Mediabilling

The intended purpose of the MBView hardware-software framework is provision of IPTV services. The IPTV technology allows providers to satisfy customers' ever growing information demand, expand the range of service options, available for subscribers, and deploy a compatible triple-play business. The modular architecture of the MBView framework makes it possible to flexibly customize the system and implement the most optimal models of IPTV services, meeting customers' requirements and operators' unique business goals.

Basically, an IPTV system is capable to serve as a hardware & software base for provision and management of numerous service options:

• local, satellite and digital TV broadcasting;
• radio-broadcasting;
• computerless Internet access;
• video and audio on demand (VoD, AVoD, NvoD);
• Pay-per-View (PpV) services;
• virtual Personal Video Recorder (PVR) on provider's server;
• Time Shifted TV – the delayed viewing of recorded TV content;
• interactive services: games, e-shopping, video conferences etc.

The undeniable benefit of the MBView hardware-software framework by Billing Appliances s.r.o. is its comprehensive compatibility with the MediaBilling rating and charging system, which allows to keep and manage a single subscribers base and issue unified invoices in mutual settlement with customers. The MBView framework is the most cost-effective way of integration of the billing system with IPTV network.

Main components of the IPTV system are listed below:

• Middleware – the interlink, mediating between the rest of components of the IPTV system; the general tool of control and management of services, subscribers, VoD/NVoD and game servers and the billing system.
• CAS (Conditional Access System) - prevents unauthorized access to provided broadcasting, multimedia and interactive services.
• STB (Set Top Box) - receives and decodes incoming content and verifies subscribers' access to data and services.

MBView Middleware

MBView Middleware is the core of the MBView solution that interlinks the broadcasting system with Set Top Box, billing system database, software applications and hardware, which IPTV service is based on. Along with the mediation tasks, the Middleware also implements management functions: control of subscribers' access to the provided services, including interaction with CAS; maintaining EPG (Electronic Program Guide) – electronic variant of a TV diary; administering and configuring IP based broadcasting system etc.

In terms of stream video encoding, MBView Middleware is completely compatible with the conditional access systems Conax CAS7, Irdeto PISYS, Verimatrix VCAS. The system is capable to serve such IPTV based extra options as NvoD (scheduled virtual cinema), Internet access via STB, gaming, radio-broadcasting.

The choice of STB to be used as a component of MBView framework generally depends on the technical performance of the IPTV network broadcast: algorithms of stream video encoding, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 signal quality etc. The default package of the framework software component has been originally adjusted for AmiNET 110 (for MPEG-2 streaming) and AmiNET 130 (MPEG-4) STB hardware.

The MBView platform can also include optional hardware and software components:

• streamers / multiplexers;
• multicast software for open broadcasting in MPEG-TS (MPEG-2, AVC) format (e. g. for hotel solutions or any other networks, where the signal encoding is not required);
• encoding software (MPEG-2, AVC encoder) for preparation of content for VoD and NVoD services.

IPTV solution for hotels

MBView Hotel is a triple-play/IPTV solution for hospitality industry that will take you hotel business to a higher level, help to attract new customers and maintain their loyalty. The solution provides hotelkeepers with the possibility to offer to their guests extra options in their accommodation, e. g. Internet access and multimedia services.

The key distinctive feature of the MBView special solution for hotels is its compatibility with hotel management systems (e. g. Fidelio PMS), which provides extensive potential for cost-saving integration of the framework into a hospitality business.

The default capacity of the MBView system allows to offer the following options to customers:

• page with personal greetings to the guest;
• access to the personal settlement account page and balance details;
• free and paid TV channels;
• ordering of programs and movies (Video on Demand service);
• computerless access to the Internet via a TV-set;
• announcement of optional services, offered by the hotel;
• personal messages to the guest.