Connecting Africa

Telephone +27 11 760 2017 Email info@connectingafrica.co.za

IPTV Solution Background In an increasingly competitive business world, how you communicate with your customers and staff and how they communicate with you, is vital to the continued success of your business! The Internet has gone a long way in addressing these problems, but the need to deliver large media content, in an organised targeted approach needs to be addressed. Many organisations have multiple systems to address the need to communicate and deliver content; however they are typically different products from a variety of vendors. This can lead to problems aligning the different applications with the business strategy. A secondary problem with the Internet is limited bandwidth. It is almost impossible to download rich media content via most standard landlines or cellular networks (GPRS modems). The downloading of media content via landlines, also impacts on existing business file servers, as the media has to be delivered to individual mailboxes. The communication also has the potential to be lost in the clutter of the overloaded e-mail environment. Connecting Africa has positioned itself as a market leader by delivering live broadcasts and rich media content via satellite to a standard PC or Media Player. Our state-of-the-art Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) solutions have operated for three years on large scale networks in South Africa and Africa. Connecting Africa operates the largest satellite based IPTV network in the country. The real test of a solid software system, is one that operates seamlessly on a large spread of screens, typically more than 2,000 on a network. Connecting Africa can provide a real, working example of a stable mega-network. Content Management Connecting Africa’s database design is based on the core requirements of rich media management for effective integration, into multiple delivery solutions. The content is stored and managed effectively and efficiently on a fast and reliable Linux SQL content server. The solution allows the client to create containers of content and to manage the many variations of content formats from public display, staff communication to digital poster, information boards, interactive Kiosks etc… The open software architecture of the database is balanced by an element of flexibility and robustness that enables the Customer to adapt content and screen designs to changing customer needs. Real Time (live) broadcasts: These applications involve the distribution of time sensitive content such as live staff communication, real time training, news events (ticker tapes) and or radio programs. Real time broadcasts require significant amounts of bandwidth. Satellite provides not only the bandwidth but also the ability to deliver real time content to multiple sites. Programs can be delivered to individual sites, grouped sites or the entire network. Content streaming (data casting): These applications represent a very different category of multimedia services. The media content is stored on the Content Server to be forwarded / streamed at any time to the intended audience for use at their preferred time and date. Content streaming applications range from training on demand, customer displays to sophisticated interactive multimedia kiosks. What are the main advantages of Connecting Africa’s Satellite based IPTV solution? • MPEG4 compression and delivery via satellite. • Easy content management • Sophisticated media database • Centralized distribution • Automated content formatting • Proven technology • Attribute or “smart” content management • Dynamic or automated updates • Built in rights management • Built in reporting and accounting • Open architecture • Messages or advertising can be distributed from a central or local location • Customized programs or program playback schedules can be developed for specific regions or locations to target the demographics of typical customers. • The capability to publish fresh and entertaining content at any time. • The ability to deliver high quality audio and video programs. • With the addition of an interface device (e.g. a touch screen monitor or keyboard) the user can select information on demand, providing an interactive exchange of information. Digital Signage Digital Signage is a business tool to educate and entertain customers while they dwell in customer areas or standing in counter queues or even in areas where they are waiting to meet a consultant. Our proudly South African, locally designed software enables the Customer to advertise their products and services on Televisions or Liquid Cristal Displays (LCD). The content is stored on a standard PC or Media Player and can be updated with new content when required. o display up to four different types of content; o display news events (ticker tapes); o display main currencies; o display date and time; o on screen customer call system Communication • Live streaming of information messages; • Live staff broadcasts; • Government scorecard – create visual excitement • Guidance on problematic operational issues • Live Training and Training on Demand Digital Posters Get rid of your paper posters. We can display your posters onto LCD screens in portrait or landscape format. More than one poster can be displayed at adjustable intervals (slow moving posters) on an LCD. Go green and save thousands on printing costs and logistics. Information Kiosks We have developed an interactive Information Kiosk to provide the customer with information. The client uses an interactive touch screen to extract and/or print information on a specific topic. Applications of the interactive Kiosk are widely adaptable but generally include the ability to view, extract and print; o Memo’s o Brochures o News Letters o Learning material How does the technology work? (View Diagram) A dedicated client content server with specialised content software is used to download content, build playlists, schedule and store content. The Content server is the heartbeat of the network. The Content server is normally hosted at Connecting Africa’s offices. Content is distributed from the Content server to the Broadcast Server at the satellite uplink station. The satellite distribution software, IPTV software, MPEG4 digital compression and software that controls the PC’s or Media Players are stored on the Broadcast server. KenCast delivery software is used to stream live programs or media content via satellite to the PC’s. The KenCast software can be simplistically seen as a courier service, picking up the parcel from a client and delivering it to the specified address. Kencast monitors and tracks the “parcel” and uses Forward Error Correction to rebuilding missing data inside the parcel to its original format. Kencast satellite delivery software has one of the highest security ratings in the world and is used by NASA, and most of the banking institutions to secure the delivery of banking transactions via satellite. Live programs are received from the studio via a digital National Broadcast Link also called Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) to the satellite up-link station. We are the only private IPTV satellite company in South Africa with an ATM broadcast link. All the National Broadcasters (SABC, E-TV and M-Net), National Sport Stadiums and large private studios are connected to the same ATM broadcast network. The ATM allows the Customer to receive content from several suppliers and to use studio facilities on a national level.