SUWANEE, Ga., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
ARRIS (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced the addition of an
Audio Normalization feature, along with several other new features,
to its versatile VIPr Transcoder/Re-Encoder. Well recognized
for its demonstrated 4:1 HD compression, ad splicing and MPEG-4 to
MPEG-2 transcoding capabilities, the VIPr now provides a
cost-effective, ready-to-deploy resolution to one of the loudest
and longest-standing complaints cable operators regularly receive:
the regular and often jarring disparity between the audio levels
within programming and advertising.
Audio Normalization is the equalization of variations in audio
level between a program and an advertisement. With its new
software release, the VIPr will incorporate the ARRIS patent
pending feature which continuously measures and calculates a
running average of the audio levels in the video stream. If
the audio level of a subsequent advertisement is significantly
higher than the program audio, the VIPr will adjust relevant
parameters in the advertisement's audio bit stream, instructing the
set top box to reduce the audio levels to approximately the same
level as the program audio.
Another new feature is Active Format Description (AFD).
AFD enables the content provider to direct the display mode
of the video picture when an HD program is converted to SD.
There are two ways to down-convert the video from HD to SD —
letterbox or center cut. Programmers and operators used to
select one or the other of these formats statically. However,
programmers increasingly prefer to dynamically switch between them
based on the content and the programming. In this scenario,
the operator can insert an AFD parameter in the video stream which
will be processed by the VIPr to perform appropriate conversion
from HD to SD, resulting in an improved customer experience.
Additionally, the ARRIS VIPr now boasts a new Input Stream
Redundancy feature, which allows a user to configure a second
'redundant' transcode. Many cable operators use redundant
ring architectures to distribute video over wide areas. If
the primary service fails or has degraded performance, the VIPr
automatically switches to the backup service. Also new is the
ARRIS VIPr's ability to assign Differentiated Services Code Point
(DSCP). DSCP enables cable operators to assign different
priorities to IP packets of different types of traffic -- for
example: high priority for VOD applications and a lower priority
for niche content.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.arrisi.com/get/vipr/.
About ARRIS
ARRIS is a global communications technology company specializing
in the design, engineering and supply of technology supporting
quad-play broadband services for residential and business customers
around the world. The company supplies broadband operators with the
tools and platforms they need to deliver carrier-grade telephony,
network video processing, whole home video, demand driven video,
next-generation advertising, network and workforce management
solutions, access and transport architectures and ultra high-speed
data services. Headquartered in Suwanee,
Georgia, USA, ARRIS has R&D centers in Suwanee; Beaverton,
OR; Chicago, IL;
Kirkland, WA; State College, PA; Wallingford, CT; Waltham, MA; Cork,
Ireland; and Shenzhen,
China, and operates support and sales offices throughout the
world. Information about ARRIS products and services can be found
at www.arrisi.com.
SOURCE ARRIS