CATV RF QAM Transmodulator

Description

CATV RF to IP Gateway + CATV RF Trans-modulator for QAM, ATSC, DVB-S/S2, DVB-T, ISDB-T

16 RF Inputs to IP Outputs + 16 RF Outputs
This unit can take existing ATSC channels and convert them to IP streams and QAM RF channels simultaneously (RF input = IP + RF output).
EXAMPLE Model numbers can be (H-16QAM-IP-ATSC ---- H-16DVBS-IP-ATSC)
RF Inputs can be ATSC / QAM / DVB-S/S2 / DVB-T / ISDB-T
RF Outputs can be ATSC / QAM / DVB-T / ISDB-T

This gateway and transmodulator is a unique device that can easily convert existing RF streams, up to 16 frequencies, to IP and RF channels. This allows you to add RF to an existing RF channel bank, as well as create IP streams for easy access via LAN. For example, you can convert ATSC to IP and QAM, or you can convert DVB-S2 to IP and QAM, or also use it as a translator so you can take 16 QAM frequencies and convert them to IP and 16 QAM (different frequencies, if you would like to rearrange your channel lineup). The vast array of options makes this an ideal headend piece to quickly and efficiently become more dynamic, add free OTA channels to a QAM headend, or simply create an RF to IP gateway with existing RF programs. This is the exact same unit that is mentioned above, with the added benefit of transmodulation. We can essentially mix and match any RF to any RF, with a couple of exceptions. Please contact your local dealer or Thor directly for more information.

Simply put, it is a 16 RF to 16 RF + IPTV gateway. This is a multi-standard CATV, Air, and Satellite Digital modulation standard transmodulator-converter with IPTV output.

The unit has 16 individual tuner inputs, and depending on the model, it can support the following modulation standards:

ATSC
DVB-C Annex A/B/C QAM 64/256
DVB-S/S2
DVB-T, DVB-T2
ISDB-T

Depending on the model, the output can be ATSC, QAM, DVB-T, or ISDB-T.

The unit can also be used for the same modulation conversions, like QAM to QAM or ATSC to ATSC, for up or down channel conversion.

In addition, the device has an IPTV output, so each TS from the inputs can be output as a UDP/RTP multicast or unicast for local LAN video distribution over the network.

The device also has 2 independent DVB-ASI inputs, allowing additional TS programs from external encoders to be injected into the modulator as separate channels or subchannels.

This version corrects grammatical errors and improves the flow and clarity of the original text. Let me know if there are any other areas where you need assistance.

Features

INPUTS: 16 ATSC or QAM or DVB-S/S2 FTA or DVB-T or ISDB-T RF Tuners + 2 ASI inputs
OUTPUTS : 16 channels QAM or ATSC or DVB-T or ISDB-T ( model dependent)
Excellent RF output performance index, MER>=40db
16 groups multiplexing +16 groups scrambling +16 groups QAM modulating
1 IP(MPTS) output over UDP or RTP
512 IP SMPTS' output over UDP or RTP
Accurate PCR adjusting
PSI/SI editing and inserting
VCT edit
Web management, Updates via web
16RF to IP+ 16RF ( any combination )

Drawings

Model Selection

Models :

Satt or Cable or Air RF to IP and RF Translator ( transmodulator)

H-16ATSC-IP-16ATSC : 16 ATSC to 16 ATSC and IP out
H-16ATSC-IP-16QAM : 16 ATSC to 16 QAM and IP out
H-16QAM-IP-16ATSC : 16 QAM to 16 ATSC and IP out
H-16QAM-IP-16QAM : 16 QAM to 16 QAM and IP out
H-16DVBS-IP-16ATSC 16 DVBS/S2 to 16 ATSC and IP out
H-16DVBS-IP-16QAM : 16 DVBS/S2 to 16 QAM and IP out
H-16DVBS-IP-16DVBT : 16 DVB-T, DVB-T2 to 16DVB-T and IP out
H-16DVBT-IP-16QAM : 16 DVB-T, DVB-T2 to 16QAM and IP out

Accessories & Upgrades

Specification

Input	16 INPUT FTA Tuner selection:: DVB-S/S2 OT ATSC or DVB-C Annex A/B QAM (Model dependent)
	512 IP (GE1only)input over UDP and RTP protocol
	2 ASI input, BNC interface
Tuner Section	DVB-S	Input Frequency	950-2150MHz
		Symbol rate	2-45Msps
		Signal Strength	-65~-25dBm
		FEC Demodulation	1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 QPSK
	DVB-S2	Input Frequency	950-2150MHz
		Symbol rate	QPSK 1~45Mbauds 8PSK 2~30Mbauds
		Code rate	1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
		Demodulation Mode	QPSK, 8PSK
Multiplexing	Maximum PID Remapping	128per input channel
	Function	PID remapping (automatically or manually)
		Accurate PCR adjusting
		Generate PSI/SI table automatically
Modulation Output	Modulation Output format	ATSC or DVB-C Annex A / B QAM ( model dependendt, please chek model selection)
	Standard	EN300 429/ITU-T J.83A/B or 8VSB ( ATSC model )
	MER	≥40db
	RF frequency	50~960MHz, 1KHz step
	RF output level	-20~+10dbm(87~107 dbµV),0.1db step
	Symbol Rate	5.0Msps~7.0Msps, 1ksps stepping
	Constellation	16/32/64/128/256QAM
		J.83A	J.83B
	Constellation	16/32/64/128/256QAM	64/256 QAM
	Bandwidth	8M	6M
System	Remote management	Web NMS (10M/100M)
	RF Out	16 DVB-C output or ATSC ( model dependendt, please chek model selection)
	IP Out	1 IP (MPTS) output over UDP and RTP/RTSP (GE1 only) Mirrors one carrier
	Language	English
	Software Upgrading	Web
General	Temperature	0~45°C(Operation) ; -20~80°C(Storage)
	Power	AC 100V±1050/60Hz; AC 220V±10%, 50/60HZ
	Consumption	25W
WEIGHT: 8.9 lb BOX SIZE (IN): 22 x 14.5 x 4.5 in BOX SIZE (MM): 559 x 369 x 115 mm UNIT SIZE (IN): 19 x 9.5 x 2 in UNIT SIZE (MM): 483 x 242 x 51 mm

Question and Answers

Question:
I am writing to inquire about your ATSC to IP devices. We are looking to capture OTA signals and transmit them over a GRE tunnel to a remote location, where the multicast signal will be ingested into an IPTV system. I have noticed that most devices transmit the entire RF channel, including all sub-channels. To save bandwidth, is there a way to select and send only the desired channels rather than the full RF stream?

Answer:

Great question. Our units are very flexible and designed exactly for this type of application.

You are not limited to passing the full RF stream. Our gateways can work both ways - you can pass the entire transport stream or select only the specific sub-channels (programs) you want, depending on your bandwidth needs.

You can take a look at:

They can output streams as UDP multicast or unicast, and you can choose between full MPTS or selected programs (SPTS).

This makes them very efficient for transport over GRE tunnels.

Please review and let me know if this fits your setup.

--------------------

SPTS capability I think is exactly what we need for efficiency. If you use these as SPTS, does that limit each tuner to one channel, or can we send, say, 2/4 of the subchannels from one tuner? We have 6 desired RF channels but may want to send about 16 channels all together. About half of what's available. Would we need the H-16atsc, or would the H-8 work? ------------------------ Each tuner is not limited to one channel. From a single RF carrier, you can select multiple sub-channels, and the unit will generate a separate SPTS stream for each one - only the specific programs you choose. In your case, with 6 RF channels and approximately 16 total programs, the H-8ATSC-IP will be more than enough. You can tune those 6 carriers and pull multiple sub-channels from each to reach your 16 streams. There is no need for the 16-tuner unit unless you plan to expand your RF carrier count later.

Question:
I work for the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. We are getting ready to convert many of our hospitals to IPTV from coax QAM. As part of this conversion, we will be inserting 6 educational programs and 20 international programs into the IP network. We have purchased the H-HDPerformux boxes and have the manual for configuration. I have a couple of questions. 1. Is there an option to connect the management port to the network so that we can manage the connections remotely? 2. Can you recommend anyone in the Cleveland/Ohio area who understands your products and could assist us in troubleshooting and configuring the boxes? For the international channels, they come in via satellite. Right now, we feed 20 satellite receivers into a QAM. We are using your RFOG transmitter/receiver to send the signal across campus to insert into our headend. \\ To add the IP streams, we purchased another H-HDperformux and then we were going to DA the signal going to the QAM and the Performux. Is this the best way to do this? I would love to do a phone call with one of your product engineers to understand a little more.

Answer:
As we discussed, there are several ways to approach your installation and applications. Here are some key points to consider: 1. **RF Input Power:** The RF input power into the 32MW TX should be +15-+30 dbmv. 2. **Optical Level:** The optical level by the RX should be about +/-3 db. If this is too high, you can use optical attenuators like the 5 db SC/APC to SC/APC. F-AT-XX-SC/APC - https://thorbroadcast.com/product/fiber-optic-attenuators.html F-FOM - https://thorbroadcast.com/product/fiber-optic-power-meter-universal-connector-st-sc-fc.html 3. **Fiber Type:** This RF over fiber link supports single-mode fiber only. 4. **QAM to IP Gateway:** You can use a 16ch QAM to IP gateway for additional IP channels. It will convert all programs to UDP multicast. H-16QAM-IP - https://thorbroadcast.com/product/16-rf-tuners-to-iptv-1.html/117 This is a link to our IP STB for your reference, H-STB-IP https://thorbroadcast.com/product/compact-ip-decoder-set-top-box.html 5. **HDMI Encoder:** You can use your existing HDMI encoder for additional IP channels.

Question:
8/16 QAM to IP Gateway Discussion have several questions about my particual setup

Answer:

Customer:

We currently have several Thor modulators. We have around seven units total, including Hybrid-8 units, a Thunder-8, and some other HDMI/QAM/IP modulators. They are all feeding into our in-house coax RF system, where we distribute channels over QAM.

Do you have a product that can take our existing QAM RF channels and convert them to IP?

Adam: Yes, absolutely. The product you need is the H-16QAM-IP. It is a 16 RF tuner to IPTV gateway.

We also offer an 8-channel version, but for your application, the 16-channel model makes more sense because the price difference is not very large compared to the additional tuner capacity.

Customer: So this would take the QAM channels coming from our existing Thor modulators and convert them to IP?

Adam: Correct. The unit receives QAM RF channels from your coax system and converts each selected QAM channel into a UDP multicast IPTV stream.

Each unit has 16 RF tuners. Each tuner locks onto one physical QAM channel. Whatever program is on that QAM channel is then output as its own IP multicast stream.

Customer: We have several Thor units. Some are Hybrid-8 units, one is a Thunder-8, and we also have a few smaller modulators. I think we may have around 32 to 37 physical QAM channels total. How many QAM-to-IP units would we need?

Adam: If you have about 32 QAM channels that you want to convert to IP, you would need two H-16QAM-IP units. Each one handles 16 QAM channels, so two units give you 32 tuners total.

If you have closer to 37 or more channels, then you would need three units, which would give you up to 48 tuners.

Customer: Can I feed each modulator directly into the QAM-to-IP unit? For example, connect each Hybrid-8 output into one of the RF inputs?

Adam: That is not the best way to do it.

The correct method is to first combine all of your QAM modulator outputs, just like you already do for your coax distribution system. After the combiner, you will have one coax feed carrying your full QAM channel lineup.

You then feed that combined RF signal into the H-16QAM-IP units. Each tuner inside the unit is programmed to tune to one specific QAM channel from that combined RF feed.

Think of it like a TV tuner. The coax cable may carry many channels, but each tuner locks onto one channel at a time.

Customer: So the H-16QAM-IP does not replace my combiner?

Adam: Correct. The combiner stays in place.

Your modulators feed the combiner. The combiner creates one combined RF output with all of your QAM channels. From there, you can split the RF signal and feed the QAM-to-IP gateway units.

Customer: If one coax feed already carries all the QAM channels, why do I need to split it into multiple RF inputs on the unit?

Adam: The reason is RF signal level.

Each RF input on the H-16QAM-IP is connected to one tuner. The unit also has loop-through connections, so you can feed one RF input and loop the signal through to the next tuner input.

However, every loop-through connection has some RF loss. If you loop through too many inputs, the RF level may become too low by the time it reaches the last tuner.

For best performance, we recommend using an RF splitter after your combiner and feeding the unit in sections. For example, instead of looping through all 16 tuner inputs from one RF feed, you could use a splitter and feed every fourth input, then loop through only a few inputs at a time. This keeps the RF level more consistent across all tuners.

Customer: So for two H-16QAM-IP units, I would take the combined QAM RF output, split it locally, and feed both units?

Adam: Exactly.

For example:

Your Thor QAM modulators feed your existing RF combiner.
The combiner outputs one coax feed with all QAM channels.
That feed goes into an RF splitter.
The splitter outputs feed the RF inputs on the H-16QAM-IP units.
Each tuner is assigned to one QAM channel.
Each unit outputs IPTV multicast streams through its Ethernet port.

Customer: The Ethernet output is a normal RJ45 network port, correct?

Adam: Yes, correct. It is a standard RJ45 Ethernet port. You connect that port to your network switch.

Each QAM channel will be converted to a separate multicast IP stream. For example:

Channel 1 could output to 224.2.2.2
Channel 2 could output to 224.2.2.3
Channel 3 could output to 224.2.2.4

Each stream has its own multicast address and port.

Customer: Can the unit see more than 16 QAM channels on the input?

Adam: Yes. You can feed the unit an RF lineup with many QAM channels, even 50 or 100 channels. The unit will only convert the channels assigned to its tuners.

For example, one H-16QAM-IP can see the full RF lineup, but it can only tune and convert 16 selected channels at one time.

If you need 32 channels converted, you use two units. If you need 48 channels converted, you use three units.

Customer: How would users watch the IPTV streams?

Adam: There are a few options.

For basic testing or temporary use, you can use VLC Player on a computer. VLC can open UDP multicast streams directly.

For TV viewing, you can use IPTV set-top boxes. Each set-top box can be programmed with the multicast stream addresses and display the channels like a normal TV channel lineup.

If you want a more polished user experience, with channel guide, management, user interface, mobile apps, or browser-based viewing, then you may eventually need an IPTV middleware/server system. The H-16QAM-IP provides the multicast IPTV streams, but the user-facing channel management layer would be handled by a separate IPTV platform.

Customer: So the H-16QAM-IP creates the multicast streams, but it does not provide the full IPTV user interface?

Adam: Correct. The H-16QAM-IP converts QAM RF channels into IPTV multicast streams. For simple viewing, VLC or IPTV set-top boxes can be used. For a complete managed IPTV system, you would add IPTV middleware or a server platform.

Customer: What is the advantage of the 16-channel model compared to the 8-channel model?

Adam: The 16-channel version gives you twice the number of tuners. Since the price difference between the 8-channel and 16-channel version is not very large, the 16-channel version is usually a better value when you have many QAM channels to convert.

Customer: Okay, that makes sense. So for around 32 QAM channels, I would need two H-16QAM-IP units. I can feed both units from the same combined QAM RF feed, and then each unit outputs its own multicast IP streams to the network switch.

Adam: Exactly. That is the correct setup.

Your existing QAM plant stays the same. We simply take the combined RF output, feed it into the QAM-to-IP gateways, assign each tuner to a QAM channel, and output the channels as UDP multicast IP streams.

Simple Technical Summary

The customer has multiple Thor QAM modulators feeding an existing coax RF system. They want to convert the QAM RF channels into IPTV streams.

The correct product is:

H-16QAM-IP - 16 RF Tuners to IPTV Gateway Product page: https://thorbroadcast.com/product/16-rf-tuners-to-iptv-1.html/117

Recommended Setup

Existing Thor QAM modulators → RF combiner → combined coax RF feed carrying all QAM channels → RF splitter → H-16QAM-IP units → Ethernet switch → IPTV multicast streams → VLC, IPTV set-top boxes, or IPTV middleware/server

Sizing

1x H-16QAM-IP = up to 16 QAM channels to IPTV
2x H-16QAM-IP = up to 32 QAM channels to IPTV
3x H-16QAM-IP = up to 48 QAM channels to IPTV

Important Explanation

The customer does not need to feed each modulator individually into the gateway. The best method is to combine all QAM channels first, then feed the complete RF lineup into the QAM-to-IP gateway. Each tuner inside the gateway selects one QAM channel and converts it to its own UDP multicast stream