RGB Networks Demonstrates New Dynamic Bandwidth Manager Delivering 50 Percent More VOD Content Without Requiring Additional Bandwidth.

Industry's Only Real-Time VOD Bandwidth Manager Preserves SD and HD Picture Quality

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Here at its Cable-Tec Expo booth (#2480), RGB Networks, the leader in network video processing, is demonstrating the bandwidth efficiency of its new Dynamic Bandwidth Manager (DBM) which enables cable television operators to deliver up to 50 percent more video-on-demand (VOD) programming without increasing bandwidth or impacting picture quality.

In the demonstration, attendees will see side-by-side comparisons showing unmodified, standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) VOD programs next to SD and HD VOD programs that have been 'bandwidth optimized' by the DBM with no discernable change in picture quality. The DBM reduces the bandwidth requirements of VOD programs by processing them in real-time from the constant bit rate (CBR) they are typically delivered in, converting them to a variable bit rate (VBR), which frees considerable bandwidth. The demonstration shows an SD program that has been processed sufficiently to fit 15 VBR VOD programs into a 6 MHz 256-QAM channel, compared to the 10 CBR programs carried in most SD VOD deployments. The demonstration will also show a substantial bandwidth savings for HD, enabling operators to deliver three HD VOD programs per channel, compared to the two programs typically delivered.

"We specifically designed our Dynamic Bandwidth Manager to achieve significant VOD bandwidth savings while simultaneously preserving optimal picture quality and ensuring that subscribers experience no noticeable differences when using VOD's fast forward, rewind and pause 'trickplay' features," said Kerry Washington, RGB's Technical Marketing Manager responsible for the DBM. "Our Cable-Tec demonstrations show that the DBM can meet operators' goals of delivering more VOD programming without resorting to node splits and other costly methods for increasing bandwidth and without affecting the end-user experience."

Complementing its bandwidth optimizing capabilities, the DBM is exceptionally easy to deploy as it processes VOD programs in real-time, eliminating the need for complicated pre-processing of the programs and any complex integration with VOD servers. Operators simply 'plug' the DBM into existing VOD deployments as it is compatible with all the major components of an end-to-end VOD system, including VOD servers, resource managers and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulators. The DBM can also encrypt each VOD program as it is processed, making it dramatically easier for operators to continually add new programming to their VOD line-ups compared to solutions which require extensive pre-processing of the content.

Another advantage of the DBM's real-time processing is that it can also be used in switched digital video (SDV) architectures, unlike pre-processing and non-real-time based solutions which cannot work with live broadcast programs.

About RGB Networks

RGB Networks delivers extremely high-density, flexible video processing solutions that enable video service providers to deliver highly targeted and personalized video content at considerably lower costs than conventional solutions. Based on its unique Video Intelligence Architecture[TM] (VIA), RGB's VIA product family simplifies management and delivers scalable, multi-function capability in a single, programmable platform, allowing video service providers to leverage existing infrastructure, while building an advanced foundation to meet the needs of the rapidly growing market for personalized video services.

For more information about RGB Networks and its unique video processing solutions, please visit www.rgbnetworks.com.