding solution.
Channel density allows you to
maximize return on investment by
streaming multiple live channels
from a single chassis.
A rack mount system running on an
embedded operating system with no
moving parts offers reliability and
stability.
SNMP management, including
monitoring and alarming, allows you
to easily integrate the system into
your networking environment.
MGW 2400 cuts video delay to almost
half the delay of a software-based
WMT solution.
Multi-channel Streaming
MGW 2400 encodes and streams up to six live Microsoft WMT
compliant streams over broadband terrestrial and wireless networks
such as ADSL, FTTx, satellite, cable, Ethernet LANs and the
Internet. It supports live WMT stream upload to Microsoft
Windows Media Server and IP multicast, unicast, UDP and HTTP
protocols, ensuring efficient transmission over a wide range of
networks. MGW 2400 encodes up to six live channels concurrently
at bitrates between 64 kbps to 1.5 Mbps. Such a flexible encoding
range allows you to optimize video quality according to available
bandwidth.MGW 2400’s IP traffic shaping was specifically
optimized to work with sensitive network devices.
Automatic control overexternal Windows MediaServer
MGW 2400 offers a central management and control interface
for Windows Media Servers. This lets you transparently configure
and control the Windows Media Server to upload multiple
multicast and unicast streams for each encoding channel directly
from the MGW 2400’s management application.
Empower your Network withVideo
MGW 2400 is a multi-channel WMT
encoding and streaming srever designed to
enable the deployment of advanced
streaming media services over the
broadband Internet and corporate networks.
Service providers and IT specialists can
now offer bit-rate efficient WMT video
for live webcasting and corporate video
streaming.
At home, service providers can offer web
surfers the option to receive and view TV
streams or on-demand clips on PCs running
Windows Media Player. Setting up
a professional web streaming service is as
easy as that. No special players. No special
installations. Just start streaming and your
clients are ready to play your stream.
In organizations and educational institutions,
MGW 2400 lets you easily implement live
multi-channel distance learning and business
TV applications that enrich your organization
without overloading your network.
SNMP Management
MGW 2400’s SNMP remote management
enables the configuration, alarming, operation
and monitoring of multiple streams from any
remote station. Additional management
modules enable HP OpenView ™ integration,
and advanced scheduling options.
Reliable and Stable
Designed to meet the needs of mission critical
video networking and media streaming
applications, MGW 2400 operates 24 x 7 and
supports features that give it rock-solid stability
and reliability. MGW 2400 is a rack-mount,
standalone server. It has no moving parts and
runs on an embedded operating system.
Encoding modules are swappable and can be
easily adapted to changing application needs.
Features
Multi-channel rack-mount video streaming
server
Encodes, multiplexes and transmits up to 6
live Microsoft WMT compliant streams
Real-time uploading to Windows Media
Server
Real-time multicast and unicast streaming
Multiple multicast targets per channel and
multiple on-demand live unicast per channel
Saves encoded streams to file
SNMP management application
Half the end-to-end latency of software based
encoding
On-the fly change of encoded video bitrate
STB+TVSatellite
Local Content
Video
WMT Server
TCP/IP
MGW 2400
Remote Management
UD
P Multicast
TCP/IP U
nicast
UDP Multicast
HTTP UnicastInternet/LAN
WMT MediaPlayer
MGW2400
MGW2400
© 2002 Optibase, Optibase Inc, and the Optibase logo, areregistered trademarks of Optibase. Other product namesmentioned here are used for identification purposes onlyand may be trademarks of their respective companies. Theinformation contained herein is accurate at the time ofprinting and subject to change without notice.
Technical Specifications
WMT streaming
ServerSystemPhysicalDimensions: 17.1" ( w) X 15.4" ( d) X 2RU ( h)
(19" rack compliant, 23" rack, ETSI compliant
with brackets)
Weight: 9kg, 20 lbs
Scalability: up to 6 MGE- 400D encoding modules,
field swappable
Electrical CharacteristicsMaximum power consumption: 350 V, Max. 350W,
90-130V, 180-260V autorange
Operating line frequency: 47- 63 Hz
Input/Output Interfaces2 x 10/ 100 BaseT Ethernet 2 x RJ- 45 ( Full Duplex
or Half Duplex support. )
Ultra- wide SCSI - SCSI connector
RS- 232 serial port- RS- 232 ( D- 9) connector
EnvironmentalEMC standards: CE Class B
FCC Class A
CSA Class- A
Safety StandardsCE-LVD
ManagementSNMP in-bound management application
Local configuration via RS-232 port
HP OpenView ™ integration module (optional)
Network ProtocolsUDP Multicast
TCP/ IP Unicast
MMS (Microsoft proprietary over HTTP).
ww
w.o
ptib
as
e.c
om
Corporate
Headquarters
7 Shenkar Street
Herzliya 46120, Israel
Tel: +972-9-970-9288
Fax: +972-9-958-6099
Optibase Inc.
1250 Space Park Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
Tel: +1-800-451-5101
+650-230-2400
Fax: +650-691-9998
Des
ign
: as
saf-
net
to L
td.
UD
A 5
889
Encoding Module
MGE-400 / MGE-400DMicrosoft Windows Media Technology, ASF compliant
Physical Dimensions: 185 x 100mm, 7.2 x 3.9”
Standard Compliance: Microsoft Windows Media
Technology, ASF compliant
Input Signals
Video InputsNTSC &PAL
S-Video (MiniDin)
Composite Video (BNC)
SDI (BNC) (MGE-400D only)
Audio InputsUnbalanced Analog Stereo Line Input (MiniJack)
Input Impedance: 10K Ohm
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz, +/- 0.25db
Digital AES/EBU (RCA JACK) (MGE-400D only)
Sampling Frequency: 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz at 20 bits
per sample
Output StreamsVideo Bit-rates: SIF: 150 Kbps – 2 Mbps;
QSIF: 64 Kbps – 384 Kbps
Audio Bit-rates: Determined by the audio sample rate
Frames per Second: Up to 30 Frames per second
Dynamic frame-rate variations according to the input
video content for best quality
Video ResolutionsNTSC:
SIF 352 x 240
SIF SP 320 x 240
QSIF 176 x 112
QSIF SP 160 x 112
PAL:
SIF 352 x 288
SIF SP 384 x 288
QSIF 176 x 144
QSIF SP 192 x 144
File Format: WMT ASF
Audio Format: WMA (Windows Media Audio)
Audio Mode: Stereo
Video Format: MPEG-4