News & Updates 2010

Mackenzie Digital TV Research Centre has implemented this week, in cooperation with DekTec, the first 8-MHz ISDB-T transmission. The system uses an 8-MHz ISDB-T modulator, designed by DekTec in collaboration with Mackenzie, to address the needs of African countries who use 8-MHz channel spacing.

The tests were conducted at Mackenzie’s Digital TV laboratory, in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where they also developed an 8-MHz ISDB-T set-top box for this project. “We are ready to start the 8-MHz ISDB-T field tests thanks to DekTec”, says Prof. Dr. Gunnar Bedicks, Chief Scientist of Mackenzie Digital TV Research Centre.

DekTec announces a major contract with the country’s leading telecom service provider to supply market-leading monitoring technology to its television and radio service distribution network.

Xpect, DekTec’s Transport Stream monitoring solution, has been selected by KPN Broadcast Services for the monitoring of MExNet (Media Exchange Network). KPN operates MExNet to supply a growing number of television and radio channels to business and wholesale customers across the country. Part of the network uses Single Program Transport Streams (SPTS streams) over IP to convey one television or radio service per IP multicast address. The main multiplexer creates 70 SPTS streams with 38 television and 32 radio services. A single Xpect installation will be used for the simultaneous monitoring of this entire bouquet of services. Xpect will also be used to monitor stream integrity at the client’s premises.

During the DVB-T2 Multi-PLP Plug-Fest in Berlin DekTec proved that the T2XPress and the T2Xpert are a unique set of tools for the testing, validation and demonstration of DVB-T2 equipment. The T2Xpress distinguished itself from other tools because of its support for dynamic FEC block scheduling, RBM (receiver buffer model) validation, common PLP generation, PAPR reduction, multi-PLP PRBS generation and more. It supports the generation of all streams that are defined by the DVB-T2 Verification & Validation Working Group.

The software-defined T2 receiver T2Xpert demonstrated to be an essential tool for the reception and the analysis for both the single PLP and multi PLP DVB-T2 streams.

Since the launch of the new Intel i7 processor, it is now possible to achieve real-time advanced video and audio encoding entirely in software, even AVC encoding in HD. DekTec seizes this opportunity to launch DtEncode, a new software product for cost-effective real-time encoding of base-band video and audio, e.g. from HD-SDI.

DtEncode targets the "local broadcasting" segment, where cost-effective encoding. Typical applications include company-internal broadcasting, digital signage and local-area mobile TV. Another application where DtEncode comes in handy is user-friendly and flexible generation of compressed video within R&D facilities.

"Customers have long been asking for a cost-effective way to perform real-time video encoding directly from our SDI input cards. We're pleased to bring this to reality today with DtEncode. We will add several new functionalities in the coming months, with video capture directly from the PC screen as highlight. Key markets include digital signage and local broadcasting. For multi-program operations, DtEncode is the ideal front-end for our advanced remultiplexer DTC-700 MuxXpert." says Sito Dekker, CEO of DekTec.

DekTec is proud to announce the world's first truly portable modulator, the DTU-215. It is a complete VHF/UHF modulator in a USB-2 module that is fully bus powered, meaning no external power supply is required.

The DTU-215 supports a long list of modulation options including the latest versions of DVB-C2 and DVB-T2. Even a fully-featured channel-simulator is available as an option. The RF output generates frequencies from 47MHz up to 1GHz, while the output level is programmable between -45dBm and -15dBm. The MER is approximately 40dB.

The device is a marvel of hardware and software technology. The RF output is generated entirely in the digital domain, so that no upconverter is required. Special low-power techniques ensure that the entire design can run within the tight USB-2 power budget. Industrial design has not been forgotten: the DTU-215 comes in a slick aluminium case with fancy blue lighting around the USB cable.

Paired with DekTec's easy-to-use StreamXpress player software, the DTU-215 will prove to be a versatile modulator that is ideal for lab work as well as demos at customer sites and exhibitions. The DTU-215 is fully supported in DekTec's SDK, providing users with the tools to create custom or OEM applications for it as well.