MobilityWire

Here at Cable-Tec Expo 2009, Mixed Signals, Inc., the leading provider of digital content monitoring solutions, and Miranda Technologies, a manufacturer of high-performance hardware and software for the television broadcast industry, announced today a joint solution that enables video service providers to ensure an exceptional quality of experience (QoE) for viewers. The solution is a pairing of Mixed Signals’ award-winning Sentry® digital content monitor with Miranda’s proven iControl Quality of Experience monitoring system, to create a complete and cost-effective monitoring solution.

“Partnering with Miranda expands the reach of Sentry into other vertical markets, including broadcasters and content providers, where Miranda has established a well-deserved reputation for excellence,” said Eric Conley, CEO of Mixed Signals. “With Miranda, we can offer an enhanced QoE monitoring solution to the industry and expand our customer base, which already includes nine of the top 10 major U.S. MSOs.”
With the Mixed Signals and Miranda integrated solution, video service providers can cost-effectively and visually track service quality, from end to end in real time across hundreds of programs, and perform the following:

• Monitor video service quality and manage operations based on viewers’ actual video and audio QoE
• Set different priority alerts based on how much and how long customers are impacted by video and audio errors
• Track subscribers’ QoE by service (or program) from acquisition to the network edge
• Make timely decisions on fail over to minimize customer impact and increase service up time
• Simplify operations by pinpointing the source of the problem and reducing the amount of alerts generated

“By partnering with Mixed Signals, we’ve strengthened our Quality of Experience monitoring by offering a broader and more comprehensive array of electronic monitoring capabilities,” says Marco Lopez, Senior Vice-President, Interfacing, Monitoring and Control at Miranda. “The Miranda iControl monitoring and Network Management System will combine the rich monitoring solution of Mixed Signals, along with Miranda’s deep visual probing technology, reducing the MTTR to resolve subscriber impacting problems.”

The joint solution will be available through Miranda, and will be on demonstration in booth #1060 at this year’s SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, Colorado, October 28-30.

About Miranda Technologies
Miranda Technologies Inc. (TSX: MT) develops, manufactures and markets high-performance hardware and software for the television broadcast industry. Its solutions are purchased by content creators, broadcasters, specialty channels and television service providers to enable and enhance the transition to a complex multi-channel digital and HD broadcast environment. This equipment allows customers to generate additional revenue while reducing costs through more efficient distribution and management of content as well as the automation of previously manual processes. Miranda employs approximately 560 people at its Montreal headquarters and in its facilities located in Wallingford (UK), Grass Valley (California, USA), Springfield (New Jersey, USA), Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), Zaltbommel (Netherlands), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Beijing (China) and Hong Kong. Miranda is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.miranda.com.

About Mixed Signals
Mixed Signals provides the most comprehensive and scalable digital content monitoring solutions from the source to the edge including digital services, transport streams, ad insertion, switched digital video, video on demand and interactive content. Mixed Signals’ innovative products offer unparalleled visibility into video streams and digital services in real time. The Company’s products are known for their ease of use and deliver critical intelligence about overall network transport stream behavior, trending analyses, and actionable alerts when anomalies are detected. More than any other product on the market today, Mixed Signals monitoring solutions enable cable and satellite television operators, broadcasters, content aggregators and IPTV providers to simplify deployments of new services and applications, and to future-proof and maximize the return on the investment in their digital networks.

For more information visit www.mixedsignals.com or call 310.227.8620.

Here at Cable-Tec Expo, RGB Networks, the leader in network video processing, is demonstrating the latest addition to its Video Multiprocessing Gateway (VMG) product line, the VMG-6, which it introduced today. Like the larger VMG-14, the new VMG-6 is a carrier-class, chassis-based platform that provides an array of digital video solutions for service providers as it can perform multiple advanced video processing functions on both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 video streams, including transrating, ad insertion, statistical multiplexing and transcoding. The five rack unit VMG-6 is ideally suited for operators that require a smaller form factor chassis for deployment in hubs, whereas the 13 rack unit VMG-14 is better suited to headends.

The ability of the VMG-6 to transcode MPEG-4/H.264 programs into MPEG-2 utilizes RGB’s recently announced content repurposing technology, and is particularly timely for cable operators as programmers increasingly deliver their content in MPEG-4/H.264. Though first generation, single-channel, “pizza box” transcoders work for the few programs currently delivered in MPEG-4/H.264, they will be far too costly and operationally inefficient once most programs are in MPEG-4/H.264. Additionally, integrated transcoders in satellite receivers lack the high availability, redundancy and networking flexibility of the all-IP VMG. The VMG-6’s ability to transcode an unprecedented number of streams drastically improves workflow and reduces operational expenditures while enabling operators to cost-effectively convert an entire MPEG-4/H.264 channel line-up into the MPEG-2 format that their networks support. In addition, the VMG’s content repurposing technology prepares operators for future “three screen” delivery.

“RGB is committed to providing customers with the widest range of video processing solutions to meet their unique requirements and applications. With the addition of the VMG-6 we offer a scalable, carrier-class solution that ideally complements our already proven single rack unit products, each addressing a different set of needs,” said Ramin Farassat, RGB Networks’ Vice President of Product Marketing. “Furthermore, the VMG-6 is our latest solution for content repurposing, which enables operators to process multiple video streams from different sources and deliver them seamlessly and simultaneously to TVs, PCs and mobile devices in real time and optimized for viewing on each platform.”

Cable operators – and their competitors – are all racing to deliver their programming to TVs, PCs and mobile devices simultaneously, but implementing a multi-device service in a cost-effective and scalable manner has been elusive. The VMG-14 and VMG-6 address this challenge with their ability to transcode and process an unprecedented number of streams in real time, while simultaneously performing a number of other functions, including aggregation, grooming, replication, transrating and ad insertion, all within the same platform. This ultra-high-density, integrated approach of RGB’s content repurposing technology offers operators a scalable solution, allowing multiple video processing functions to be applied to each stream in real time, as needed, to prepare the video for its intended receiving device.

The high-density VMG-6 can accommodate up to six modules that perform a variety of advanced video processing functions. The integration of these modules within a single chassis provides a unique solution with very high reliability due to its full intra-chassis redundancy capabilities. The VMG-6 utilizes the same application modules as the VMG-14, thereby providing operational cost savings and flexibility in deploying both platforms at various network locations, based on the applications and capacity requirements.

Cable-Tec Demonstration
At its Cable-Tec Expo booth (#15059) RGB will demonstrate key functionality of the VMG, including transcoding from MPEG-4/H.264 to MPEG-2, MPEG-4/H.264 ad insertion and statistical multiplexing of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 streams. RGB will highlight how this integrated platform approach to video processing reduces operational complexity and allows for the seamless deployment of a variety of applications with easy, license-based upgrading and scalable, pay-as-you-grow expansion of services.

About RGB Networks
RGB Networks is revolutionizing video, delivering leading-edge video processing solutions that address the complexities of the changing video delivery model. With advanced solutions for bandwidth optimization, content repurposing and addressable advertising, RGB’s products enable operators to deliver the next generation of highly personalized video services, which are relevant to individual subscribers and delivered anytime to any device. The company’s products are based on its unique Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), enabling them to process an unprecedented number of video streams with the highest video quality. RGB’s scalable solutions dramatically reduce the cost to deliver both broadcast and unicast services, and help operators maximize their existing network infrastructure. More than 7,000 RGB products are deployed in the field by over 170 service providers in 25 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.rgbnetworks.com.

Aicent Inc. (www.aicent.com) and Tatung InfoComm (www.tatung.net.tw) announced today the first-ever internetwork roaming between WiMAX networks. Using Aicent’s WiMAX Roaming eXchange (WRX), executives from a non-Asian WiMAX operator successfully used a USB WiMAX dongle together with a username and password combination and embedded credentials from their company’s 4G WiMAX service to gain access to the Tatung InfoComm WiMAX network in Taiwan. This successful connection marks the first time international roaming between WiMAX networks has been achieved.

“This event is a key technical breakthrough in substantiating the fast deployment of high-speed WiMAX service to meet global market needs,” said Peter Yen, president and CEO of Tatung InfoComm. “To fulfill the promise of WiMAX, operators will have to partner together and allow subscribers to access each other’s networks, and Aicent facilitates these important relationships. With WiMAX roaming, Tatung InfoComm customers from Southern Taiwan will be able to take their high speed wireless broadband service with them all around the world.”

Tatung InfoComm is the first commercially-launched operator in Taiwan beginning service in April this year in Penghu Island, then quickly expanding to Kaohsiung three months later in July. Tatung InfoComm is committed to staying ahead of the market as a versatile and leading mobile broadband operator offering convergence of multimedia, telecommunication and digital broadcasting.

For roaming to be commercially viable, it has to be transparent and effortless to the end user. In this trial, Tatung InfoComm wanted to ensure that subscribers from other WiMAX networks could use their equipment, in this case a USB dongle that plugs into a laptop, with the same username and password used for the home network to gain easy access to the Tatung InfoComm network. Their tests met all the criteria to call it a success. This test also indicates that Tatung InfoComm subscribers could likewise use their equipment, usernames and passwords to gain access to non-Tatung InfoComm WiMAX networks.

“The entire communications industry stands on the precipice of immense change,” said Lynn Liu, president and CEO of Aicent. “People are traveling with great ease and more often than not bringing with them devices that need to connect to networks. There are important technical challenges to overcome to enable people to have ‘anywhere, anytime access’ to these important, often critical data networking connections. Aicent is fortunate to work with partners like Tatung InfoComm, bringing the innovations that will ultimately result in a worldwide ubiquitous WiMAX network.”

WiMAX has emerged as a key technology to support true 4G connectivity for both fixed wireless and mobile. Available spectrum in countries has been allocated to WiMAX and literally hundreds of new wireless operators are delivering services alongside traditional wireless operators. Today there are a growing number of devices supporting multiple radios for multimode WiMAX, WiMAX+Wi-Fi, WiMAX+EVDO and WiMAX+HSPA in the market. Aicent is already working with many CDMA, GSM, Wi-Fi and WiMAX operators to bring global and inter-standard roaming into commercial reality.

About Aicent Inc.
Serving more than one billion mobile users around the world, Aicent Inc. is a leading provider of data network services and solutions for global mobile operators. To enable interoperability between Aicent customers and other networks, Aicent operates one of the world’s largest GPRS and 3G network exchanges, connecting to over 70 operators, including four of the world’s five largest. Through extensive peering arrangements, the Aicent network reaches nearly all GPRS/3G operators around the world. Aicent also operates integrated mobile messaging services, including one of the world’s first and largest multimedia messaging exchanges, and offers other value-added services to help carriers maximize revenue opportunities. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Aicent has regional offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. For more information, please visit: www.aicent.com.

About Tatung InfoComm Co., Ltd.
Tatung InfoComm Co., Ltd., formerly known as WiMAX BU at Tatung Company, has been implementing the “M-Taiwan” Project led by Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs (IDB, MOEA). Tatung Company has been endeavoring in the field of Mobile Broadband Technology by establishing Tatung InfoComm in 2007 and then in July 26 acquiring the WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) license for the southern region of Taiwan, serving the people in cities and counties south of Taichung and Hualien. Tatung InfoComm, a versatile mobile communication operator of WiMAX, runs the business across three major fields of Mobile Communication, Mobile Information as well as Mobile Broadcasting for individuals, home, enterprises, and governments. The services include Mobile Internet Access, Voice, Multimedia Video, M-Broadcasting, Integrated Enterprise Service plus various value-added mobile applications. For more information, please visit: www.tatung.net.tw.

台湾大同电信 (www.tatung.net.tw) 与美国Aicent 公司 (www.aicent.com) 今日宣布首次在 WiMAX 网络之间进行的互连网络漫游。藉由 Aicent 的 WiMAX Roaming eXchange (WRX)，亚洲区之外的 WiMAX 业者多位主管利用 USB 无线网卡，通过其公司 4G WiMAX 服务提供的用户名和密码或者内嵌证书完成上网认证，可成功使用台湾的 大同电信 WiMAX 网络。这次连接象征着 WiMAX 网络之间的国际漫游已踏出成功的第一步。

大同电信 总经理严福心表示：「国际互连漫游成功这件事，对全球市场所期待的WiMAX高速上网服务是重要的关键技术突破。」「为了实现 WiMAX 所承诺的未来，运营商必须携手合作，让用户可以连接各自的网络，而 Aicent 能促进这种重要关系的发展。有了 WiMAX 漫游，台湾的大同电信 客户无论前往世界的任何角落，都能享受高速无线宽带的服务。」

大同电信是台湾首家投入商用运营的WiMAX服务商， 首先在今年4月于台湾澎湖地区正式商用，随后三个月，即在今年7月于台湾高雄地区正式商用。展望未来，大同电信将继续领先结合多媒体信息、移动通信与数字广电的移动通信全方位服务商。

漫游必须对一般用户透明化且容易使用，才会带来商业利益。在这次测试中，大同电信确认其他 WiMAX 网络的用户可以带着他们的设备（这次测试采用插入笔记本电脑的 USB 无线网卡），使用与自己原有网络相同的用户名和密码，轻松使用大同电信 网络。测试结果十分成功，符合各项测试条件，也显示大同电信用户同样可以使用他们自己的设备及用户名和密码，使用非大同电信的 WiMAX 网络。

Aicent 总裁兼执行长Lynn Liu表示：「整个通讯业正面临着快速变化与挑战。」「旅游对现代人而言已是常事，而且通常随身携带上网所需的电脑或设备，我们必须克服这些重大技术挑战，让人们可以『随时随地』连接到一些需要的网络以摄取资料。Aicent 深感荣幸能与大同电信 合作，共同带来创新技术，推动全世界WiMAX 网络的普及应用与互联。」

WiMAX 是一项关键技术，支持固定和移动无线网络的真正 4G连接。世界各国已为WiMAX规划了频谱，除了原有的无线运营商以外，尚有上百家新的无线网络运营商加入WiMAX服务行列。现在市面上有越来越多的设备同时支持多种无线射频，如WiMAX多频、WiMAX+Wi-Fi、WiMAX+EVDO 和 WiMAX+HSPA 等。Aicent 已和全球WiMAX及 CDMA、GSM和Wi-Fi 运营商合作，提供商用网络及服务，以实现全球漫游。

关于大同电信
大同电信前身为大同公司WiMAX 事业处，负责执行经济部工业局所推动之「行动台湾(M-Taiwan)」计划。2007年，大同公司积极展现发展移动宽带产业的决心，正式成立大同电信，同年7月26日大同电信取得「WiMAX无线宽带业务」台湾南区筹设许可执照，服务区域为台中县市及花莲县以南。大同电信为WiMAX全方位移动通信运营商，横跨移动通讯、移动信息、及移动广电三大领域，服务对象为个人、家庭及企业政府，提供包括移动宽带上网、个人语音、多媒体影音娱乐、移动实时信息、企业资讯服务，以及各类移动应用增值服务等。如需更详细信息，请至：www.tatung.net.tw。

关于美国Aicent 公司
美国Aicent 公司是为全球移动网络运营商提供数据网络服务和解决方案服务厂商，目前为全世界超过 10 亿的移动用户提供服务。为了实现 Aicent 客户与其他网络之间的互通，Aicent 部署了全世界最大规模的 GPRS 和 3G 网络交换，连接全球70 家以上的运营商。透过其他互连网络，Aicent可连接到全世界所有的 GPRS 和3G 运营商。Aicent 也提供综合移动讯息服务，包括世界首创且最大规模的多媒体讯息交换，及其他增值服务，协助运营商提供最好的服务与品质。Aicent 创立于 2000 年，总部设于美国加州的圣荷西，在美洲、亚太、欧洲等区域均设有办公室。如需更详细信息，请至：www.aicent.com。

Aicent Inc. (www.aicent.com) and VMAX Telecom (www.vmax.net.tw) announced today the first-ever internetwork roaming between WiMAX networks. Using Aicent’s WiMAX Roaming eXchange (WRX), executives from a non-Asian WiMAX operator successfully used a USB dongle together with a username and password, as well as with embedded credentials from their company’s 4G WiMAX service to gain access to the VMAX WiMAX network in Taiwan. This successful connection marks the first time international roaming between WiMAX networks has been achieved.

“This event is a major milestone in the continuing and rapid deployment of WiMAX,” said Dr. Teddy Huang, president and CEO of VMAX. “To fulfill this promise of WiMAX, operators will have to partner together and allow subscribers to access each other’s networks, and Aicent facilitates these important relationships. With WiMAX roaming, VMAX customers from Northern Taiwan will be able to take their high speed wireless broadband service with them all around the world.”

VMAX Telecom, awarded a WiMAX operator permit by the National Communications Commission of Taiwan on July 26, 2007, is composed of and supported by an influential lineup of shareholders, including Tecom, Vibo Telecom, Intel Capital and Teco Electric & Machinery, to form a technically strong and financially solid team for providing WiMAX service in North Taiwan. VMAX Telecom is striving to be the leading WiMAX service provider in Taiwan by providing customers with anywhere, anytime high speed Internet Access, IPTV, VoIP, Online Games, LBS (Location Based Service) as well as the variety of innovative value added services and applications. VMAX is building a customer-oriented wireless broadband network to deliver services that improve quality of life and work productivity though performance at affordable prices.

For roaming to be commercially viable, it has to be transparent and effortless to the end user. In this trial, VMAX wanted to ensure that subscribers from other WiMAX networks could take their equipment, in this case a USB modem that plugs into a laptop, and use the same username and password used for the home network to gain easy access to the VMAX network. Their tests met all the criteria to call it a success. This test also indicates that VMAX subscribers could likewise use their equipment, usernames and passwords to gain access to non-VMAX WiMAX networks.

“The entire communications industry stands on the precipice of immense change,” said Lynn Liu, president and CEO of Aicent. “People are traveling with great ease and more often than not bringing with them devices that need to connect to networks. There are important technical challenges to overcome to enable people to have ‘anywhere, anytime access’ to these important, often critical, data networking connections. Aicent is fortunate to work with partners like VMAX, bringing the innovations that will ultimately result in a worldwide ubiquitous WiMAX network.”

WiMAX has emerged as a key technology to support true 4G connectivity for both fixed wireless and mobile. Available spectrum in countries has been allocated to WiMAX and literally hundreds of new wireless operators are delivering services alongside traditional wireless operators. Today there are a growing number of devices supporting multiple radios for multimode WiMAX, WiMAX+Wi-Fi, WiMAX+EVDO and WiMAX+HSPA in the market. Aicent is already working with many CDMA, GSM, Wi-Fi and WiMAX operators to bring global and inter-standard roaming into commercial reality.

About Aicent Inc.
Serving more than one billion mobile users around the world, Aicent Inc. is a leading provider of data network services and solutions for global mobile operators. To enable interoperability between Aicent customers and other networks, Aicent operates one of the world’s largest GPRS and 3G network exchanges, connecting to over 50 operators, including four of the world’s five largest. Through extensive peering arrangements, the Aicent network reaches nearly all GPRS/3G operators around the world. Aicent also operates integrated mobile messaging services, including one of the world’s first and largest multimedia messaging exchanges, and offers other value-added services to help carriers maximize revenue opportunities. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Aicent has regional offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. For more information, please visit: www.aicent.com.

About VMAX
VMAX is now using this new generation of wireless broadband technology to build a high quality wireless broadband network to provide more convenient and higher quality wireless internet access services in the region which will serve a population of over 11 million in Taipei City, Taipei County, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Keelung City, Yilan County and Lienchiang County. For more information, please visit: www.vmax.net.tw.

台湾威迈思电信(www.vmax.net.tw) 与美国Aicent 公司 (www.aicent.com)今日宣布首次在 WiMAX 网络之间进行的互连网络漫游。藉由 Aicent 的 WiMAX Roaming eXchange (WRX)，亚洲区之外的 WiMAX 运营商多位主管利用 USB 无线网卡，通过其公司 4G WiMAX 服务提供的用户名和密码或者内嵌证书完成上网认证，可成功使用台湾的 威迈思电信 WiMAX 网络。这次连接象征着 WiMAX 网络之间的国际漫游已踏出成功的第一步。

威迈思电信 总经理黄特杕博士表示：「国际互连漫游成功这件事，对于持续且快速部署 WiMAX 而言是重要的里程碑。」「为了实现 WiMAX 所承诺的未来，运营商必须携手合作，让用户可以连接各自的网络，而 Aicent 能促进这种重要关系的发展。有了 WiMAX 漫游，台湾的 威迈思电信 客户无论前往世界的任何角落，都能享受高速无线宽带的服务。」

威迈思电信 在 2007 年 7 月 26 日取得由台湾国家通讯传播委员会 (NCC) 所颁发的 WiMAX 执照，股东群包括多家具有影响力的企业，如东讯、威宝电讯、英特尔以及东元电机，构成兼具技术专长和财务优势的强大团队，为北台湾用户提供 WiMAX 服务。威迈思电信除力求成为WiMAX服务的领导品牌，提供用户在任何时间、地点都能使用各种终端设备高速上网、看网络电视、打网络电话、玩在线游戏、使用定位服务、 以及其他多样的创新加值应用服务外，也将建构一个以顾客需求为导向的优质无线宽带网络， 让所有用户都能以经济实惠的成本， 全面提升生活质量与工作绩效。

漫游必须对一般用户透明化且容易使用，才会带来商业利益。在这次测试中，威迈思电信确认其他 WiMAX 网络的用户可以带着他们的设备（这次测试采用插入笔记本电脑的 USB 无线网卡），使用与自己原有网络相同的用户名和密码，轻松使用威迈思电信 网络。测试结果十分成功，符合各项测试条件，也显示 威迈思电信 用户同样可以使用他们自己的设备及用户名和密码，使用非 威迈思电信 的 WiMAX 网络。

Aicent 总裁兼执行长Lynn Liu表示：「整个通讯业正面临着快速变化与挑战。」「旅游对现代人而言已是常事，而且通常随身携带上网所需的电脑或设备，我们必须克服这些重大技术挑战，让人们可以『随时随地』连接到一些需要的网络以摄取资料。Aicent 深感荣幸能与 威迈思电信 合作，共同带来创新技术，推动全世界WiMAX 网络的普及应用与互联。」

WiMAX 是一项关键技术，支持固定和移动无线网络的真正 4G连接。世界各国已为WiMAX规划了频谱，除了原有的无线运营商以外，尚有上百家新的无线网络运营商加入WiMAX服务行列。现在市面上有越来越多的设备同时支持多种无线射频，如WiMAX多频、WiMAX+Wi-Fi、WiMAX+EVDO 和 WiMAX+HSPA 等。Aicent 已和全球WiMAX及 CDMA、GSM和Wi-Fi 运营商合作，提供商用网络及服务，以实现全球漫游。

关于威迈思电信
威迈思电信由东讯、威宝电信与东元电机合资成立，于2007年7月取得第四代移动通讯WiMAX北区营运执照，2008年10月美国英特尔投资成为新股东。威迈思电信将以新一代无线宽带技术，构建全方位优质无线宽带网络，提供多样化语音、数据、视讯、与增值创新服务，全心为消费者打造Anytime、 Anywhere、Any Devices无线上网的生活乐趣。如需更详细信息，请至：www.vmax.net.tw。

关于美国Aicent 公司
美国Aicent 公司是为全球移动网络运营商提供数据网络服务和解决方案服务厂商，目前为全世界超过 10 亿的移动用户提供服务。为了实现 Aicent 客户与其他网络之间的互通，Aicent 部署了全世界最大规模的 GPRS 和 3G 网络交换，连接全球70 家以上的运营商。透过其他互连网络，Aicent可连接到全世界所有的 GPRS 和3G 运营商。Aicent 也提供综合移动讯息服务，包括世界首创且最大规模的多媒体讯息交换，及其他增值服务，协助运营商提供最好的服务与品质。Aicent 创立于 2000 年，总部设于美国加州的圣荷西，在美洲、亚太、欧洲等区域均设有办公室。如需更详细信息，请至：www.aicent.com。

Mixed Signals, Inc., the leading provider of digital content monitoring solutions, has worked closely with major cable television industry leaders to enable cable operators to identify audio volume issues in programming and commercials, giving them the critical information necessary to quickly fix dramatic volume changes that occur during channel changes and when commercials run.  At the heart of the solution is Mixed Signals’ award-winning Sentry® which now supports the ITU-R BS.1770 audio specification for measuring the loudness of video programs.

Overly loud commercials in particular have become such a nuisance that proposed legislation before Congress would require video service providers to address the issue.  The Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act would require video service providers to ensure that commercials not be any louder than the average volume of the programs they accompany.

“For decades, television viewers have made complaints about loud commercials, but what has traditionally been a minor irritant could well become a major headache for television providers in the near term,” said Eric Conley, CEO of Mixed Signals.  “Our goal is to keep our customers – the television providers – ahead of the issue, and with recent enhancements to Sentry, video service providers have a cost-effective solution to continually monitor their entire programming line-up in a scalable way to identify loudness issues when they occur.”

Loudness issues are common for video service providers as volume levels can vary dramatically from channel to channel, program to program and during commercial breaks.  However, current solutions for identifying volume issues can only monitor one or two channels, which makes them far too costly for cable and other multi-channel video providers who deliver hundreds of channels.  Only Sentry can scale cost-effectively to monitor hundreds of channels in real time, enabling service providers to comprehensively monitor all their channels.

The key audio monitoring enhancement to Sentry is its support for the ITU-R BS.1770 audio specification. Developed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the BS.1770 specification is shortly expected to be adopted by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) here in the U.S., which in turn will lead to its use by broadcasters and then cable and other multi-channel video service providers.  Service providers with Sentrys already deployed in their networks can easily add support for BS.1770 via a software upgrade.

Mixed Signals will demonstrate the advanced commercial loudness monitoring and detection capabilities of Sentry in their booth #16043 at the upcoming Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, October 28-30.

About Sentry
Sentry is a comprehensive content monitoring solution for cable, telecom, IPTV and other video service providers. Sentry enables the early detection, diagnosis and repair of video and audio errors (i.e., video freeze, macro-blocking, loss of audio, etc.) whenever or wherever they occur in the network, so service providers can deliver services with excellent quality, thus ensuring an optimal quality of experience (QoE) for subscribers.  Sentry accomplishes this through its unique combination of unprecedented visibility into network anomalies at the IP and MPEG layers, scalability to monitor every program in the network and its real-time, 24/7 operation.  Sentry is proven in deployments with service providers worldwide, including eight of the top 10 U.S. cable operators.

About Mixed Signals
Mixed Signals provides the most comprehensive and scalable digital content monitoring solutions from the source to the edge including digital services, transport streams, ad insertion, switched digital video, video on demand and interactive content. Mixed Signals’ innovative products offer unparalleled visibility into video streams and digital services in real time. The Company’s products are known for their ease of use and deliver critical intelligence about overall network transport stream behavior, trending analyses, and actionable alerts when anomalies are detected. More than any other product on the market today, Mixed Signals monitoring solutions enable cable and satellite television operators, broadcasters, content aggregators and IPTV providers to simplify deployments of new services and applications, and to future-proof and maximize the return on the investment in their digital networks.

For more information visit www.mixedsignals.com or call 310.227.8620.

RGB Networks, the leader in network video processing, today announced it has upgraded its Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) to support MPEG-4/H.264 ad insertion. With an increasing number of video service providers now using the MPEG-4/H.264 format, RGB has enhanced its BNP to enable operators to support this advanced codec when implementing zoned and targeted ad insertion. The BNP, RGB’s flagship product, is used by video service providers worldwide to deliver a greater volume of high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) programming using the lowest possible bandwidth, while also generating new ad revenues through the insertion of local ads and digital overlays.

With television advertising expanding worldwide, there is growing demand for ad insertion solutions that enable the delivery of targeted advertising. Tailored to reflect subscriber preferences and demographics, this capability is highly desirable to advertisers. As the most advanced digital video solution available on the market today, RGB’s BNP enables video service providers to easily deliver this highly targeted and personalized video service. The latest BNP upgrade is in response to the growing use of the MPEG-4/H.264 video codec to deliver bandwidth-intensive services in the most efficient manner. With its new capability, the BNP further improves operational efficiencies by allowing video service providers to seamlessly splice revenue-generating ads directly into both SD and HD MPEG-4/H.264 program streams, allowing for an easy transition as the demand for HD increases.

“Video service providers have a lot on their plates at the moment as they move to digital and try to meet subscribers’ growing demand for bandwidth-hungry HD services. The necessary network upgrades to support these services are costly, and financing them can be challenging,” said Jeff Tyre, Director, Product Marketing for RGB Networks. “The BNP’s ad insertion capabilities help providers secure new revenue streams from advertisers eager to reach targeted subscribers, and its support of the MPEG-4/H.264 format gives operators even greater flexibility.”

“As ad insertion becomes more prevalent in Europe, the ability to support MPEG-4/H.264 in both HD and SD is critical to launching this revenue-generating service and ensuring a future-proof solution,” said Hans Kornmann, CEO, Divitel, a significant systems integrator in the Netherlands. “Operators in the Netherlands are leading the European market in the deployment of ad insertion, and we see this as an excellent opportunity to partner with RGB as this application grows into other parts of Europe.”

Able to simultaneously process more than 500 video streams in its one rack unit platform, the BNP is the highest density solution for digital video grooming, statistical multiplexing, transrating, digital program insertion (DPI) and digital overlays. This unprecedented stream processing density dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of deploying HD and other increasingly sophisticated services. Enabling this industry-leading processing density is RGB’s innovative Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), which is at the heart of the BNP and RGB’s other products.

About RGB Networks
RGB Networks is revolutionizing video, delivering leading-edge video processing solutions that address the complexities of the changing video delivery model. With advanced solutions for bandwidth optimization, content repurposing and addressable advertising, RGB’s products enable operators to deliver the next generation of highly personalized video services, which are relevant to individual subscribers and delivered anytime to any device. The company’s products are based on its unique Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), enabling them to process an unprecedented number of video streams with the highest video quality. RGB’s scalable solutions dramatically reduce the cost to deliver both broadcast and unicast services, and help operators maximize their existing network infrastructure. More than 7,000 RGB products are deployed in the field by over 170 service providers in 25 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.rgbnetworks.com.

Mixed Signals, the leading provider of digital content monitoring solutions, announced today that Network Products Guide, the industry’s leading publication on information technologies and solutions, has named Mixed Signals’ Sentry® as the winner of the 2009 Product Innovation Award for the best test, measurement and monitoring solution. This annually venerated award recognizes and honors vendors from all over the world with innovative and ground-breaking products that are bringing essential and incremental changes while setting the bar higher for others in all areas of information technology.

“Innovation is clearly an important factor to greater success and has the most impact on staying competitive,” says Rake Narang, editor-in-chief of Network Products Guide. “We chose Mixed Signals’ Sentry as the best test, measurement and monitoring solution, because it enables video service providers to quickly identify and diagnose the most complex visual and audio problems that can ruin consumers’ TV experience. Such errors are increasingly common as service providers’ networks become more complex in order to deliver more HDTV, video-on-demand (VOD) and other advanced video services.”

Sentry is a comprehensive content monitoring solution for cable, telecom, IPTV and other video service providers. Sentry enables the early detection, diagnosis and repair of video and audio errors (i.e., video freeze, macro-blocking, loss of audio, etc.) whenever or wherever they occur in the network, so service providers can deliver services with excellent quality, thus ensuring an optimal quality of experience (QoE) for subscribers. Sentry accomplishes this through its unique combination of unprecedented visibility into network anomalies at the IP and MPEG layers, scalability to monitor every program in the network and its real-time, 24/7 operation. Sentry is proven in deployments with service providers worldwide, including eight of the top 10 U.S. cable operators.

“This Network Products Guide’s award acknowledges our continued success in keeping our advanced monitoring solution ahead of the technology curve,” said Eric Conley, CEO of Mixed Signals. “We have tremendous expertise in digital video and are always adding new capabilities to Sentry to ensure it remains the best video monitoring product in the world.”

To read more about Sentry and the Product Innovation Awards, please visit http://www.networkproductsguide.com/innovations/.

About Network Products Guide Awards
Network Products Guide is a media sponsor of Interop and Technosium Executive Alliance Forums engaging Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). As the industry’s leading technology research and advisory publication, it plays a vital role in keeping decision makers and end-users informed of the choices they can make in all areas of information technology. You will discover a wealth of information and tools in this guide including the best products and services, roadmaps, industry directions, technology advancements and independent product evaluations that facilitate in making the most pertinent technology decisions impacting business and personal goals. The guide follows conscientious research methodologies developed and enhanced by industry experts. To learn more, visit www.networkproductsguide.com.

About Mixed Signals
Mixed Signals provides the most comprehensive and scalable digital content monitoring solutions from the source to the edge including digital services, transport streams, ad insertion, switched digital video, video on demand and interactive content. Mixed Signals’ innovative products offer unparalleled visibility into video streams and digital services in real time. The Company’s products are known for their ease of use and deliver critical intelligence about overall network transport stream behavior, trending analyses, and actionable alerts when anomalies are detected. More than any other product on the market today, Mixed Signals monitoring solutions enable cable and satellite television operators, broadcasters, content aggregators and IPTV providers to simplify deployments of new services and applications, and to future-proof and maximize the return on the investment in their digital networks.

For more information visit www.mixedsignals.com or call 310.227.8620.

Aicent, Inc. (www.aicent.com) announced today that Network Products Guide, the industry’s leading publication on information technologies and solutions, has named mBridge a winner of the 2009 Product Innovation Award. This venerable annual award recognizes and honors the innovative and ground-breaking products from vendors from all over the world that are bringing essential and incremental changes and are setting the bar higher for others in all areas of information technology.

“Innovation is clearly an important factor to greater success and has the most impact on staying competitive,” says Rake Narang, editor-in-chief of Network Products Guide. “Aicent’s mBridge allows operators to provide the absolute best MMS delivery, even to non-enabled MMS phones, which proves not only product innovation but also ground-breaking technology benefitting the entire mobile community.”

mBridge MMS Virtual Delivery is the newest version of Aicent’s multimedia messaging service (MMS) that enables global carrier partners to offer subscribers a way to easily send multimedia messages to any non-enabled MMS phone, including the iPhone, across any network, any time. mBridge works by allowing the recipient to download and reply to incoming MMS messages from a web URL link embedded in an SMS notification, allowing subscribers who send the message to use their normal sending procedures.

“Winning the best mobile service solution for this year’s Product Innovation award is further validation that new approaches to solving the communications challenges brought about by a fragmented mobile marketplace are not only possible but will meet the high expectations of our customers,” said MK Chang, vice president of product marketing at Aicent. “As services like MMS swiftly gain momentum in the market, we look forward to offering the best solutions to help our carrier customers meet the messaging and data needs of their mobile subscribers.”

To read more about Aicent’s mBridge, please visit http://www.networkproductsguide.com/innovations/ or visit Aicent’s MMS products page at http://www.aicent.net/products_services/mms/.

About Network Products Guide Awards
Network Products Guide is a media sponsor of Interop and Technosium Executive Alliance Forums engaging Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). As industry’s leading technology research and advisory publication, it plays a vital role in keeping decision makers and end-users informed of the choices they can make in all areas of information technology. You will discover a wealth of information and tools in this guide including the best products and services, roadmaps, industry directions, technology advancements and independent product evaluations that facilitate in making the most pertinent technology decisions impacting business and personal goals. The guide follows conscientious research methodologies developed and enhanced by industry experts. To learn more, visit www.networkproductsguide.com.

About Aicent, Inc.
Serving more than one billion mobile users around the world, Aicent Inc. is a leading provider of data network services and solutions for global mobile operators. To enable interoperability between Aicent customers and other networks, Aicent operates one of the world’s largest GPRS and 3G network exchanges, connecting to over 50 operators, including four of the world’s five largest. Through extensive peering arrangements, the Aicent network reaches nearly all GPRS/3G operators around the world. Aicent also operates integrated mobile messaging services, including one of the world’s first and largest multimedia messaging exchanges, and offers other value-added services to help carriers maximize revenue opportunities. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Aicent has regional offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. For more information, please visit: www.aicent.com.