Products
All in the CableCARD Family
At the CableLabs Winter Conference, Pace Micro Technology introduced its new family of CableCARD products, including CableCARD versions of the Tahoe HD DVR and Vegas SD DVR, as well as its newest CableCARD set-top, the Miami HD.
The Miami DC757X HD can be deployed as a standalone non-DVR product, or subs can add DVR capability through the external Serial-ATA hard disk drive port. The box supports both legacy OOB signaling and advanced DSG signaling via the built-in DOCSIS 2.0 modem, plus it has an Ethernet switch that allows for Internet access connectivity included as standard. The Miami HD set-top is a flexible and cost-effective option for HDTV homes.
The Tahoe TDC778X HD-DVR host is a dual-tuner HD-DVR set-top that has been fully integrated with the latest generation of EPG and VOD apps, and also sports an internal DOCSIS 2.0 modem that can be utilized for Advanced DSG communication as well as secure, isolated data and Internet services. Tahoe continues to be praised by the industry as one of the fastest running OCAPTM platforms.
Pace's Vegas host is a dual-tuner set-top that is said to be "richly featured with the latest EPG and VOD applications, advanced connectivity, DOCSIS, and also supports OCAP." Vegas also been certified by CableLabs for DOCSIS/DSG.
The Tahoe HD-DVR, Vegas SD-DVR and Miami HD hosts all feature Pace's EngineWare core set-top software, which reportedly allows rapid rollout of interactive CableCARD set-tops with the current generation of native program guides, and provides a field upgradeable platform for the introduction of OCAP as full Open Cable Networks come on line.
BigBand Hails IPTV for Cable Demo
At the CableLabs Winter Conference, BigBand Networks announced a series of technology demonstrations that include a version of IPTV for cable networks delivered via key elements of DOCSIS specifications.
The demo illustrated how cable ops can deliver IP-based video to either TVs or PCs leveraging their existing QAM and CMTS equipment. The demonstration leveraged an M-CMTS architecture and two key DOCSIS 3.0 features -- downstream channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.0 multicast forwarding -- to deliver the switched IP video. The IP video content is delivered to a cable modem, which routes it to a set-top box to be displayed on a TV, or alternatively, directly to a laptop computer.
BigBand also used the Winter Conference to show off universal edge QAM, addressable advertising, enhanced TV and viewership data monitoring.
Brix Expands VoIP Service Assurance Offering For Cable Ops
Brix Networks announced several enhancements to its BrixCall VoIP analysis and correlation application intended to give "cable operators unprecedented QoS visibility into subscribers' homes." BrixCall now provides support for the network-based call signaling (NCS) protocol, and correlates passive monitoring thresholds and active test results to help automate and streamline troubleshooting, fault isolation and overall call quality and performance in a cable infrastructure.
BrixCall offers comprehensive visibility and passive monitoring of live VoIP traffic, as well as advanced correlation of active test results to ensure call quality from the core of a service provider's network to customer care. Deployed in conjunction with the Brix family of Verifiers, BrixCall is an integrated component within the company's BrixWorx central-site software engine, and is said to close the visibility gap from expected network performance to actual customer experience.
Cedar Point Gets Down to Business at Winter Conference
Cedar Point Communications demonstrated the ability of its SAFARI C3 multimedia switching system to support the entry of cable ops into the business services market at the CableLabs Winter Conference.
The company showed how SAFARI C3 can help ops deliver and manage hosted business features and services that minimize customer premises equipment. The demonstration will show SAFARI C3's support for commercial services groups of multiple lines belonging to a single business, including features such as: custom dial plans among various lines of the CSG; local attendant access, rather than the cable network operator, by dialing "0"; and coordinated billing. In addition, multiline hunt groups, call hold and call transfer features were shown.
Peak8 Acquires Digiticians
Peak8 Solutions acquired Digiticians, a provider of proprietary Web services management dashboard and automated service delivery and installation platform sold through cable ops.
Peak8 offers client-side software that is said to improve the stability and performance of systems while empowering users with improved interactive self-service guides. The company provides an end-to-end solution based on actual customer system data and a real-time error/issue resolution library for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of tech support incident resolution by call center professionals.
Terayon Unveils Content Localization Apps
Terayon showed off its newly announced Overlay and SqueezeBack applications at the CableLabs Winter Conference.
The company showed how its Static Graphic Overlay, Motion Graphic Overlay and SqueezeBack applications can help ops to localize content and create targeted advertising opportunities through the real-time insertion of programming and sponsor information. The apps, which operate within the compressed MPEG domain, are designed "to deliver sizable advantages over other approaches by eliminating the cost, complexity and video quality degradation of current products that require converting the video back to analog," according to Terayon.
Ciena Unveils Strategy to "Transform Ethernet"
Ciena announced a comprehensive strategy -- FlexSelect for Ethernet -- to make Ethernet a carrier-class, performance-grade convergence vehicle from the access network to the core. Extending the company's FlexSelect Architecture approach to network transition, Ciena is adding advanced Ethernet products and capabilities to its portfolio. Underpinning this blueprint for Carrier Ethernet network design are two new series of Ethernet-based platforms, the 3000 Ethernet Access Series and 5000 Packet Services Series.
The 3000 Series consists of Ethernet network termination equipment (NTE) that resides on customer premises to provide managed Ethernet demarcation between carrier and enterprise networks, and scalable, pay-as-you-grow NTE aggregators located in central offices or distribution hubs to aggregate traffic from multiple NTE devices, minimizing access network costs. Certified compliant to MEF-9 and MEF-14 specifications, the initial products in the 3000 Series are designed to enable E-Line and E-LAN services for business applications such as Internet access, IP-VPN access and interoffice LAN connectivity over any access media.
The new CN 5060 is the first offering in the 5000 Packet Services Series, which is also a component of Ciena's FlexSelect for Ethernet solution. The platform reportedly provides up to six-nines (99.9999%) availability. With pseudowire densities, the CN 5060 is said to facilitate the convergence of new Ethernet services and provides seamless support and management of existing data service requirements across Carrier Ethernet networks. Key features include granular scalability, connection-oriented performance and multiservice interworking.
ICTV Showcases Web-Driven, TV-viewed Advertising
ICTV demonstrated the ability of its ActiveVideo platform to support Web-driven, TV-viewed advertising at the CableLabs Winter Conference.
The company showcased the delivery of Web-like sponsor opportunities and interactive elements -- including targeted advertising, channel branding, banner advertisements, "telescoping" and transactional capabilities -- as well as personalized navigational elements and programming channels to any digital set-top. The demo showed how cable ops can deliver Web-driven programming as MPEG video in combination with both live and VOD streams.
Acme Packet Flexes Its Net-Net Muscle
Acme Packet announced more than 30 new features and enhancements to extend the control capabilities of its Net-Net session border controllers (SBCs) for interconnecting VoIP, video and multimedia networks to one another. These features, delivered in Net-Net OS Release 5.0, advance the functions of the Net-Net SBCs in the areas of security, service reach maximization, SLA assurance, revenue and profit protection and regulatory compliance.
These features are also expected to foster the growth of the recently announced Acme Packet Connected Universe program. This helps Acme Packet-enabled service providers find potential IP interconnect and peering arrangements and build business relationships with other Acme Packet service providers.
C-COR Demos New Integrated Platform Capabilities
C-COR showcased innovations in its unified and modular product suites at the CableLabs Winter Conference. Highlights of the demos included:
- Enhanced capabilities from the integration of C-COR's Mobile Workforce Manager and CableEdge leveraging historical and real-time data to manage workflow and workforce activities. The common display platform showcased how installers, repair technicians and others can use the network to check on the level of service delivered to any consumer premise equipment in the home -- before, during and after any customer visit.
- C-COR's nationwide roll-up metrics that detail information on the service levels provided by geographical regions or cable systems. Assurance capabilities including Birth Certificates and near-instantaneous polling for improved speed of resolving and minimizing triple play service problems.
- C-COR's recent work on optical multiplexing for forward spectrum laser transmitters. The recent optical improvements provide multiple wavelength transmission on a single fiber, compatible with C-COR CWDM transmitters already in service.
- The company's Unified On Demand Platform that integrates a scalable on-demand video and ad insertion server, along with a switched digital video solution, into a common, open and interoperable hardware and software platform and eliminates the need for multiple hardware and management systems.
New Manufacturing Digs for ADC
ADC is opening a new manufacturing facility in Lexington, SC, near Columbia. The new leased facility will manufacture cable-intensive fiber connectivity products for ops that deploy FTTx services throughout the Eastern U.S.
ADC is moving into the 10,000 square foot facility this month with plans to expand to 20,000 square feet later this year. By the end of 2007, the company could employ up to 65 people at the new facility.
Whitepaper Watch: Ultra-DWDM
Wave division multiplexing systems have evolved significantly over the last decade. Early WDM systems were limited to only a few optical carriers. The newest evolution is Ultra-DWDM, which enables 10G transmission at 2.5G rates. OpVista's Joe Thomas discusses the advantages of ultra-DWDM in his whitepaper that's available at Mwww.broadbandgear.net/whitepapers.cfm?CompanyName=OpVista.
Hermes Media + Research