Cable Forum - View Single Post - Virgin Media to rollout new IPTV platform

Buffalo2102 · 13-03-2010, 17:01

I can't really say what is definitely happening on the 550MHz networks but there are a few options.

1. First and most obvious is to change some or all of the current 64QAM carriers to 256QAM. That would give an immediate 30% increase in capacity.

2. Just because the network is rated to 550MHz doesn't mean you can't exceed that. I have seen QAMs up to 635MHz being used successfully on a 600MHz network.

3. DVB-C2 would also give a bandwidth boost but would obviously take time as DVB-C2 set-tops would be needed.

4. Changing from mpeg2 to mpeg4 would also give a bandwidth improvement but also needs new set-tops. This could be done in conjunction with DVB-C2.

5. SDV, as you say.

6. Upgrade the 550MHz network.

Short-term, I doubt that it will be any one particular thing but a combination of 1 and 2.
Long-term, it will depend on the strategic view. Since set-tops naturally have to be replaced anyway, 3 and 4 may well come into play at some point, but not now.
Depending on timing, SDV may be an option but I think it's probably the least likely, given the expense and complexity of doing it.
Upgrading the networks would be very expensive but it would at least standardise things - may be done but over a long period?

13-03-2010, 17:01	#63
Buffalo2102 Inactive Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 124	Re: Virgin Media to rollout new IPTV platform I can't really say what is definitely happening on the 550MHz networks but there are a few options. 1. First and most obvious is to change some or all of the current 64QAM carriers to 256QAM. That would give an immediate 30% increase in capacity. 2. Just because the network is rated to 550MHz doesn't mean you can't exceed that. I have seen QAMs up to 635MHz being used successfully on a 600MHz network. 3. DVB-C2 would also give a bandwidth boost but would obviously take time as DVB-C2 set-tops would be needed. 4. Changing from mpeg2 to mpeg4 would also give a bandwidth improvement but also needs new set-tops. This could be done in conjunction with DVB-C2. 5. SDV, as you say. 6. Upgrade the 550MHz network. Short-term, I doubt that it will be any one particular thing but a combination of 1 and 2. Long-term, it will depend on the strategic view. Since set-tops naturally have to be replaced anyway, 3 and 4 may well come into play at some point, but not now. Depending on timing, SDV may be an option but I think it's probably the least likely, given the expense and complexity of doing it. Upgrading the networks would be very expensive but it would at least standardise things - may be done but over a long period?