Deploying Digital Drivers Architectures and Considerations Mike Hochman

Deploying Digital Drivers, Architectures, and Considerations Mike Hochman 2008 CCTA Annual Meeting San Juan, PR

Outline • System architectures and drivers • Simulcast • Edge Expansion • All-Digital • Encoding architectures • Constant bitrate (CBR) • Variable bitrate (VBR) • Ad insertion • Locally generated channels • Considerations for choosing the correct architecture and partner

Typical analog cable system 450 – 550 MHz 60 -80 channels Analog “scrambling” & traps No HD, VOD, etc. Analog receivers Analog modulators Fiber/HFC Combiner IRD Receiver Decoder Node Coaxial

Digital Simulcast • Increase digital services • Enhance user experience • Maintain high quality • Discerning viewers • Large screen TVs

Digital Simulcast Encoders Analog receivers Piracy protection on digital channels Digital video quality Multiplexing & Modulation Lower cost all-digital set top Foundation for HD, VOD ~ $3, 000 per channel Analog modulators Fiber/HFC Combiner IRD Receiver Decoder Node Coaxial

Edge Expansion Encoders Analog receivers Expanded plant bandwidth Interactive applications Multiplexing & Modulation VOD Switched Digital Video ~ $500 / channel / node Analog modulators Fiber/HFC Combiner Node Coaxial Edge QAM Decoders IRD Receiver Decoder

All-Digital Encoders Multiplexing & Modulation All-digital network Complete piracy protection “Unlimited” bandwidth $50 - $300 per set top box Analog receivers Fiber/HFC Node Coaxial Edge QAM Decoders IRD Receiver Decoder

Architectures $ Simulcast $$ Edge Expansion $$$ Analog & digital throughout the network ~ $3, 000 per channel Decoding and modulation at the edge Additional ~$500 - $1000 per channel per node All-digital Complete piracy protection Bandwidth for future growth Flexible platforms enable seamless migration

Encoding Architectures

Constant Bit Rate • • • Fixed transport bitrate Fixed video bitrate Fixed audio bitrate Video quality varies dependent on content Constant across program mix

All-CBR Architecture Modulation Encoding

Variable Bit Rate • • • Target bit rate range (min, max) Target video quality Bit rate changes to achieve target Varies with time Varies across program mix

Variable Bit Rate “Easy” content: • News channels • Cartoons “Difficult” content: • Sports action • Quick scene changes

Open-loop VBR Encoding Rate-Shaping Modulation

Closed-loop VBR Closed-loop controller Bit rate assignments Complexity estimates Modulation Encoding

Distributed Closed-loop controller Region 2 IP IP Region 1 Encoding Modulation

CBR, VBR, Open, Closed, Rate-shaped Closed-loop VBR $$$$$$ 16 ch. per QAM Open-loop VBR Rate-shaped $$$ Rateshaper 14 ch. per QAM Open-loop CBR Rate-shaped $$ Rateshaper 12 ch. per QAM Open-loop CBR Not rate-shaped $ 10 -11 ch. per QAM

Ad Insertion • Maintain existing analog ad insertion system and encode after insertion – Low Cost – Harder to manage – Reduced video quality • Digital Program Insertion – – Ads stay digital Are usually CBR Easier to manage Higher video quality

Ad Splicing SCTE 35 Encoder Network Cue tones DTMF, Contact Closure, or SCTE 104 Mux/Splicer QAM Ad stream SCTE 30 Ad Server CATV Network

Locally Generated Content • If you wish to deploy all-digital set-tops, EVERYTHING must be digital – – MDU in-house channels Hotels Hospitals Stadiums

Locally Generated Content Analog receivers Analog Fiber Node Ad Servers Without digital set top Edge Decoding Groomer/Mux Optical IP transport Off-air ENCORE Encoders Splicer/Mux Modulation QUARTET Encoders With digital set top Digital Fiber Node Digital receivers Community Cameras MDU encoding, multiplexing, Encoding, Multiplexing, modulation and up conversion Modulation and Up Conversion

Criteria for partner selection • Video quality • Channels per QAM • Ease of deployment and maintenance • Cost • Digital ad-insertion • Upgradeability, flexibility • Work with partners that have experience, and proven success interoperating with each other

Thank You