SI Manager roll-out accelerates for UK digital switchover

T-VIPS, a leader in professional video contribution and distribution, creating award-winning solutions that make the transport of high quality broadcast video easier and more cost-effective, has announced that Arqiva has accelerated the roll-out of the T-VIPS CP515 SI Manager solution which was specifically designed to provide regional adaptation of DTT services in support of UK digital switchover.

"I'm delighted that the direct cost-savings generated by the T-VIPS SI processing system has caused Arqiva to accelerate the roll-out of this solution throught the UK's DTT infrastructure," said Johnny Dolvik, CEO, T-VIPS. "Not only is the T-VIPS CP515 SI Manager live in all regions that have had analogue switched-off, but due to the cost-savings and improvement in service this solution generates, the CP515 is now live in almost all regions of the UK."

The UK digital broadcasters have chosen cross carriage of Service Information to enable the on-screen programme guide to present the viewer with a single reference point for all listings. This unified presentation of information enhances the viewer experience and hides complexity. The T-VIPS CP 515 SI Manager enables Arqiva to efficiently implement cross carriage of listings data in accordance with the UK DMOL Service Information Manager specification. This ensures UK DTT viewers can easily find their desired programmes with a minimum of effort.

Service Information can be rather bitrate consuming, especially when it comes to schedule information and information about all TV and radio services in a region. The T-VIPS solution employs a number of innovative methods for matching data delivery to viewer behaviour. The resulting Multiplex stream from a T-VIPS cP515 optimises bandwidth utilisation, improves viewer satisfaction and opens up new broadcaster opportunities. A major advantage of the T-VIPS solution is its unique ability to reduce the repetition rate of expired event data and to insert SI data in any available packet position. This approach optimizes scarce bandwidth resources, enabling the launch of new services whilst at the same time ensuring that the user has an up-to-date programme guide.

T-VIPS' award winning cProcessor product range, augmented by the IBC launch of the CP 541 seamless switch, is designed to simplify the regional adaptation of video and audio services. The cProcessors manage PSI/SI insertion and adaptation, support single frequency network (SFN) operation, re-multiplexing at regional head-ends as well as monitoring down to component and service level. All T-VIPS cProcessor products are powerful, energy efficient, cost-effective and all can be managed remotely.

The T-VIPS product range has been designed to support all main PSI/SI data methodologies. Senior T-VIPS engineers have played a key role in the UK's first generation DTT services and have since been instrumental in the roll out of DTT in a number of countries. The cProcessor range is the industry leader in providing products especially designed for the regional adaptation of SI data, efficient bit-rate management and MIP insertion for DTT services.