(18 June 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Scopus Video Networks, a provider of digital video networking solutions in the US, has announced the launch of its IRP-3910 Integrated Receiver Processor.

The company says that this is a versatile multi-channel professional decoder/ processor / down-converter unit. Based on feedback from cable operators and Scopus' expertise, the IRP, with future proof capabilities, is an all-in-one unit fitting cable operators' requirements and specifically designed to enable their transition from analogue to ATSC digital television
broadcast.

By February 2009 US broadcasters must shut down analogue broadcasts to free up spectrum for reuse, as mandated by US regulatory authorities. Cable operators must continue to provide dual carry, both digital and analogue NTSC formats, through 2012. The IRP is the ideal down-conversion solution for this transition.

The IRP-3910 will enable cable operators to receive, process, multiplex, decode, and perform HD down-conversion and aspect ratio adaptation of off-air ATSC broadcasts. With the phasing out of analogue broadcasts, operators receiving local channels as content feeds can deploy the IRP-3910 as a simple and reliable solution for dealing with the transition to an all-digital ATSC environment.

The company says that with the Scopus' IRP-3910, any off-air HDTV digital TV service can be down-converted for analogue SD delivery by the IRP. The IRP-3910 comes in a compact 1-RU chassis providing up to four channels of HD decoding along with dynamic aspect ratio conversion. In addition to professional decoding capabilities, the IRP incorporates a
powerful multiplexing core that enables grooming and PSIP aggregation of multiple HD and SD programems for digital content distribution.

This all-in-one architecture eliminates the need for an external multiplexing device and in turn, reduces overall system costs and complexity. A wide variety of inputs (8VSB, ASI, IP) and outputs (baseband video, audio,ASI,IP) are available with the IRP-3910, making it the perfect choice for a wide range of headend applications.

Scopus' IRP-3900 highlights include:

- Up to four channels HD Decoding Down Conversion to Baseband Video
- Integrated multiplexing capabilities for digital turn around
- Variety of front ends including 4 x 8VSB, 4 x ASI and GBE inputs
- Variety of outputs including 2 x ASI, GBE and Baseband video / audio
- AFD based static and dynamic aspect ratio conversion 16:9 to 4:3
- Sap, TV -Guide, AMOL, CC, V-Chip support.