Rich new feature set boosts networking capabilities, adds web-based control to Pleora’s EtherCast™ line of high-performance, affordable DVB-ASI-over-IP engines

Rich new feature set boosts networking capabilities, adds web-based control to Pleora’s EtherCast™ line of high-performance, affordable DVB-ASI-over-IP engines

Support for FEC, RTP, COP#3, and SNMP enhances value of engines in standards-based video transport

Web-based configuration utility eases control and set-up

OTTAWA, CANADA, September 5, 2007: Pleora Technologies, a leading supplier of Ethernet video connectivity products, today announced new features for its EtherCast IP Engines that allow them to integrate more easily with the network facilities used by many carriers, cable companies, and studios to transport broadcast video over long distances. The new features, which include comprehensive support for emerging video-over-IP standards, significantly expand the networking options available to users seeking EtherCast’s affordable, real-time delivery of broadcast-quality DVB-ASI over IP networks.

Pleora’s EtherCast IP Engines are being equipped with FEC (Forward Error Correction) technology, web-based configuration and control, and support for RTP (Real-Time Protocol), COP#3 (Pro-MPEG Forum’s Code of Practice #3), and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Together, these features increase the value of the systems to organizations looking to distribute SDTV (standard-definition television) and HDTV (high-definition television) content over managed IP networks.

“Our newest EtherCast features recognize the industry’s growing support for standardization in the transport of broadcast video over IP networks,” said George Chamberlain, President of Pleora Technologies. “With these features, our EtherCast IP Engines can be integrated quickly and seamlessly into any standards-driven professional workflow.”

The new capabilities complement existing features in Pleora’s EtherCast IP Engines, such as full multicast support (i.e. IGMP or the Internet Group Management Protocol), exceptional jitter control, and low and predictable end-to-end latency. The engines deliver DVB-ASI transport streams over IP networks in real-time, with no video quality compromises. The engines deliver all data in the stream, including such ancillary data as digital audio and timing information. At the other end of the signal path, another EtherCast engine returns the data back to its original DVB-ASI format.

EtherCast IP engines are available as palm-sized, single-channel units (EtherCast PL1453), or as four-channel 1U rack-mounted systems (EtherCast PL4453). The small footprint and low power requirements make PL1453 an ideal OEM board for inclusion in third-party equipment.

Next-Generation EtherCast PL1453 Features – highlight

FEC (Forward Error Correction) – technology that recovers a video stream from packet loss. Improves data integrity
RTP (Real-Time Protocol) – standardized packet format for delivering audio and video over IP networks. The real-time aspects of this format make it suitable for interactive audio and video applications such as voice-over-IP and videoconferencing
COP#3 (Pro-MPEG Forum’s code of practice #3) – a method of protecting data streams across networks prone to packet loss and delays|
SNMP (simple network management protocol) – used by network management systems to monitor network-attached devices for conditions that warrant administrative attention
Web-based configuration – configure all EtherCast devices in your installation using a standard Web browser. Advanced statistics display allows you to monitor the number of sent and received packets, packet re-send requests, lost packets, bandwidth use (up and down stream), etc.

The EtherCast IP Engines are derived from the field-proven IP engine technology offered in Pleora's world-leading line of iPORT™ products for vision applications. Pleora will show the EtherCast engines at IBC 2007, in Amsterdam’s RAI Convention Center on September 7-11, 2007. (Booth 2.345, Hall 2). For pricing and availability, contact Pleora Technologies at +1-613-270-0625 or info@pleora.com.

About Pleora

Pleora Technologies Inc. is a global supplier of Ethernet video connectivity products for the broadcast, medical, machine vision, and security/surveillance industries. Pleora's iPORT and EtherCast product families transport imaging and video data in real time over low-cost Ethernet connections with extremely high performance. Pleora is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.