FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RGB NETWORKS ENABLES FIRST STANDARDS-BASED DIGITAL
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR ANALOG PROGRAMMING LINE-UPS
EAS
and Other Advanced Capabilities of Simulcast Edge Processor to
be
Demonstrated at SCTE’s Cable-Tec Expo
SAN MATEO, CA – June 15, 2005 – RGB Networks, the leader
in network video processing, today announced standards–based,
all-digital support for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) through
its Simulcast Edge Processor (SEP), the cable industry’s first
complete solution for digital simulcast edge decoding and NTSC modulation.
Based on RGB’s advanced Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA™),
the SEP is the first product capable of providing EAS program switching
support based on SCTE 18 standard messages for analog programming
line-ups. This and other unique capabilities of the SEP will be
demonstrated at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers’ (SCTE)
Cable-Tec Expo, June 15-17, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas in RGB’s
booth #627.
Support for the Emergency Alert System is mandated by
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for cable systems
with over 10,000
subscribers, providing state and local officials with a method
to quickly and easily distribute important emergency information
targeted to televisions in a specific area. As U.S. cable operators
move
toward
all-digital cable systems, they are required to transition their
Emergency Alert Systems to an all-digital delivery architecture.
Most EAS implementations
today use a contact closure-based technology to signal an EAS
alert, which requires additional wiring and does not integrate well
with
the new digital cable architecture. Taking advantage of modern,
open-standard IP infrastructure and using In-Band SCTE 18-compliant
messages, RGB’s
Simulcast Edge Processor streamlines EAS support, providing a
simplified, seamless and highly reliable digital EAS system and
parity between
digital and analog services in a simulcast environment.
The SEP
can switch all or a subset of programs to a digital EAS encoded
program during an emergency alert. The digital EAS feature
of the RGB SEP can be configured through its easy-to-use graphical
user
interface.
“The goal of the Emergency Alert System is to disseminate emergency
information as quickly and reliably as possible” said Ramin
Farassat, director of product marketing for RGB Networks. “With
RGB’s standard, digital EAS support, operators can leverage
the flexible IP infrastructure to efficiently and cost-effectively
meet FCC regulations while supporting the needs of both analog
and digital subscribers in a simulcast environment. ”
A second, unique feature of RGB’s Simulcast Edge Processor
is full redundancy support at the chassis, network and service levels,
significantly improving reliability and availability of an operators’ digital
simulcast architecture. Redundancy is provided through the use of
RGB’s Redundancy Docking Station (RDS) which greatly simplifies
the implementation of a fully redundant design. The RDS hosts
two SEP units and does not require additional RF wires, switches,
combiners
or power sources. The design of the RDS allows for removal and
replacement of a failed unit without the need for port rewiring.
RGB
will provide hands-on demonstrations of the Simulcast Edge Processor’s
unique EAS and redundancy capabilities in their booth (#627) at
Cable-Tec Expo. RGB will also show the SEP product configured
to support an
entire analog channel line-up of 80 to 96 channels in two rack
units of space.
About RGB Networks
RGB Networks delivers powerful, open-protocol video processing
and bandwidth management solutions that enable video service
providers to route, switch, process and distribute video streams
at dramatically
higher densities and data rates than today's equipment, and
at considerably lower costs. Based on its unique Video Intelligence
Architecture™ (VIA™),
RGB’s products process multiple advanced video applications
on a single programmable, high-performance platform, enabling video
service providers to build flexible, adaptable, next-generation
networks that leverage existing infrastructure. RGB’s solutions
improve the economics of today’s video offerings while providing
a foundation for delivering advanced, revenue-generating services
in the future.
For more information about RGB Networks and the Video Intelligence
Architecture, please visit www.rgbnetworks.com.
# # #
Media Contact:
John Giddings
Mobility Public Relations
(650) 353-4330
jgiddings@mobilitypr.com
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