DekTec is using NAB to unveil what it believes are the first ever Transport Stream over IP (TSoIP) to Digital Video converters to feature Power over Gigabit Ethernet technology, giving new and unprecedented flexibility to expand server I/O. The first two products in the family are being launched at NAB, and convert DVB-ASI streams to and from TSoIP for transmission on Gigabit Ethernet networks.

The units can be used either as compact autonomous gateways, or as remote I/O devices for server-based data inserters, stream servers, multiplexers and similar systems. The new DekTec DTE-31xx family of TSoIP adapters can interface MPEG-2 transport streams with PC-based applications via an Ethernet network, giving much greater flexibility to system architecture. As a result, content capture and streaming devices can be located further from the central server, and the number of I/O ports is no longer constrained by the availability of PCI slots on the server.

Up to 14 modules can be installed in 3U 19" rack space using the DekTec rack-mountable rail, or the units can be mounted on a DIN rail directly on a wall. The networked I/O architecture obsoletes the need for device drivers, creating independence of the server's Operating System.

A significant innovation in the DekTec DTE-31xx family is support for Power over Ethernet (PoE). When used with a PoE compatible network, the TSoIP converters do not require a separate power feed, as they can draw their power from the Ethernet network. A power jack is still offered, however, where PoE is not available. Initially, DekTec is releasing two products, the DTE-3100 for conversion of incoming TSoIP streams to a DVB-ASI output, and the DTE-3120 for transmitting incoming DVB-ASI streams over an Ethernet network using TSoIP.

The DTE-3100 accepts unicast, broadcast and multicast streams over its Gigabit-Ethernet port, and converts the TSoIP stream to DVB-ASI. Key features include de-encapsulation of UDP or RTP, accurate timing reconstruction using innovative algorithms to overcome IP jitter, as well as error correction according to SMPTE-2022-1.

Conversely, the DTE-3120 accepts DVB-ASI streams for transmission as TSoIP via Gigabit Ethernet. The converter generates unicast, broadcast and multicast streams using encapsulation in UDP or RTP and can optionally add SMPTE 2022-1 error-correction packets. A special feature of the DTE-3120 is a loop-through with fail-over relays for input-to-output connection in the event of power failure.

Both devices support SNMP management, and have a web-based user interface for configuration purposes, as well as retrieving status information and performance statistics. An LCD status display with user-programmable identifier is also offered on each unit.