Interactive TV Analysis Tools

IP Television Lab is a suite of tools that allows network operators to evaluate interactive TV (iTV) services prior to full commercial deployment. The platform is aimed primarily at telcos planning to offer video services over their network infrastructure.

The new toolset allows network operators to assess a range of iTV services such as near video-on-demand, time shifting and personal video recording. Operators can also evaluate a variety of back-office functions such as billing, subscription management, channel creation and listing. The company's Professional Services Group provides on-site installation and hands-on training for the IP Television Lab.

An IP Television Headend is the central point of subscriber management, media aggregation, and distribution of video services over high-speed broadband IP networks. The new tool suite features a small IP Television Headend connected via a broadband network to set-top boxes. The IP Television Headend includes an application server, running iTVManager subscriber management software, two VNP-200 MPEG-2 video encoders, and a video server, all connected through an ethernet switch. Based on customer requirements, the IP Television Lab can be configured with either an SGI Origin series server or an nCube video server and two set-top boxes, from either Pace or Motorola, connected to the headend via the Ethernet switch.

Minerva Networks, Inc., 2111 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Tel: 408-567-9400; Fax: 408-567-0747.