Volicon announced a new release of its Observer RPM (Remote Program Manager), the company's post STB video service assurance solution for cable, IPTV, mobile satellite video service providers. Based on the core technology of Volicon's award-winning Observer broadcast monitoring system, the Observer RPM allows operators to monitor hundreds of channels, troubleshoot real-time video issues, and verify broadcast content and advertising in a 24x7 log. By providing a remote view of the customer's experience, the RPM enables pay TV operators to identify and troubleshoot problems quickly before they turn into customer complaints and to avoid costly chronic troubleshooting sessions.
Headlining the new RPM release is powerful functionality to enable maximum quality of experience and quality of service for HD and interactive offerings. A new Interactive Services Module (ISM) offers capabilities for ensuring the quality of not only linear content, but also on-demand and interactive content and advertising. Through advanced object recognition capabilities and decision-making logic, graphical pattern matching, and multi-tiered testing, the ISM works alongside the continuous RPM lineup scan for linear content. In addition, the RPM is now the first system to offer testing of SD and HD services via component and HDMI inputs scanned at both 720p and 1080i resolutions. By providing frame-by-frame visibility of HD content, operators are able to assure the availability, proper formatting and quality of the HD programming to meet customer expectations.
Also included with the new release is a Proof-of-Experience module that gives operators post-STB visibility of the customer experience associated with MPEG impairments. With the module, impairments detected by MPEG transport stream analyzers automatically triggers the RPM to dial and record a particular channel for visual analysis. The module enables operators to better leverage their investment in MPEG transport stream analyzers by giving the operators an instant view of which MPEG impairments affect the customers' experience and which do not.
With the new Scheduled Recording module, the Observer RPM provides verification of advertising and high-value content such as breaking news or sporting events. Driven by an XML schedule file or a GUI selection from an electronic program guide (EPG), the module allows operators to establish channels and time periods to stay on one service and record it continuously. This content is monitored for A/V impairments while the system creates an easily viewable and exportable clip for archival or forwarding purposes.
