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Cabletime will be focusing on the latest addition to its MediaStar Evolution family of IP products at ISE 2008 (29-31 January 2008; stand F92). The LAN-Caster – (Digital Terrestrial or Satellite TV to LAN (IP) Gateway) allows an organisation to connect live digital terrestrial broadcasts (DVB-T) or digital satellite broadcasts (DVB-S2) directly into a LAN to deliver TV and radio to any networked PC or display device such as a plasma or LCD to view live news, sports and entertainment channels.
Cabletime, the leading manufacturer of TV over IP and TV over Cat-5/UTP products for multimedia delivery, has been a regular supporter of ISE since its launch, and is keen to introduce the LAN-Caster to European visitors who will benefit most from its capabilities.
Paul Reeves, Sales and Marketing Director at Cabletime, said: “We are seeing huge growth in the acceptance of the DVB-T Freeview service, which enables customers to combine encrypted Sky channels, such as Sky Sports alongside “Free to Air” channels such as BBC News 24 from Freeview, as well as DVB-S2 services. The switchover to digital is relevant in the UK and growing territories within Europe, and with the LAN-Caster we can offer the facility to deliver TV over the IP network.”
About the LAN-Caster
The LAN-Caster is accompanied by a 3U, 19” chassis that will allow users to incorporate a “mix and match” scenario that delivers digital terrestrial TV (DVB-T) and digital satellite TV (DVB-S2), as well as MPEG-2/4 streams from local sources. One LAN-Caster blade can be connected to a digital video terrestrial or satellite source to deliver up to eleven channels of live TV and radio, while additional MediaStar Evolution blades can be added to allow users to receive further channels from sources such as a Sky satellite decoder, UK Freeview service and cable, or even MPEG-2/4 streams from cameras or DVD players. Up to 9 blades can be housed in the chassis to enable a potential 99 channels from just one chassis in a ‘plug and play’ manner. Any networked PC using the MediaStar Evolution desktop viewing software, or video display device using the MediaStar Evolution EvoNet IPTV decoder, will gain access to the myriad of new channels and services offered by digital TV.
The LAN-Caster receives the digital off-air DVB-T and DVB-S2 signals and extracts the digital data out of the MPEG-2 streams, re-packetises the data in a format suitable for transmission over an IP based network/LAN. Channels can be selected or deselected depending on viewing preferences and are controlled via an easy HTML browser interface.
The Audience
Designed to suit a myriad of applications from banking and corporate to retail and hospitality, any organisation with an IP network requiring access to UK Freeview, terrestrial or satellite TV and radio channels would benefit from this solution. Amongst the many applications suitable for MediaStar Evolution are corporate communications, which often require a one-to-many multicast to local, national or international audiences. This may involve the delivery of live TV channels, specific training programmes and messaging. It brings the potential of visual communication to every desktop, every screen and every display within an organisation. Staff will feel better informed, empowered and involved with information delivered right into the heart of an enterprise quickly and efficiently.
“For over 10 years Cabletime’s MediaStar product range has been recognised as a world leader in the delivery of TV and Multimedia over Cat-5/UTP,” continued Paul Reeves. “In 2005 we introduced the MediaStar Evolution range of MPEG-2/4 Encoders and IPTV Decoders to further augment our already comprehensive range to the financial, corporate, education and sporting market place. We have a unique offering in the market, able to provide the most appropriate TV and multimedia delivery technology, Cat-5/UTP and IP, depending on the requirements of the customer. This hybrid approach, whereby customers have the choice of both Cat5/UTP and IP methods of transporting TV and multimedia to screens and desktops, has been a real winner with our clients. The introduction of the LAN-Caster, part of the MediaStar Evolution IP system, further enhances our offering.“
Linux based for consistent, robust performance, the LAN-Caster supports both Standard Definition and High Definition, and features an RF loopthrough for connection to additional DVB-T/DVB-S2 LAN-Caster units. Management and control is easily achieved via a 10/100 Base-T interface to the unit’s on-board HTML browser, an RS232 serial port interface, or USBv1.1 for configuration. The LAN-Caster can scan through available DVB-T/DVB-S2 multiplexes and different ‘mux’ addresses can be selected for output as a MPEG-2 video stream, using unicast, multicast, UDP, RTP, or RTSP protocols. Password protection and enablement coding for the secure addition of features is also included, as well as the ability to field upgrade.
The MediaStar Evolution DVB-T/DVB-S2 LAN-Caster comes in two models: the MediaStar Evolution 776 DVB-T and the 777 DVB-S2 LAN-Caster are standalone units; the chassis-mounted MediaStar Evolution 773 DVB-T and 774 DVB-S2 LAN-Caster blades utilise a MediaStar Evolution 770 chassis with integrated power and ventilation that is able to house 9 MediaStar Evolution 773 LAN-Casters (DVB-T), 774 LAN-Casters (DVB-S2) or MediaStar Evolution 772 MPEG-2/4 Encoder blades.
Further information about LAN-Caster at ISE 2008 will be available on stand F92.
Note to editors:
With over 25 years experience in developing hardware and software video delivery systems, Newbury, Berkshire UK-based Cabletime is the leading manufacturer of TV over IP and TV over Cat-5/UTPmultimedia delivery products for new and existing infrastructures. Providing solutions for live TV, corporate communications, multicasts, music TV, training and digital signage, Cabletime has 3,000 installations worldwide with offices and distributors in the UK, USA, Asia, Middle East, Japan, and Asia Pacific.
Its MediaStar range of products include MediaStar Evolution for efficient delivery of video and multimedia over IP networks, MediaStar Compact, the unique way to distribute and manage TV/AV delivery for small office environments over Cat-5/UTP, and for medium to large sized companies, the ultimate answer to managed delivery of TV and AV using Cat-5/UTP, MediaStar Pro. The MediaStar system offers both off-LAN and IP delivery mechanisms and supports a variety of endpoints including plasma screens, monitors, televisions, touch screen controllers, and PC workstations.
Serving the retail, publishing, hospitality, sports, healthcare, educational, and government sectors, amongst others, Cabletime’s MediaStar range provides a unique and highly cost effective solution for every organisation requiring TV/AV and Multimedia. Cabletime’s MediaStar products deliver robust versatility and scalability in a comprehensive hardware and software solution.
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Contact name:
Angela Clark
