First LNB that will incorporate eight-channel satellite-to-IP bridging technology

[dms05]

SES-Astra announce a new technology News - SES.com for cost-effective IP distribution of satellite television to the home.

As it says:

The IP-LNB is a prototype device that will deliver eight concurrent channels from any of the transponders of a satellite orbital position. These channels may be forwarded via IP unicast or multicast to fixed and portable devices. Satellite signals will be distributed via Ethernet, power-line communications (PLC) or a Wi-Fi local area network (LAN). The technology can be used for free-to-air (FTA) or pay TV applications.

However it also says:

Designing such a novel LNB requires significant advances in satellite chipset and real-time IP streaming software technology in order to meet the unique system requirements on the size, power consumption, long-term reliability and price point required for a commercially viable outdoor unit (ODU).

This seems to say the world has to adapt its technology to make this new LNB/IP feasible. The question is the old chicken/egg question but SES-Astra is in a very strong position to push the concept.

One to watch?

[AdamLC]

Interesting use of existing technologies. I get they could make interactive services better using this technology!

[dms05]

Interesting use of existing technologies. I get they could make interactive services better using this technology!

My understanding is this will allow IPTV to be broadcast via a satellite data stream much like using copper or fibre cables, so it's much more likely to be 8 IP channels streamed per transponder rather than a single channel using existing broadcasting techniques. The interesting part is not the multicast (ie much like turning on the TV where any number of people can watch at any time) but unicast where I assume you can broadcast to a unique viewer.

Or maybe it's something completely different!

[dragon2611]

That's an interesting development, Converting to IP is nothing new but usually it's done in some kind of Rack mounted hardware or in the STB not in the LNB itself.

Quite a neat idea actually, but who knows if Sky would use it as the content providers would demand some kind of encryption/DRM ****e before they'd accept it.