Since its introduction at IBC2006, the MuxXpert has quickly become a popular application for the creation, adaptation and broadcasting of MPEG-2 Transport Streams. The multiplexing application runs on a standard- or industrial PC in conjunction with any mix of DekTec input and output adapters. Configurations are highly scalable up to 8 input ports, 4 output ports and 4 file players.

One common application of the MuxXpert is testing of set-top boxes. The MuxXpert allows the user to create fully customised Transport Streams from files and live feeds. Flexible configuration allows the user to specify the PID mapping, PID filtering, service mapping, add/drop of descriptors and entire PSI/SI tables, and more. Together with DekTec’s versatile modulator cards, the created streams can be fed directly into the set-top boxes.

The MuxXpert is also the ideal application for generating new Transport Streams from existing live streams for local redistribution. All kind of conversions are supported, such as ASI to IP and IP to RF out. In the conversion process the (P)SI information can be updated, for example NIT replacement to describe the new network or addition of EPG information.

If you want to check whether your application will work with the MuxXpert please contact DekTec or your local distributor to find out. DekTec can issue temporary licenses for a free evaluation without any obligation.

The DTA-115 is the latest addition to DekTec's line of PCI modulator cards. It's a true multi-standard modulator with an integrated fully-agile VHF/UHF upconverter (47-862 MHz).

Two outputs are supported: a main output 50-Ohms BNC with programmable attenuator (30dB range) and a 75-Ohms F-type monitoring output. A full-function bi-directional ASI port is available to read a Transport Stream, or act as an independent ASI port.

The following modulation standards are supported by the DTA-115:

ATSC	ATSC A/53E	8-VSB and 16-VSB modes
DTMB	GB 20600-2006	Support of all DMB-T/H modes
DVB-C	EN 300 429	Up to 256-QAM
DVB-H	EN 300 744	Access to DVB-H TPS bits and cellid
DVB-T	EN 300 744	All modes supported
ISDB-T	ARIB STD-B31	Hierarchical multiplexing support in DTAPI and StreamXpress 1-segment and 3-segment only modes
ISDTV	ISDTV N01	Brazilian TV system with ISDB-T like modulation
QAM A/B/C	J.83 Annex A/B/C	Constellations up to 256-QAM, all interleaving modes

Out of the box, the DTA-115 supports ATSC, DVB-C, DVB-H, DVB-T and QAM A/B/C. The other modes, DTMB and ISDB-T/ISDTV are software/firmware options that can be purchased as a bundle or as an upgrade later .

The DTU-235 RF Probe provides real-time analysis and monitoring of DVB-T channels directly on a PC or laptop computer. When used along with the RFXpert and StreamXpert software packages, the DTU-235 is part of a comprehensive solution for doing fieldwork on a laptop computer.

The module is connected with a single USB-2 cable to the PC or laptop. No power supply is required, as the unit is bus-powered. The product is supplied with a robust carrying case.

The accompanying RFXpert application is a full-featured RF analysis suite for measuring channel level, MER, and BER. It includes constellation and eye diagrams, along with an easy-to-read, spectral display with choice of single channel, adjacent channels, or full spectral display. The DTU-235 ships with RFXpert software in “Limited Functionality Mode” unless the full software license is purchased.

The StreamXpert is DekTec's MPEG-2 transport stream analysis and monitoring software solution for checking detailed statistics on PIDs, services, and tables including TR101-290 compliance.

The DTU-235 and accompanying software is a co-development of DekTec and its North-American partner Sencore. Another model in this product line is the DTU-234 measurement receiver, which supports ATSC VSB and QAM-B.