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).

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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

info@optibase.com

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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

info@optibase.com

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