IPTV Signage Saves Money

Druckversion

The newly opened Galaxy Macau has installed Makito HD H.264 encoders from Haivision to simplify its signage deployment. With 4,000 set-top-box endpoints, 800 of which drive public-area displays, Galaxy chose to establish its digital signage head-end and distribute dynamic graphics content over its IPTV infrastructure. This approach takes advantage of a single media distribution architecture and low-cost set-top box endpoints rather than expensive digital signage players.
 
The high-definition signage content originates from more than twenty signage players that are rack-mounted within the vast network-operations centre beneath the complex. The players are connected directly via a digital visual interface (DVI) to the Makito HD H.264 encoders, which in turn send the HD content over IP to HD set-top boxes that are fixed to flat panels and large-format LED displays throughout the casino complex.
 
"When distributing a few channels of signage to many displays within one facility, the economies of using IP video are dramatic," said Peter Maag, Haivision's executive vice president. "Set-top boxes are available for one tenth of the price of signage players, and with the Makito encoder there is no loss of visual quality. In addition, the signage channels can easily be made available to all displays, both in the public areas, and in the rooms and suites."
 
The Makito HD H.264 encoder supports up to 1080p60 resolution, ideal for distributing the dynamic, high-resolution graphics and video output of digital signage players. Available with DVI, HD-SDI, WXGA, and component inputs, the Makito supports advanced features such as the ability to encode a single HD source to multiple bit rates in order to deliver the best quality video to users regardless of their location.
 
The signage IPTV solution was designed and integrated by Haivision's Hong Kong partner, DMN. The Galaxy property, which opened in May after $2 billion of investment, has more than 2,200 rooms, suites, and villas across three world-class hotels. Facilities include more than 50 food and beverage outlets, distinctive retail shopping, and lush oasis gardens covering 52,000 square meters. The property also features the world's largest Sky Wave Pool, which covers 4,000 square meters and has a 350-ton white-sand beach.
 
New Acquisitions
 
Haivision has also just announced announced that it has acquired the KulaByte Corporation of San Marcos, Texas, and MontiVision Imaging Technologies based in Germany. The technologies of both companies, including advanced encoding, transcoding, cloud computing, and workflow solutions, will be combined to form Haivision's new Internet Media Division.
 
"All market segments now demand access to a high-quality live and on-demand HD media experience regardless of network or platform," said Mirko Wicha, President and CEO of Haivision Network Video. "With KulaByte and MontiVision, Haivision can now deliver end-to-end rich media solutions for both inside and outside the enterprise firewall. The new division is also focused on addressing the challenges of effective social media networks for the enterprise."
 
KulaByte and MontiVision now form Haivision's Internet Media Division. The division is focused on developing technologies to deliver OTT media and to power enterprise social media networks. Haivision has appointed Chafye Nemri as Executive Vice President of this new division and KulaByte CEO Peter Forman as Vice President of Internet Media, responsible for developing the division's cloud services. Key initiatives of the division will enable the creation, distribution, and management of media assets for organisations regardless of user location.
 
"Haivision is unique in the IP video industry in that we have been profitable for many years, experienced more than 50-percent growth for the last five years, and we continue to increase our market share dramatically — all without venture capital investment," continued Wicha. "Our executive management group is the best in the industry with an amazing track record, and together with a dedicated and driven team of more than 150 people, we expect to surpass revenues of $50 million next year."