Networked AV

An introduction to Streaming Video for

Commercial AV Applications

Networked AV

Topics for Discussion

• Video-over-IP• Hardware & Software• Codecs & Streaming Protocols• Network Compatibility• LAN & WAN considerations• Integration with Control Systems

Networked AV

ProAV-Over-IP

• IP = Internet Protocol Dating back to 1974 the Internet Protocol is responsible for addressing hosts and routing packets from a source host to the destination host across one or more IP networks.

• Video-over-IP Systems use an encoder to reduce the program material to a bitstream and then to use an IP network to carry that bitstream encapsulated in a stream of IP packets to decoders. In addition to audio & video professional applications also require control protocols such as RS232 to be transported.

Networked AV

ProAV-Over-IP

• Challenges for Professional ApplicationsCarrying professional video over IP networks has special challenges compared to most non-time-critical IP traffic. Many of these problems are similar to those encountered in voice-over-IP but to a much higher level of engineering requirements. For example resending packets is not an option because of the sequential nature of the underlying video signal. For live video, a resent packet would arrive well after the arrival of the next frame of video.

Latency is also of concern especially for IMAG or PTZ camera applications when delays in excess of 50ms may be unacceptable.

Networked AV

ProAV-Over-IP

• Unicast or Multicast? A Unicast stream needs to replicated for each receiving device, i.e. a 5Mbps stream going to 50 receivers would create 250Mbps of network traffic. Video coming from the Internet is Unicast.

A Multicast stream is ‘one to many’, i.e. a 50Mbps stream going to 50 receivers would still only be 50Mbps of network traffic. However Multicast needs to be managed on a network to prevent flooding devices other than the decoders with unwanted data. Typically this is achieved by using the IGMP protocol or by establishing VLANs.

Networked AV

Hardware & Software

• Encoding and DecodingAll video-over-IP requires an encoder to convert the AV content to IP packets and a decoder to receive the data and convert back to audio & video. Encoding and decoding typically also incorporates a compression / decompression scheme (Codec).

Either software or hardware devices can be used but for high-quality software encoding is not going to be fast enough for live streaming so dedicated hardware is required.

Decoding is typically less demanding and s/w decoders such as Windows Media Player or VLC maybe practical for MPEG streams or low fps

Networked AV

• H.264 (latest iteration of MPEG)MPEG compression is considered to be asymmetric as the encoder is more complex than the decoder and therefore more suited for applications where the number of expensive complex encoders is small but the number of simple inexpensive decoders is large. It also is well-suited to ‘encode once / distribute many’ applications such as DVD or BluRay authoring.

A disadvantage for live streaming is the reliance on a key frame every 15-30 frames of video (long GOP).

Manufacturers such as Haivision & VBrick use this technology.

Codecs & Streaming Protocols

Networked AV

Codecs & Streaming Protocols

• JPEG2000JPEG2000 compression is considered to be symmetric as encoding and decoding is essentially the same. The relatively low cost of the encoders is attractive when a large number of video sources is required.

JPEG2000 is capable of very high quality and is extremely stable (no key frames). Very low latency makes it suitable for IMAG and PTZ cameras.

Manufacturers such as SVSi (voLANte) and T-VIPS use this technology. It is also widely used in Digital Cinemas and for life-critical medical imaging applications

Networked AV

LAN & WAN Considerations

• LAN = Local Area Network• WAN = Wide Area Network

LANs can accommodate both Unicast and Multicast data and typically have significant bandwidth. Most corporate LANS will be gigabit (10/100/1000) and often will use 10Gbps fiber uplinks between switches. When quality, stability and low latency is important JPEG2000 is the best choice for a well-managed LAN environment

WANs – including the Internet – can only accommodate Unicast and typically have very constrained bandwidth. H.264 is currently the best choice for deployment on a WAN.

Networked AV

Control Systems

• IPTVClassic IPTV installations such as delivering video to classrooms require local control of the decoders to change ‘channels’ (video sources).

• Professional AV - Matrix SwitchingProfessional AV installs are more likely to require control over the video matrix from touch panels etc. A unique advantage over a video-over-IP system is that the matrix is virtualized – no physical switch is needed. It is also decentralized in such that encoders can be in any physical location on the network rather than at a head end. The ratio of encoders to decoders is not limited to a matrix switch configuration and can be expanded by adding devices as needed.

Networked AV

The future for AV Installations

• The Big Picture!The ability to expand video-over-IP systems ‘one piece at a time’ and the decentralized nature of the matrix makes the technology very compelling for any size or scope of AV project.

Once every source of video – be it a VTC camera, VTC Codec, conference room table laptop connection, satellite receiver, BluRay, digital signage player etc. – is connected to an encoder and each display and projector is connected to a decoder the entire installation becomes one integrated, cohesive system. This allows not only for any source to be switched to any display by network-accessible devices such as iPads but also for analytical data on the usage of the AV assets to be collated.

Networked AV

VoLANteVideo-over-LAN-

technology

Networked AV

Corporate Overview

• Founded in 2004, located in Madison, Alabama• Recognized leader in real time processing of high-speed video• Manufacturer of the ‘GigaView’ and ‘StreamView’ cameras that

are used worldwide in industrial, educational and scientific markets for slow-motion analysis of high speed events

• All hardware, firmware & software is designed in-house• All products are manufactured in the USA

Networked AV

Product Definition

• VoLANte is an entirely digital ‘last mile’ multi-channel HD AV distribution and matrix switching network. It’s cost-effective, easy to install, and supports unlimited displays over unlimited distances using standard IP network infrastructure. SVSi’s innovative technology is at the leading edge of AV / IT convergence”

Andy Whitehead, Ph.D CEO, Southern Vision Systems, Inc

Networked AV

voLANte Matrix Switching

Replacing a crossbar switch with ‘virtual’ IP packet switching

Networked AV

voLANte ‘Virtual’ Matrix Switching

IGMP Querying Network Switch (Cisco 3750, Dell 6224 etc)

Multiple Video Inputs(10+ per port)

Multiple Video Outputs(10+ per port)

Networked AV

voLANte ‘Virtual’ Matrix Switching

LAN LAN

LANConductor Software

Internet

DiVAS browser-accessed Control

Bldg 2 Bldg 3 Bldg 4

Bldg 1

Networked AV

voLANte installations

• Campbell’s Soup Corporate Campus• Toronto Mapleleaf’s Entertainment

Complex• Northrop Grumman • Alamo Dome Arena• Anheuser Busch Headquarters• AT&T• General Mills• Federal Aviation Authority Crisis

Center• US Navy SPAWAR• Pepperdine Law School• Washington University, St Louis• Hollywood Casino

• Tekelec Corporate Campus• Miller Coors Brewery• American Italian Pasta Headquarters• Bayer Animal Healthcare• Burnt Hickory Baptist Church• Yakima Valley Junior College• Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle• American Securities• Fortune Brands Headquarters• City of Center, TX Convention Center

and many more!

Networked AV

Why use a standard Ethernet protocol?

• Accommodates move towards Network Convergence• Forwardly-compatible as Ethernet technology advances • Uses cost-effective CAT5/6 cable or fiber • IP Multicast is compatible with existing data networks• Easily understood by IT technicians & Network Administrators• Simple installation & setup, uses proven techniques such as

Auto IP discovery, VLANs, IGMP, PIM etc

VoLANte technology is ‘future-proof’ !

Networked AV

Why use JPEG2000 Compression?

• Adopted by the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI)– 90% market share in digital theater projection servers

• MPEG2/4 and H.264 are good solutions for ‘compress once, decompress many’ applications (DVD distribution, IPTV, Satellite) but not for real time applications

• Real time MPEG2/4 and H.264 encoding adds ~1 sec of latency, unacceptable for applications such as live camera feeds

• JPEG2000 encoding is highly error-tolerant – errors only affect a single frame which can be discarded with no visual effect

• JPEG2000 encoding provides precise and adjustable bit rate control

Networked AV

Advantages of the SVSi video stream

• Much higher visual quality than typical MPEG streams• Inherently secure, cannot be decoded by devices or software

other than supplied by SVSi• Encoders are very competitively priced vs MPEG• Uses the only compression codec approved by the Medical

Imaging community (DICOM) for real time transmission

Networked AV

voLANte Multi-Mode Hybrid Operation

LivePlayLocalPlay

HostPlayEMCast

Networked AV

‘LivePlay™’ mode

• Media content from single or multiple sources plays synchronously at every assigned display on the network

• 3-frame latency (50ms @ 60fps) supports live camera feeds • Audio / Video sync maintained from source to display• SVSi’s software applications provide scheduling and real time

matrix switching of content streams to specific receivers without loss of synchronization

Networked AV

‘LocalPlay™’ mode

• PowerPoint-derived slide shows, photo albums and audio tracks can be uploaded from the host PC to individual receivers – up to 64 images in each of 8 playlists

• ‘LocalPlay’ media auto-plays whenever the LAN connection is lost or the stream purposefully suspended – each receiver plays its own content until the LAN is restored or the stream restarted

• Suspend & restart times for each receiver can be independently scheduled

Networked AV

‘LocalPlay™’ mode

Networked AV

‘HostPlay™’ mode

• PowerPoint-derived slide shows, photo albums and audio tracks can be uploaded from the host PC to individual receivers – up to 64 images in each of 8 playlists

• ‘HostPlay’ media auto-plays to every assigned receiver whenever the DVI input connection is lost or purposefully suspended until the input is restored

• Suspend & restart times for the transmitters can be independently scheduled

Networked AV

‘EMCast™’ & StreamCast modes

• Software independent - Emergency and informational messages (including audio) can be instantly transmitted to all displays connected to the voLANte network

• Allows for pre-stored AV content such as ‘Tornado Approaching’ – live content can also be streamed from any transmitter

• Immediately bypasses all ‘LivePlay’, ‘LocalPlay’ and ‘HostPlay’ media

• Implementation can be from the host PC, network-attached PC, external control (fire alarm etc) or by TCP/IP command

• Password protection safeguards against unauthorized use

Networked AV

‘EMCast™’ mode

Weather Emergency!

Networked AV

VMT 105 Transmitter

• External 5vdc power connector• DVI-I (supports DVI-D / HDMI, VGA & Component) input• Stereo (line level) audio input plus embedded audio support• 3 Gigabit Ethernet switch ports• Indicator LEDs for Power & DVI connectivity• Includes ‘Conductor NetLite’ software• Rackmount Kit available (holds 3 units)

Networked AV

VRT 107 AV Rackmount Transmitter

• 1U Rackmount enclosure with server-grade internal power supply

• 6 DVI-1 and 6 audio inputs• 6 Gigabit Ethernet switch ports• Transmitters are internally interconnected• Indicator LEDs for Power & DVI connectivity• Includes Conductor NetLite software

Networked AV

VRR104 Digital AV Receiver

• Commercial-duty steel case• DVI-D output• Stereo RCA analog audio output jacks• Embedded (2-channel) audio-over-DVI/HDMI• Local storage of 8 playlists of 60 images plus audio• RS232 bi-directional serial port• 3 Gigabit Ethernet switch ports• Indicator LEDs for power,

LAN & DVI connectivity• 5VDC external power supply

Networked AV

VRR204 Digital AV Receiver

• Commercial-duty steel case• DVI-D output • Embedded (2-channel) audio-over-DVI/HDMI• RS232 bi-directional serial port• 1 Gigabit Ethernet port• ‘Last frame’ or single image local storage• 5VDC external power supply

Networked AV

VDR 106R Digital Video Recorder

• 2U Rackmount format• Dual-stream synchronized record/playback• Single Ethernet connection to the voLANte LAN• Unique ‘Time Shift’ feature• Approx 20hr recording time (bitrate dependent)• Convert recordings to MPEG4 files for editing, DVD burning etc

(not available from copy-protected sources)

Networked AV

VWP 120 MV Windowing Processor

• 1U Rackmount format• Accesses any 4 voLANte streams from a single network

connection• Crops, scales and positions into a ‘composite’ stream• Composite stream can be switched to any displays• Browser interface with stored presets and backgrounds• Can be ‘stacked’ for 7, 11, 15 windows

Networked AV

Contact Us

256.461.7143 | www.svsiav.com