At IBC2009, Cisco is showcasing a range of Medianet technologies that addresses the challenges currently faced by the broadcast, media and satellite industries. Medianets are next-generation, media-aware IP networks built specifically for video and rich media applications.
Cisco said the solutions bring together all elements of the entertainment delivery chain, including production, contribution and distribution, to help broadcasters, operators and service providers deliver video networks to any device.
Cisco is introducing the ISB IP and IP/DVB-x Hybrid set-top box series, which offer more processing power and home-networking features than previous models. The series contains HD-DVR media servers and digital interactive set-top boxes, and all the devices are operable with a choice of multiple middleware and conditional access system platforms. The new set-top models support multiple home-networking standards including WiFi, HPNA, HomePlug and DLNA.
Cisco is also showing its IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN), a media-aware architecture that maintains quality of experience as the provider’s subscriber base and traffic demand grows. The company’s next-generation headend is based on MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video encoding, advanced stream processing and intuitive management systems.
