IPTV Navigator

Preserving signal quality is essential in any effective maintenance strategy. To insure the highest broadcast-quality standards throughout a network infrastructure, new tools and advanced monitoring techniques are needed that can detect and automatically alert operators to potential signal integrity problems before a failure. Simply ensuring that signals are correctly sent does not guarantee that video service quality is maintained successfully to the target audience. Some service information profiles may be modified during the processes of encoding, multiplexing, decoding, re-encoding and re-multiplexing. As a result, service parameters, such as languages or subtitles, may be configured incorrectly. Effective preventative monitoring of digital television networks requires the use of multiple real-time, continuous and simultaneous evaluation check points in the broadcast chain from studio to receiver.

The system is designed as an integrated and comprehensive software platform developed specifically to deliver broadcast-quality video and new, integrated TV services over broadband networks. The platform combines market-leading features such as instant channel change (ICC) and multiple picture-in-picture (PIP) with traditional TV services such as broadcast programming, VOD, and DVR. The software is developed to integrate seamlessly and economically with other IP-based communications and media services for PCs, phones, and other consumer devices.

Functions

Robust Navigation
The multimedia Program Guide provides a unified user experience with integrated listings for broadcast and on-demand content, consistent navigation and search features, and picture-in-picture. A Mini Guide provides a convenient way to browse guide listings without interrupting the show currently airing. Discretely displayed along the bottom of the screen, the Mini Guide shows comprehensive program information plus a real-time video stream for each show currently airing. Consumers can browse listings by shows currently airing, shows on next, and shows airing later.

Fast Channel Surfing
Patent-pending technology from Microsoft enables channel changing in a fraction of a second, effectively eliminating the delay associated with tuning channels in a digital system.
Integrated Video-On-Demand (VOD). All content - including HDTV - can be distributed on a subscription or a pay-per-play basis with content promotion integrated into the user experience.

Digital Video Recording
With an internal or external hard disk drive, customers can pause, fast-forward, and rewind live and recorded content. With IPTV Edition, multiple recordings can be made without the need for multiple tuners, so there is no need for costly hardware upgrades.

Management and Maintenance Software
IPTV Edition incorporates industry leading SQL Server, BizTalk® Server, Systems Management Server and Operations Management software, which help simplify the day-to-day management and maintenance of the IPTV solution.

Build Value With Connected Experiences
Microsoft TV IPTV Edition is a comprehensive software solution that supports exciting new features, services, and experiences across devices in the home.

Connected Devices and Media
Provide simple, encrypted access from consumers' TVs to photos, music, and video located anywhere on a home network. Enable consumers to review and record TV programming remotely via the Internet.