table of contents - apogee...hevc / h.265 dolby-e mpeg-2 (4:2:0, 4:2:2) e-ac-3 (dolby digital plus)...

Copyright © 2016 Apogee | 512-478-8858 | [email protected] | www.apogee.us | 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 2

2 Stream2 Technology Summary ............................................................................................................. 3

3 IPTV Encoding........................................................................................................................................ 3 3.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 Performance ................................................................................................................................. 4 3.3 Flexible Deployment ..................................................................................................................... 4 3.4 Software-Defined Architecture ..................................................................................................... 4 3.5 Secure Encoding ............................................................................................................................ 4 3.6 Technical Specifications ................................................................................................................ 4

4 IPTV Video packaging & Delivery .......................................................................................................... 6 4.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Student DVR .................................................................................................................................. 6 4.3 Optimize Content Delivery ............................................................................................................ 6 4.4 Technical Specifications ................................................................................................................ 7

5 Network & Bandwidth Allocation ......................................................................................................... 8

6 Digital Rights Management & Authentication .................................................................................... 10

7 Service & Management ....................................................................................................................... 10

8 Supported Devices & User Interface ................................................................................................... 11 8.1 Custom Branding ......................................................................................................................... 11 8.2 Devices ........................................................................................................................................ 11

9 Campus Life Channel Delivery ............................................................................................................. 11 9.1 Portal landing page (URL) ........................................................................................................... 11 9.2 Submission form ......................................................................................................................... 11 9.3 Accepted content formats .......................................................................................................... 12 9.4 Social media integration ............................................................................................................. 12 9.5 Approved content/guidelines/social media guidelines .............................................................. 12 9.6 Acceptable hardware .................................................................................................................. 12 9.7 Headend integration ................................................................................................................... 13 9.8 Distribution to public areas ......................................................................................................... 13 9.9 Digital signage integration .......................................................................................................... 14 9.10 Support........................................................................................................................................ 14

10 Deployment Requirements ............................................................................................................. 14 10.1 Space Requirements: .............................................................................................................. 14 10.2 Power Requirements: ............................................................................................................. 14 10.3 Network Requirements: .......................................................................................................... 15 10.4 IP Address Requirements: ....................................................................................................... 15 10.5 Required ports are as follows: ................................................................................................ 15 10.6 Whitelist & VPN-Blacklist IP Ranges ............................................................................................ 15


1 INTRODUCTION

Stream2 is Apogee’s next generation Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) service created specifically for your campus.

Stream2 integrates both entertainment and university social media, videos and flyers to create an all-in-one, engaging experience. This unique service not only speaks to the way today’s students live and consume content but also drives student success and engagement.

The service requires no in-room equipment or set top boxes making the switch to this new service cost-effective and simple to implement. Students can access the IPTV service and all the content and programming it offers through a university branded app, at any time, on a variety of Wi-Fi connected devices.

This document will outline the technical specifications of all aspects of Stream2 in detail.


2 STREAM2 TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

The Stream2 technology is highly advanced yet built on a simple foundation. First, we ingest programming over satellite. Unlike hardware only solutions, Apogee has the relationship with the content providers making this truly an end-to-end service.

Initially, the live TV feed is passed to our video encoders. These encoders, which are managed remotely through our software-based management tool, converts the live RF feeds into an encoded stream. This stream is then ingested into the server which packages and delivers the content.

In addition, this server is where Digital Rights Management (DRM), Emergency Alert Systems (EAS), nPVR (Network Personal Video Recording – DVR), storage, caching, and local insertion occurs. Once the video is packaged, it is delivered using Adaptive Bitrate to ensure an optimized stream which reduces network bandwidth consumption.

Subscribers can access all of this content through the branded Stream2 app exclusively on the university network on a multitude of supported devices.

3 IPTV ENCODING

3.1 Overview

Apogee’s Stream2 encoding server provides real-time video and audio encoding as well as live streaming to new media platforms. The platform is a software-based solution that performs simultaneous processing of multiple video outputs, delivering the high quality, high-efficiency performance required for formatting live video for any device. It has been designed to integrate seamlessly into an end-to-end real-time video delivery workflow for higher education and continues to evolve based on feedback from our partners.


3.2 Performance

Stream2 delivers video via Apple HLS (Http Live Stream), Adobe Primetime (HDS and RTMP), Microsoft Smooth Streaming, MPEG-DASH or transport streams. Additionally, we create mezzanine deliverables for wrapping with a separate packager to reduce network bandwidth consumption.

3.3 Flexible Deployment

Stream2 is built using a Linux-based software through an intuitive web interface or REST/XML APIs for quick and simple integration in a turnkey, cloud-based or virtualized deployment. Unified control and management reduces setup time, simplifies maintenance tasks and allows Apogee to manage everything remotely.

3.4 Software-Defined Architecture

Apogee has laid the foundation for future video requirements. Stream2 is highly upgradable and provides adherence to regulations such as the CALM Act and rules for IP closed captioning. As content quality improves, we can deploy a seamless transition to new standards such as HEVC and Ultra HD, and ongoing improvements to features, functionality and quality with each new software release.

3.5 Secure Encoding

Apogee ensures the university has legal access to all content. Content is protected using traditional AES and SAMPLE-AES for HLS, PlayReady for HLS and Smooth Streaming, or Adobe Access for HDS.

3.6 Technical Specifications

3.6.1 Video & Audio Inputs

Video Codecs Audio

Apple ProRes 422 (up to HQ) AAC

AVC / H.264 (Baseline, Main, High) AC-3 (Dolby Digital)

HEVC / H.265 Dolby-E

MPEG-2 (4:2:0, 4:2:2) E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

VC-1 (Simple, Main Advanced) MPEG-1 Layer 2

MP3

PCM (AIFF or WAV)

WMA

3.6.2 Video & Audio Outputs

Video Codecs Audio

Apple ProRes 422 (up to HQ) AAC-LC / AAC-HEV1 / AAC-HEV2

AVC / H.264 (Baseline, Main, High) AC-3 (Dolby Digital), AC-3 Passthrough

HEVC / H.265 Dolby-E Passthrough


MPEG-2 (4:2:0, 4:2:2) DTS Express

VC-1 (Simple, Main Advanced) E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus), E-AC-3

Frame Capture to JPEG (Thumbnails) AAC-LC / AAC-HEV1 / AAC-HEV2

PCM (AIFF or WAV)

WMA2

3.6.3 Video Processing

• Adaptive Quantization • AFD-Driven Output Scaling • Anti-Aliasing Scaler • Deblocking Filter • Frame Rate Interpolation • Inverse Telecine Support • Lanczos Scaling • Logo Insertion • Look Ahead Rate Control • Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing • MPEG-2 Error Concealment • Noise Reduction • Scene Change Detection

3.6.4 Input Stream Formats & Containers

• ASI • Elementary Streams • GXF • IP: UDP / RTP / HLS / RTMP (MPEG-TS) • MXF Op-1A • QuickTime Self-Contained (.mov) • SD, HD, 3G SDI with Upstream

o Router Control • Transport Stream File (.ts, .m2t)

o Other: • 4K Ultra HD via IP • CEA-608/708 Closed Captions • OP-42 Subtitles • Standard & User-Defined Frame Rates • Standard & User-Defined Frame Geometry

3.6.5 Output Stream Formats & Containers

• 3GP (3GPP) • Apple HLS • Adobe Media Server (RTMP / F4F / F4V) • Adobe HDS • CableLabs Compliant Option (MPEG-TS)


• Elementary Streams• Microsoft Smooth Streaming (ISMV)• Microsoft Windows Media (WMV / ASF)• MP4• MPEG Transport Streams (.ts, .m2t)• MPEG-DASH (MP4 and ISO)• QuickTime Self-Contained (.mov)• Save as File to Local or Network Storage• TCP / IP• UDP Unicast or Multicast• Ultraviolet (CFF, UVU)

3.6.6 System Control

• Web-Based User Interface• Elemental Conductor Live• SNMP (Control and Status)• REST XML API• System Resource & Statistics Monitoring• Notifications and Alerts• Automated Load Balancing• Event Prioritization and Planning• Multiple Authentication Tiers• Video and Audio Preview

4 IPTV VIDEO PACKAGING & DELIVERY

4.1 Overview

The video delivery platform is designed to optimize the management and distribution of multiscreen video across your campus. Through just-in-time (JIT) video packaging and efficient caching, the platform allows for a complete solution for Digital Video Recording (DVR) for each subscriber and real-time content delivery. With adaptive bitrate, Stream2 optimizes network bandwidth.

4.2 Student DVR

Each student will have the ability to start-over and catch-up TV, access to network personal video recording (nPVR), delayed TV, and pause TV. The nPVR is fully encrypted and abides by all copyright and fair-use policies. The nPVR service is delivered over an adaptive-bit rate stream.

4.3 Optimize Content Delivery

Our University partners can reduce storage and bandwidth costs by delivering content best suited to your current network conditions. Device and content-specific rules allow video to be optimized


for bitrate, resolution, audio format, captions and number of channels, resulting in the best subscriber experience and the lowest distribution costs.

4.4 Technical Specifications

Stream2’s video packaging & delivery server ingests MPEG-TS and standard streaming protocols including Microsoft Smooth Streaming, HLS and MPEG-DASH. It receives these inputs from the encoder. Next, multiple resolution and bitrate outputs are created to display on a variety of players and platforms including outputs for adaptive streaming targets such as:

• MPEG-DASH

• Microsoft Silverlight

• Adobe HDS

• Apple devices

• Set-top boxes using HLS

Additionally, this server allows for real-time content decisions that your campus won’t have to be concerned with. The server can programmatically blackout content, replace content and adjust quality of service decisions on a case-by-case basis, depending on content-specific rules. Decisions about content quality can be made on the fly, allowing for full control of network bandwidth usage.

This server ties into Apogee’s authentication and digital rights management platform. The server employs support for just-in-time DRM including HLS (traditional AES, SAMPLE-AES and Fairplay), PlayReady (HLS and Smooth Streaming), Adobe Access (HDS and HLS) or Adobe pHLS and pHDS. With JIT DRM, SLAs are securely maintained and the complexity of content storage, quality checks and individualized asset delivery is greatly reduced – effectively taking the burden off your campus.

As a combined delivery and just-in-time packager, the server provides the ability to apply end-to-end content protection. Live content is stored as encrypted video files at rest on the server. By applying a standard encryption format such as AES-128, protected VOD assets can then not only be packaged but also re-encrypted on the fly into a variety of content protection formats including those from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple and more. This ensures that content remains completely protected across the entire video delivery chain, even while at rest, and enables delivery to any type of device.

Finally, Apogee will monitor system resources, bandwidth usage, program viewing, time-shifted TV usage, file delivery and more. Real-time reporting gives up-to-the minute actionable details allowing fine tuning of the entire network and content delivery system.

Below is a table outlining the value of Just-In-Time packaging versus Pre-Packaging.

Rendition Device MB/s Packaging Streams PP Storage JIT Storage

Full HD STB 3.9 DASH, MPEG-TS

2 82.7 41.13

High STB, Web, Mobile

2.3 HLS, MSS, HDS, DASH

4 97.03 24.26


Medium STB, Web, Mobile

1.7 HLS, MSS, HDS, DASH

4 71.72 17.93

Low STB, Web, Mobile

1 HLS, MSS, HDS, DASH

4 42.19 10.55

Mobile Mobile 0.7 HLS, MSS 2 14.77 7.38

4.5 How calculate bandwidth requirements

The calculation for total bandwidth required is quite simple. Based on the information in the table above, and HD stream will generally be about 3 mbps.

4.5.1 Bandwidth Equation

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟 ∗ % 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∗ 3𝑚𝑏𝑝𝑠

𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟= 𝐵𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑

4.5.2 Bandwidth Example

Our responsibility is to show the university a range of what’s the necessary bandwidth is required. Assuming there are 1,000 subscribers, and on the higher range assume a 50% concurrent utilization, the calculation would be as follows:

1,000 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟 ∗ 50% 𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∗ 3𝑚𝑏𝑝𝑠

𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟= 1.5 𝑔𝑏𝑝𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑓𝑓

In this example, the university could technically operate with a 1 gbps handoff, however, we’d recommend at least a 2 gbps handoff or more.

5 NETWORK & BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION

Stream2 deploys a software-based statistical multiplexer that optimizes TV delivery by reallocating bits in real time between video encoders and combining the outputs from multiple encoders into a single transport stream. The closed-loop statmux instantaneously adjusts the bitrate of each encoder in the statistical multiplex pool to make the best use of total available bandwidth and maximize network efficiency. Unlike other solutions, Apogee’s IPTV platform can perform simultaneous statistical multiplexing of MPEG-2, H.264 and HEVC outputs to enable a converged headend design for traditional broadcast delivery and multiscreen content delivery. Real-time encoder control optimizes outputs for bitrate, resolution and number of channels. Quality settings are optionally tunable by channel, resulting in the highest priority channels always maintaining the highest quality. Stream2 creates a single mux group containing HD and/or SD channels to thoroughly optimize bandwidth use without compromising quality.


Input / Output

Containers

Input/ Output Codecs

Input / Output

Resolutions

Redundancy System Control

Hardware Configuration

Other Features

MPEG2-TS SPTS

MPEG-2

SD Inputs Web-based user interface

Hot-swappable

Reserve bits for downstream university content insertion

MPEG2-TS MPTS

AVC (H.264)

HD Outputs Notifications and alerts

power supplies

PID mapping/remapping

MPEG2-TS SPTS (FEC enabled)

HEVC (H.265)

UHD (4K) Statmux instance

Splunk integration

Linux CentOS (Redhat option)

Optimize bandwidth by 25 to 30 percent

MPEG2-TS MPTS (FEC enabled)

Combined resolutions

REST XML API

16 CPU cores

SNMP Version 2c

4x 1GigE ports, including vlan support

System resource & statistics monitoring

2x 10GigE ports, including vlan support


6 DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT & AUTHENTICATION

Apogee’s Digital Right Management (DRM) and Authentication are cornerstones of the Stream2 service. With Apogee managing the entire experience from content acquisition to delivery, it is imperative that all rules and regulations created by Apogee’s content partners are strictly followed.

When a subscriber first accesses the app the subscriber must be on the approved campus network. If the subscriber is on the appropriate network, the subscriber will then authenticate their devices to ensure they are an approved subscriber.

Stream2 authenticates subscribers through Apogee’s authentication platform where students register themselves and Apogee manages the sign on process. Apogee employs this methodology across all of the Apogee ResNet customers and ensures security and abides by the content rights imposed by the programmers.

Stream2 uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) public private key pair system plus X.509 digital certificates, featuring advanced key management proven in numerous tier 1 deployments. The device security architecture features downloadable and renewable security for hybrid and OTT

devices such as iOS and Android, smart TVs/STBs, PCs & Macs.

7 SERVICE & MANAGEMENT

Stream2 is a fully managed service. Apogee’s 24/7 call center and Network Operating Center manages all aspects of your IPTV system – from content to student issues. In terms of managing the headend, Apogee deploys various software solutions to ensure your headend is both operational and efficient.

Stream2 uses a video network management system. The software, which is managed by Apogee, offers high availability, secure administration and comprehensive monitoring of video encoding and delivery tasks throughout the system. Apogee defined redundancies to provide continuous signal flow and uninterrupted service delivery. The Apogee Stream2 Support Team has comprehensive alerting and reporting capabilities to monitor the status of the headend, maintain quality of service and provide operational confidence. The software gives Apogee the ability to monitor channels, and have real-time control.

With Stream2 being a service, the hardware is entirely owned and managed by Apogee. Apogee ensures that the system is operational, up-to-date, and always refreshed to ensure the best viewing quality. The Stream2 system utilizes preventive measures and alerts to be informed of the issue before subscribers notice.

Stream2 is fully supported by Apogee’s 24/7 call center. The call center, based in Austin, Texas, is operational 24/7/365 and has no phone trees. Whether it is an issue with a student device or programming outages, the Apogee call center is always available to help. The Apogee call center also support email and SMS as ways for students to reach us.


8 SUPPORTED DEVICES & USER INTERFACE

8.1 Custom Branding

Apogee will work closely with your university to tie in your university branding into the Stream2 platform. The university will need to supply the required logos in EPS or PNG format to be inserted in the programming guide.

8.2 Devices

Stream2 supports the majority of devices students are bringing to campus. Currently we support:

• Windows 7+o IE, Firefox (July 2018), Chrome (July 2018)

• Mac OS Xo Firefox (July 2018)

• iOS 9+ iPhone or iPad

• Android 4+ phone or tablet

• Apple TV

• Roku (July 2018)

• Amazon Fire TV

• Amazon Fire Stick

9 CAMPUS LIFE CHANNEL DELIVERY

The Campus Life Channel (CLC) is an available add on package with the Stream 2 service. The Campus Life Channel is a fully managed service and platform that collects university content into one location, where after a deep approval process, automatically distributes across IPTV, your Cable TV system, and digital signage.

9.1 Portal landing page (URL)

Upon launching the CLC, Apogee creates a hosted and managed web portal. Apogee will need university input on branding the portal to your campus. Finally, a university URL will be used as a mask to the Apogee hosted site.

9.2 Submission form

The portal has a submission form that can be customized to your campus. The submission form contains various input information. Once a subscriber submits content, it is uploaded to our database and emails are generated to the appropriate people on campus, the subscriber, and the


Apogee team. No content is automatically posted on the channel until it has been approved. Approval processes can be customized per campus.

9.3 Accepted content formats The CLC accepts any format of content including:

• Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Keynote, Pages, PDF, Jpg, MP4, AVI, MOV, PNG, TIFF etc.

• YouTube, YouTube live streams

9.4 Social media integration The CLC integrates with university approved social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Our software follows approved handles, hashtags, and geo-fencing to collect the social posts you’re looking to distribute. Through our automated service, all retweets, reposts, and comments are ignored creating a very secure, micro-targeted social feed. The social media is displayed on a social media feed which is created and monitored by Apogee in collaboration with your university.

9.5 Approved content/guidelines/social media guidelines Prior to launching the channel, Apogee will work closely with the appropriate administrators on campus to craft custom guidelines that subscribers must abide by. The workflow of approvals can be adjusted to each campus’s requirements, including single-sign-on, administrator-first approval, or fully managed by Apogee. For social media, each post is curated; however, we use programmatic tools to automatically reject posts with inappropriate content or language.

9.6 Acceptable hardware Apogee will provide the necessary hardware, fully formatted, to tie into the headend. If additional channels are required, the university can provide their own equipment but must have the following minimum requirements:

• Windows 7+

• 4+ GB Ram

• 150+ GB storage


9.7 Headend integration Apogee will ensure the CLC hardware is properly integrated with the headend. The player will connect to a modulator which is designed for smaller deployments of 1 channel. It’s particularly well suited for digital signage. The modulator then outputs to QAM which is then distributed across the RF and can be ingested in the IP headend. Important Notice: The HDMI input will only support unencrypted video, typically from a digital signage player, video camera or other self-generated content. The broadcast is a clear QAM (unencrypted) signal over coax, therefore would break HDCP (HDMI’s encryption rules/requirements). The HDMI input most likely will not work with Apple Products (such as Macs), Blu-ray players, satellite boxes or cable boxes, as they are typically encrypted.

9.8 Distribution to public areas The CLC can be distributed to public areas over COAX or IP. For COAX distribution, the public area would need a COAX drop and TV with a tuner. The TV would then need to be set to the Campus Life Channel. If distributing over IP, a streaming device, such as as the Amazon Fire TV, will need to connect to a TV.


9.9 Digital signage integration The CLC can also integrate with several digital signage players including FourWinds Interactive and Visix. If your signage player can ingest live streams or HTML5 websites, Apogee can integrate the CLC on your behalf.

9.10 Support Apogee’s 24/7 dedicated support will also support the Campus Life Channel.

10 DEPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

CableTV & Stream2 Headend Diagram

Below are the general technical requirements for Stream2; however, Stream2 is a completely customized, fully managed IPTV solution. The technical requirements are therefore unique to each of our campuses depending on the HD/SD channel line up, local over-the-air channels, live streams and university channels.

10.1 Space Requirements: • Up to two full racks of equipment depending on channel line up and DVR storage.

• The Stream2 headend can be co-located with the satellite or housed in a separate location depending on the university’s preference.

o Apogee will manage all of the requirements and processes necessary to transport the signal from the university satellite to the Stream2 headend.

10.2 Power Requirements: • Power requirements traditionally depend on the number of HD/SD channels, local over

the air channels, and university channels.

• Generally:


o 1 RF Rack: ▪ 2 each 110v 20Amp circuits with 5-20R receptacles

o 1 Stream2 Rack: ▪ 2 each, 208v 30Amp circuits with L6-30R receptacles

o HVAC must have the capability to dissipate 22,403 BTU/hr. o Please note the specs above may be revised based on your university’s

requirements.

10.3 Network Requirements: • Stream2 uses adaptive bit-rate and will adjust to the network infrastructure that is

provided by the university while optimizing the video quality.

• Based on concurrent subscribers and the number of channels, a 4-10 gbps link is preferred.

• Link type options: o If co-located with ResNet or the university’s internet we would require a 4x

copper LACP, but will most likely use multi-mode fiber. o If in a different building single-mode fiber (LR)

Note: If you have concerns about your network infrastructure, design, or implementation, Apogee can provide custom support and services from our network group.

10.4 IP Address Requirements: University must provide:

• If Apogee is providing the ResNet this is not an issue • If using customer data network, Apogee will configure the IPs of the Stream2 headend

accordingly to ensure security, operability, and efficiency. • Apogee requires the university to provide a /29 subnet to Apogee for interconnection

and streaming services. • Apogee will send a technical survey doc and set up a conference call with your Apogee

project team network engineer to finalize IP address configurations and answer and all network related questions such as firewall configurations etc.

10.5 Required ports are as follows: • Apogee will configure the Stream2 headend based on your university’s port

requirements.

10.6 Whitelist & VPN-Blacklist IP Ranges • Due to original content provider Digital Rights and Licensing restrictions, no VPNs are

authorized.

• All subscribers need to be on the campus area network.

• Network ACL’s will need to be applied to any VPN concentrators in your network if applicable.

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