OKI Successfully Completes IPv6-based Video Distribution Trials using the OKI MediaServer in Singapore and the Philippine

Other trials verify state-of-the art IPTV technologies to promote ITU-T IPTV Standards

TOKYO - OKI (TOKYO: 6703) recently concluded successful trials based on the OKI MediaServer video distribution system as part of efforts to promote ITU-T(*1) IPTV Standards.(*2) These trials involved the distribution of IPv6-based video to Singapore and Philippines, regions where IPv6 has yet to be adopted; the distribution of 4K(*3) video content based on state-of-the-art IPTV technologies; and feasibility confirmation for new IPTV applications allowing collaborative linking to services available on the Internet.

The trials were performed using the ITU IPTV IPv6 Global Testbed(*4) (“testbed” hereafter), an experimental environment that uses OKI MediaServer to distribute content created by Hokkaido Television Broadcasting (HTB) based on the Lightweight Interactive Multimedia Environment (LIME(*5)) standard.(*6) Previous trials distributed video content to the ITU-T Headquarters in Switzerland and to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The latest trials distributed video to Singapore and the Philippines, regions that have yet to fully adopt IPv6. The trials took place over the three-day period from February 5 to 7, 2013, as part of the Sapporo Snow Festival Video Distribution Trial hosted by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: Dr. Hideo Miyahara).

Malcolm Johnson, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU: “ITU emphasizes the mainstreaming of accessibility considerations in the development of international standards (ITU-T Recommendations). This is especially important in the case of audiovisual media and ITU’s work on IPTV is an example of how accessible ICTs will reduce the impact of disability and increase social inclusion. Globally defined standards for IPTV by ITU-T Study Group 16 are key for interoperable, high quality, accessible content distribution over quality-managed networks.”

Andrea Saks, convener of the JCA-AHF, a key group on accessibility in ITU: “Audiovisual media accessibility is key to enabling the integration of persons with disabilities into society – especially today when new technologies bring so many opportunities. ITU’s standards process ensures that accessibility needs are met from the very beginning, as well the needs of the global multi lingual mainstream society – therefore avoiding costly retrofitting at a later date. The use of subtitling (or captioning as it is also known) in the experiment proves that captioning is not just for persons with disabilities, but for everyone.”

Cesar Pineda: Engineer, Associate Faculty Electronics, Computer and Communications Engineering (ECCE) Department. Ateneo de Manila University: “With the IPTV Testbed, our Ateneo de Manila University senior engineering students were able to do hands-on study and experiments on new TV network architecture, content creation and video distribution using OKI Mediaserver integrated platform for high quality video distribution over PLDT’s IP network The cooperation proves also that to develop a new integrative technology, an efficient industry- academe government collaboration helps accumulate knowledge, accelerate standardization/development of new technology and incubate business solution. We therefore thank the ATENEO-PLDT-NTT-OKI-ITU-ICTO international collaboration that happened.”

Details of the trials are provided below:

1. Trial video distribution to countries/regions where IPv6 has yet to be adopted

This trial sought to verify IPv6-based video distribution to countries and regions without IPv6 networks. In Philippines, regions that have yet to adopt IPv6, IPv6 networks were constructed with Linux® IPv6 over IPv4 encapsulation (“tunneling protocol” hereafter) on existing IPv4 networks. A function added to the OKI MediaServer at the testbed side in Sapporo enabled direct transmission of high-definition video via IPv4.

2. Trials of 4K video distribution using state of the art video communication technology

To perform 4K video distribution trials using RISE,(*7) an OpenFlow(*8) SDN(*9) constructed using JGN-X(*10) specifically for the trial, video content was distributed from Sapporo to terminals at two locations (Otemachi in Tokyo and Singapore) at 120 Mbps for each terminal. Output from a 4K encoder developed by MEDIAEDGE Corporation was fed to the IPTV headend server, then distributed to MEDIAEDGE 4K decoders. The video display was verified on Toshiba 4K TVs at the test locations.

3. Trial exploring feasibility of new IPTV applications allowing collaborative linking with Internet services
-- 1. Linking IPTV to SNS

This trial sought to verify technologies for linking IPTV to Twitter® developed by NTT Communications Corporation with the goal of achieving simultaneous display of high-quality IPTV video content and pertinent Twitter information on the screen, thereby establishing a new way to view video content through SNS.

-- 2. Integrating IPTV and Internet subtitling services

Efforts in this trial were to synchronize content from an Internet closed-caption display service provided by Astem Co., Ltd. with IPTV video content using LIME Internet link functions for feasibility testing of a future service. The synchronized distribution of video content with closed-caption display will make it possible for users to select their desired language for closed-captions on their terminal.

Details of trials

For expanded distribution trials in Singapore, MEDIAEDGE’s 4K terminal and Sumitomo Electric Networks’ HD terminal (STB(*11)) were set up at the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), a national research organization in Singapore, to test VOD(*12) distribution of conventional high-definition video content and live video content generated by a real-time encoder manufactured by NTT Electronics Corporation. An SDN was constructed between I2R and the testbed using JGN-X and the Singapore Advanced Research and Education Network (SingAREN). In the Philippines, IPTV-compatible TVs and HD terminals of the same type used in Singapore were set up at Ateneo de Manila University and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) to test conventional IPTV VOD video content distribution, live video distribution, and new functions (excluding 4K). Trials in both countries were completed successfully.

The Philippines viewing location was connected to the testbed using the tunneling protocol and proper display of high-definition video (9 Mbps) was confirmed, verifying that the tunneling protocol would allow distribution of video content to countries where IPv6 had yet to be adopted. The trials in the two countries also confirmed improved accessibility, including the option to select the subtitling language and screen layout, a remarkable increase in flexibility in contrast with conventional broadcasting systems, such as satellite broadcasts, for which images and closed-captions are superimposed and delivered as a single data stream.

Based on these trials, OKI will expand the IPTV testbed to other countries and regions without IPv6 networks; to countries and regions where IPv6 networks have been established and further improvements in image quality (including 4K) is being considered; and to countries and regions where implementation of video services offering enhanced accessibility and additional functions such as SNS linkage function is currently being considered. OKI also plans to expand functions responding to user needs, promote the standardization of expanded functions, and undertake various dissemination activities, with the ultimate goal of offering attractive video distribution platforms to service providers in Japan and abroad.

As part of the trials, OKI will give a video distribution demonstration at the ITU Kaleidoscope Conference (URL:http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/academia/kaleidoscope/2013/Pages/default.aspx) scheduled for April 22 to 25 at Kyoto University.

Glossary

*1 :ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector)
The term stands for the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector, the department responsible for coordinating the development of international standards in the field of information and communication technologies on behalf of the ITU, the United Nations specialized agency.

*2 :ITU-T IPTV Standards (IPTV: Internet Protocol Television)
A collection of IPTV standardization recommendations from the ITU-T. The standard recommendations encompass IPTV service requirements, architecture, service quality, security, and terminals.

*3 :4K
A next-generation television format with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels, or four times the resolution of current HDTV; also known as ultra high definition. Commercial 4K broadcasts are scheduled to begin in July 2014.

*4 :ITU IPTV IPv6 global testbed (I3GT)
An experimental environment based on JGN-X and using commercial networks or networks operated by research organizations in various countries. Plans call for expanding the testbed to various countries around the world.
This testbed has been in use since October 2012 to verify the following: (1) whether a network offers bandwidth and quality (delay, loss) for adequate IPTV video distribution; (2) functions that allow collaborative linking of videos, still images, and text in content created based on LIME standard specifications as well as applications; and (3) operations on terminals complying with ITU-T IPTV standards. The content created by the participants is scheduled to be registered on the OKI Media Server to allow such verification.

*5 :LIME (Lightweight Interactive Multimedia Environment)
Also known as H.762 standard, LIME presents various specifications for IPTV terminal displays and is one of the H.700 series of recommendations for IPTV terminals established by ITU-T. LIME stipulates profiles for HTML, ECMAScript, and CSS for interactive content production with support for audio, video, still images, and text. For video, LIME allows the designation of the VOD or linear TV content used in actual IPTV services, since LIME is designed primarily for practical applications related to IPTV services. Since content created in accordance with the LIME standard specifications resembles an application that runs on a TV screen, such content is also referred to as LIME applications. In addition to H.721, the H.700 series includes H.701 (error correction), H.741 (audience measurement), H.750 (metadata), H.761 (Ginga-NCL), and H.770 (service discovery).

*6 :Content developed by HTB based on LIME standard specification
Refers to interactive TV content based on LIME standard specification created by HTB using data broadcast production know-how and content developed and accumulated through terrestrial digital broadcasting service operations. One LIME application developed by HTB won the Honorable Mention in the Value to Society Corporate awards in the 2011 ITU IPTV Application Challenge contest.

*7 :RISE (Research Infrastructure for large-Scale network Trials)
A large-scale OpenFlow testbed established on JGN-X; among the next-generation JGN-X network planes virtually implemented on L2 virtual networks.

*8 :OpenFlow
OpenFlow is among the technologies intended to realize SDN. The Open Networking Foundation (ONF) is currently working to standardize these technologies. OpenFlow refers collectively to the network technologies and control plane interface specifications proposed by the OpenFlow Consortium, based at Stanford University in the US.

*9 :SDN (Software Defined Network)
A network that uses software to set network parameters conventionally handled by hardware such as routers and L2 switches. Users can build their own desired networks using a GUI.

*10 :JGN-X (Japan Gigabit Network -eXtreme)
JGN-X is the testbed environment for R&D to realize and broaden the new generation network technologies to meet the demands of ICT society in the future. The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has started JGN-X from April 2011. As well as the promotion of advanced research and development, achievements such as education of ICT human resource, promotion of research activities in rural areas, international competition improvement, was seen in the projects.
For details, visit http://www.jgn.nict.go.jp/english/index.html

*11 :STB (Set-top Box)
A device that receives and converts broadcast signals, including signals for cable TV, satellite, terrestrial TV (digital TV), and IP (e.g., broadband VOD), into signals suitable for standard TVs.

*12 :VOD (Video on demand)
One of the delivery systems that realize interactive TV over IP network. Type of service that instantly delivers video contents such as movies and TV programs, requested by the users.


About OKI Media Server

This is an IP video delivery system. It is equipped with typical video delivery functions as standard and it can be easily established in various systems that utilizes video and audio such as VOD, linear TV, live delivery systems, start over(*10), satellite stations and monitoring systems. OKI MediaServer is used as an IPTV server for telecommunication carriers, capitalizing on standard compatibility and technology to comply with larger-scale servers.
About OKI Electric Industry (OKI)

Founded in 1881, OKI Electric Industry is Japan’s leading telecommunications manufacturer. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, OKI provides top-quality products, technologies, and solutions to customers through its info-telecom systems and printer operations. Its various business divisions function synergistically to bring to market exciting new products and technologies that meet a wide range of customer needs in various sectors. Visit OKI’s global website at http://www.oki.com/.

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