ITV

ORF‘s MHP testing installation

In the !TV4GRAZ project, ORF assumed technical responsibility for broadcasting the three linear television channels as well as !TV4GRAZ‘s interactive content and MHP-based applications. In order to test playout stability as regards compatibility with individual applications, an MHP testing installation was set up at the ORF headquarters in Vienna. This installation was not only able to test the four box
types for compatibility, it also made it possible to survey the advantages and disadvantages of the playout infrastructure used.

In order to check the application for proper programming, color display and performance, each partner could rent ORF‘s MHP testing installation with the support of a competent ORF engineer.

Testing the ITV cycle of interaction

For this purpose, ORF collects the necessary information and programs from each set-top box manufacturer so that the current status of an application can be displayed via the serial port on the set-top boxes (except in the case of Fujitsu Siemens). Using a special server architecture, ORF feeds this data into the internal network, thus ensuring a maximum of working flexibility.


	Pilot operation for digital terrestrial television and interactive MHP applacations
the project !TV4GRAZ applications production results imprint	ORF‘s MHP testing installation In the !TV4GRAZ project, ORF assumed technical responsibility for broadcasting the three linear television channels as well as !TV4GRAZ‘s interactive content and MHP-based applications. In order to test playout stability as regards compatibility with individual applications, an MHP testing installation was set up at the ORF headquarters in Vienna. This installation was not only able to test the four box types for compatibility, it also made it possible to survey the advantages and disadvantages of the playout infrastructure used. In order to check the application for proper programming, color display and performance, each partner could rent ORF‘s MHP testing installation with the support of a competent ORF engineer. Testing the ITV cycle of interaction For this purpose, ORF collects the necessary information and programs from each set-top box manufacturer so that the current status of an application can be displayed via the serial port on the set-top boxes (except in the case of Fujitsu Siemens). Using a special server architecture, ORF feeds this data into the internal network, thus ensuring a maximum of working flexibility.	The signals from the central equipment room are transported to the ORF test installation via two lines: One transports the original signal for Graz, the other can be used for testing purposes. The signals are split and passed on to the corresponding set-top boxes in a 19“ equipment rack. The MHP applica- tions are displayed on eight different television types using a crossbar switch. In this way, the graphic design can be adapted to the various characteristics of the televisions, thus the broad range of television sets found in households can be covered adequately. The keypartner Telekom Austria set up an ADSL and conventional analog modem connection in order to allow return channel functions to be tested in this installation. The applications developed for !TV4GRAZ were professionally checked for playout and set-top box stability before receiving ORF‘s approval for their initial broadcasts. Finally, these applications were inserted into the schedule and the necessary data supply interfaces were activated. The MHP testing installation will also provide valuable services at ORF in future projects.