IBC 2006 AMSTERDAMMAYAH project news | IO[io] – mobileTV, SNG & ipTV | SIP | CENTAURI II – Interfaces & Options |

Features:

D Full D1 PAL & NTSC

D Low latency (250 ms)

D En/Decoder “in one box”

D Decoder follows encoder

D Superb audio and video

encoding quality

D Auto IP resync after

power or frame

lossIBC 2006MAYAHNEWSVisit us at IBC in

Hall 1, Stand 231

Find out about MAYAH’s IO[io] range of Audio Video Encoders/Decoders

Partner and project news – what do next generation networks, state-of-the-art race technology and world events have in common? MAYAH Communications

IBC Amsterdam

Successful DVB-H trials in Munich with MAYAH’s IO [io] 8001

Ongoing DVB-H trials in Germany launched for the Football World Cup confirm a growing interest within industry as well as with end users for MobileTV technology.

MAYAH IO [io] 8001 Audio Video En/Decoder are currently in use by Germany’s largest telecommunications system integrator T-Systems and by the Bavarian TV “Bayerischer Rundfunk” (BR) to encode several TV channels into the DVB-H compliant IP-stream.

Bayerischer Rundfunk ran its own pilot DVB-H project in Munich, providing access to three public channels – ARD, ZDF and it’s own channel BR. After receiving the signal from the main control room via an SDI interface, MAYAH IOs encode it and pass the IP stream to a Rhode&Schwarz DIP010 IP inserter and encapsulator. Now ready for transmission, the signal is transported via BR’s own network to a transmitter at the Olympia Tower in Munich. BR uses one of its own frequencies for DVB-H.

Lucky owners of DVB-H enabled mobile devices are able to receive a reliable signal

MAYAH @ Formula 1 races

MAYAH Centauri II Audio Gateway Codecs were chosen by RTL television to provide all technical and editorial communication during the live transmissions of all Formula One races in 2006 for German audience.

At all circuits including the season opening in Bahrain MAYAH Centauris transmit from RTL OB Vans at the race location to the broadcaster headquarters in Cologne, mostly over ISDN. In some cases like a circuit in Melbourne, Japanese races or European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring an IP-route over satellite was applied. Phonebook of the Centauri II with a profiles assigned to each entry allows quick and comfortable switching between different setups within seconds, via front panel, windows remote software or web-remote.

According to the broadcaster information, current audience of each Formula 1 transmission in Germany exceeds 9 million viewers.

The Pope’s visit to Bavaria

From September 9 till 14 Pope Benedict XVI will visit Germany and travel through his Motherland Bavaria. People in this mostly catholic part of the country await this visit with a particular enthusiasm. However the live transmissions of every public event

with the participation of the Pope will be on air on the both main German public TV Channels – ARD and ZDF.

More than 200 cameras will follow Benedict XVI on his way in Regensburg, Munich and smaller Bavarian towns like Altötting, Marktl and Freising. Production teams of ZDF and Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Public Television and Radio), being in charge of ARD, have rented more than 70 additional MAYAH Centauri II Audio Gateway codecs to completely cover their needs for technical and editorial communication between tens of the OB Vans, SNG points and the main control rooms.

News

in Munich and for few kilometers outside – indoor, outdoor and on the move. At the edge of a coverage zone there is no indoor reception at the ground level. The sharp and stable picture is very convincing at these relatively low resolutions. Even during the full frame shots of the football stadium you see the main attraction – the ball.

Current DVB-H specifications require MPEG-4 H.264/AVC video and MPEG-4 HE AAC audio compression algorithms, a video resolution of 320x240 pixels and a frame rate from 12,5 to 25 / 30 fps. Reduction of the original picture size and change of a frame rate may cause inaccurate picture. In order to avoid this and to provide the first MobileTV users in Germany with the best possible picture quality, MAYAH used sports and football video material for subjective evaluations along with a typical technical tests.

The two largest German public TV channels broadcast all major games at the Football World Cup and enabling viewers in Munich to choose between the broadcasting of Bavarian Television and the joint project of all four Germany mobile phone networks operators.

T-Systems is the technical provider of this trial. The DVB-H data stream from T-Systems HQ in Berlin is transmitted in four largest German cities and up to 14 TV channels and 8 radio programs are available.

MAYAH products have also been used by TDF in Paris where all radio programming is encoded with MAYAH Centauri II Audio Gateway Codecs, and by T-Systems during the CeBIT 2006 in Hannover for encoding both TV and radio programs.The programs are transmitted from five sites in Paris including the world-famous Eiffel Tower to cover the capital city from 12,5 km North to South and 17 km from East to West.

To let the end-user efficiently receive the digital video and audio content Sagem developed a prototype DVB-H Terminal MyX-8 DVB-H especially for this project.

New remote control software release

In addition to minor bug fixes and feature upgrades, the Remote Control Software for MAYAH Audio Codecs now provides extend-ed function access as well as multichannel level monitoring.

A full list of updates including the newest Remote Control Software (version 3.2.0.4.) are available at: www.mayah.com/remote/

The Web Remote software has also been updated and can now access all MAYAH Audio Gateway Codecs. Please refer to the manual for information on how to access the platform independent Web-Remote.

Last year MAYAH solution successfully pro-vided high quality wireless audio communi-cation via 3G/UMTS as the Pope Benedict XVI was visiting Cologne and the World Youth Day and was preaching from the ship on the Rhein river.

MAYAH Video News

IO [io] 8000/8001 Audio Video Encoder/Decoder for MobileTV, ipTV, SNG, STL, DVB-H, DMB, Reporting, Distribution, 3GP & In-House streaming

SNG – Satellite News Gathering

The key to SNG over IP is a low bit rate coupled with low latency. The IO [io] 8000/8001 offers “end-to-end” latency, with its highly efficient MPEG 4 H.264/AAC HE encoding, starting at just 250 ms (plus satellite link) and with just half the bandwidth of MPEG-2.

mobileTV, SNG & ipTV

ipTV / Webcasting / Corporate casting

IO [io] 8000/8001 delivers ISMA 2.0 and MPEG TS compliant streams to provide full interopera-bility with Set-Top-Boxes, as well as QuickTime, Windows Media, Real, VLC, and other players. With full D1 768 x 576/480 for PAL/NTSC at 25/30 fps as well as lower resolutions.

mobileTV & visualRadio

IO [io] uses an optimized H.264 codec of the highest quality to obtain the lowest possible bit rates using CABAC, Loop filter, Look-ahead, scene change detection and 5 complexity modes to adjust for certain platforms. It supports all frame rates in 1 frame increments, particularly 12.5 fps for mobileTV, and is compatible with nearly all Handheld TV devices.

AccessPoint

WAN/LAN

WLAN

Settop Box

WLAN

IP

Broadcastquality video

IO [io] 8000/8001

IO [io] 8000/8001

SDI

IP

SDIIO [io] 8000/8001

IP

IO [io] 8000/8001

Camera

OB Van Studio

IP Encapsulator /Modulator

Monitor

Demodulator

3G PhoneIO [io] 8000/8001

IP Encapsulator / Modulator

s-box 7900HD – Advanced Digital Set Top Box

The s-box 7900HD

is the most advanced and versatile IP Set Top Box currently available; supporting H.264 (AVC), WMV9 and MPEG-2 High Definition video decoding at up to 1080i/p.

Amongst its wide range of features is an optional 3.5 HDD for local content storage and, by adding an optional PCI DVB-S/T/C tuner card, IP encapsulated content can even be pushed via satellite transmission.

Furthermore the s-box supports re-distribution of DVB MPEG-2 transport streams in local networks; and its open x86 based hardware is easy customised, opening the door to a wide range of applications supporting Linux and Mozilla browser software architectures.

Its H.264 compression technology produces excellent digital video streaming quality at less than 1 Mbps for standard definition and its Multi Codec capability fully supports WMV9 SD & HD codec technology.

The s-box 7900HD hardware design makes it an ideal platform for a variety of market/customer segments such as Hospitality, Digital Signage, Education, Government and Business TV.

Features

■ Multicast Streaming (via MPEG-2 Transport Stream)

■ HTTP Streaming

■ Formats: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 part2, MPEG-4 part 10 (H.264), WMV9, WMA, WMAPro, MP3, AAC

■ Intel Celeron M 733 MHz Core CPU incl. 256 MB RAM + Sigma Designs EM8622 Media Processor

■ HTML (Mozilla Browser based), JPEG, GIF, Flash (optional)

■ White Chrome Middleware supporting XPCOMs for HTML and JavaScript based API for rapid User Interface development (s-box Starter Kit)

■ IR Remote Control (optional)

■ S-Video (PAL/NTSC), Composite (PAL/NTSC), DVI-I (1920x1024)

■ Stereo audio out, SPDIF

■ USB 2.0

■ Support for 3.5” HDD (optional)

■ TASTE Embedded Linux Support

■ TSE System Builder Kit

■ Play-out support for Digital Signage Content Play-out Server

New! SIP

SIP – Session Initiation Protocol (RFC3261)

Developed by the IETF as an alternative to the H.323 Standard, SIP, when used with other protocols, can establish, control, terminate and modify point-to-point and multipoint connections.

As a client-server protocol, SIP is similar to HTTP. Its requests and responses are text strings containing the information about conversation signalling.

SIP is responsible for all connection signalling, localisation of users and registration. Quality-of-Service, directory access, as well as description of the session and conferencing are not handled by SIP, rather by other protocols.

The modular structure of SIP enables smooth co-operation with H.323. The calling side can localize its partner and signalise, that communication will be handled by H.323 protocol.

Since SIP only provides the framework, a number of other protocols can be utilised to support and expand its functionality.

Some of these are:

■ RVSP for network resource reservation

■ TCP/UDP for transmission of SIP data

■ RTP for transmission of media data

■ RTSP supports session establishment

■ SAP for multiple participant session

■ SDP to negotiate the transfer mode

Integration of telephone networks is provided by the ENUM protocol (Telephone Number Mapping), for transparent, IP network connection & establishment.

MAYAH’s long experience with audio via IP has enabled our products to make use of a huge range of protocols, allowing them to be easily integrated into nearly any type of streaming environment.

The following are just some examples of this diversity:

ISMA Industry Streaming Media Alliance Protocol – allows interoperability between the products of manufactures belonging to this strategic alliance. e.g.

■ Professional MPEG 4 Video Encoders (IO [io] 8000/8001) with Quicktime or Windows Media Players

■ Professional MPEG 4 Video Encoders (IO [io] 8000/8001) with PDAs, mobile phones

RTCP, Real Time Control Protocol (RFC3550)

■ Synchronisation of source signal (Audio-Video-Sync)

■ Clock generation, jitter control

RTP/RTSP (RFC3550, RFC3551)

Allows controlled streaming between hardware and/or software products, audio/video on demand, remote control. e.g.

■ CENTAURI 3000/3001 with ganymed 1002 IP Decoder

■ CENTAURI 4000/4001 Streaming Server with Winamp, Realplayer using MPEG 4 AAC or AAC HE

■ Icecast/Shoutcast with ganymed 1002 using mp3 or AAC

Enables the use of CENTAURI, IO [io] and ganymed in DVB-H environments.

■ CENTAURI 4001 with PDAs, mobile phones via DVB-H

■ Audio/Video on Demand

■ Remote Control (Start, Stop, Pause)

CENTAURI II’s wide range of interfaces to audio & data devices and sources include professional XLR In & Out for analog stereo, AES/EBU In & Out and Decoder Sync In as DB9. For 5.1/7.1 multichannel applications there are ADAT optical I/O for connecting mixing consoles and other ADAT devices or for connecting the MAYAH breakout box to 8x analog symmetrical I/O or 4x AES/EBU I/O.

ASI IN and OUT

ASI interfaces enables CENTAURI to work in DVB environments. According to DVB A010 rev1 and EN50083-9, the output interface with two ASI ports in BNC, provides a variable payload datarate of 0 –214 MBit/s for an MPEG 2 Transport Stream (MPEG TS) within the 270 Mbit/s physical ASI link data rate.

Dual Ethernet

Two 10/100 electrical Ethernet ports are available to connect the codec with IP-networks for audio-via-IP and remote control. The interfaces can be dual electrical or electrical/optical; particularly useful for applications transporting audio, allowing audio and control to be managed via separate logical networks, e.g. SNMP. An alternative use for Dual Ethernet is for fully redundant audio streaming.

Optional ASI In & Out Optional 2nd (Dual) Ethernet port

Redundant Power Supply options (here AC and DC)

Rear panel interfaces

MAYAH Audio News

The CENTAURI II is available with an extensive range of hardware options that enable it to be perfectly customized for almost any application.

CENTAURI®II Interfaces and Options Streaming Protocols

ISDN & Dedicated Lines

Depending upon its current application, CENTAURI II can be equipped with either 2 or 4 ISDN BRIs. Supporting a variety of international D-channel protocols, the CENTAURI II can be used in any ISDN network around the globe. For dedicated lines CENTAURI II supports a dual X.21/V35 interface.

Redundant Power Supply

A redundant, hot swapable power supply is optionably available in the combinations AC/AC, AC/DC and DC/DC to meet the broadcasters and telcos requirements for a fully redundant power supply system. AC wide range module: 90-260 VAC, 47-63 Hz. – DC module: 36-72 VDC – UL/CUL (UL60950 3rd.) – TÜV (EN60950) – CB (EN60950) – CE

Flexibility

If additional data needs to be transported with the audio, the RS232 port can input/output ancillary, asynchronous data while the contact closure facility supports 8x opto In and 8x relay Out for the control of remote devices.

Particularly interesting for studio environ-ments is the Silent Codec Cooler with its ultra low noise cooling fan.

MERK II @ Eurovision 2006

ISDN

CommentatorsBooth 1

Albania, RTVSH

Original ShowSound, Analog

Broadcaster 1

MERK IIMAYAH/ERTService Point

Remote Control,Profiles, Alarm

ISDN

CommentatorsBooth 2

Andorra, RTVA

Broadcaster 2

MERK II

ISDN

CommentatorsBooth 3

Armenia, PTV

Broadcaster 3

MERK II

ISDN

CommentatorsBooth 37

UK, BBC

Broadcaster 37

MERK II

LAN

Optional

Eurovision Song Contest, commentators network & links

The Eurovision Song Contest has been the largest annual pop-music and media event in Europe for exactly 50 years. Current TV audiences for the show average 100 million viewers. On 18th and 20th May 2006 the show took place at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece.

37 countries sent their best artists to take part in the competition and the scale of the technical preparations this year was larger than ever before.

To unify the support workflows, MAYAH’s MERK II Portable Gateway Codecs were chosen for their reliability, flexibility and ease-of-use by the technical supplier of the event TVN (Germany).

Installed in every commentary booth, the MERK II transmitted journalists voices via ISDN networks directly to the national TV channels control rooms. Special channel mapping was prepared to provide the journalists with a comfortable, headphone based monitoring environment. Function buttons on the MERK II’s control panel were used for special presets, including an automatic “SOS call” for technical support; this wasn’t engaged even once during the whole event!

SAP Session Announcement Protocol (RFC2974)

Allows the signaling of available audio or audio/video streams within a network, sup-ports uni-directional connections. e.g.

■ IO [io] 8000 > STBs, VLC-Player

■ CENTAURI 3001 > VLC-Player software

NTP Network Time Protocol

■ Time synchronisation, protocol synchro-nizing, deriving time over ISDN, provid-ing time to clients

SDP, Session Description Protocol (RFC2327)

■ Description of session, e.g. algorithm

■ Basis for SAP, RTSP

■ Via HTTP, e.g. if decoder does not sup-port SAP, RTSP

MPEG TS

MPEG Transport Stream enables full integration in DVB, ipTV & DMB environ-ments. In combination with ASI In/Out it interfaces with the multiplexers and mod-ulators of the corresponding systems.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol enables integration in larger network man-agement systems, e.g. HP Open View.

FEC (RFC2733)

Forward Error Correction; additional redun-dancy is added to the audio stream to overcome bit errors and packet losses

FTP

File Transmission Protocol, e.g. writes streams to external storage media.

IO [io] Audio Video Codec

ganymed

MAYAH Communications Am Soeldnermoos 17

85399 Hallbergmoos, GermanyTel.: +49 8115517-0, Fax: -55

E-Mail: info@mayah.com

www.mayah.com

SEDNA UMTS Connect Box

The MAYAH range – Professional Audio & Video Encoding/Decoding, Recording, Mixing and Transmission Products

CENTAURI®II family

Flashman

MERK II