IPTV is a major USP in the future guest room technology



Souka SKD32 IPTV Gateway

With time, TV in a guest room has evolved from bulky sets to sleek LCD/Plasma. Most hotels invest in procuring high-definition TVs, but are either dependent on cable TV operators or install their own Analog TV head-end, which is popularly known as Master Antenna Television (MATV) or Cable TV (CATV). MATV is a system where TV channel feeds are down linked from various satellites using IRD (set-top box or decoder box), which is normally provided by the broadcaster, and this audio-video feed is put into a modulator converting AV to RF for distribution to guest room TVs’ end points using a network of Coaxial cables and other RF distribution items like amplifier, splitters, tap offs, nodes, etc.

TV works on the principal of amplitude modulation and these noise-generating components affect signal levels resulting in distortions in TV signals like ghost images, snow, etc. The result is dissatisfied customers. Another issue of analog transmission is a limited number of channels. Maximum theoretical limit is 106 channels, but practically more than 80 channels are not shown due to a very heavy loss of signal at higher frequencies.



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The above two issues of poor signal quality and 80-channel limitation can be resolved by converting TV signal transmission from analog to digital. Digital transmission can be done in two ways:

· Using Digital Video Broadcast Cable (DVBC)

· Using Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)

What is DVBC?
In DVBC, TV channels are encoded and transmitted in digital form, in digital RF using encoders, Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). The mode of transportation of DVBC signal is the same as RF signal. In the TV points, a DVBC set-top box is required to convert digital RF into AV, which is fed directly to the AV port of the TV. The guest can switch to AV mode and watch digital TV channels. The picture quality is improved and issues like ghost images and snow are resolved because in a digital mode either there will be a good quality picture or no picture at all. But in some cases, because of technical issues, pixelisation takes place resulting in garbled picture. There is a significant cost in converting feed from analog to digital for encoders, QAM’s, etc.





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What is IPTV?
IPTV is when the media-to-broadcast content is Ethernet. IPTV is the latest trend in the broadcasting content for entertainment, news, education, games in the digital platform, resulting in very high quality and resolution through high-definition broadcast.

Advantages of IPTV

· Tehre is clear digital picture quality with no distortion and noise.

· IPTV is a two-way communication. This means a hotel guest can communicate to the main hotel server to retrieve information like on-spot bill, room service ordering, laundering, car rental bookings, and messaging.

· Hotels can also upsell and cross various services and products to enhance revenue.

· On demand ‘VOD’ feature enables guests to operate features that are available in DVD players like forward, rewind, pause of any stored content.

· Internet browsing via IP Setup enables guests to browse internet on IPTV with the help of IR keyboard. Guests can be well connected to the business and social world and can access trendy applications like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, chats and mails.

· With the help of webcam embedded on the IPTV set-top box, guests can video conference with their families and business associates.

· Hotels can push emergency messages in unforeseen circumstances like fire and security threats to secure guests and make hotels safe.

· Menu cards can be translated into various international languages. This helps guests know about any dish that they wish to order. It can be in terms of calorific value, feel and look of a dish, preparation time and method. This helps in increasing F&B sales.

· It provides personalised services like guest name in the welcome message.

· Express check-out and bill payments via payment card interface are possible.

· Centralised Remote management of set-top box of every room TV is possible. Each set-top of box is individually addressable for any specific guest message or function.

· There is digital signage for reception, conference rooms, lobby areas, pre-banquet function areas.

Feature

Analog

Digital

IPTV

Live Channels

Max 100

Approx 1000

Theoretically No limit

Picture Quality

Average to Poor

Good

Good

Communication

One way

One Way

Two Way

Interactivity

Not possible

Not possible

Possible

PMS Interface, Billing information

Not possible

Not possible

Possible

Investment Comparison between Analog, Digital and IPTV for 50 Standard Channels

· Analog head-end is approximately Rs 10 lakh

· Digital Head-end would cost Rs 35 lakh + Rs 2,000 per room/set-top box

· IPTV Head-end would cost Rs 35 lakh + Rs 7,500 per room/set- top box

Various Components Involved in Analog / Digital and IPTV

Analog

Digital

IPTV

Satellite Dish Antenna

Satellite Dish Antenna

Satellite Dish Antenna

Racks and Installation

Racks and Installation

Racks and Installation

Broadcasters IRD*

Broadcasters IRD* + Professional IRD

Broadcasters IRD* + Professional IRD

Modulators

Encoders – MPEG 2/4

Encoders – MPEG 2/4

Combiners

Multiplexers

IP Streamer

QAM Modulator

Combiner

Middleware servers

VOD Servers

Distribution Network with Amplifier, Splitter, Coaxial Cable, etc.

Distribution Network with Amplifier, Splitter, Coaxial Cable, etc.

Distribution Network Fiber or Cat 6 (Ethernet to the room)

* IRD – Integrated receiver decoder (Also known as set top box)

Benefits of Interfacing IPTV with IP Surveillance:
Any TCP/IP technology-based device/service can be interfaced with IPTV, just like airport flight information systems can be viewed directly on the hotel IPTV. Guests can see what is happening in different public areas. For example, crowd in F&B outlets, lobby area, in front of hotel, in a hotel conference room. Photo of the person at the door can also be viewed on the IPTV.

Established in 2000, the Soukacatv.com main products are modulators both in analog and digital ones, amplifier and combiner. We are the very first one in manufacturing the headend system in China. Our 16 in 1 and 24 in 1 now are the most popular products all over the world.

For more, please access to https://www.soukacatv.com.

Source: hospitalitybizindia