STL Backup over IP Networks Using Secure and Reliable VideoFlow RIST

Connection Loss or Degradation Means Loss of Revenues

Unidirectional microwave links have been in use for connecting TV stations to transmitter sites for a few decades. These links are susceptive to interferences caused by weather conditions like snow or fog, as well as from obstructions to the line of sight between transmitter and receiver. The interferences can cause interruptions in the service to the point the phone starts ringing, and the number of truck rolls increases.

Furthermore, in the professional television business where thirty seconds downtime is eternity, and three minutes can be critical, reliability is everything. Measuring the reliability of the broadcast chain, from the television station to the viewer, is by its weakest link (literally). Connection loss without a backup means disappointed viewers and the loss of advertising revenues. 

Adding Backup 

Increase reliability and ensure advertising revenues by deploying a reliable backup link at a fraction of the traditional cost. All you need are two DVP or DVG instances and an inexpensive Internet connection.

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With a backup signal over the Internet, the VideoFlow in the Transmitter site will automatically failover to it in the case the STL signal is lost. With VideoFlow, your broadcast will continue without any quality or latency issues. VideoFlow is using RIST Main profile with DTLS AES-256 encryption and Authentication for the IP connectivity. This assures not only a reliable transmission but also security from intrusion.

Increase Operational Efficiency 

Unlike plain-vanilla backup solutions, VideoFlow also gives you enhanced features and tools at no extra cost. Increase the operational efficiency with VideoFlow by leveraging the bi-directional nature of the Internet. 

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Add Confidence Monitoring and Confidence Return Feed from the station and the transmitter site. Together with secure remote management and configuration, the collaboration level of the technical team will increase. As a result, the meantime to repair (MTTR) is lower, and the availability of service higher. 

Use the ETR290 stream monitor in real-time, along with graphical network statistics and network tools to see and resolve problems before the telephone rings, as well as reduce the time it takes to solve problems. 

Add Disaster Recovery to increase service reliability. The DVP or DVG in the transmitter site will automatically switch over to the signal from the disaster recovery station in the case the signal from the primary station is lost. 

The RIST main profile Tunnel is not only used for the bi-directional delivery of the Backup feed but also a confidence return back to the Studio for monitoring and storage. VideoFlow solution also allows the Studio engineering team to access any device in the Transmitter site through the same secure tunnel.

Futureproof And Save More Without Sacrificing Reliability

Having equipment that can be used for today’s needs and tomorrow’s requirements is essential for containing costs. The VideoFlow solution can deliver todays ATSC 1.0 signals as well as tomorrow’s ATSC 3.0. The advanced reliability technologies used by VideoFlow can transport your primary transmitter traffic, even over Internet or any high quality packet network. In addition, the DVP/DVG can be used to deliver or receive ATSC 3.0 STL-TP and lighthouse traffic, so whenever your market migrates to ATSC 3.0, the same equipment can be used for delivering the transmissions just as reliably to your ATSC 3.0 transmitters.

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More Than Just Backup

VideoFlow enables video over IP ecosystems that offers more than just backup. Here's why leading professional broadcast companies choose VideoFlow: 

  • Reliability – High reliability with immediate link failover.

  •  Adaptivity – Backup link resiliency by adapting the video rate to the link capacity in real time.

  • Enhanced cybersecurity – EBU R-143 Cyber Security requirements compatible.

  • Continuity of service – Maintain a sustained feed with automatic link failover and switch over to a disaster recovery station.

  • Operational efficiency increase

     

  •  Fewer truck rolls with remote DVP or DVG management at the transmitter site from the TV station via in-band management.

  •  Secure remote access to the DVP or DVG over any internet connection from any location.

  • Reduce mean time to repair (MTTR) with full real-time visibility into stream health

  • ETR290 and network statistics.

  • Monitor the video quality on smartphone, tablet, or PC from wherever you are. We give you the tools to select a program, transcode it to HLS or RTMP, and publish it.

Helen Weedon