NAB 2013: Volicon showing enhanced Observer logging, monitoring system

Volicon is to highlight version 7.1 of its Observer TS MPEG transport stream logging and monitoring system, which has been enhanced with advanced loudness measurement and valuable digital program insertion (DPI) monitoring functionality, added convenience for mobile users, and new multiviewer capabilities and GUI options.

“Observer 7.1 gives users an array of powerful tools that address current and future monitoring requirements while reducing costs and streamlining key operations enterprise-wide,” says Russell Wise, vice-president of global sales at Volicon.

Volicon will demonstrate the latest enhancements to the Observer Loudness module, which now provides a program loudness report (PLR) that reflects measurements for all audio tracks associated with a program and identifies exceptions and violations of standards-based parameters. The module adds 5.1 downmix measurements and support for the Dolby Dialogue Intelligence algorithm to the Observer’s monitoring capabilities.

To help broadcasters and other operators conform to DPI requirements in SCTE-35/104, Volicon’s new DPI Monitoring module enables the monitoring, logging and frame-accurate display of content along with the metadata and in/out point markers needed to determine if DPI messages were conveyed properly. With this module, Volicon eliminates the need to measure streams with an in-depth transport stream analyzer and to calculate the frame in which the insertion occurs.

Further aiding in efficient monitoring and troubleshooting, Observer Mobile offers extended functionality to users working with iPad or iPhone devices. In addition to providing access to content anywhere, anytime, and giving users the ability to play, pause, search, and create logged content on demand, the interface now also supports multichannel viewing and multiple audio tracks. Users can select the best bit-rate for their viewing device and network connection.

Meanwhile, Volicon’s new Multiviewer module brings greater flexibility to larger displays by enabling Observer users to drive a standard display as a multiviewer. With the ability to watch multiple streams on a display monitor and, in the event of an issue, instantly grab the suspect stream via the Observer’s desktop interface, users can respond immediately to any issues with audio/video content and metadata, or the transport stream itself. In addition to simplifying network monitoring and troubleshooting operations, this capability facilitates a host of powerful monitoring operations that simply aren’t possible with standard multiviewer systems.

For users at the desktop, Volicon’s new Clientless GUI enables operation of the Observer system without requiring the installation of a local player.

Ease of use and greater accessibility are complemented by support for ASI, QAM, 8-VSB, DVB-T/T2, and DVB-T MPEG TS interfaces.