TV Distribution System Design

Our TV distribution solutions take live TV streams from different broadcasting sources and make them available in digital format over Ethernet network or coaxial cable.

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Digital TV Distribution System

Firstly, it is worth noting that hotels and motels with (S)MATV systems based on headend equipment will not pose problems with the number of rooms (outlets). The cost is mostly depended on the number and arrangement of TV channels received from satellite transponders or other multimedia devices. Having a larger number of outlets will only require the need to purchase additional amplifiers which usually are a small percentage of the total cost of the TV distribution system.
Therefore, the content choice is the fundamental problem in creating an approximate cost for this type of investment. Often, the hotel/motel owner has difficulty with selecting the optimal list of channels, which is necessary for the cost estimate. We can suggest some strategies for hotel/motel owners interested in building/developing a digital TV distribution systems for their business. 

Below is presented a generic headend system used for distributing TV channels in DVB-T standard using coaxial cable.

 

 

Digital TV Distribution System Using DVB-T Modulation

The hotels and motels equipped with LCD televisions featuring built-in DVB-T tuners compliant with the broadcasting standard (e.g. MPEG-4), only need the TV signal to outlets in rooms and other facilities in DV-T format. This can be achieved by using appropriate modulators and amplifier(s) based on signal quality and the number of the outlets.

Smaller hotels or motels with ten, twenty or even more than fifty rooms (outlets) can be equipped with appropriate models of multiband amplifiers. The choice will probably be the digitally programmable multiband amplifier WWK-951. It features the highest gain in the UHF band (up to 45 dB), suitable for distributing DVB-T multiplexes even to about 60 outlets, without additional amplifiers (the maximum number of outlets depends on the input signal level, cabling type and passive components of the distribution system).

In larger hotels (low signals and/or interferences from other transmitters), the recommend amplifiers are the highly selective channel amplifiers from Terra.

  • Terra at420 - twin channel amplifier
  • Terra at440 - four-channel amplifier
  • Terra ma400 - multiband amplifier with three independent paths (FM, VHF&DAB, UHF) and high maximum output level

Typical architectures of hotel/motel digital TV distribution systems are:

  • star topology - used for smaller systems - all cables to the outlets in hotel/motel rooms come from a central point of the system located in the roof space, basement, server room etc.
  • mixed topology - used for larger systems - with subnetworks grouping physically close segments of a system, such as rooms on the same floor or in other part of a building - the signal is usually amplified at the inputs of the subnetworks distributing it further to the outlets with the use of splitters and taps.

The modularity of Terra system provides the flexibility of both installation types.

Using the former topology, it is necessary to ensure a relatively high output level in the central point of the system. Using the Terra channel amplifiers (at420, at440)  and multiband amplifier with maximum output level of 117 dBμV (ma400) will ensure the distribution of the digital TV signal up to 100 outlets.

In the case of a larger number of outlets, it would be technically difficult and uneconomical to distribute the signal from one central point. The application of the mixed topology with several subnetworks with individual amplifiers solves the problem. For this purpose, the ideal choice for input devices are twin channel amplifiers (at420) and four-channel amplifiers (at440) with maximum output level of 82 dBμV. This level is sufficient for splitting the signal into multiple paths with additional amplifiers located at the inputs of the subnetworks. 

Digital TV Distribution System Using IPTV

This system is particularly recommended for hotels and motels where the TV channels are required to be delivered to mobile platforms and IPTV players connected to the television sets. This system is also used where television signals are to be distributed over twisted pair cables (LAN) or optical fibers.

The main advantages of this TV distribution system are:

  • Possibility of watching TV channels on PCs, laptops, mobile phones and tablets etc. running free IPTV apps
  • Use of twisted-pair cables (LAN) as the transmission medium
  • Low power consumption, power redundancy
  • IP multicast technique saves LAN resources
  • No middleware between the headend and receivers
  • Easy way to extend the transmission range (through the use of media converter and optical fiber)

The  IPTV DVB-T/T2/C to IP streamer (sti440) allows for selection of four multiplexes (with unencrypted channels) from terrestrial (DVB-T/T2) and cable TV (DVB-C) platforms and their distribution via Ethernet (LAN) network based on twisted-pair cabling. Additionally, the sti440 module can stream any material provided via USB port in the form of MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream). Thanks to television distribution technology based on IP, the cabling in a building can be limited only to one (data + IPTV) or two (separate cable for data and for IPTV) UTP/FTP cable(s). In addition to low cost of such cabling, the users get access to additional interactive features, and the programming can be adapted to their specific requirements.

One of the main advantages of the Terra IPTV solution is that there is no need for any middleware software between the headend and the IPTV receivers. As a result, the system is much cheaper (no software license fees) than other solutions and very simple in both configuration and operation. A unique feature of the system is the fact that the IPTV receivers do not require any configuration. This can be of great importance in the case of larger networks. They automatically detect any changes in the local network or the TV channels.

Digital TV Distribution System with Advertising or Paid TV Channels

Many hotel or motel owners prefer to have in their hotel TV distribution systems "paid" or advertising TV channels with a selected content. The typical signal sources include PCs, DVDs/Blu-rays, SkyTV decoders and other media players capable of playing previously prepared presentations and videos. The injection of such a channel into the hotel TV distribution system is possible with the use of an appropriate RF modulator. Digital DVB-T modulators ensure distribution of HD content and the same viewing experience in the whole TV distribution system.

The HDMI to DVB-T modulators can encapsulates a video (eg. MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) and audio (eg. MPEG-1 Layer II, AAC) signal transmitted via HDMI into a radio frequency channel (RF) for terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T). To convert HDMI signals from DVD, Blu-rays, and other STB decoders, the DVB-T modulator has to support HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protocols.

The HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protocol developed by Intel is designed to secure copyrighted multimedia files by encrypting high-definition signals, etc. HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and thus protecting the content against copying at every stage of transmission.