Post-STB Video Service Monitoring
The Observer Remote Program Monitor (RPM) is Volicon’s advanced solution for MSOs, independent cable operators, IPTV, and satellite operators who need to automatically evaluate the quality of their linear, on-demand, and interactive content and advertising. Designed to monitor NOC/headend and remote hubsite broadcasts from a central location, the Observer RPM scans hundreds of channels around the clock and automatically tests signal integrity, issues alerts (via e-mail and SNMP), and captures the problematic content when channels do not conform to pre-specified limits.
The Observer RPMs operates post-set-top-box (STB), providing a single system and location where video output can be accessed and monitored 24x7. The Observer RPM can check linear content for video or audio errors such as closed captioning, audio levels, and static screen or black screen. Operators can access and play out VOD content to ensure content availability and system capacity, record DPI ad insertions for ad proof of conformance, or monitor interactive STB guides to ensure a customer’s experience. While the RPM can autonomously monitor, it also records content 24x7 at full frame rate and full resolution and allows full STB command access, enabling effective troubleshooting and historical review of content and services.
Proactive monitoring
The Observer RPM eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming manual and visual channel inspections. It allows operators to respond proactively to faults, rather than waiting passively for customer complaints. Operators can improve service and save on operating costs by eliminating unnecessary service trips to remote locations.
See what your customers are seeing by verifying the integrity of a lineup
By utilizing the same set-top boxes that your customers are using, you can create a “sample customer” at each one of your hubsites/edge offices to automatically verify the lineup. All set-top boxes are supported by means of a trainable infrared controller, providing flexibility and future-proofing your investment.
Automated content-level monitoring and alerting
The Observer RPM currently supports a range of alarm conditions:
- Loss of video signal (sync)
- Black screen
- Frozen screen
- Low audio
- Macroblocking
- Missing captions/subtitles
All of these alerts have configurable thresholds. You can also specify per-channel thresholds to suit the type of content available on a given channel in your lineup and to prevent “false positive” alarms. Once a fault condition is detected, an alert is issued via SNMP or email, a fault clip is logged for further review, and the channel is added to a probation list. An additional scanner monitors the stations on the probation list, issuing another notification when the recovery is detected.
Monitor and review: easy natural-language video assurance
Utilizing the same award-winning video streaming engine as Volicon’s standard Observer, the RPM’s video log is fully accessible over a standard IP connection. Technicians access the RPM from any standard desktop PC, using only a Web browser. With no client software required, the Observer RPM is easy to deploy and upgrade.
Service assurance of linear, on-demand, and interactive content and advertising in a single unit
By combining powerful video analytics, flexible scripting, continuous full definition and frame-rate recording, and control and analysis of the STB in a single unit, the RPM is a powerful monitoring and troubleshooting tool. Technicians access the RPM from any standard desktop PC, using only a Web browser. With no client software required, the Observer RPM is easy to deploy and upgrade.
- Linear, on-demand and Interactive content
- 24x7 monitoring and troubleshooting
- Detects black, frozen or pixelated video
- Support up to 4 STBs from one unit
- Monitors audio levels & captions
- SNMP, email & multimedia clip alerts
- Powerful scripting for interactive features
- Central aggregation and administration
- Records at full frame rate & resolution
- Up to 30 days of content stored locally
- Records advertising for proof of delivery
- Cycles channels, VOD & interactive apps
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