Transport Stream primer
We have produced a technical primer covering the basic structure of Transport Streams as used in media applications. If you would like a free copy please email marketing@starfish.tv
Transport Stream Processing
TS Signal Processor
The TS Signal Processor is a software solution to modifying control signals in an encoded media stream.
Typical applications include adding SCTE35 ad break commands, modifying existing ad break commands, adding anti skip control signals and parental control content markers. The timing of when these new signals are inserted into the media stream can be controlled via traditional broadcast automation systems, the Starfish API or a customised control protocol to integrate with an existing workflow control system.
Key Features
- Preserves the quality of video input signals by sophisticated signal processing
- Supports MPEG 2, H264 and HEVC/H265 encoded media
- Input stream switching
- Inputs support SMPTE 2022-7, providing seamless input protection of redundant source signals
- IP or ASI inputs and outputs – SPTS or MPTS. ASI is supported via an additional hardware card installed in the server.
- Input can utilise source-specific-multicast signals from routed networks implementing IGMPv3
- Operates in a full failover redundancy configuration
- User friendly GUI for system set-up and configuration
- Sophisticated monitoring and reporting of stream status – via IIS
- SNMP monitoring and alert signalling in routed networks implementing IGMPv3
TS Switch
The TS Switch provides switching of encoded media streams, including video encoding, based on input signal fail detection, or controlled via external automation commands. Manual override is also available via a web based monitoring and control GUI.
It is a software based solution running on generic enterprise hardware. Multiple switches can be implemented in the same server, thereby saving significant rack space.
Inputs can be the same signal from alternative sources (used for redundancy switching) or entirely different signals in applications that require an input source selection. In both applications, TS Switch provides sophisticated switching by adjustment of PCR and PTS/DTS so that downstream decoders do not detect discontinuities.
Key Features
- Switching of up to four transport stream input signals
- IP or ASI inputs and outputs – SPTS or MPTS
ASI is supported via an additional hardware card installed in the server - Minimal propagation delay
- Supports MPEG-2, H264 and HEVC/H265 encoded media
- Audio switching includes AAC, AC-3 and MPEG-1 Layer II streams
- User friendly GUI for manual override and system configuration
- Sophisticated monitoring and reporting of stream status – via IIS
- SNMP monitoring and alert signalling
- Power fail bypass of primary input available when using ASI
- Optional Forward Error Correction
TS Logo Inserter
TS Logo Inserter is a Windows service that overlays a pre-recorded logo, or Early Warning Signal text, onto an encoded media transport stream. The process involves decoding the input stream, adding the logo/EWS text and then re-encoding the processed stream. When an overlay isn’t active, the input signal is passed without decoding. The application is self-contained and requires no additional broadcast infrastructure. It runs on generic Windows server hardware that can support multiple independent channels.
Key Features
- Standalone logo insertion service
- Early Warning Signal text overlay
- System switches to bypass (with delay) signal path when overlay isn’t active
- Operates with MPEG-2, H264 or HEVC/H265 encoded media streams
- Logo file stored as bmp or tga file
- Uses MainConcept encoding algorithms
- Configurable Logo positioning and transparency
- IP or ASI input/output
ASI is supported via an additional hardware card installed in the server
TS Watermark Inserter
TS Watermark Inserter is a software application that overlays a pre-recorded watermark sequence onto an encoded media transport stream. The process involves decoding the input stream, adding the watermark sequence, and then re-encoding the processed stream.
The application is self-contained and requires no additional broadcast infrastructure. It runs on generic Windows server hardware that can support multiple independent channels.
Key Features
- Watermark sequence overlay insertion
- System can switch to bypass (with delay) signal path when overlay isn’t active
- Operates with MPEG-2, H264 or HEVC/H265 encoded media streams
- Watermark sequence is stored within the application and can be updated by the user.
- Uses MainConcept encoding algorithms
- IP or ASI input/output
ASI is supported via an additional hardware card installed in the server
TS Slate Player
TS Slate Player is a Windows service that produces a TV channel information slate, without the need for any additional broadcast infrastructure.
The output is encoded in any standard broadcast format and bit rate. It has applications for TV channel warnings such as channel number has changed, or continuously looping information clips.
It is a software based solution running on generic enterprise hardware. Multiple channels can be implemented in the same server, thereby saving significant rack space.
Key Features
- Standalone slate playout service
- Timestamps, continuity counts, and other structural TS information are fully managed, so the output is clean for all downstream devices when the slate loops
- Automatically identifies and plays only complete GOPs in the given TS file
- Single or dual output available
- IP or ASI output
ASI is supported via an additional hardware card installed in the server - Provides MPEG-2, H264 or HEVC/H265 encoded media output
- User friendly GUI for system set-up and configuration
- Sophisticated monitoring and reporting of stream status – via IIS
- SNMP monitoring and alert signalling
TS Toolkit
The TS Toolkit is a software product that combines the functionality of Transport Stream recording, playback of pre-recorded files, and analysis of file contents.
It has applications in live systems and test facilities.
The monitoring application provides a full breakdown of all PIDs in the stream being monitored including type, number and the current timestamp. PCR discontinuities are detected and Continuity Count errors are flagged.
DVB subtitles and teletext can be decoded and displayed in the user interface video window.
Key Features
- Operates on real-time transport streams or pre-captured files containing MPEG1 or 2, H264 or HEVC/H265 encoded media
- Input and output via IP or ASI. SPTS or MPTS. ASI is supported by utilising a DekTec card
- Supports two simultaneous inputs and outputs which can be different formats and data rates
- Recorder – Streams can be either RTP or UDP
- During recording the instantaneous file size is displayed on the user GUI
- Player – Output bit rate is determined by the file data
- PCR, PTS and DTS are automatically corrected for each programme in the file
- Output is UDP or RTP if utilising a DekTec card, or UDP only from the computer NIC
- Analysis – Detailed breakdown of the transport stream contents by PIDs and services, including analysis of tables and descriptors
- PCR analysis
- Error reporting for non-conformant input material, including PCR, PTS and Continuity Count error checking
- Offline monitoring creates an XML file containing the salient details of the monitored file
- Real-time display of DVB subtitles and teletext carried in the transport stream
- SCTE-35 monitoring (program insertion cueing messages)
- Displays instantaneous bit rate and provides an indication window which shows the overall bit rate in green, and the active bit rate in red. The difference between the two are the NULL packets sent out to pad the overall bit rate to a constant value
Please contact Starfish Technologies™ directly for further information.
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