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Schools and universities worldwide are upgrading
to IPTV services. Some of the key reasons to upgrade TV systems at schools
include increasing channel capacity, adding new features and services, and
improving content security. The upgrading of systems in schools and
universities does have some unique challenges compared to public TV
systems, including departmental controls, mixed communication lines, and
equipment durability
Increased Channel Capacity
Many campus TV systems are already offering
hundreds of channels. Seemingly even 1,000 channels are not enough to
provide the specialty programming that is desired by campus students and
faculty. International students want to watch programming from their home
countries and students want to both consume and produce media wherever
they are. Fully implemented IPTV systems offer virtually unlimited channel
capacity as viewers are simply connected (switched) to the appropriate
media source. Initially, campus IPTV systems are commonly setup as hybrid
systems that offer viewers access to television programming channels from
network providers (such as cable TV or digital satellite broadcasters) via
an IP data connection. |
New Multimedia Features and Services
IPTV systems provide many new features and
services ranging from searchable programming guides to interactive TV
programs. One of the key initial benefits of working with IPTV systems
is the ease of setup and management of video content and subscriber
access. Another benefit is the use of a common data network, which
allows for the simplification of moves, adds, and changes (MACs),
since the process becomes more of a software function than a wiring
install process. The student simply plugs their device into the data
connection and once authenticated, they can begin watching campus TV!
It is virtually impossible for a university to operate without its
data network. The use of a single common data network reduces the
costs of supporting two distinct infrastructures. It is much easier to
justify upgrades to a single infrastructure.
Improved Content Security
The use of IPTV in schools and universities
can provide for improved content security. Content owners (such as
Disney and Universal) want ways to control and protect their media.
Media access and encryption can be precisely controlled by IPTV
systems. |
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Media security systems are more than access
control systems. They may also provide the inclusion of watermarks or
other information that allows for digital fingerprinting. Detailed user
identification information can be used to perform digital forensics,
offering the ability to identify and/or measure information related to the
use, operation or actions of a digital media object or service by a
company, system or person.
Multiple Department Controls
A challenge for some schools when upgrading to
IPTV is the assignment of control for communication systems to different
departments and functions within the school. IP systems commonly merge
voice, data and video into one communication system. The control of each
of these systems may be assigned to different departments or groups,
which, when systems merge together, often leaves people wondering who is
in charge.
Installing and operating IPTV systems usually
requires many new skills including knowledge of data communications,
software applications, and information management.
Mixed Types of Communication Lines
The communication lines that are installed in
universities are often added as needed using technology that is available
and cost effective at the time. Buildings that house similar departments,
such as engineering, are commonly linked together in an effort to combine
resources. While many universities have already installed optical TV
distribution systems typically referred to as Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)
systems, they may not be well suited for the bandwidth that is required
for IPTV. |
Optical fiber is commonly used in the
backbone or building access portions of campus communication systems,
although not all optical is the same. When optical systems are used
for TV distribution, they may send TV signals by translating them
directly onto fiber carrier signals (frequency shifting). This is
known as RF over glass (RFoG), and it means simply that optical fibers
are carrying simulcast (shared) signals as opposed to the switched
video services that are used by IPTV.
Equipment Durability
Some campus TV systems simply provide
analog channels to existing television sets. Key benefits of this
include less cost as there are no set top boxes (STBs) to purchase,
and few issues aside from repairing cables used by students to connect
their televisions. Some IPTV systems require the use of set top boxes
which must be purchased and installed in student dormitory rooms. STBs
can be expensive and consumer grade STBs are usually not durable
enough to withstand the regular use of students.
One way to overcome the challenge of using
STBs is to allow students to watch TV on their personal multimedia
computers. The student may simply open a browser and point to the IPTV
application or download a soft client media player (a plug in for a
web browser) and they are ready to watch! |
Rick
Brown is a Network Systems Engineer with the OIT Communication
Technologies Engineering team at NC State University. He is
responsible for the operation and maintenance of the CATV headend
and 750 MHz HFC distribution system. He has been involved in
evaluating IPTV systems and next generation CATV technologies in
preparation for replacing the current distribution system.