Sisteme Headend pentru hoteluri - echipamente, amplificare

At the outset, it is worth noting that hotels/boardinghouses with (S)MATV systems based on headends will not pose problems with the number of rooms (outlets). The cost mostly depends on the number and arrangement of channels received from satellite transponders. A larger number of outlets is only connected with the need to purchase additional amplifiers that usually are a small percentage of the total cost of the system.
So, the choice of the content is the fundamental problem in creating an approximate calculation for this type of investment. Often, the investor has a difficulty with selecting the optimal list of channels, which is necessary for the cost estimate. We can suggest some strategies for hoteliers and installers interested in building/developing hotel TV systems. In this short guide we will also present examples of practical solutions of headends for reception and distribution of different numbers of channels intended for various kinds of guests.

Owners of newly built hotels and boardinghouses, equipping them with LCD televisions featuring built-in DVB-T tuners compliant with the broadcasting standard (e.g. MPEG-4), must only provide the antenna signal to outlets in rooms and other facilities. This can be achieved by using appropriate amplifier(s) depending on signal conditions and the number of the outlets.

Smaller hotels or boardinghouses located in areas with good reception conditions and needing ten, twenty or even more than fifty antenna outlets can be equipped with appropriate models of Telmor amplifiers.

The installers' choice will probably be the digitally programmable multiband amplifier WWK-951 R89861. It features the highest gain in the UHF band (up to 45 dB), suitable for distributing DVB-T multiplexes even to about 60 outlets, without additional amplifiers (the maximum number of outlets depends on the input signal level, cabling and passive components of the distribution system).

In larger hotels and in the case of difficult reception conditions (low signals and/or interferences from other transmitters), we recommend to use highly selective channel amplifiers from Terra.

The components of a system based on Terra devices:

Typical architectures of hotel TV distribution systems:

The modularity of Terra systems allows for flexible adaptation to both types of installation.

Using the former topology, it is necessary to ensure a relatively high output level in the central point of the system. The application of the set of at420 R82510 / at440 R82511 channel amplifiers and ma400 R82520 multiband amplifier with maximum output level of 117 dBμV will ensure the division and distribution of the signal even to up to 100 outlets.

In the case of a larger number of outlets, it would be technically difficult and uneconomical to distribute the signal from one central point. The application of the mixed topology with several subnetworks with individual amplifiers solves the problem.

For this purpose, the ideal choice for input devices are twin channel amplifiers at420 R82510 and four-channel amplifiers at440 R82511 with maximum output level of 82 dBμV. This level is sufficient for division of the signal into multiple paths with additional launch/building amplifiers located at the inputs of the subnetworks. An example of DVB-T system in a hotel is presented below.

Hotel DVB-T system based mixed topology. Click on the diagram to download the PDF version.

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Hotel distribution systems can be extended with Terra broadband amplifiers:

Name	HS-200	HA-210	HA-131L	HA-204R65
Code	R82309	R82305	R82304	R82308
Band [MHz]	47-422 470-862	47-862	88-790	5-65 87-862
Max. output level [dBμV]	118/120	107	106	105
Gain [dB]	43-49/49-56	36	36	37
Return channel gain [dB]	-	-	-	27/-4
LTE filter	NO	NO	YES	NO

 

Headends distributing satellite channels after conversion to DVB-T COFDM digital form are popular solutions used in hotels. Satellite channels can be a complement to terrestrial TV broadcasts or be the main or only source of programming in the system.

Digital Terra headend can be used in a wide range of hotels and other facilities with different number of rooms, including the largest ones. It is easy to extend the programming by adding next modules. Thanks to the conversion of DVB-S/S2 signals into DVB-T COFDM standard, the satellite programming can be received by regular televisions, similarly to normal DVB-T broadcasts. Both the terrestrial DVB-T broadcasts and converted satellite channels can be easily distributed to the outlets via typical TV installations based on coaxial cabling.

DVB-T/T2/C - COFDM TTX-410C R81615 transmodulator is used for reception of DVB-T/T2/C signals, some corrections of TS parameters (regeneration, filtering etc.) and retransmission of them in COFDM format in selected channel in VHF/UHF frequency range. It allows for distribution of digital TV channels in situations when the signal received by the antenna cannot be directly amplified or converted to a different frequency due to high BER and low MER levels. The output DVB-T COFDM multiplex with MER above 35 dB can be distributed to multiple users even within very large networks.

DVB-T/T2/C - COFDM TTX-410C R81617 transmodulator is used for reception of DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) signals, selection of desired channels from a transponder, and retransmission of them in COFDM format in chosen channel in VHF/UHF frequency range. Built-in CI interface for conditional access modules enables the transmodulator to operate with scrambled services. In multiplexing mode, one panel receives a whole multiplex (up to 10 or so channels) and converts it to DVB-T multiplex with up to 5 services (max 31 PIDs) with max throughput of 31.66 Mbps. When a higher throughput is required, the system will need next TDX-410C R81617 module(s).

Terra at440 R82511 is a four-channel highly selective tunable RF amplifier capable of filtering, amplifying and equalizing four digital multiplexes (DVB-T) broadcast in the UHF band. Each of the four independent sections can amplify different DVB-T multiplex. The paths are equipped with automatic gain control (AGC) and ultra selective SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) filters. The automatic gain control ensures automatic equalization of signal levels to 82 dBμV (for input levels within 50-75 dBμV range).

Below we show a typical hotel TV system distributing terrestrial and satellite TV programming in the DVB-T COFDM standard.

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The implementation of the headend in a hotel, shown in the diagram above, is a good example to illustrate the principles how to select appropriate elements for this kind of applications.

Depending on the wishes of the investor, digital terrestrial television broadcasts can be injected into the distribution system with the use of TTX-410C R81615 modules (1 module for 1 multiplex) or via additional at440 R82511 channel amplifiers (they can be powered from DR-60-12 R82532 power supply). The former option, although a bit more expensive, provides a lot of flexibility for optimum channel planning in the distribution network and does not require additional equipment (all the equipment can be located in the headend).

The list of components:

Thanks to modular concept, it is easy to extend the programming by adding next TDX-410C R81617 modules.

The new solution has a number of advantages compared with other systems:

The system with transmodulators can be integrated with additional components:

This issue is connected with bitrates of the required channels, which can be checked at DigitalBitrate.

An example of a table from the DigitalBitrate service with data concerning selected Hotbird 13.0E transponder (11393V) - channel names, PIDs, bitrates etc.
(click on to enlarge)

Summary statistics for the 11393V transponder

In the example, the total bitrate of the 11393V transponder from Hotbird 13.0E is about 42 Mbps (31.6 Mbps - video streams, 5.4 Mbps - audio streams). Currently, the transponder provides 18 services (channels). The average video bitrates of the five most popular channels are: 4.0 Mbps (TVN), 3.4 Mbps (TVN24), 2.6 Mbps (TVN7), 3.2 Mbps (TVN Turbo and TVN Style). So, the video and audio streams should take about 16.4 Mbps. The web service also provides maximum bitrates occurring during a day. In this case, the total value of the bitrate could amount to 24.4 Mbps. However, the situation in which all the channels have maximum data rates at the same moment is practically impossible.

The compact digital headend Terra S2C16 S2C16 R81620 is a 16-channel transmodulator with DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) input and DVB-C (QAM) output. The device is designed for transmodulation of FTA channels. Each of the 16 transmodulators of the S2C16 R81620 headend receives signals from a whole satellite transponder (several to over ten TV channels) and forms the corresponding DVB-C multiplex. In total, the headend can distribute 16 DVB-C multiplexes that can be received by televisions equipped with DVB-C tuners or connected via DVB-C STBs. The TV channels received from a transponder can be freely filtered - the only requirement is not to exceed the maximum output bit rate.

In practice, it means that the compact device can receive and distribute up to 100 satellite channels. Additionally, the RF input can be used for combining DVB-T channels (COFDM). As mentioned, the televisions in the facility must receive both DVB-T and DVB-C channels.

The Terra S2C16 R81620 headend can receive and distribute satellite DVB-S/S2 channels from two satellite positions (full band from one satellite and low band from another satellite) and terrestrial DVB-T channels. Both kinds of the signals can be received throughout the distribution network by televisions equipped with DVB-T/DVB-C tuners.

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The sti-4440 R81606 IPTV DVB-T/T2/C to IP streamer allows for selection of four multiplexes (with unencrypted channels) from terrestrial (DVB-T/T2) and cable TV (DVB-C) platforms and their distribution via Ethernet (LAN) network based on twisted-pair cabling. Additionally, the sti-440 R81606 module can stream any material provided via USB port in the form of MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream). Thanks to television distribution technology based on IP, the cabling in a building can be limited only to one (data + IPTV) or two (separate for data and for IPTV) UTP/FTP cable(s). In addition to low cost of such cabling, the users get access to additional interactive features, and the programming can be adapted to their specific requirements.

A great advantage of this solution is also the possibility of comparatively simple and cheap conversion into fiber-optic medium in comparison to RF systems.

One of the main advantages of the Terra IPTV solution is no need for any middleware software between the headend and the receivers. As a result, the system is much cheaper (no software license fees) than other solutions and very simple in both configuration and operation. A unique feature of the system is the fact that the terminal units - R81612 IPTV receivers - do not require any configuration, which can be of great importance in the case of larger networks. They automatically detect any changes in the local network or the programming.

The system is particularly recommended for hotels and B & Bs. It can be used wherever one needs combination of rich programming with good signal quality, and in places where television signals are to be distributed over twisted pair cables or optical fibers.

A configuration of TERRA headend for reception of channels from 2 satellites and DVB-T broadcasts. The IPTV system can distribute free-to-air and pay sat TV channels and DVB-T programming, both in SD and HD quality.

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The implementation of the headend in a hotel, shown in the diagram above, is a good example to illustrate the principles how to select appropriate elements for this kind of applications:

Many hotel owners would like to launch in their hotel TV systems "private" channels with a selected content. The typical signal sources include PCs, DVDs/Blu-rays, and very popular media players capable of playing previously prepared presentations and videos. The injection of such a channel into the hotel TV distribution system is possible with the use of an appropriate RF modulator. Digital DVB-T modulators ensure distribution of HD content and the same viewing experience in the whole distribution system.

An example application of Signal-400 R86700 DVB-T modulators:

Distribution of HD signals from a Blu-ray player and PC computer, converted into DVB-T multiplexes
by Signal-400 R86700 modulators, along with DVB-T broadcasts received by the A2670 antenna

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