Analog vs Digital
Traditional analog signal is broadcast via terrestrial (over the air), cable or satellite. Quality of the signal received is usually not as good as the original signal broadcast. Analog TV can be snowy, have double images (ghosting) or other bad elements. Almost all countries today still use Analog SD TV.
Digital TV 'digitizes' the analog signal for broadcast via terrestrial (over the air), cable or satellite. Digitizing improves the quality of the received signal, as the digital signal is not as susceptible to signal degradation effects as an analog signal. The received digital signal is exactly the same as the signal broadcast from the origin. This is due to the error correcting features supported in the digital process that allows the delivery of good picture quality.
To catch up with the technology trends and enhanced in-room entertainment experience, it is about time for hotels to consider transition from analog to digital content and broadcast.
Digital Broadcasting Standards
Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD)
SD is currently available everywhere, but HD is only available commercially in very limited countries. Today’s technology still requires TV with HD tuner and/or STB to receive HD content. High Definition TV (HD or HDTV) transmits signals (video and audio) with much more resolution and detail than SD TV. HDTV picture format:
- 720 (p or i) (1280 x 720)
- 1080 (p or i) (1280~1920 x 1080)
Because of this quality impact, studios are extremely concerned about piracy since this quality of source can be used to create same quality copies.
Comparison of Picture Quality:
High Definition Standard Definition
IP BroadcastingIP TV refers to the transmission of signals (video and audio) over broadband IP networks (fiber, Ethernet, xDSL,etc.)
MagiNet provides turnkey solutions for IP-based systems that support IP multicasting (IGMP). This is especially useful for delivering digitized free-to-guest channels to guest rooms. Digital broadcasting addresses the issue of channel picture quality in the guest rooms. (No more MATV-RF interference).
How IP multicasting works?
Multicasting (IGMP) transmits a signal (video and/or audio) to multiple (one to many) end users at their request. It can include or exclude authentication of the end user depending on the program type.
Each IGMP channel requires between 3.5~4.0Mbps for each channel at the current MPEG2 encoding rates. This is used for scheduled programming or TV channels. IGMP channels are also streamed over the IP network either from encoded MPEG2 files, real-time encoded TV programming or ASI converted satellite programming.
Encoding
- Tape based programming (VHS, BetaSP, etc) converted to MPEG2 files stored on HDD
- TV (FTA/FTG local TV channel or analog satellite) based programming converted to MPEG2 files and stored on HDD, OR streamed directly onto an IP network in REAL-TIME (real-time encoded)
- Satellite based digital programming in ASI format (MPEG files already encoded by the programming and streamed over the satellite) transcoded /translated onto an IP network in REAL-TIME
Remember that IPTV may require DRM and Copy Protection to deliver the service, while access to TV/Satellite signal will require rights and permission of the content provider.