By Laura Hamilton, Editor-in-Chief 1. Expo-a-Go-Go — As you're walking the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo show floor this year with around 10,000 of your closest engineering pals, you may find your feet aching more than usual. Not only is the exhibit space sold out this year in Denver, but it's more than 5,300 square feet bigger than what Expo boasted last June in San Antonio. More than 400 exhibitors are on the floor, including 73 who are exhibiting at their first Expo. 2. Subs Get a Speedy Boost — DSL providers want your high-speed data subs badly, and cable ops are fighting back with a speedy vengeance. Comcast recently rolled out its PowerBoost speed enhancer that increases customers' high-speed data performance, for no additional charge. It uses additional capacity already built into Comcast's fiber net to provide customers with extra bursts of download speed — up to 12 Mbps and 16 Mbps, respectively, on Comcast's 6 and 8Meg services. Cox also is trialing its enhanced Speed Preview service, which allows subs to experience speed previews without service interruptions or the need to reboot their modems. The op wants to roll it out across the country soon with the help of Camiant's PacketCable Multimedia (PCMM) policy solution. 3. Fellows — Comcast announced that its CTO Dave Fellows will move into a part-time executive fellow role with the company in January. The search is currently on for a new CTO. "I have been traveling four or five days a week for almost five years and the time has come to transition into a new relationship with Comcast," Fellows says. "In this time, we have created a national IP platform that enables all services to flow through our Converged Regional Area Networks, connected by a common backbone, with a common provisioning system. The foundation for the next few years of growth is laid." 4. Playing the CableCard — The American Cable Association filed comments at the FCC supporting a waiver request by Comcast that would allow low-cost set-top boxes to be deployed without requiring the addition of CableCard security. ACA said that excluding low-cost set-top boxes, such as the Motorola DCT-700, S-A's Explorer-940, Pace Chicago, and Moto's DCT-2000 and DCT-2500, from the FCC's ban on integrated navigation devices "will allow the digital transition to continue in smaller markets." "Banning these LCSTBs (low-cost set-top boxes) or requiring the addition of CableCard slots will raise the price of digital services beyond the reach of many subscribers and significantly slow the digital transition, negatively impacting ACA members and their smaller market-subscribers," ACA says in its comments. |
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ProductsTrilithic Travels the Long and Winding Upstream Performance Road
Suitability of specific frequencies and bands to carry services also can be determined based on the statistical likelihood of disturbances in any portion of the return band. The ADIA analysis suite provides all of the recommended tools, as specified in the NCTA Recommended Practices, for evaluating return path performance and for tracking performance changes over time.
Motorola Extends MediaCipher Content Security System to Support IP VideoMotorola says that its MediaCipher content security system can be extended to protect IP-based video delivered over a DOCSIS-based network. The announcement was made at SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo where Motorola is demonstrating at booth # 176. The Motorola MediaCipher IP uses a common infrastructure with the company's traditional cable security system, so digital set-tops on a conventional network, IP-set-tops on a "switched" video network, and IP devices on a DOCSIS-based network can all be managed through a single control platform. Additionally, Motorola MediaCipher IP technology is compatible with the open software interfaces that are currently deployed in electronic program guides, VOD solutions and interactive applications. This means that ops can offer a common navigation for both traditional cable programming and newer, IP-based content as the new IP network architecture and services are introduced.
C9 Offers Up Integrated Monitoring and Service Deployment StrategyC9 Networks unveiled its Advanced Cable Plant Monitoring System (CPMS). The Web-based network monitoring system is an integrated solution that allows the op to monitor the RF plant, CMTS and cable modems as well as provide workforce management for cable networks, whether geographically distributed in several locations or one single plant. C9 says the intuitive Web interface can be configured in a few minutes for single location and also remote access and management of the plant. The solution also features power supply monitoring, sub activation and deactivation and the ability to monitor several networks and CMTS systems from a single location.
CableMatrix and Vcom Showcase Unified Policy Management VoIP SolutionAt SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo, CableMatrix Technologies is demonstrating a unified policy management solution in conjunction with Vcom that is said to guarantee end-to-end service quality for VoIP calls traversing dissimilar networks, in this case cable-to-wireless. The demonstration highlights the potential for centrally managing QoS across a converged network, similar to the emerging IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture. Field trials are scheduled to begin this summer.
JDSU Beefs Up Its Metro Ethernet Test PortfolioJDSU expanded its metro Ethernet test portfolio with several new products that are on display at Cable-Tec Expo. New elements include:
Pico Macom Nets New Line of F Compression ConnectorsThe CableNet Series is Pico Macom's newest line of RG-6 and RG-59 high-grade F compression connectors designed for use with standard, tri-shield or quad-shield cable. The patented internal compression design allows excellent RFI shielding properties while maintaining a -30dB or better return loss at 1 GHz. During SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, Pico Macom is displaying the CableNet connectors at The Steren Group booth #739. The connectors provide protection against moisture migration. The internal O-Ring fully seals the connector collar, while a unique ridge-patterned internal sleeve presses firmly against the cable jacket, sealing the connector against moisture at the back end. The same internal sleeve also provides over 40-lbs pulling strength, exceeding SCTE's cable retention standards without damage to the cable's outer jacket.
CAMS Service Management: Check It Out at ExpoProxilliant Systems Corp. is previewing its Cable Access Management System (CAMS) at Cable-Tec Expo 2006. It is an integrated hardware and software solution for proactive, cable-based advanced service management. It provides comprehensive information about cable-based network and service performance and prepares the network for such advanced services as VoIP, "while slashing field and network troubleshooting time and cost," according to the company. CAMS features intelligence deployed deep into the access network that works in concert with software in the regional headend or central data center. The solution consists of two core product components: the CAMS Service Health Manager and the CAMS Intelligent Access Controller. With coordinated management of Intelligent Access Controllers deployed widely throughout the HFC plant together with the CAMS Service Health Manager software, CAMS incorporates intelligent management of real-time monitoring of critical fault and performance indicators, correlation of RF, IP and QoS level information, including continuous path and upstream ingress monitoring and analysis. It features what Proxilliant says is "the industry's only managed ingress suppression technology, the patented Dynamic Ingress Blocking technology." CAMS is a complete system for real-time monitoring, analysis, correlation, reporting and active management of the HFC network and advanced services.
Concurrent Flies Into Expo With New Servers
Concurrent's MediaHawk server technology will be displayed at BigBand Networks — booth #156, Motorola — booth #176 and Scientific-Atlanta — booth #1681). Everstream, a Concurrent company, also will be showcasing its new enterprise audience measurement software at the Concurrent booth.
Take This Job and Love It: SCTE Rolls Out New Job Search Service
SCTE Custom JobConnect focuses on cable industry companies and professionals, and is said to be an easy-to-manage and highly targeted resource for online employment connections. Employers can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online résumé agent to e-mail qualified candidates daily. They also can benefit from online reporting that provides job activity statistics. For job seekers, SCTE Custom JobConnect is a free service that allows them to post résumés as well as browse and view available jobs based on their criteria. Those jobs can be saved for later review if they choose. Job seekers also can create a search agent to provide e-mail notifications of jobs that match their criteria. To access this new SCTE member benefit, visit www.scte.org and click on the Member Services section. Then select SCTE Custom JobConnect in the left-hand column.
Minacom Announces Triple-Play Service Testing Using Cable TranspondersMinacom announced new test capabilities within its DirectQuality R7 service level test automation platform that allow ops to troubleshoot and monitor VoIP, Internet, and digital video service quality by using cable transponders in the HFC network as test responders. PowerProbe service level test probes running Minacom's Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) Streamer test agent can now perform loopback tests to cable transponders and measure key service quality metrics including VoIP speech quality (MOS, R-factor), packet jitter, delay, loss and a variety of other measurements to validate digital-video, Internet/data and VoIP media quality and transmission performance. Tests streams can simulate over 35 different audio and video codecs, with user-definable jitter-buffer, IP precedence /ToS settings, packet interval, payload size and other common service/network parameters. The loopback testing works with all transponders certified to data-over-cable service interface specification (DOCSIS 2.0, as well as DOCSIS 1.x transponders) supporting loopback functionality via SMRP, including Tollgrade Cheetah transponders and end-of-line probes. In addition, Minacom's DirectReach test agents can now collect performance and management statistics from transponder management information-bases (MIBs). When combined with RTP-loopback testing, ops have concurrent access to performance information at the physical, RF, network and service layers from the DirectQuality decision support system.
Feature: Diamond Technology Reviews '06: Part 2By Laura Hamilton Editor's note: In the June 8 issue of "Broadband Gear Report," we began revealing the results of the 2006 Diamond Technology Reviews. (You can access Part 1 of the story by clicking here.) Our distinguished panel of engineering judges — listed in Part 1 — reviewed materials submitted by vendors who were interested in having their products evaluated in BGR's '06 program. Judges gave each solution a Diamond rating from 1 to 5, which were averaged for a final "Diamonds score." The panel also shared their opinions about the products based on the materials the vendors provided. If you're reading this from SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo, you can see the article in its entirety by picking up BGR's print issue, "@ the Show."
Concurrent MediaHawk 4500 Server 
As a modular addition to Concurrent's MediaHawk line, the 4500 high-density server for VOD is said to function equally well in greenfield deployments or as an add-on to exiting deployments. It allows you to store in excess of 20,000 hours of on-demand content and enables VOD ingest rates exceeding 2,500 hours per day. Stream density has been improved to 2,400 streams per 2RU enclosure. The scalable RAM cache approach and commercial hardware design allows ops to employ pay-as-you-grow deployment models. One of our judges points to the server's "excellent per-stream cost ratio" while another says the product nicely addresses the on-demand storage challenge, which seems to grow larger daily. "The hard drives cannot take the pounding and a better storage system (centralized) is a must. Concurrent is making the right move going to RAM," he says.
Harmonic CLEARcut
"Harmonic remains serious about digital video products, and this one shows it," one of our judges says of the company's CLEARcut storage encoding solution. It offers a way to create low bit-rate standard and high-def digital content for use in ad insertion, VOD and other apps. It supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC (H.264). CLEARcut can be used to produce short-form material including ads and clips, as well as long-form content including TV programs and feature films. "There are definite applications for on-site capability for large-scale hospitality business, commercial video production in both the local access and revenue-generating sections of our business," the judge explains.
Harmonic DiviCom Electra 5000
"Flexibility is critical in adding and delivering the multitude of advanced services coming our way. The Electra 5000 meets that demand," one of our judges declares. Harmonic calls the DiviCom Electra 5000 encoder "the world's first multi-codec, multiservice standard-def encoding platform," designed to address the ever-increasing demand for advanced video and audio. The encoder's software-selectable encoding flexibility enables ops to deliver additional MPEG-4 AVC, SMTE VC-1 and MPEG-2 channels in high or low resolution format, within a given bandwidth, without compromising video quality. The system enables you to transition from MPEG-2 to advanced compression with no service disruption.
ICTV Mosaic Television
ICTV's mosaic solution enables ops to deploy interactive multichannel mosaics that can be aligned to reflect individual subs' viewing preferences. In addition to providing live video from, and navigation through, multiple channels simultaneously, the technology enables personal mosaics to be assembled by sub, op or programmer choice, or via system response to sub viewing habits, all on any digital set-top. "I view this tool as a potentially great method for a allowing a more personal customer interface experience. It is an excellent way to compete with the telco IP video experience," a judge says.
Integra5 i5
"The next phase beyond the triple-play and quadruple-play is cross-platform capabilities," a judge stresses. "Integra5's i5 applications and platform offer a means to get that capability now within an IP-capable communications network." The modular, IMS-compatible i5 service delivery platform fuses voice, video, data and cellular services into new apps that combine IP content, converged communications and presence functionality. Example apps include personalized TV caller ID, TV voicemail message waiting indication, TV SMS messaging and personalized IP content alerts with click-to-communicate functionality. JDSU DSAM-6000
This is platform extension of JDSU's DSAM series that is now integrated with the widely deployed Stealth Sweep technology. The 6000 positions the DSAM as the first test instrument on the market that adds complete sweep test features to the handheld's ability to support reliable and efficient VoIP, high-speed data and digital/analog video deployments. By incorporating forward and reverse sweep functions, the 6000 is now able to identify transmission errors that cause digital impairments by measuring the frequency response of the network. "Stealth sweep capability added to the DSAM digital measurement capability puts almost all the tools a broadband field technician will need in one meter. Being compatible with the headend equipment and sweep generators already in place is a big plus," a judge explains. Jones/NCTI IP Voice
This new training course offers what Jones/NCTI describes as "the industry's only video-based training that follows installers as they perform actual installations of VoIP in single-dwelling units, MDUs and homes with security systems." A judge singled out its strength as covering all key aspects of VoIP installation, including the very important house wiring and alarms. "It even covers aspects of installing in multi-dwelling units, which can be more challenging," he says. JDSU QT-1100
JDSU says that its QT-1100 digital and IP video monitoring system is "unlike any system on the market today" because it enables ops deploying advanced video services such as digital simulcast to perform round-the-clock monitoring of multiple simultaneous signal streams. It also can analyze digital video services remotely with "an unsurpassed depth and accuracy of measurement" to detect any problems in any part of the network. The Diamonds judges agreed that this system will be useful as cable migrates to all-digital and IP networks, and as monitoring requirements take on a whole new element of complexity. "The QT-1100 provides the necessary information to maintain packet and stream health to ensure quality service delivery," a judge says. OpVista 2000
This OpVista optical transport system is a "solid and well-configured piece of networking structure with nice long reach and excellent speed," one judge notes. It allows ops to turn up new services and converge triple-play services onto a single optical backbone, reducing OPEX costs through the consolidation of management onto one network. The 2000 offers long-distance transmission, scalability, interface options and protection alternatives that enable ops to collapse existing video, data and VoIP traffic onto a single optical platform. Additionally, the system allows for the development of a range of SLAs. Another judge likes the fact that the ROADM capability can be purchased in wavelength increments, which should suit those desiring smaller incremental investments for initial entry into this level of transport capability. Pace Vegas SD DVR
The Pace TDC 575D Vegas standard-def DVR is an all-digital, dual-tuner SD-DVR, and the first of its kind available for Motorola-type networks. The set-top features a slim case design, and it supports multiple VOD apps, EPGS and other apps. Pace says Vegas allows ops to drive DVRs deeper into the home by allowing economical second and third DVR installs. This is what our judges had to say: "This compact, low-cost and fully featured DVR is a great prescription for the industry to take the lead in the personal video recorder wars," and "It's the best Motorola compatible box on the market." Terayon DM6400 CherryPicker
The upgraded Terayon DM 6400 network CherryPicker with local ad insertion over IP-based networks had one judge saying that it "is an excellent cost-effective way to groom, multiplex and control ad insertion. It has a nice compact size and an easy-to-use interface." The new DM 6400 inserts local ads over IP-based networks, enabling ops to streamline their ad insertion systems to reduce OPEX. It also promises to ease the analog-to-digital transition by enabling local ad insertion into any digital programming, regardless of the source or transport network. As part of the upgrade, the product leverages standards-based GigE networking technology to allow ops to locate ad servers and ad splicers at different points in the network. Trilithic 860 DSPi Field Analyzer
According to one judge, this analyzer's best feature is the fact that it offers an easy-to-use package that covers a lot of possible problems. Another judge believes that its features provide techs with a "good, solid tool" and points out in particular that the BER measurements are well set up in the instrument. The 860 DSPi performs all the critical transmission and signal quality tests needed to install and maintain analog, digital, high-speed data and VoIP services with "none of the pauses and boot-up delays of other field analyzers," Trilithic reports. It can be upgraded as new services are introduced, usually through the company's free update Web site. Options add high-resolution spectrum analysis, QAM and QPSK constellation displays and a wide range of return path tests. Harmonic FLXLink
Harmonic's FLXLink T1/E1 commercial services solution, based on CWDM technology, can securely carry enterprise and cellular digital voice/data services over an op's existing network. Each year, telcos generate billions of dollars by provisioning T1 circuits. Cable ops — often with robust networks that already pass a significant number of T1-enabled sites — can deploy the FLXLink solution to quickly reach this market segment. One judge points out that while there are a number of companies with T1 backhaul solutions, Harmonic's addition of a 110BaseT link allows for future planning for network services. Incognito Broadband Command Center
Small operators need solutions to complex provisioning problems, one of our judges points out, and "Incognito meets this need, which is an enabler to meet competitive pressures. Not only is it a great tool, it is also easy to deploy, which is a must for the smaller operator." The Broadband Command Center appliance offers preinstalled software, workflow automation and "built-in reliability." It allows small and mid-sized ops to deliver individualized, triple-play services with fast turnaround. It automatically brings customer premise equipment online according to the op's preset rules, and dynamically configures each sub's selection of services. Radiant QRF5000
The Radiant QRF5000 QAM channel inserter is a single-channel device designed to bring local baseband channels for new digital simulcast systems via a localized QAM modulator. The built-in QAM modulator will output in either 64- or 256-QAM for cable channels 95-137. It allows users to set values for resolution from full D1 to D1 1/2 in four incremental steps. The device with stereo audio has eight different user settings. One judge particularly liked the fact that Radiant puts everything into a single, 1 RU unit, so the QRF 5000 helps recover valuable real estate in the headend and hubs. Tollgrade Cheetah IP Test Point
"Tollgrade's Cheetah CMD-E outdoor-hardened IP test point provides a solid, hardened platform to get DOCSIS, IP and RF monitoring out into the HFC network between the node and the customer," a judge says. "Used on critical sections of the HFC plant in high-density nodes, the CMD-E can save troubleshooting time by isolating the problem quickly. The solution enables ops to monitor the network's ability to transport premium data and VoIP services from the headend to the end-of-line. It is environmentally hardened, line-powered — in a cabinet or strand-mountable housing — and can be deployed anywhere in the network. The CMD-E integrates the functionality of a DOCSIS-based cable modem with an E-MTA customize for IP testing. Deployments
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