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RGB Networks Enables Cable Operators to Deliver Emergency Alert System Text Message Crawls to All Digital and Analog Subscribers Simultaneously

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 June 2007, 09:01 CDT

RGB Networks, the leader in network video processing, today announced that its Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) enables cable television operators for the first time to easily deliver Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages simultaneously to all analog and digital subscribers in the event of an emergency. From a central headend, operators can deliver EAS alerts to all of their subs, or to select groups. EAS messages can therefore be sent across all types of programming, including linear broadcast, switched broadcast and video-on-demand content. RGB is demonstrating the new digital EAS capabilities of its BNP at its booth (#2480) here at Cable-Tec Expo.

The ability to deliver EAS alerts is mandatory for U.S. cable operators with more than 10,000 subscribers, but has become more difficult as operators support both analog and digital subscribers with an increasing range of decoding technologies. For example, current analog methods often result in EAS alerts being indiscriminately delivered to subscribers well outside the affected areas, or cannot provide any EAS service to select subscribers with newer television sets with built-in digital decoders.

Leveraging its existing high-density video processing technology, the BNP's new digital EAS capability overcomes these issues, allowing operators to deliver EAS alerts universally throughout their network. The BNP's digital EAS support can be applied selectively to any digital program being processed to generate 'text crawls' in which the emergency alert information is presented as text that scrolls across the television screen. The EAS text messages are digitally rendered and overlaid directly onto any MPEG-encoded program and then delivered to any digital subscriber set-top box or to analog decoders and presented as an overlay text alert to viewers. The BNP also supports operator-configurable audio override or audio stream insertion to complement the text crawl message for a completely customizable deployment.

"Supporting the Emergency Alert System is an important requirement for cable operators and one that can truly benefit from this new capability. The new digital EAS capability of our Broadcast Network Processor is a an example of the flexibility and power of our products, enabling operators to pioneer new applications that keep their subscribers alerted to important news when it happens," said Jeff Tyre, Senior Product Manager, RGB Networks.

Complementing this ability to target the delivery of EAS messages, these messages can be quickly created and managed using EAS partner equipment to ensure the information is properly scheduled and managed. This is possible because of the BNP's recently announced digital overlay capability, of which digital EAS is one application. Digital overlay is one of the core processing functions of RGB's Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), operating in real-time and completely within the MPEG digital domain. An all-digital solution eliminates the need for current analog-based solutions that require cumbersome and expensive multi-step MPEG video decoding and re-encoding of content.

The issue of supporting multiple set-top boxes or televisions with built-in decoders (such as for HDTV), as well as a wide range of operator headends and headend equipment, is also solved thanks to the BNP's new digital EAS capability. Previously, cable operators with different models of set-top boxes in their networks had to spend significant time and effort to be sure that EAS messages were received and properly displayed, while televisions with built-in decoders are typically not supported by current EAS solutions at all. By delivering a centralized, digital EAS solution the BNP solves this major issue as it creates and overlays the EAS messages onto existing video programs within the operator's network, ensuring the messages will appear on all digital subscribers' TVs regardless of the set-top box or newer built-in television decoder being used. Analog subscribers are supported by any digital-to-analog decoder on the network, including RGB's Simulcast Edge Processor (SEP).

About RGB's Broadcast Network Processor

Based on RGB's Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), the Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) is designed to enable cable operators to deliver highly targeted and personalized video services. Housed in a one rack-unit platform, the BNP delivers the cable industry's highest density solution for digital video grooming, statistical multiplexing, transrating, digital program insertion (DPI) and digital overlays. With the ability to process more than 500 video streams in a single rack unit, the BNP significantly lowers the cost of delivering advanced digital video services. RGB's Broadcast Network Processor offers the scalability to support current and future network growth, while also providing the flexibility to sustain new applications such as switched digital video, targeted ad insertion and digital simulcast. The BNP also reduces the complexity and cost of deploying these services, allowing operators to focus on introducing more personalized, revenue-generating services.

About RGB Networks

RGB Networks delivers extremely high-density, flexible video processing solutions that enable video service providers to deliver highly targeted and personalized video content at considerably lower costs than conventional solutions. Based on its unique Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), RGB's VIA product family simplifies management and delivers scalable, multi-function capability in a single, programmable platform, allowing video service providers to leverage existing infrastructure, while building an advanced foundation to meet the needs of the rapidly growing market for personalized video services.

For more information about RGB Networks and its unique video processing solutions, please visit www.rgbnetworks.com.

Source: Business Wire

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