Evolution Digital has launched an all-MPEG-4 interactive digital headend for small- and medium-size cable operators, has announced a partnership with Remote Security Systems and is showcasing a digital-to-analog (DTA) converter with integrated security at the Cable-Tec Expo in Philadelphia this week.
The digital headend is running live in the Evolution Engineering & Demo Center in Centennial, Colo. Evolution and its technology partners are spearheading a complete MPEG-4 turnkey digital solution, including headend, conditional access, set-tops, installation, integration and ongoing technical support, the company said.
“It is our mandate to provide small to medium size cable operators with the same innovative digital products and services previously only available to large urban systems for a fraction of the cost,” said Brent Smith, president of Evolution Digital.
Evolution has incorporated the Conax CAS7 DVB-C security system and adapted it to meet North American requirements, such as CableCard and tru2way. This provides an open-standard conditional access system, which gives North American cable operators a choice of headend equipment and set-top boxes.
At the Cable-Tec Expo, Evolution is showcasing its MPEG-4 headend with high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) content from Avail Media, being displayed on interactive MPEG-4 HD and MPEG-4 HD DVR set-top boxes.
Evolution Digital has also announced a partnership with Remote Security Systems that provides cable operators with an immediate solution to fight the rise of cable theft.
“One of cable’s biggest challenges is combating the growth of cable theft in the MDU-type environment, where roughly 40 percent of domestic cable subscribers reside,” said John Egan, president of Evolution Digital. “RSS has a solution for this customer base, and we are excited to be a part of it.”
Remote’s Lockbox Management System (LMS) and Programmable Multitap (PMT) provide a solution for cable theft prevention and network security, as well as a significant cost reduction and revenue enhancement opportunity for MSOs.
The LMS is a DOCSIS-based system that operates with existing network power. It detects break-ins the moment they occur and encompasses a real-time event log that can monitor up to 50,000 lock boxes in the field from one server.
The PMT is an optional “add-on” feature to the LMS that operates with the existing LMS software and utilizes DOCSIS, providing bi-directional communication. Each PMT has its own microprocessor, which allows MSOs to turn service on or off. The PMT also has a polling feature, allowing the MSO to continuously monitor the tap.
The LMS and PMT are being displayed at Evolution Digital’s booth at the Cable-Tec Expo.
Also on display at Evolution Digital’s Expo booth is the company’s low-cost DTA with integrated security. The DTA offers cable operators the ability to quickly reclaim analog bandwidth by converting digital basic channels to analog in a cost-effective manner, the company said. It is currently deployed in multiple systems throughout North America.
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