DTV Datacasting offers the potential to deliver massive quantities of data to millions of simultaneous computers at very low cost. Typical DTV video transmissions include 1,000,000 bits each second of empty "null" packets that can be utilized for "opportunistic" datacasting. This is the equivalent of 15 CD-ROMs each day. Additional bandwidth from the ATSC 19.4 Mbps stream can be dedicated to datacasting if desired. The potential of datacasting will be realized when the amount of compelling content and the number of computers with DTV reception capability reach critical mass. Click for details SERVES PCs With DTV Data Reception or Connection to a DTV Reception Edge Server The logical application for datacasting is for delivery of large video and audio files, where alternative delivery is too expensive or simply unavailable. Value for the Users: Content appears to the user instantly since it is pre-cached. Wireless delivery is especially valuable in areas un-served by broadband. Content is safe for children since it is pre-selected by a trusted agent. Potentially no monthly costs since there are no incremental costs to add users. Value for the Providers: Millions of users can be served without increased server or network costs. The system cannot be overloaded by demand, providing robust delivery. Datacasting provides a backup to Internet delivery for critical applications. INGREDIENTS - PROVIDER Content HTML content must be tailored for stand-alone use within an isolated PC, much as it is when delivered via CD-ROM. Server-side-include (SSI) and PHP coding must be avoided. The use of each plug-in should be carefully considered, as the users may not have it and may be unable to install it. The requirement for a back-channel should also be carefully considered, since there may be classes of users who do not have this available. Many datacasting systems also support live streaming, which may be valuable for certain applications but does require dedicated bandwidth. Enhancing Education: A Producer's Guide (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) Content Management System (CMS) Whether very simple or highly complex, entirely manual or highly automated, a system must be provided to manage the content to be delivered and organize it into a useful and searchable form for users and providers. It may require a back-channel to provide the desired functionality. OnCourse (Under Development) United Streaming (doing business as United Learning) File Transmission Software from the same vendor as the File Reception software below provides some combination of error correction (with or without back-channel) conditional access, rights management, addressing and subscription services. Kencast International Datacasting NDS Triveni Digital IP Encapsulation This equipment accepts IP packets from the scheduling/conditional access system and encapsulates them within MPEG packets suitable for insertion in to the DTV datastream per ATSC standard A92. Triveni Digital Logic Innovations Thales Tandberg Datacasting Multiplexer The multiplexer combines the Datacast MPEG packets with video and audio MPEG packets for other services per ATSC standard A90. Most DTV encoding systems ("Upstream" of the broadcast encoder) Logic Innovations ("Downstream" of the broadcast encoder) DTV Transmission with Optional Cable Re-Transmission DTV datacasting presumes that data will be broadcast to a large region using a DTV transmitter. Ease of reception can be increased if an agreement can be reached with the local cable system to include the datacasting packets within digital cable re-transmission of the station's DTV service (or simply not delete them). INGREDIENTS - USERS Datacasting Reception * A suitable receiver must be attached to either an off-air antenna or cable feed. It can be a stand-alone device with USB connection to a PC or an internal card. It is shipped with software drivers that equip the PC to de-multiplex the data from the ATSC stream and un-encapsulate the IP packets from the MPEG wrapper. AccessDTV B2C2 Air2PC (Off Air) B2C2 Cable4PC (Cable) File Reception * Software from the same vendor as the File Transmission above is installed in each receiving PC. It provides some combination of error correction (with or without back-channel) conditional access, addressing, rights management, subscription, content deletion and disk storage management. Kencast International Datacasting NDS Triveni Digital * Edge Server By combining the two reception functions above into a single robust "edge server", received content can be served to many PCs sharing a fast LAN or WiFi connection within a given facility. This dramatically lowers the per-PC installation costs while providing the speed, security and economy described in the "value" section above. Triveni Digital Content Management System The combination of a standard web browser with HTML code delivered from the Content Management System described above provides the user the ability to search for and select the desired content. Content Playout The combination of a standard web browser and streaming video plug-in with HTML code and streaming video content from a particular content package provides the desired interactive educational and informational user experience. INSTRUCTIONS Define Each Audience Unlike the Internet which is ideal for mini and micro-audiences, datacasting achieves its economies when serving a large audience desiring a common set of content. Datacasting also requires the installation of unfamiliar reception equipment that is less likely to be successfully installed by casual users. These factors support the careful selection of defined groups of users with common interests and an organized infrastructure to assure a successful deployment. Many distinct groups can be supported, as datacasting content can be sent to individual groups and sub-groups of recipients that can easily redefined at any time. Aggregate Content Unlike the Internet which is ideal for niche needs of text and graphical data, datacasting achieves its economies when serving an audience desiring a common set of streaming video and audio content. This factor suggest careful selection of defined groups of users that have the need for a common set of streaming content that is not easily delivered via the Internet. The content must be designed with the interactive functionality necessary to serve the informational and educational needs of the users. User expectations for a wide variety of available content the cost of its development begs for nation-wide sharing between providers. Rights issues must be carefully considered, to insure that content use is compliant with agreements. Prioritize Content Management Users expect that the content they need will be easy to find. This requires a content management system that organizes it in many different ways around the many different ways various users search for it. This requires a large amount of research, planning, development, testing and continuous improvement, and begs for nationally-developed applications within each class of content. Develop Provider Infrastructure After selecting vendors that provide the desired functionality, install and test these complex systems well-ahead of any planned user deployment. The experiences gained in this phase may have a profound impact on the expectation of services that can be promised to users. Develop User Infrastructure Consider the use of edge servers for institutional locations. Choose locations with a reasonable level of technical expertise or plan on an extensive help-desk and field service infrastructure. Install equipment and train users in operation and maintenance of the various user systems. Support User Needs Provide an ongoing infrastructure to continually improve the available content and its organization within the CMS. REFERENCE KCPT Datacast Pilot Project Texas Public Broadcasting Educational Datacasting Network Revised Tuesday, 11-Mar-2003 11:13:29 CST - j [an error occurred while processing this directive]