In the evolving video distribution landscape, modernizing infrastructure is crucial for broadcast networks to meet the demands of high-quality, flexible content delivery. This blog explores how one tier-1 broadcaster successfully modernized its video distribution infrastructure with Harmonic's advanced solution.
Customer background
Our customer, a tier-1 broadcaster, distributes 10 HD channels to 150 affiliates using a satellite primary distribution solution designed over 7 years ago. These affiliates include MSOs, cable operators, telecom operators, OTT operators and various pay TV service providers. Each affiliate's contract specifies which channels they receive from the satellite, delivery format (SDI, IP, ASI), resolution (SD, HD), codec and bandwidth for compressed video delivery. The diversity in affiliate requirements necessitates a wide range of equipment configurations.
The customer’s system is outdated, as shown in the following diagram. It relies on satellite transport with MPEG-4 AVC CBR encoding, DVB-CS common scrambling for content protection and blackout management via in-band signaling to the devices located in the affiliates. With aging equipment and reliance on satellite transport, the broadcaster seeks a more efficient, modern, flexible and cost-effective solution based on IP delivery.
This is where Harmonic comes in, proposing its SRT-based primary distribution solution. Our solution ensures a robust, fully customizable, edge-based and future-proof video distribution network.
The solution
Harmonic’s advanced solution involves transitioning from AVC to HEVC compression, reducing the bandwidth used to transmit each channel by roughly 45%. When combined with SRT delivery instead of satellite, the yearly transmission cost to the 150 affiliates is reduced by 68%.
At each affiliate, new software-based edge devices are deployed to handle the various processing requirements unique to each location. This includes support for local ad insertion, local branding with dynamic HTML5 graphics, blackout management and content replacement to comply with distribution rights.
Our solution performs video up/down conversion and premium transcoding to adjust the HD HEVC channels distributed over SRT to local delivery formats: MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC and HEVC, in resolutions from SD to UHD.
We now have a 100% cutover: all 150 affiliates are connected to the SRT distribution after a one-year shadow period, ensuring a seamless transition for all affiliates. The diagram below displays the main components of the solution selected by our customer.
Headend
The headend consists of a 1+1 XOS Advanced Media Processor encoder with EyeQ™'s premium compression, which receives the 10 HD channels as SDI sources and encodes them in HEVC with VBR to minimize the bandwidth required for IP transport. In this case, the customer uses 72 Mbit/s to transport the 10 HD services in a single MPTS.
The 1+1 ProStream® X encrypts the content using DVB-CS common scrambling to protect the content, adds the in-band signaling generated by DMS X and delivers the MPTS as an SRT stream to be ingested in VOS®360 Media SaaS. The 1+1 ProStream X is secured by a 2:1 ProSwitch that permanently provides a safe SRT stream to the cloud.
XOS at the affiliate
XOS is available in four different hardware configurations, ranging from small to extra large. Depending on the processing requirements at each affiliate, the relevant XOS hardware configuration is deployed to optimize the cost of the deployment. For this specific use case, only small and large hardware configurations have been deployed at the affiliates.
Each affiliate receives an SRT stream with the 10 HD channels encoded in HEVC and stat-muxed together. As a powerful media processor, XOS can receive, descramble, decode, up/down convert, insert advanced graphics (static, animated, RSS feed, slates, etc.), replace content or insert ad and re-encode in ABR, CBR or VBR some of the incoming HD channels using any codecs (MPEG-2, AVC, HEVC). The outcoming stream is then delivered as a TSoIP, SRT or even SDI-decoded output.
DMS X for XOS remote management
Harmonic’s DMS X provides efficient, centralized remote management of all XOS media processors deployed at the affiliates. It ensures configuration, real-time monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance (reboot, upgrade, etc.) for thousands of platforms.
DMS X can also trigger in-band ad insertion, program replacement and HTML5 graphic insertion as well as content protection for each channel received at each affiliate. It downloads any graphics, playlists and clips XOS needs for ad insertion, program replacement and graphic insertion.
Broadcasters can reduce the need for on-site intervention, ensure high operational efficiency and significantly minimize downtime with DMS X.
VOS360 for SRT delivery
Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS is used as an SRT distribution gateway. it receives the SRT stream from the headend and securely distributes it to the 150 affiliates using the SRT protocol. Through its user interface, the customer can easily grant or revoke access to any affiliate immediately.
Professional service - deployment and support
Harmonic offers comprehensive deployment and support services to ensure seamless integration and operation of such a distributed solution over hundreds of sites. The professional service team holds the headend and edge devices' installation and configuration, with tailored on-site and remote assistance. Harmonic DevOps provides continuous support for DMS X and VOS360, ensuring reliable performance through 24/7 monitoring and maintenance.
Modernize video distribution today
The customer now benefits from a modern, highly secured IP-based primary distribution solution. By adopting Harmonic’s SRT-based delivery, they reduced bandwidth costs by nearly 70%. The new software-based, future-proof edge devices located at the affiliates enable brand-new, powerful content customization that will drive additional viewer engagement and ad revenues.
Take the next step in optimizing your video distribution strategy. Contact us to explore how Harmonic’s solutions can modernize your network, optimize costs and unlock new revenue streams with flexible, future-proof technology.