A headend is a main device or a group of devices dedicated to facilities and institutions which require a central management of the channels available through the tv system. In addition to the headend consisting of modules according to the installer choice (transmodulators, amplifiers, optical transmitters, IP streamers) for receiving and converting the TV signals, the system comprises also the antenna assembly (satellite antennas, terrestrial TV and FM antennas). No need to use more receivers (e.g. satellite receivers) for TV sets which makes this solution particularly attractive for hotels, guesthouses, apartments and hospitals. Modular design of the TERRA headend enables the transmodulation of a wide range of source signals (DVB-S/S2, DVB-T/T2, IP, HDMI) and meeting one or more DVB-T/DVB-C/IP standards at the output, as required by the facility owner.
Headends distributing satellite programs converted to digital DVB-T COFDM format are still the most popular solution used in many hotels. Satellite channels can be an addition to the terrestrial television programs or be the only part of the package offered.
Refer to the table below for a list of TERRA transmodulators* for modulation of the satellite signal for FTA free channels and encoded as the terrestrial television standard.
DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK) --> DVB-T (COFDM) signal transmodulators
Product | TDX-420 | TDX-420C | TDX-440 | TDX-480 | TDX-4168 |
Code | R81618 | R81619 | R81614 | R81621 | R81625 |
Standard input | DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK) | ||||
No. of transponders | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 16 |
Standard output | DVB-T COFDM | ||||
No. of MUXes | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
Max. bitrate [Mbps] | 2x31.66 | 2x31.66 | 4x31.66 | 8x31.66 | 8x31.66 |
Coded channels | NO | YES | NO | ||
CI interface | none | 2x | none | none | none |
The TDX-420C R81619 module enables the reception of coded channels and FTA from up to two satellite tansponders, while the TDX-420 R81618, TDX-440 R81614, TDX-480 R81621 and the TDX-4168 R81625 modules receive only FTA free channels from several satellite transponders depending on the model selected.
The built-in remultiplexer in each of the TDX series modules allows for creating the DVB-T multiplexes with any program content.
The TDX-420C R81619 module converts the DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) signal to DVB-T (COFDM). It receives free and coded channels (compatible with CAM CI) using a dedicated card. One TDX-420C R81619 panel receives the entire signal packet from two satellite transponders and creates two adjacent DVB-T multiplexes with a maximum bandwidth of 31.68 Mbps. In practice, this translates into 6 standard definition SD channels or 2-3 high definition HD channels for each of the two multiplexes. The system administrator selects the channels of interest from a satellite stream, and then creates two DVB-T multiplexes. It is possible to create one DVB-T multiplex from two different satellite transponders and then decode the pay channels for the newly created DVB-T bundle. If free signals are to be distributed, we recommend using the TDX-420 R81618 model. TDX-420C equipped with 2 CI ports (for 2 CAM CI modes) enabling decoding of pay channels (multidescrambling). | |
TDX-420C |
Diagram of a TERRA headend for the reception of TV SAT programs from two satellite positions.
Using TERRA dSCR/Unicable multiswitches enables the selection of any satellite transponder from the entire satellite band for each of two satellite positions (Hotbird 13.0E, Astra - 19.2E). The TDX-420C module allows the entry of two coded channels from two satellite transponders, while the TDX-4168 module enables the reception of FTA programs from up to 16 satellite transponders.
Simple and intuitive browser-based configuration of TERRA TDX series mods and remote management possible.
IPTV is a method of TV content provision that uses computer network technologies instead of traditional methods using coaxial cable. DIPOL offers IPTV streamers which enable distribution and management of terrestrial, cable and satellite DVB television via the Ethernet (LAN) network, through a twisted-pair cable.
IPTV streamers
Product | sti410c | sti440 | sdi410c | mhi430 | sdi480 | mix440 |
Code | R81604 | R81606 | R81608 | R81607 | R81610 | R81611 |
Standard input | DVB-T/T2/C | DVB-T/T2/C | DVB-S/S2 | 3xHDMI | DVB-S/S2 | IP |
No. of MPTS | 1 | 4 | 1 | - | 8 | 4 |
Standard output | IP | IP | IP | IP | IP | 4xDVB-T |
SPTS/MPTS | yes/yes | yes/no | yes/yes | |||
Max. bitrate [Mbps] | 100 | 200 | 100 | 100 | 400 | 200 |
Coded channels | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO |
CI interface | 1x | none | 1x | none | none | none |
Signal is transmitted via RJ-45 input/output offering IP signal streaming with UDP/RTP (multicast) or SAP/SDP technology.
State-of-the-art TERRA headend in one of Krakow's hotels.
A total of 140 TV outlets with access to all terrestrial DVB-T/T2 channels and selected SVB-S/S2 satellite channels was provided in a newly built hotel building in Krakow. For this purpose, a 120 cm A9684 satellite dish with a system of two QUATRO Inverto BLACK Ultra A98266 LNBs was installed on the building roof. The UHF Dipol 44/21-60 Tri Digit A2670 and the VHF DIPOL 7/5-12 A0710 antennas are provided to receive the DVB-T/T2 signal. The signal from the antenna assembly is sent to the server room, where the set of ***TERRA www.dipolnet.com/6672.htm*** transmodulators is installed.
Several SAT TV programs are included in the DVB-T digital terrestrial television package, available from several DVB-T multiplexes. A total of around 50 programs are available. The signals are converted by the TDX-420C R81619 modules which convert the DVB-S/S2 (QPSK/8PSK) satellite signal into the digital DVB-T COFDM stream. That stream is then combined with the DVB-T digital terrestrial TV signal using the TTX-420 R81616 modules. The TTX-420 R81616 transmodulator acts as a DVB-T/T2/C signal repeater for improving its quality. The process involves receiving a DVB signal, demodulating it to a transfer stream, and then re-modulating the COFDM in a selected multiplex (repeater function). The modulation error rate MER at the output of the device exceeds 35 dB and enables the distribution of digital signals in the most extensive systems.