MatrixStream MatrixCast HD Streaming Over the Internet

Introduction

The idea of delivering High Definition (HD) videos over the Internet has been around quite a while. In the past, it was hard to imagine the possibility due to the fact that broadband Internet was not widely available and the fact HD videos require huge amount of bandwidth. Today, growth of broadband connections worldwide is reaching a pace that's even faster than growth of mobile phones at similar stage. With the availability of faster IP connections, it is not hard to imagine someday it is possible to deliver high quality videos over the Internet or any broadband connections. MatrixCast is the streaming protocol that allows IPTV operators the ability to stream over the Internet without QoS and at low bitrate.

In this document we will discuss some of the issues facing IPTV operators in deploying high quality videos over the IP network. After that, we will discuss solutions to the problems and how IPTV operators can deploy HD IPTV solutions today.

IPTV is the Future

IPTV is superior to cable, over the air broadcasts, and satellite – IPTV delivers a superior viewer and picture quality experience by offering many features that are not available in today’s cable and satellite broadcasts. It is possible to offer a complete user interactive experience with IPTV where it is not possible with outdated cable and satellite technologies. Areas of differentiation for IPTV include:

• Interactivity such as communication, voting, interactive advertising, and TV e-commerce.
• Unlimited channel capacity – cable and satellite services have limited channel capacity. Since IPTV is based on a switch network, there is no limit on how many high-definition channels that can be delivered to the user.
• Integration across multiple platforms with services such as voice, data and user content (including video, voice, music, and gaming).
• Personalization including individualized advertising and smart TV/video program recommendations. Additional services include access to millions of Videos On Demand (VOD) programs and Digital Video Recordings (DVRs).
• Value-added services including access to on-demand gaming, music, photos, media applications, home networking management, security, and data management.
  

Deployment Issues with IPTV Today

While IPTV is definitely the future, there are number of issues that must be resolved for massive adoption.

1. Many IPTV solutions not designed for the Internet without QoS -Many IPTV solutions today are based on legacy MPEG-2 or Windows Media video codec. MPEG 2-TS is designed to stream over multicast network only so you cannot stream it over the Internet. Windows Media ASF has very poor streaming capability over the Internet. Usually you can only stream low resolution 320X240 300kbps streams with a lot of buffering ranging from 5 to 30 seconds or more.
2. Limited Bandwidth available over DSL network - High Definition videos encoded in MPEG-2 and streaming with MPEG-2 TS would require a minimal of 20 Mbps of bandwidth. Most DSL Internet connections do not have that kind of bandwidth from server to client and have distance limitations. Usually ADSL 2+ gives an average of 6mbps only so it is impossible to deliver HD over ADSL without using technology such as MatrixStream MatrixCast streaming.
3. Existing IPTV Solutions are Not Firewall Friendly - Most existing IPTV solutions are designed to work in a closed or private IPTV network. Most IPTV solutions are not designed to work over the Internet or through multiple routers and firewalls.
4. Poor User Experience - In order for IPTV solutions to compete with existing digital cable and satellite solutions, the user experience must meet or exceed the digital cable and satellite systems. Many existing IPTV solutions have multiple issues that could cause poor user experience. For example, many IPTV solutions have long latency when it comes to change one TV channel to another. Some of the IPTV solution might not be responsive when loading EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) on the IP STB (Set Top Box). Many VOD videos on some IPTV solutions might take a long time to start and play.
5. Lack of True End-to-End Solution -In order to build an IPTV solution, most IPTV providers have to go with a multi-vendor solution due to lack of complete end-to-end solution on the market. This is not only expensive but also time consuming.
   

Introducing MatrixCast Streaming

MatrixStream's patent-pending MatrixCast streaming protocol is designed to deliver highest quality HD video over any broadband connection, including the Internet. MatrixCast streaming protocol is designed to deliver the ultimate IPTV end-user experience while working over any broadband IP connection, Below is a diagram showing features of MatrixCast streaming protocol:

Several key features of MatrixCast Streaming protocol:

• Supports High Definition H.264 HD streaming 720p videos at 1.5 Mbps or DVD quality videos at 750 kbps using H.264 compression.
• Allows IPTV viewers to change TV channels under 2 sec.
• IPTV or VOD videos will start playing instantly when a viewer selects to play.
• Be able to support full AC-3 Digital surround sound with IPTV videos.
• Anti-skipping of video even if there is network congestion or packet delays
• Built-in CA (Conditional Access) and streaming encryption using MatrixCast-TS (MatrixStream Transport Stream).
• Video streaming security can be upgraded dynamically at any time via built-in remote upgrade features.
• DVD like features with fast forward and rewind streaming videos at 64 different speeds.
• Has support for both PC and IP STB (Set Top Box) video viewing clients.
• Hard drive DVR and Network DVR support (coming soon).
• Supports new digital camcorder AVCHD format where IPTV streaming servers using MatrixCast streaming protocol can accept a video filmed in the AVCHD format and have it stream across the Internet without encoding.

Key Differences Between MatrixCast Video Streaming Protocol and Other Video Playback Technologies

There are many ways for people to play videos over the Internet. There are also tons of confusion about IPTV video protocols. Many people are confused about key differences between streaming to the TV vs. progressive download and playback sites like YouTube. While flash video playback is not true streaming video protocol, it is also not designed to go to your 50 inch HDTV in the living room. MatrixCast streaming protocol is designed for streaming video playback to the TV and to the TV. There are MAJOR key differences between MatrixStream's MatrixCast video transport protocol and many existing video playback methods on the Internet. We have list many of these differences below:

Ultimate IPTV Experience

With MatrixCast IPTV solution, viewers can get a superior viewing experience when comparing to existing digital satellite and cable systems. In addition, IPTV with MatrixCast allows any IPTV operator to deliver unlimited TV channels and unlimited VOD (Video On Demand) videos. Ultimately, any IPTV viewer will have the choice to watch high quality videos at any time that's convenient to him or her.

Easy to Deploy for IPTV Operators

MatrixStream has made it easy for any IPTV operator to deploy an MatrixCast IPTV system. Any IPTV operator that wants to deploy an IPTV solution either within a private network or over the Internet can appreciate MatrixStream's complete end-to-end MatrixCast streaming solution. Below is an example of deployment diagram taking a video from a digital feed through the IP network all the way to a TV or on a PC.


In the diagram, digital TV channel feeds from satellite are connected to MatrixStream IMX 4010 H.264 live encoders. IMX 4010 encoders converts satellite feeds to H.264 IP streams. Those same streams are then sent to IMX 2410 MatrixCast streaming server that eventually streams the live video to IMX STBs or PC viewers. At the same time, IMX 2420 VOD MatrixCast streaming servers are streaming VOD videos from a SAN (Storage Area Network) to IMX STBs or PC viewers over an IP network with or without QoS. On the management level, IMX M2200 manages all the interaction between all the video clients and all the MatrixCast servers in the backbone. Videos are delivered seamlessly from satellite feeds all the way to viewer's TV or the PC over an IP network.


Conclusion

MatrixStream MatrixCast streaming allows viewers to see HD videos over the Internet with as little as 1.5 Mbps. In addition, MatrixStream's complete end-to-end MatrixCast streaming solution allows any IPTV operator to deploy IPTV services without having to spend millions for network equipment and integration costs. MatrixCast streaming protocol allows the best user TV experience not available in many other existing IPTV solutions. In summary, MatrixCast streaming makes it possible to deploy a HD solution over the Internet today.