Diamond Technology Reviews '08
New Solutions Worth Checking Out
Important note: For the Diamond Technology Reviews 2008 program, "Broadband Gear Report" invited vendors to submit products that had been released or upgraded since June 2007. Not all of our panelists reviewed every product, but we assigned each entry to at least three of the six judges (listed below). To help ensure fairness, similar products from different vendors were reviewed by the same group of panelists. Judges based scores and comments on written material provided by vendors, as well as their own experience with or knowledge of the specific technologies.
"BGR's" staff played no role in the judging of the submitted products. Review panelists were informed that scores and comments would remain anonymous.
By Laura Hamilton
In Broadband Gear Report's Fourth Annual Diamond Technology Reviews ("the Diamonds"), our judging panel of top engineering execs (listed below) didn't pull many punches - perhaps more this year than in any of our past programs. Candid and hard-hitting, the judges obviously took their duties seriously as they reviewed some of the latest groundbreaking products for HFC networks. What follows are the entries they named as most worth the industry's careful consideration.
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Tom Gorman, VP Operations Engineering, Charter Justin (Jay) Junkus, President, KnowledgeLink Inc. Andy Parrott, Corporate VP of Technical Operations, Suddenlink Pragash Pillai, VP Strategic Engineering, Bresnan Michael L. Smith, Senior Manager, Plant Engineering, Time Warner Cable Tim Templeton, Manager, Network Design and Documentation, Sunflower Broadband |
0-1 Useful product, yet commodity
2-3 Solid product with viable attributes that set it apart
4 Excellent product with technical features and performance that provide clear and substantial benefits
5 Superb product that sets new standard for performance and provides groundbreaking and new technical milestones
We averaged each product's scores and rounded that to the nearest full or half Diamond. Note that products are grouped by score (with the highest Diamond ranking first), and then in alphabetical order.
Scores of 3 or above are considered outstanding and reflect a very positive opinion from the panel. Only products receiving 3 Diamonds or above are included in this article.
Congratulations to all the entries that made the Diamonds grade, and in particular, to the highest scorers in this year's program - our "elite three" - that enjoyed a stellar 4.5 Diamonds. They included Alloptic's MicroNode transceiver, Aurora Networks' Node PON, GE4132M and Trilithic's EasyIP network receiver.
Alloptic MicroNode Transceiver
"This is one of the smartest methods I've seen to support RFoG implementations," one of BGR's judges said. Another commented: "[This] transceiver convinces me that the future footprints of MSOs' networks will be a strong blend of FTTH and HFC over the next few years as companies like Alloptic make it simple and cost-effective to build new developments with a simple solution that directly ties into our existing headend infrastructure."
Aurora Node PON, GE4132M
Aurora Networks' Node PON, GE4132M, is a module designed to work in all Aurora nodes. It enables GEPON functionality to be available from a standard cable TV HFC node. Using this module, the cable op can cost-effectively migrate their installed HFC network to a standards-based GEPON FTTH network - but only if and when it is justified by the revenue growth.
"The ability to deploy GEPON standard CPE where needed in addition to reaching customers with cost-effective HFC is an ace up the sleeve for cable operators facing competition," a judge stated. "Aurora's configuration and monitoring for its products are also feature-rich and inexpensive to deploy." Another panelist seconded that thought and added that the product "is the perfect solution for MSOs that need a blend of HFC and FTTH to coexist on their current core infrastructure. As statewide franchised overbuilders are hand-picking the developments they want to build into, we the MSOs now have an aggressive solution to exceed the competition's network."
Trilithic EasyIP Network Receiver
Trilithic's EASyIP network receiver is a stand-alone EAS receiver that can be placed anywhere on a cable op's network. It can solve bad reception problems, remote LP monitoring and leased audio lines for EAS networks. The EASyIP network receiver has two or four internal radios that can be programmed to monitor AM/FM/NOAA stations. It processes EAS alerts and stores the audio message, then contacts the main EASyPLUS encoder/decoder over IP to deliver the EAS message. The EASyPLUS decodes, encodes, and delivers the alert to set-tops, TVs, PNCS servers, digital simulcast encoders, and any other devices, even in remote hub sites.
All of the judges that reviewed this solution pointed to its flexibility and adaptability. One of our reviewer's summed up the panel's impressions with the following: "This truly is a needed upgrade to the laborious process of managing EAS systems in multiple headends, hubs and geographies."
Aurora Smart Media Converters
The judges all used one adjective when describing these: "Great product." "Great option." "Great solution." Aurora Network's SMART media converters enable cable ops to deliver 100 Mbps or 1,000 Mbps Ethernet connections over fiber to a business or a high-bandwidth residential user. This enables ops to simply extend their existing HFC network to tap into this new revenue stream. Aurora just upgraded this product family to be MEF-compliant.
"The Aurora Networks SMART media converter is a necessary device for any MSO facing increased commercial data account growth that is asking for 100 to 1,000 Mbps and struggling with limited fiber availability," a panelist noted. "I love the idea of SMART media converters using CWDM across 15 different wavelengths. This is a great solution."
Ciena G10/G10X Ethernet Service Module
One panelist called this "an incredibly flexible way to transport the gamut of digital signaling in broadband networks seamlessly across multiple, disparate physical interfaces - all in one platform."
The Ciena G10/G10X Ethernet service modules integrate Ethernet aggregation and switching into the CN4200 platforms, combining the functionality of two boxes into one. Ciena's new G10/G10X Ethernet service modules provide full Layer 2 Ethernet aggregation and switching, with advanced QoS, OAM and software flexibility. The addition of these modules to any CN 4200 platform enables the integration of Layer 0, Layer 1 and Layer 2 functionality on a single platform. A reported benefit they bring to cable ops is capital and operational cost reductions and network efficiency increases for metro transport, Ethernet switching and IP routing equipment. This applies to both a cable operator's residential triple-play and business services operations.
EGT VIPr-TRx
The EGT VIPr-TRx video transcoder is a network appliance that provides broadband cable with the ability to carry more HD content per QAM without sacrificing video quality. MPEG-4 encoded HD content may be converted to MPEG-2 HD through the use of intelligent transcoding to provide a minimum loss transition from one encoding format to another. As a network appliance, the EGT VIPr-TRx can migrate deeper into the network allowing operators to transport MPEG-4 content closer to the edge. The transcoder uses an intelligent recoding process that provides improved video quality over traditional decode/re-encode methods. It also incorporates closed-loop statistical multiplexing in the same process to eliminate multi-generational losses.
"Superb technical design and implementation addresses the immediate need for advanced technology in a current market space," a panelist commented. "I see the potential for this product for MSOs that are required to receive MPEG-4 content from programmers but could only support MPEG-2 content for distribution to their customers (lack of MPEG-4 CPE)."
EXFO Power Blazer Test Modules
The EXFO FTB-8120NGE (2.5/2.7 Gbps) and FTB-8130NGE (10/10.7 Gbps) Power Blazer test modules are compact, integrated multi-service test solutions specially designed for the turn-up and maintenance of next-generation DWDM and ROADM networks. These modules provide a wide range of SONET/SDH, next-gen SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet and fiber channel testing capabilities inside what is reportedly the industry's most compact form factor - a solution built for field installation teams. Housed in the FTB-200 platform, this multi-service testing solution is less than half the size of the closest comparable solution.
A judge said this tool "will be critical in maintaining high-availability as high-speed digital optic signaling moves deeper in the network." Another stated that it "will be of great benefit to the various business services engineers during turn-up, test and troubleshooting."
EXFO Single-Ended Dispersion Analyzer
"It's hard to believe we have to deal with our 'aging' fiber plant, but the FTB-5700 brings an easy method to keep performance in line for years to come," a panelist commented.
The EXFO FTB-5700 single-ended dispersion analyzer combines chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) measurements into a single, highly automated test solution. It offers the advantage of one - one-ended testing using one module, one connector and a one-step test setup, delivering one combined results file. Housed in either of EXFO's multi-modular portable platforms, the FTB-200 compact platform and the FTB-400 universal test system, the FTB-5700 delivers straightforward, yet advanced CD and PMD characterization in a single instrument optimized for both entry-level and seasoned techs. Also, because tests require only one connection, manual interventions are kept to a minimum, ensuring what the company says are fail-safe results, every time.
Harmonic Direct-to-Edge Solution Suite
Our panel considered the Direct-to-Edge cable IPTV solution from Harmonic a unique solution that leverages existing MSO HFC architecture and provides a complete system to enable IPTV delivery. "[It] will allow MSOs to use their arsenal of VOD content to meet the needs of the next generation of subscribers by offering PC-based viewing."
Harmonic's Direct-to-Edge enables cable ops to leverage their existing DOCSIS and digital video investments to deliver broadband video to multiple screens, including traditional TV and the PC. The solution combines Harmonic's compression (DiviCom Electra encoders and Mentor re-encoding), on-demand software (Armada and StreamLiner video servers), content preparation (Rhozet and MediaPrism) and universal edge (NSG 9000) technologies with the DOCSIS and digital video infrastructure. The solution allows very high-quality and low bit-rate linear TV, VOD local/community programming, and Internet video to an IP-enabled device, to complement their existing video offerings.
Harmonic MediaPrism Suite
Harmonic's MediaPrism is a suite of integrated content preparation tools for creation of on-demand video assets from any source - tapes, DVD, live broadcast, Web or user-generated content. Bringing together Harmonic's CLEARcut offline storage encoding, LIVEcut scheduler, Rhozet Carbon Coder universal transcoding solution and Ingest Gateway, MediaPrism offers ops an easy-to-manage solution for VOD content preparation. As for uniqueness, Harmonic reports that it is the only solutions provider that integrates content preparation components into one solution for creation of on-demand video assets from any source (as listed previously).
"This product provides flexibility and introduces a new method of introducing content to the on-demand platform for MSOs. Currently, on-demand content preparations require significant capital investment and resources," a judge noted. "This solution provides an integrated method and simplifies the introduction of contents for the on-demand platform, which also includes Web sources such as user-generated content."
Harmonic PWRLink 1,310 nm DWDM
The following judge's comment summed up the general consensus from the panel: "The Harmonic PWRLink 1,310 nm DWDM transmitters offer a technology necessary for MSOs to stay ahead of the competition with minimal changes to their HFC architecture. With the increasing demand for fiber-supplied commercial accounts all across the MSO's current HFC footprints, the eight wavelengths this product offers are the cure to our depleting dark fibers available to service these needs."
PWRLink 1,310 nm DWDM forward path transmitters make it possible to deliver significantly more bandwidth to the home using the existing HFC network. Without adding new fiber, cable ops can use Harmonic's scalable DWDM transmitters to combine up to eight wavelengths to deliver traffic to segmented nodes.
Imagine ICE System
"The Imagine Communications ICE Broadcast System should be looked at by any MSO looking to recapture bandwidth before executing on costly plant upgrades or switched digital deployments," a judge recommended.
Imagine says that its ICE Broadcast System "is the industry's most cost-effective HD expansion solution, and is the least disruptive to existing infrastructure." Part of the company's ICE video platform, the broadcast system attacks the challenge of high-bandwidth HDTV services, enabling ops to deliver up to 50 percent more programming without sacrificing video quality. For the first time, ops can broadcast three HD or 15 SD digital signals per 256-QAM channel while maintaining excellent video quality. The ICE broadcast system is fully compatible with the existing MPEG-2 subscriber base, and the tens of millions of MPEG-2 digital set-tops already deployed in the United States. Imagine Communications also boldly states that the ICE broadcast system is far more cost-effective than other bandwidth expansion options, such as node splits, MPEG-4 AVC upgrades, and even SDV.
Infinera DTN Digital ROADM
A judge called out this solution for being "years ahead of its time." He added, "The built-in routing intelligence and the use of generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) with an easy-to-use GUI OS sets it above the competition's solutions."
The Infinera DTN digital ROADM enables valuable transport networking features, including integrated ODU1 (2.5 Gbps) granularity digital switching and grooming for efficient and flexible bandwidth utilization, full digital performance monitoring, integrated digital service protection, and end-to-end service provisioning. It supports 800 Gbps of DWDM capacity (80 channels, 10 Gbps each) in a bay, or 400 Gbps (40 channels, 10 Gbps each) in a 20 RU rack. It also can support multi-chassis configurations across several racks to support multi-way junctions and to create a multi-fiber direction, multi-terabit transport system that's managed as a single network element.
JDSU PVM System
The PathTrak video monitoring (PVM) system from JDSU helps ops segment forward path video problems in minutes instead of hours by proactively monitoring video, VoIP and HSD carriers for RF and MPEG impairments. In addition, PVM software provides Web-based access to both live and historical RF and MPEG performance throughout the network, enabling NOC engineers and techs to see detailed views of live and historical measurements of RF and MPEG performance all the way down to each individual video program.
"Video monitoring added to the powerful PathTrak platform - and with reduced troubleshooting time - makes for better field decisions and fault/alarm reporting and management," a panelist commented. Another concluded that the platform "gives operational and customer care staff a situational awareness tool to confirm customer complaints and reduce the time to restore video services - a must-have tool to meet the demands in a competitive environment."
JDSU PathTrak Monitoring Module
JDSU's PathTrak RPM3000 monitoring module for PathTrak return path monitoring system is an eight-port QAM and spectrum analyzer, which has been optimized to measure and monitor DOCSIS 3.0 upstream carriers. JDSU says it allows operators to see QPSK and 16-QAM digital carriers faster and more accurately than any other return path module on the market. RPM3000 cards can measure and monitor upstream carriers between 0.5 and 85 MHz. The low end frequency range of 0.5 MHz allows AM ingress detection and the high end frequency ranges goes out to 85 MHz for inevitable DOCSIS 3.0 network expansions. The RPM3000 is compatible with all existing PathTrak hardware via free software and firmware field upgrades.
"This is a good tool for proofing a system with higher modulation in the return. This is also useful for tracking noise and impairments," a judge noted. "The ability of this tool to monitor up to 85 MHz is critical to see the impact of the diplex filter to the amps."
LiquidxStream LxS-3216
LiquidxStream Systems reports that its LxS-3216 offers the highest density in the universal edge QAM market. It features up to 32 QAMs on each RF port for a total of 512 QAMs in 3 RUs. "Every QAM required to roll out the services in a particular service group comes right out of the same port," the company says. Also, because of the density and its architecture, the LxS-3216 draws less than 2 watts per QAM, thereby using two to three times less power, which saves money on the power bill and just as importantly requires less air conditioning than the other universal edge QAMs.
The Diamonds panel agreed that it offers the densest edge QAM and low operating costs, marking a leap forward. "It offers MSOs a flexible edge QAM with useful features that allow the end user to place a single QAM in any available channel spacing," a judge said. "The unit also is designed to draw 66 percent less power consumption than most competitors and that assists in purchasing decisions when all else is equal for MSOs looking to be green-minded."
Mixed Signals Sentry
Mixed Signals' Sentry digital content monitoring solution can now be updated with advanced tru2way capabilities that reduce expenditures related to deployment and ongoing troubleshooting of issues and helps operators generate revenue from these applications. The update enables cable engineers to deploy tru2way-based applications quickly by identifying and monitoring application and data delivery to the tru2way-compliant set-tops. By verifying carousel delivery during testing, Sentry shortens an operator's tru2way deployment time frame.
A judge commented: "This product gives an operator's staff the real-time and historical information needed to provide technical staff the tools and situational awareness needed to quickly determine issues at the correct point within the network chain. It also can be used as a tool for customer care staff to give customers precise and timely information if they contact the operator concerning service problems."
RGB Networks BNPxr
"I'm excited to see RGB offer a solution to overlay text, graphics and video to hundreds of simultaneous real-time ads without requiring decoding and not using up valuable rack spacing - 1 RU only," one panelist noted.
RGB's Networks' Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) delivers what the company says is the industry's highest density digital video processing solution for grooming, statistical multiplexing, transrating, DPI and digital overlays. The BNP supports a variety of services and applications, including SD and HD digital broadcast, SDV, zoned and targeted ad insertion, digital overlays, program substitution and local channel insertion. Receiving input through its Gigabit Ethernet or ASI interfaces, this product can statistically multiplex up to 512 SD programs while performing concurrent grooming, digital ad insertion and overlays. The BNP is fully MPEG-2 compliant and interoperable with leading cable industry equipment.
Symmetricom Q-1000 Headend Analyzer
"Our missing link has been in our ability to monitor video effectively at the source/headend," one judge observed. "This headend analyzer will enable an operator to cover that."
Symmetricom's Q-1000 headend analyzer is designed to detect issues with source video as well as encoding and transcoding impairments. Currently, to detect these issues, ops must have dedicated personnel to visually inspect incoming content, which can prove costly and inaccurate. Due to the wide range of possible source content issues and complex encoder and transcoder functionality, network probes are not sufficient to monitor the encoder network and a specialized headend analyzer is needed to examine, in real time, the quality and integrity of source video and detect transcoding and encoding impairments. In addition to monitoring network and TS-level content metrics, the Q-1000 digs deep into the content, supporting a number of key content analysis capabilities.
TANDBERG EQ8096 Edge QAM
TANDBERG Television's next-gen edge QAM is based on open standards and incorporates CableLabs DOCSIS 3.0 (including DRFI and M-CMTS) specs. The EQ8096 has the ability to operate in broadcast, VOD, SDV and HSD applications simultaneously within the same chassis. The EQ8096's "pay as you grow" modular design supports up to 96 QAM channels per chassis using eight 12-QAM modulator cards, each RF output supporting up to four adjacent QAMs to hit the sweet spot for QAM striping resiliency strategies. The EQ8096 has designed-in redundancy on all inputs, hot-swap modulator cards, low power consumption, and built-in options for scrambling/encryption and DTI.
Judges were particularly impressed by the fact it was based on open standards and its flexible operation abilities. "Flexibility, capacity, redundancy and scalability make this a great edge QAM solution," one panelist noted.
Camiant UERM
One judge said this solution's strength lies is its ability to "offer MSOs additional available bandwidth across the network by reducing needed QAMs through allowing SDV, VOD and HSD to share the same universal edge QAMs." Another dubbed it "a powerful 'traffic cop' for the network and all the various streams and services we carry."
Camiant's Universal Edge Resource Manager (UERM) uses QAM resources in the RF access network more efficiently by allowing video (SDV and VOD) and broadband data applications to share the same universal edge QAMs, thereby reducing the overall need for QAM channels to be deployed. The UERM provides a central point of edge QAM management and monitoring reducing operations training, increasing operations efficiency and decreasing operations response time. It also provides finer control over QAM resources by providing policy management that can automate the application of business rules per session, service group, subscriber and application.
ComSonics X-Ray
ComSonics' X-Ray system uses a unique method to determine the relative shielding integrity of a customer premise without the need to enter the structure. This method provides the user with a numeric display representing a calculated shielding factor, in dB, of the premise under test. The X-Ray transmit box and antenna are installed in the techs' or installers' vehicle. Either as part of a standard installation procedure or if a home is suspected to have an ingress/egress problem, the user would connect the X-Ray handheld unit to the cable feed into the home - usually at the ground block. Pushing a button on the handheld device would cause: 1) the handheld unit to wirelessly communicate back to the transmit box in the vehicle and cause it to transmit a high-power signal burst in the return path spectrum, and then 2) the handheld unit takes a measurement that is synchronized with the transmit burst. The resulting measurement is displayed along with a Pass/Fail indicator.
A judge called it "an advanced tool that equips field staff with the ability to certify new installs and detect compromised internal wiring in a quick survey."
Harmonic DiviCom Ion AVC
For switched cable and telco architectures, Harmonic says its DiviCom Ion AVC encoder it is an ideal choice for "long tail" program delivery. Able to deliver four simultaneous MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) SD channels in high- and low-resolution formats, the IP-based Ion AVC encoder reportedly offers ops a dense, cost-effective and high-quality platform for CBR video delivery. The new 1RU encoder also includes 12 audio channels, and it can be managed and controlled by Harmonic's NMX Digital Service Manager.
One of our panelists highlighted this as an excellent platform that addresses the need for advanced encoding solutions (AVC) and at the same time provides a scalable and cost-effective solution. "I believe MSOs will be taking advantage of this platform to further optimize the HFC bandwidth," he said. "This platform that optimizes HFC bandwidth deserves the recognition and will continue to enjoy success within the MSO community."
Vecima HyperQAM
"Vecima continues to build great edge QAMs. This high capacity and flexible version is a powerful addition," a judge noted.
Vecima Networks' HyperQAM is designed to enable next-gen MSO video and data services and is catered to SDV and DOCSIS 3.0 services. The cable op can leverage the HyperQAM to deliver differentiated bonded HSD (enabling VoIP services, business/commercial data services) and increased levels of unicast and HD content as SDV services free up bandwidth. Vecima also points to the HyperQAM's operational efficiency and features serving to reduce OPEX. These include minimizing service outages and service calls and ease of use and management. The QAM modules, power supplies, and fans are all redundant and hot swappable with automatic failover to the redundant in the event of a hardware failure. All failover conditions can be controlled and managed through the element manager management software, and various levels of filters and conditions can be applied as deemed appropriate. With 10 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet input ports, the 128 QAMs offered in the HyperQAM can be sourced fully with five of these 1 GigE inputs while the remaining five are dedicated to redundant backup.
Accedian EtherNID Ethernet Demarc
A judge called this a "great solution for the fiber-rich MSOs looking to capture many additional revenue streams like wireless backhaul any many other carrier Ethernet services. I like that the unit provides a remote loopback testing option and a loopback from the unit option for the onsite technicians to test as needed without taking the subscribers' traffic offline."
Accedian Networks' EtherNID Ethernet assurance demarcation units allow MSOs to accelerate deployment and monitor, maintain, and assure business access and wireless backhaul services by creating a clear demarcation point between the operator and customer network, or between the MSO's and partner carriers/peering networks. It provides remote loopback testing to the EtherNID demarcation point at Layers 1-4 (Ethernet, IP/MPLS, TCP/UDP), in-service RFC-2544 performance testing, and active testing of one-way jitter and latency to micro-second resolution - all without affecting customer traffic. It establishes end-to-end, standards-based (802.3ah/ag and Y.1731) operations, administration and maintenance for packet-based services, and enables carrier Ethernet services such as E-Line and E-LAN.
ActiveVideo Networks ActiveVideo
The ActiveVideo platform from ActiveVideo Networks - formerly ICTV -- brings the choice and control of the Web experience to the TV, offering viewers the chance to define their TV experiences across any platform. Delivered via any deployed digital set-top box, ActiveVideo allows ops to provide viewers with single, customized programming streams that combine interactive elements and targeted, clickable advertisements with the high-quality video, immediate responsiveness and remote control navigation of TV. ActiveVideo viewers can engage with interactive programming channels such as CNN, HSN, Fox Reality and others, as well as with ad showcases, personalized mosaics, video portals and other content, all delivered as standard MPEG streams. Ops, programmers and advertisers can create and manage content using standard Web tools, talent and technologies. Viewers can personalize screens, access broad libraries of video, browse content and merchandise, interact with ads and complete transactions.
Our judges said this is "a one-of-a-kind solution" and "on the forefront of interactive advertising."
Blonder-Tongue AQD
The Blonder-Tongue AQD (ATSC/QAM demodulator) is a modular digital receiver that allows for the reception and demodulation of an 8VSB or QAM Annex B signal into a baseband NTSC video and audio output. This permits delivery of digital signals in an analog format directly to a TV or to an interface with existing analog modulators on cable networks. Designed to bridge the digital transition gap, the AQD permits the receipt and delivery of digital originated TV signals in analog format to eliminate the need to purchase new digital/HDTVs or converter boxes for each viewing location.
"I like that it offers what our customers want by allowing it to ignore the pan and scan info and provide a full screen display to our 4:3 subscribers," a panelist observed. "I also love the price of under $800 per channel and the extras we have been looking for to ensure closed captioning information is available to the subscribers and audio attenuation from channel to channel is available as needed."
Blonder-Tongue AQT
The AQT (ATSC/QAM to QAM transcoder) from Blonder-Tongue was dubbed "very smart" and "useful in a variety of HFC architectures" by our panel. The product allows the reception and demodulation of an 8VSB signal and transcodes it to a QAM channel from 2-135 (54-864 MHz). The transcoding enables the delivery of 8VSB digital signals in a digital QAM format, (HD or SD) so that TVs with digital QAM tuners can seamlessly view the programming on cable frequency assignments.
It's common for digital TVs to only lock to QAM type signals when set or tuned to the "CATV" mode. This creates difficulties for ops transmitting standard ATSC 8VSB signals as 8VSB signals. The AQT solves this problem by converting an entire 8VSB (ATSC) digital channel to a QAM digital signal. This new QAM channel can be transmitted by the AQT anywhere in the CATV band permitting the current generation of digital TVs that are integrated with QAM tuners to easily tune and display the picture.
EGT HEMi
The EGT Head End Micro (HEMi) is a modular video processing platform developed as a high density, low-cost solution for cable ops. It is a fully integrated video solution for local and edge channel insertion. The modularity of the device allows for a custom configuration tailored to the end user's desires. It supports simultaneous outputs of QAM and IP, for local channels, as well as network stream passthrough or any combination of the three. The HEMi's new functionality includes redundant Gigabit IP output, simultaneous QAM and IP streaming, full closed captioning compliance and remote monitoring.
"I think this product is unique in addressing MSOs' needs for local origination channels for remote locations, such as hotel/motel applications," one judge concluded. "The vendor was able to address the needs of this market segment with a robust design (remote installation and remote management) in mind."
Fujitsu FLASHWAVE Extension Shelf
The Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 4100 extension shelf is an ideal product to address the needs of the MSOs to support the increasing backhaul demands from wireless companies with a simple and flexible solution," one of BGR's panelist's said.
The extension shelf is specifically designed to support cable business services and mobile backhaul applications. Its small size, low cost and modular architecture are said to provide the ideal combination of efficiency and performance for providing business services to small- and medium-sized corporations. The FLASHWAVE 4100 is deployed at over 3,000 cell sites. The FLASHWAVE 4100 platform combines legacy TDM (DS1 and DS3) and Ethernet data services into a 2RU chassis. The system supports any mix of TDM and Ethernet services so that ops can adjust the service mix as required by their application and as networks evolve over time. Each of these services is carried in its native format, eliminating price and performance penalties associated with the TDM circuit emulation used by Ethernet or router-only implementation.
Integra5 PC Caller ID
Two of our panelists used the word "great" in their description of this solution, as in "a great product that brings total convergence closer to the home, while providing a viable revenue opportunity for cable providers."
Integra5's i-Communicate suite delivers a variety of real-time communications apps, active call control, and messaging products to TVs, PCs and mobile phones. These apps enable subs to set up a network-based address book, control which devices in their home receive which services, and personalize their services using tones, pictures, nicknames, fonts and colors. These can be supported with Integra5's i-Click functionality that enables users to take action in real time. One of the key applications in the i-Communicate suite, PC Caller ID, delivers notifications of an incoming caller's name and number to a subscriber's PC screen before the phone rings. The notifications - delivered on up to three PCs per home - are enabled using a sub's IM client or with Integra5's i5PC client, small client software that subscribers download from their op's customer portal.
JDSU T-BERD/MTS OTDR
The T-BERD/MTS CWDM OTDR from JDSU was developed to help ops characterize, maintain and troubleshoot CWDM fiber networks more comprehensively. Users can test new wavelength routes not yet in use without disrupting communications traffic on active wavelengths. This "in-service" capability increases tech productivity and helps reduce installation and maintenance costs. Key features include its flexibility (the number of wavelengths evolve with the user's system) and ability to test through the CWDM multiplexer and demultiplexer. High resolution and dynamic range enable optimized trace for any test scenario.
One panelist said "nonintrusive testing of CWDM is a great advance to allow testing anytime" while another pointed out its ease-of-use and flexibility.
MetaSwitch MetaView
"The MetaSwitch MetaView network management system is a necessary upgrade to support the MSO's needs to provide real-time voice quality statistics and provide graphical details to network faults," a judge remarked.
The MetaView system provides a single management environment for the MetaSwitch Class 4/5 softswitch elements, MetaSphere service delivery platform, and application servers. It allows cable engineers to apply fault management, proactive diagnostics, and accounting and performance reporting tools to their IP communications services without having to invest in networkwide, all-encompassing monitoring systems. In addition to supporting MetaSwitch and MetaSphere, MetaView also supports additional services from other soft switches or legacy Class 5 switches on the same network. Features include a logical, hierarchical view, networkwide fault management, SOAP/XML integration, advanced diagnostics, "out of the box" integrated provisioning, dynamic scripting, profiles and templates, and "bulletproof" security.
RGB DBM
"It's all about bandwidth, and RGB once again is providing better technology that allows the continued harvesting of bandwidth dynamically," one panelist said.
The Dynamic Bandwidth Manager by RGB Networks uses the company's transrating capabilities to deliver up to 50 percent more VOD programming per 6 MHz channel. The DBM is reportedly the industry's only real-time VOD transrating solution, requiring no complicated preprocessing of the content to achieve bandwidth savings. The DBM also leverages RGB's transrating technology and extreme stream processing density (1,200 SD programs in a 1RU pizza box form factor) to deliver up to 50 percent more programming without impacting picture quality or affecting the fast-forward, rewind and pause "trick-play" features of VOD.
Another judge hailed the DBM's "simple and cost-effective methods to address dynamic bandwidth needs for the on-demand platform. DBM provides a manageable growth model - pay as you grow."
Sandvine SDE
The Sandvine Service Delivery Engine is a solution for launching next-gen services across a converged network infrastructure. The SDE provides end-to-end resource management and control that ensures predictable performance across the core and access network. This single policy decision function, regardless of access network technology, transforms a traditional best-effort network into an advanced next-gen network with the agility and flexibility to deliver a broad range of multimedia services, including bandwidth-on-demand, upgrade preview, VoIP Plus, streaming video, photo upload and online gaming.
A panelist sees this as "a desirable device to address the needs of MSOs to fairly share available bandwidth to subscribers in systems with limited bandwidth resources during peak hours. The device also is valuable to systems without current bandwidth limitations to allow subscribers bandwidth boost and to easily preview upgraded bandwidth packages."
Tektronix DirectQuality RTP Loopback
"Useful" was the word used often by our panel in describing this product. "It's a necessary tool for helping to diagnose VoIP and RF problems," a judge added.
As a complement to the Field Testing Suite offered by Tektronix's Active Assurance Division, the RTP reflector feature allows field techs to perform on-demand or automated loopback tests from an MSO's core network all the way to a Trilithic 860 meter located at the customer premise. This type of test performs the necessary RTP measurements that are essential to diagnosing an issue with a subscriber's VoIP service. In addition, the RTP reflector also is available on transponders built by Electroline, Tollgrade and Alpha. The Tektronix RTP reflector allows techs to perform RTP integrity and quality tests along with the ability to check that the RF metrics are stable.
Volicon Macroblocking Detection
"Any product that has the potential to aid in detecting problems with limited staff intervention, thereby improving the QoS and QoE is worthwile for consideration," a panelist noted.
And that's exactly Volicon's aim with its macroblocking detection system. Macroblocking, commonly called "pixelization," is an undesirable phenomena in digital video systems usually resulting from either over compression of images or from bit errors introduced into the MPEG stream. It appears as either individual tiny blocks or as rectangular texture on the screen. In cooperation with several major U.S. cable ops, Volicon developed a system that reportedly quickly and reliably detects this video defect. Called the Observer-RPM-MBD, the system employs advanced image processing algorithms developed by Volicon engineers to analyze the actual program video content, and alerts the op whenever pixelization is detected. Without human intervention, the Observer ingests the video signal emanating from the set-top, automatically scans the entire channel lineup within minutes, realistically replicating, and analyzing a viewer's experience.
Laura Hamilton is editor-in-chief at "BGR." Email her at laura.hamilton@comcast.net.
Hermes Media + Research