A DStv First: DVB over IP solution
DStv is reaching out to gated communities and beyond with a ‘revolutionary new decoder’ that promises to transform the broadcasting landscape.
After extensive trials MultiChoice has begun rolling out its new “DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) over IP” system in gated communities and hotels – where connectivity is through a single satellite dish, eliminating the need for individual units for each household.
Since the beginning of the year residents in gated communities and hotel dwellers have been able to watch DStv through a single satellite dish and also access the additional benefits of the service.
The new MultiChoice “DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) over IP” system provides DStv’s entertainment integrated with local entertainment services, security and a customable interactive portal.
Gated communities have mushroomed since 1994 amid concern over security, whilst the 2010 soccer World Cup led to a building boom in the hotel industry.
In effect DStv viewing, security, online shopping and community news and interests can be catered for in a retirement village or gated complex via fibre cables laid underground.
Having conducted extensive trials and watched over its rollout, DStv plans to encourage residents in gated communities nationwide to implement the system by obtaining a specially-created HD PVR IP decoder that will become widely available in the second half of 2011.
MultiChoice Chief Technology Officer Gerdus Van Eeden said extensive research undertaken in 2007 points the way to DVB over IP systems as a future wave.
“MultiChoice is proud to be able to service the residential estates side of the market from 2011,” said Van Eeden. He added that an estate needed around 50 homes to make the DVB over IP service viable.
“The rich set of added services and the practicality of the solution make the DVB over IP an attractive option for those in gated complexes.”
The company also anticipates medium-term growth in already established developments.
“Our field trials have revealed great interest in the product tailor-made to suit the particular community of users. The next generation decoder will be excellent for this residential market.”
Added Van Eeden: “The customer will need to contract with a system integrator for the installation and maintenance of the system. Each solution is customised with DStv being one component of the full solution.”
Apart from the single dish which could help a complex retain its neat image, he confirmed that no related wiring for each decoder in the house/room/office was required because of the laying of the fibre cables.
Van Eeden unpacked the technical process: “A headend converts the Satellite DVB stream to IP streams. These streams are then available over the network to the homes/rooms. Each home/room has a DStv IP decoder and smart card connected to the TV to receive, decrypt and decode the signal. It’s as simple as that.”
Van Eeden said the advantages of using the MultiChoice developed system were:
- The configuration and monitoring software written by MultiChoice makes the installation and management of the system simple.
- The system’s portal reference kit can be further developed allowing interactivity on a level previously unknown in South Africa.
- A single network cable carrying multiple services can be cost effective.
The key technical experts behind the DStv DVB over IP solution – Andre Jacobs, Rudolf Kogler and Jacques Jansen van Rensburg – are demonstrating the solution at the MyBroadband conference today.
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