TELEVISION MAGAZINE · MAY 2011 · Nº 14
Ikusi at Anga Cable: Much more than technology May 3-5 will see 420 exhibitors from 34 countries taking part in a new edition of the Anga Cable fair. A must for everyone working in the world of television. Although here at Ikusi we have been operating for over 60 years in this sector which recognizes us as a technological reference, we do not want to stop there. Ikusi is much more than technology. Ikusi is confidence, Ikusi is innovation Ikusi is service and customer relations. A cocktail of ingre-
dients that we will showcase to all our current and future customers at Anga Cable. But, of course, we will be attending the event with specific proposals: innovative equipment that had been developed over the last few months and which covers the complete television cycle, from the reception and processing of the signal to its further distribution and use.
IkusiNews is starting a new era, with more pages and more content. We want to become a source of relevant information to the sector. For this reason, from now on, it will not only address issues related to our equipment and developments. Our purpose is to address multiple issues to provide a global vision, covering the many facets of everyday life and the future of this sector, subject to profound transformations, which we want to experience at firsthand with all our readers.
SUMMARY A successful case. Joe Bonavia interview. Ikusi Australia P.2 Ikusi… I have a question. P. 2
Sky Channel contracts Ikusi solutions. P. 3 Interview with Germán Agúndez, Director of the Ikusi TV Business Unit. P. 4 DVB World: the future of the TV. P. 6 High Definition has arrived: What about the audio? P. 7 New developments in Ikusi. P. 7
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“We were chosen because of our technical capacity here in Australia and the depth know how of our own product.” We have talked with Joe Bonavia, exdirector of Ikusi ANZ, about this project. Ikusi continues to strengthen relations with TV operators around the world and is currently involved in an important project being developed in Australia. Ikusi is working with the Sky Channel, a division of Tabcorp one of Australia’s leading gaming corporations. Sky Channel specialises in Satellite broadcasts of horse and greyhound racing events and special related sporting events over their own transponder. Which ones were in your opinion the characteristics of Ikusi´s proposal that made Sky adopt our solution? Basically the characteristics why we were chosen is because of our technical capacity here in Australia and the depth know how of our own product. We are Ikusi ourselves, not the agent of distributor of the company. We had big opposition from many companies offering similar and sometimes more superior product, but we won because of what I previously mentioned. How did Ikusi approach this project form the point of view of a supplier or a technology partner? Always as a technology partner with in depth knowledge about the product that we manufacture.
Can I download the DSA field meter measurements into my PC? Of course. You just need to install the software, which can be easily downloaded on ikusi’s website, and connect the meter to your PC with the USB cable that comes supplied with the meter.
What specific problem means working for a major player like Sky? It’s been quite easy working with Sky. We should be very thankful for the extensive cooperation and support that we have had working with Sky themselves. They have been always very understanding and do their very best to work along side with us in the delivery of this product to them.
Sky Channel contracts Ikusi solutions Ikusi continues to strengthen relations with TV operators around the world and is currently involved in an important project being developed in Australia. Ikusi is working with the Sky Channel a division of Tabcorp one of Australia’s leading gaming corporations. Sky Channel specialises in Satellite broadcasts of horse and greyhound racing events and special related sporting events over their own transponder. Sky has taken a major step forward in the distribution of their program content. Through the implementation of a new concept, Sky will be delivering its programs digitally to TV sets
located in clubs, racecourses, betting establishments; in general, all premises related to this favourite pastime. In order to achieve this project, Sky has placed its trust in Ikusi and in collaboration; an agreement has been reached for the supply of three thousand SKYT-MODS® to be installed across the country. The SKY-T-MOD® is a device that will translate the Sky Channel satellite signal broadcast to be received by any Digital Terrestrial TV sets. Since Sky Channel’s contents are encrypted, IKUSI is working in collaboration with SMiT a PCMCIA manufacturer to decrypt the programs through the SKY-T-MOD®. As Australia is a vast continent, Sky Channel has requested that the device must be able to be
remotely controlled via a 3G connection. In collaboration with Call Direct an Australian 3G Modem manufacturer, IKUSI is incorporating a specially built 3G router within the SKY-TMOD® to facilitate this process. In brief, Ikusi will be providing SKY CHANNEL a complete tailored solution to achieve its goal; and allow the company to deliver a free to air terrestrial solution that will enable its program content to reach basic digital televisions within venues decrypted and in digital quality.
Has the project carried out for Sky consolidated Ikusi´s position in Australia as a company capable of managing complex projects? Well the SkyTMod project has done a lot for Ikusi in this country as it has established the company as a real tailored solutions provider. It has also shown to the rest of our competitors that Ikusi is a very capable company with excellent capabilities that they are unable to match. At the same token, a lot of other major players who could be our customers are now looking at our capabilities and our performance with a serious eye. We have proven that we have taken the fight to the end and we are now showing them that we are delivering a product that the customer is proud of.
I have a poor signal quality, what if I fit an amplifier? If you fit an amplifier, you will have more signal, but in no case will be improved the values of the signal quality. Where can I get the CE product certificate?
I installed the MAC-201 modulator and I want to change the channel name that appears on the TV. How can I do it? It’s simple. You have to connect the MAC-201 with an RJ45 cable to a PC, and via the web configurator you can change this and other parameters.
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You’ll find all the necessary information on the Ikusi website. If you put the model of the product you are looking for in the “search” section on the top, you will see all the information related to this product.
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“Ikusi has to support the revitalization of the sector” Interview with Germán Agúndez, Director of the Ikusi TV Business Unit How does Ikusi gauge the current Spanish market?
process of modernization has finished, at Ikusi we will have doubled our production capacity.
The profound crisis that is hurting the construction market has caused a significant decline in activity levels associated with new developments. So much so that we have returned to the levels of construction of a decade ago. In this context, the advent of DTT allowed us to energize our industry, generating high levels of activity for all players in the value chain.
These changes are embodied in the Strategic Plan 2010-2013, where our vision is focused on technology leadership and innovation, and constitutes the first phase of the innovations we will introduce to provide an optimum level of service to our customers. We are also convinced that these improvements will provide our customers with a differential that will result in the strengthening of their own level of activity and quality of service.
With the switchover at an end, here at Ikusi we are optimistic about the new scenario the immediate future presents: The Digital Dividend and HD will be new sources of activity that we are sure will raise employment levels and, ultimately, rates of confidence in our market.
What, is in your opinion, the differential value Ikusi will be able to offer the market in the coming years?
Here at Ikusi we are working on this context. We realize that at critical moments like the present, a reference mark such as Ikusi should support the revival of the sector, and for this we are implementing new processes and technological designs to provide dynamism and modernization to meet these new challenges.
The market recognizes Ikusi for its technological leadership. And we have a history to supports that. As leaders in innovation our challenge is focused on extending our leadership calling to all areas of our value proposal. The services offered and customer management will be the cornerstones of our action on which we will focus our attention, deploying new management practices through which the customer will be provided extra quality throughout the process regarding Ikusi. And all this without forgetting the levels of quality and technological innovation that have always characterized our products.
And from now, what elements are going to permit the development of the Spanish market? Soon we will have the new Digital Dividend. This is a process we continue to follow at firsthand with permanent contact with customers, associations and institutions. As a result, Ikusi will continue to be at the forefront of these new scenarios. Let´s focus on Ikusi, how has it developed the financial year in 2010 and how will it address this new year we have already started? Our presence in the different international markets has enabled us to maintain high levels of activity last year. This diversification continues to provide high standards in the face of a technology renovation and the satisfaction of the most demanding quality standards. In any case, noteworthy in 2010 is our effort in gearing ourselves towards providing a solid foundation to continue serving our customers properly. In this sense, let me highlight the important modernization carried out in our production processes, which puts us at the cutting edge where quality and manufacturing flexibility is concerned. A renewal process
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The first self-installable amplifier with programable filters
Ikusi, from a corporate standpoint, has undergone a major milestone in the union with the Ormazabal Group. How will this union be reflected in the Company´s television business? that has not been without difficulties, but once completed and we will be able to cover the highest standards in quality and service with maximum guarantees. How will the Ikusi customer perceive these changes in the production systems? The improvements implemented in our production processes have given us greater flexibility to meet market demand due to high rates of productivity provided by the new automated means, which at the same time significantly improve the quality of our products thanks to the incorporation of artificial vision systems in the packaging and adjustment processes. To illustrate this I would highlight that, once this
Indeed, in 2010 the Ikusi and Ormazabal groups have come together to explore new business opportunities and increase their global presence and ability to innovate. Without doubt, this milestone brings mutual reinforcement. Both companies will look for new markets and opportunities, combining their complementary knowledge, while their businesses will continue to operate independently. In short, the union will bring business solidity to the project, but will not alter the identity of the Ikusi TV Business Unit in their vocation for leadership in technological innovation, in services, and service care to the telecommunications professional distributor and installer.
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Self-installable The push-button auto-installation function facilitates the configuration of the entry filters in an optimal way.
DVB World: the future of TV This year again experts from around the world have gathered at the DVB World, held from 7 to 9 March in Nice, to exchange experiences and thoughts about the future of television. Ikusi was there. One topic for debate raised at the meeting was the possibility of survival of airborne TV as opposed to cable television, Internet, etc. For Veena Rawat, former president of the Communications Research Centre of Canada the answer is clear. In her view, the survival of airwave television broadcasts using hertz waves is directly related to the size of the population to whom it is directed. From this point of view, the situation differs greatly by country. For example, in Canada only 10% of the population receives television signals over the air, while in Spain the figures are the opposite and reach 91%. In this sense, it seems clear that in the Spanish market, at least in the short to medium term, the traditional Hertzian wave transmission will continue to be the dominant system.
Within this framework for example are older people, but also young people have not stopped watching TV, although now they do it at the same time alongside consoles or Internet access. On the other hand there are groups that have acquired new habits and, for example, record TV programs. There are many who see the Internet as the greatest threat to the future of television. However, in Pryde´s view, the Internet can be an opportunity and proposes taking control, for example, by incorporating a “red button” into the television remote control as a dynamic way to switch from TV to the Internet without leaving your armchair and using your television as a monitor, but always controlled by the TV industry.
High Definition has arrived: What about the audio? The future is yet to come and time will tell how the industry will evolve. Manufacturers, such as Ikusi, must be alert to changes and opportunities that may be occurring along the way. However, there are areas in which the habitual industry players can start working to ensure the survival of the current TV model. These are aspects that lead us directly to the brand new Digital Terrestrial Television. A process in which our country has been largely successful but which can still be moved forward, by offering a higher quality digital image. Many people complain about the poor quality of content and the DTT image. We cannot allow our television to be considered worse than others. And that is exactly where installers come in. They are obliged to “provide a good image.”
Digital Terrestrial Television has been a reality for some months now. Now the industry is looking to new horizons and one that is about to take off is HD. Today we are already enjoying some channels offering these emissions, with their new image quality. The video of these emissions follows the MPEG4 part 10 standard, also known as H264 or AVC, but what about the audio accompanying the pictures? In this section there are at least three options for compressing audio. On the one hand, there is the possibility of using the same standards used in SD broadcasts. These standards are MPEG-1 Layer I/II and MPEG2 Layer II. Any STBs include the ability to support these audios. An example of use of this standard is Tele5 HD in Spain.
Another option is to use audio-based AAC or HE-AAC. This stands for Advanced Audio Coding and High Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding. This is a standard described in the MPEG4 Part7 regulation and allows an audio quality greater than the popular MP3. In the Spanish TDT emissions it is not very normal, but in other countries such as Portugal or the United Kingdom it has been the standard adopted. For example, BBC HD in the United Kingdom. Finally there is the possibility of using AC3 or AC3+, also called Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus. This is a standard created by Dolby and used, especially when offering surround
sound broadcasts generally with 5 audio channels (front right, centre, front left, rear right and rear left) plus one additional one for low frequency sounds (subwoofer). TFI HD channel in France uses this audio compression system. At the moment, not all receivers available on the market are capable of supporting all three types of audio described. In fact, all support the first option, but supporting AAC and AC3 increases the cost of equipment and, therefore, is usually only incorporated in middle to top of the range TV or STBs. Something similar happens with field meters. Therefore, as a recommendation, if you want to work with audio in particular, you must make sure that the manufacturer provides a model that supports it. Speaking of HD, audio is not a minor issue, as it is the high definition audio that makes it a true HD experience.
But in terms of tech talk in the long run it is always a risky mission, so prudence requires you to be attentive to the models that are being followed in other geographical areas. A statement that acquires more relevance if we add to this initial reflection of the high economic value of the spectrum that is currently being used for transmitting the TV signal. In Spain “digital dividend” is already operating and will bring with it the release of frequencies of between 61 to 69 channels that will have to be vacated by broadcasters and occupied by broadband mobile phone service. To give us an idea, according to the European Commission this process will mean an added value to the telecommunications sector between 12,000 and 16,000 million Euros. These figures will allow us to understand the difficulty of maintaining the current spectrum for use with television which in some cases can be considered as a minority. So, countries like the United States are already addressing a second “digital dividend”. CODEX, the new CATV and IPTV compact headend Reports heralding the decline of television are exaggerated MAC, the first autonomous digital modulator
There is no doubt that what we mean by traditional TV faces many challenges. Work has already been carried out in the merger of mobile phone standards with those of television and the Internet continuing to gain popularity. However, experts like Alex Pryde from the BBC said at the meeting in Nice that “reports heralding the decline of television are exaggerated.” Pryde states, that today there are still large groups of people accustomed to traditional TV.
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The MAC family comes in two versions: the MAC 201 and MAC 401, with two or four A/V inputs with COFDM output. Unlike other models, the MAC range modulators are characterized by being autonomous; they have their own power supply and can be programmed without the need for external control. They provide broadcast quality, allowing images to be distributed with an excellent signal; they also have remote control via the web, upgradeable software and a replaceable power source.
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CODEX is a modular platform for high-density transmodulation for CATV and IPTV networks with real time streaming. Grows with business needs, without growing in size: only 1U 19” rack. Because the complete solution need not be complex, CODEX includes an internal switch for cordless interconnection and to simplify maintenance. All this and a very energy efficient unit which reduces power consumption and temperature. CODEX allows DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T and DVB-ASI inputs, in both standard definition (MPEG-2 video) and HD (MPEG-4 AVC video), and multiple audio formats. CODEX is hot-swap enabled for changing modules.
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NEW BROADBAND AMPLIFIERS
Power output 118 dBuV / 112 dBuV
Power output 106 dBuV
HEADQUARTERS ﾂｷ IKUSI - ﾃ］gel Iglesias S.A. ﾂｷ Tel.: +34 943 44 88 00 ﾂｷ television@ikusi.com