Cisco Systems, Inc - D9859-ATP-1RU

Deliver MPEG-4 high-definition (HD) services to MPEG-2 cable TV (CATV) headends with the Cisco^® D9859 Advanced Receiver Transcoder.

The Cisco D9859 platform (Figures 1 and 2) extends the distribution options for MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) HD from MPEG-4 only environments to existing MPEG-2 networks. Support for up to eight simultaneous high-definition or standard-definition (SD) channels of decryption and transcoding provides the advantage of density for locations requiring more than just a single channel. The Cisco D9859 can provide up to 8 down-converted MPEG-2 standard definition programs or MPEG-2 high-definition transcoded programs along with decrypted passthrough of the incoming programs. Video and two audio outputs are available for analog down-conversion for one of the decrypted incoming MPEG-4 high-definition programs. The base Cisco D9859 comes configured for 1 HD and 1 SD output with dynamic licensing options to upgrade the unit in the field locally or over the air using the Cisco PowerVu^® Network Center uplink control system, supporting a pay-as-you-grow model.

Digital Program Distribution

The Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) and MPEG over IP (MPEGoIP) transport outputs are individually configurable and provide the capability of carrying up to eight decrypted transcoded programs for digital tier distribution. This helps the compressed video programs to be efficiently distributed to subscribers equipped with digital set-top boxes. Digital audio passthrough is synchronized to the transcoded program output. Compliant program-specific information and service information (PSI/SI) regeneration provides integration into a digital tier distribution network for eight transcoded programs.

Digital Program Mapping

Digital Program Mapping allows programmers to transparently substitute programs at the uplink. It maintains predictable and compliant transport output during service replacement, Network Information Table (NIT) retune, and channel changes, including force tunes. This feature remaps the packet identifier (PID) information from the primary service to an alternate service, allowing downstream devices to continue to operate without headend operator intervention. This helps ensure the availability of alternate programming in the digital tier.

Digital Ad Insertion

Digital Program Insertion (DPI) information is available along with the video and audio PIDs for external ad insertion in compressed digital format on all transcoded programs. In addition, the decoded program DPI can be used to drive cue tones, open collector outputs, and a relay output.