Digital TV Monitor

Features & Benefits

• Multilayer, multichannel, remote monitoring and measurement at RF and TS layers to DVB, ATSC, DCII, and ISDB-T/Tb standards with content-checking support for both MPEG-2 and H.264/AVC
• Displays key RF monitoring parameters for DVB-T and DVB-S/S2 interfaces to provide early indication of signal degradation before any picture impairment is visible to the end customer (Note: In DVB-S2 mode only Transport Stream inputs are supported)
• No additional analysis software is needed; all confidence and diagnostic analysis is carried out from the MTM400A alone
• When used in conjunction with the VQS1000 Video Quality Software application, provides reliable and sophisticated analysis algorithms applied to decoded MPEG-2 or H.264 video to identify stuck, black, macro blocking, and compression artifacts

Applications

• Contribution and Primary Distribution
  • Terrestrial Distribution
  • Cable Headend Monitoring
  • DTH or Network Operator Satellite Uplink Monitoring
• IPTV Ingest and Headend Monitoring

Introduction

The MTM400A provides a complete solution for real-time transmission monitoring of MPEG Transport Streams over RF and ASI interfaces. Powerful confidence monitoring capability and deep diagnostic measurements are both combined into a single integrated solution. This supports Broadcasters, Cable, Satellite, and Telecommunication Operators to deliver superior QoS levels with reduced operational expenditure.

Deployed at key network nodes, the MTM400A provides an intuitive and simplified presentation of video quality and diagnostic information. This supports the delivery of superior Qualify of Service (QoS) levels in an increasingly complex broadcast environment.

When used together with VQNet™, facility and network-wide views allow engineers to sectionalize network problems.

Product Information

• Critical RF measurements; MER and EVM, constellation displays, RF levels, channel power, SNR, BER, Phase Noise, and Impulse Response
  • Provides early indication of signal degradation before any picture impairment is visible to the end customer
  • DVB-S2 interface includes 16 and 32APSK for contribution and distribution applications
• Video/Audio content checking for both MPEG-2 and H.264/AVC
  • Thumbnail decode and display of multiple channels, simultaneously provides a visual check of content with encoding parameters available to the user (such as codec type, profiles and levels, aspect ratio, program guide event information, etc.)
  • Backhaul of actual video and/or audio allows content to be fed back to the central monitoring point to see and hear the content being broadcast (encrypted content can be routed to a STB for hardware decode)
• PSI/SI/PSIP/ARIB SI analysis and repetition rate graphing
  • Allows broadcasters to determine that the system and service information is present and correct in the Transport Stream
• "Green Stream" learning mode
  • Allows monitoring by exception and elimination of false alarms
• Multiplex view
  • Allows an at-a-glance view of program utilization over an extended period allowing the user to see if bandwidth spikes occurred
• Unique 2-level alarms
  • Uniquely provides advanced warning of impending problems to avoid customer complaints. Single-level alarming means the alert can only be generated. With 2-level alarms, separate warning and failure alarms are not possible
• FlexVuPlus™
  • Uniquely presents simplified presentation of video quality and diagnostic information
• Filtered logs
  • Allows diagnostics to be performed at the TS, Program, or PID levels to "zoom in" on problems quickly
• Simultaneous connection of multiple remote users and Multi-sink SNMP traps for Network Management Systems (NMS)
  • Provides early visibility of problems to key individuals throughout the organization, supporting quicker notification and corrective action
  • Allows multiple users and/or NMS to access the MTM400A simultaneously

MTM400A Diagnostic Analysis Software Option

• Trigger recording to be captured and rapidly analyzed in greater depth using powerful offline analysis tools such as the Tektronix MTS4SA software
• Exception monitoring with simple, automated template generation from reference streams. Template testing checks a number of key parameters to ensure the Transport Stream has been constructed as intended. These parameters include the Transport Stream ID and Network ID, the number of programs in the multiplex, that each program has all of its components (Video, Audio, Data, Teletext, Subtitles) and Conditional Access (CA) status
• Advanced Timing Analysis including unique PTS-PCR graphs for real-time buffer measurements. This provides indication of encoding and multiplexing errors and in-depth PCR analysis; the resulting graphical views enable timing and jitter measurements to ensure correct operation of the network
• Bit rate testing determines whether PIDs, programs, services, or user-defined groups of PIDs are within user-definable limits, ensuring correct multiplex operation. Tektronix proprietary PID variability test gives indication of PID bit rate variation to assess effects of statistical multiplexing
• Comprehensive service logging enables verification of service level agreements to ensure contractual obligations are met
• The channel polling capability for the MTM400A, combined with RF interfaces, allows up to 200 RF channels to be monitored in a repeating cyclical measurement process. Control and configuration of the polling is undertaken using flexible XML scripting. This polling ability makes a single MTM400A a broader tool, monitoring large numbers of network points in a time-sampled measurement mode

Technical Overview

• SCTE-142 and A/78 monitoring modes classify five distinct levels of importance
  • Transport Stream Off Air (TOA), Program Off Air (POA), Component Missing (CM), Quality of Service (QoS), Technically Nonconformant (TNC)
  • Enables filtering and display only of errors that require immediate attention
• Comprehensive TR 101 290 Priority 1, 2, and 3 MPEG measurements
  • Provides in-depth analysis of Transport Stream, syntax, timing, and content to support root-cause analysis of system errors
• Superior PCR measurements (PCR_OJ, DR, and FO)
  • PCR_OJ enable deterministic measurements on Transport Stream and network induced jitter allowing such errors to be isolated
  • DR and FO measurements allow diagnosis of longer-term system degradation
• PSI/SI/PSIP/DC-II conformance and consistency checking
  • Closed Caption (EIA608/708 and SCTE20/21) and Regional Ratings Descriptor (RRT) check ensures conformance to regulations
  • SI/PSI/PSIP testing ensures set-top box performance (channel change, EPG, etc.) can be verified
• SCTE 35 DPI monitoring
  • Allows analysis and diagnostics of "splice" advertising and other local content

Characteristics

Power Requirements

Monitoring

*¹ Maximum Transport Stream bit rate is dependent on Transport Stream content and depth of analysis being performed. Depth of stream analysis is handled gracefully if SI/PSIP maximum content is exceeded to ensure critical measurements continue to be performed.

ATSC A/78A and SCTE142 Error Classifications

TR 101 290 Tests and Measurements

DVB-S2 Interface Characteristics (Option S2)

DVB-S2 Measurement Characteristics (Option S2)

COFDM Interface Characteristics (Option CF)

COFDM Measurement Characteristics (Option CF)

Turbo 8PSK Interface Characteristics (Option EP)

*² Please note that the Turbo 8PSK option does not support nonturbo 8PSK (DVB-DSNG), or DVB-S2. For DVB-S2 please use DVB-S/S2 interface card (Option S2).

Turbo 8PSK Measurement Characteristics (Option EP) RF Measurements

Environmental

Physical Characteristics

*³ Weight does not include optional interface cards.

Ordering Information

MTM400A

Digital DTV Monitor.

Includes: 1RU chassis fitted with Transport Stream processor card, manual, rack slides, power cord, and license key certificate.

Options

Language Options

Service Options

Power Connections

Complementary Products

Field Upgrade Kits