An encoder is a device that takes a video source, digitizes and compresses the video signal, and delivers it over an IP network. A decoder is a device that receives this compressed video stream, decompresses the digital video signal, and converts it to analog for display on a television, projector, or plasma display.

Encoder and decoder appliances are available in industry standard MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and Windows Media formats. Our MPEG-2 appliances are used for delivering low delay, DVD quality video over high bandwidth networks. Our MPEG-4 appliances are used for delivering low delay television quality video over low and medium bandwidth networks. Windows Media appliances are used to deliver the widely deployed Windows Media format over low and medium bandwidth networks with little configuration effort.  These products are available in one and two channel configurations, as well as a combination encoder/decoder that delivers two-way interactive video (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4). An optional hard drive allows the video to be recorded at the source.

MPEG 2 Encoders
MPEG -2 is one of the most reliable widely used standards based codec in the industry. Having been approved in 1996 it has played a vital role in IPTV world, such as Digital TV production, broadcasting DVD quality video over IP networks and high –end video surveillance applications. Today’s PC’s are sold with DVD’s such is attached around Mpeg 2 technologies. Mpeg 2 is more advanced when compared with Mpeg1. It offers high quality video with low latency.

Features and Benefits:

High quality and low delay Encodes, decodes, multicast and records DVD quality Video at high bit rates (2-15 MBPS) Easy to configure Wide range of video resolutions, frame rates, and bit rates

Industry-lading reliability and flexibility Supports closed captioning Supports both unicast and multicast Robust, reliable and secure On-screen display on essential configurations

MPEG 4 Encoders
MPEG 4 is a more recent codec of the standards based codec’s. Mpeg 4 fills the gap where applications required low bandwidth utilization of the codec with a broadcast quality video over an existing enterprise IP network.  It’s supported by variety of clients and on all most all the operating system platforms.   

Features and Benefits:

High Quality with low delay Offers 4: 3 and 16:9 aspect ratio Automatic on-Screen display for programs Easy to configure and manage Based on Industry standards Built in RTSP (Streaming Server) for unicast streaming

Simultaneously transmit video through Unicast and Multicast Support for Picture-In-Picture Support for closed captioning Supports different bit-rates/ frame-rates and video resolutions Supports NTSC and PAL

 

Mpeg 4 part 10 is also known as H.264. It has powerful which offers high quality video at a lower bit rate. H.264 can be used for many applications ranging from TV distribution, distance learning, Telemedicine, IP video surveillance. Its efficient compression technology utilizes less bandwidth and this will make sending video traffic at a lower bandwidth for IP video surveillance application.

“H.264 appliance architecture is based on the microTCA standard, and also stand-alone appliance. MicroTCA standard allows to create blades that can be placed into High Density rack mount units. This new architecture and products provides the flexibility allowing for easy to configure and manage”

Features and Benefits:

Supports full D1 Sub-Second delay Transmit High Definition Audio/Video at 1.5 Mb/sec Support for 720p and 1080p Support for Component , HDMI and SDI video inputs

Efficient equipment space utilization Reliable, Secure and scalable Easy to configure and Manage Rack Mountable Ideal for HD point-to-Point VTC’s Better bandwidth utilization for a HD video’s

 

Encoding and Serving
Delivering windows media audio/video has been a challenge for many years but with Windows Media hardware based encoders it’s not only easy but also very reliable. Since Windows media is very easy to integrate and does not require any additional plug-in or decoder this makes it a very popular encoder.

Features and Benefits:

• High quality video using low bandwidth (up to 2Mb/sec)
• Supports both NTSC (North American) or PAL (most of the rest of the world) video
• Live Content can be transmitted with multiple bit-rates
• High-quality video at lower bandwidth
• Supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio
• NTSC and PAL are supported
• Easy to configure and Manage
• Supports Closed captioning
• Multi-function Encoder, which multicast, unicast, reflect, supports windows media push and records
• Easy to integrate and does not require any additional codec/plug-in
• Supports publishing points via Push and Pull

WINDOWS MEDIA REFLECTOR
The WM Reflector allows live video stream across a WAN and extends live multicast video to the edge of the network. A unicast send across a WAN can be converted to multicast once it reaches the destination.

Features and Benefits:

• Reflecting - Receive a live stream over the WAN or LAN network and deliver it locally via unicast or multicast. The Reflector feature allows a WM Appliance to receive video over a low bandwidth/Non-multicast links and retransmit onto a local area network. This feature allows the appliance to resolve low bandwidth bottlenecks by only delivering one video stream over the low bandwidth link and then delivering video to multiple end users at the far end.
• Supports up to 200 live unicast streams or 20 on-demand streams.
• Pushing - Push up to 25 simultaneous streams to encoders or Windows Media® Servers.
• Can record video that is being received over the network (this would require an optional hard drive).
•  Integrates easily into existing Windows Media® deployments
•  Removes the need for a Windows Media® Server requirements at the network edge

• Deliver live video to the branch or field offices connected over the WAN by low bandwidth and were multicast is not supported
• Corporate branch offices can send live video across WAN to the Headquarters for training/briefings purposes.
• Enterprise-wide delivery of Internet video – allows multiple users within an organization to access a live Internet stream without impacting the Internet link