The Thor Broadcast H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC is a professional IPTV to RF modulator built for converting IP-based video sources into a digital television RF channel over coax. It is designed for hotels, schools, corporate buildings, sports venues, digital signage systems, houses of worship, government facilities, private cable systems, IPTV headends, and broadcast test environments.

The unit receives IP video over Ethernet and modulates the selected stream or transport stream onto one RF output carrier. The RF output standard can be configured as QAM/DVB-C, ATSC, DVB-T, or ISDB-T, making the unit flexible for North American cable TV systems, ATSC RF systems, DVB-T terrestrial systems, and ISDB-T regions.

One of the main advantages of the H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC is its flexible IP input design. For internet-style stream sources, the unit supports RTSP, RTMP, HTTP, HLS, and SRT, with up to 4 IP channel inputs. This is useful when working with streaming servers, IP cameras, software encoders, cloud-style video links, media appliances, or other streaming devices.

For Ethernet transport stream applications, the unit supports unicast and multicast UDP/RTP input. In this mode, there is no fixed limit such as 1, 2, or 4 programs. The number of programs that can be carried depends on the total bitrate of the transport stream and the maximum payload capacity of the selected RF modulation. For example, a typical 6 MHz QAM 256 channel can carry approximately 38 Mbps of usable payload. If each program is encoded at 6 Mbps, then approximately six programs can fit inside the same RF carrier.

The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC works as a gateway modulator. It receives the already encoded stream and places it onto RF. If the source stream is MPEG-2, H.264, or H.265/HEVC, the unit passes that encoded content through to the RF output. The modulator does not convert the codec, upscale video, downscale video, or change H.264 into H.265. Whatever compatible encoded transport stream is received is what will be carried through the RF output.

Because of this pass-through design, the unit can be considered 4K ready when used with the correct source and receiver. If the input is a properly encoded 4K H.265 transport stream, the bitrate fits within the modulation capacity, and the receiving 4K TV or set-top box supports the RF standard and codec, the system can deliver 4K programming over RF.

Key Features

• Single RF output carrier/channel
• Supports multiple programs inside one RF channel when bitrate allows
• Selectable RF output standards: QAM/DVB-C, ATSC, DVB-T, and ISDB-T
• Internet stream input support: RTSP, RTMP, HTTP, HLS, and SRT
• Up to 4 IP channel inputs for internet stream protocols
• Ethernet transport stream input support: unicast UDP/RTP and multicast UDP/RTP
• No fixed program limit for UDP/RTP transport stream input; program count depends on modulation bitrate capacity
• Supports SPTS and MPTS style transport stream workflows
• Gateway-style pass-through operation
• No required video re-encoding or codec conversion
• Supports MPEG-2, H.264, and H.265/HEVC workflows depending on source and receiver compatibility
• 4K ready when used with compatible 4K encoded source streams and compatible 4K receivers
• Web GUI control for stream setup, program selection, RF modulation settings, status, network settings, upgrade, reboot, and factory reset
• RF output frequency range from 50 MHz to 950 MHz
• RF output level up to 100 dBuV
• Typical MER 35 dB

IP Input Modes Explained

Single RF Channel Output with Multiple Program Capacity

The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC creates one RF output carrier. This is important to understand: the unit does not create four separate RF frequencies. It creates one RF channel, but that one RF channel can contain multiple programs when the input transport stream and bitrate allow it.

In digital RF systems, one RF channel can carry a multiplex of programs. The total number of programs depends on the bitrate of each encoded video stream and the maximum bitrate capacity of the selected RF standard and modulation settings.

For example, a typical 6 MHz QAM 256 RF channel can carry approximately 38 Mbps of usable payload. If each video program is encoded at approximately 6 Mbps, then six programs can fit inside one RF channel:

6 programs x 6 Mbps = 36 Mbps total bitrate

In this example, the receiving TVs or set-top boxes may display the services as virtual channels such as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6, depending on the transport stream tables, channel mapping, and receiver compatibility.

Gateway-Style Pass-Through Operation

The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC operates like an IP-to-RF gateway. It receives an already encoded IP stream or transport stream and maps it to the selected RF output modulation. The unit does not normally re-encode the video, so it does not change the source codec or compression format.

If the incoming stream is MPEG-2, the RF output carries MPEG-2. If the incoming stream is H.264, the RF output carries H.264. If the incoming stream is H.265/HEVC, the RF output carries H.265/HEVC. The final decoding is performed by the TV, set-top box, or RF receiver.

This makes the unit flexible for different system designs. Older systems may use MPEG-2 for maximum legacy TV compatibility. Newer systems may use H.264 for better compression. Advanced systems may use H.265/HEVC for lower bitrate HD or 4K applications.

4K Ready IP to RF Modulation

The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC is 4K ready when used with a compatible 4K encoded source stream and compatible receiving equipment. Since the unit passes the encoded stream through without converting the codec, a properly encoded 4K H.265/HEVC transport stream can be modulated to RF as long as the bitrate fits within the available RF channel capacity.

For example, a customer can provide a 4K H.265 stream from a compatible encoder or streaming source. The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC can place that stream onto the selected RF channel. A compatible 4K TV or set-top box that supports the selected RF standard and H.265/HEVC decoding can then decode and display the 4K program.

Typical Applications

• Convert IP video streams to QAM for coax TV distribution
• Convert UDP/RTP multicast transport streams into one RF channel
• Convert RTSP camera streams to RF for display on TVs
• Use SRT video contribution streams and output them as RF channels
• Add IPTV channels to a hotel coax distribution system
• Distribute a digital signage stream over existing coax cabling
• Create a private ATSC channel for a school, church, building, or venue
• Use one QAM channel to carry multiple programs when bitrate allows
• Test QAM, ATSC, DVB-T, or ISDB-T TVs and receivers from IP sources
• Bridge IPTV systems into legacy RF coax distribution networks

Application Example

A video source such as an IPTV encoder, media server, IP camera, SRT decoder/source, or multicast transport stream server sends video over the network. The H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC receives the stream through its Ethernet port, selects the desired input/program, and modulates it onto one RF output carrier. The RF output is then connected to a coax distribution system, RF combiner, amplifier, splitter, or MATV/CATV network.

Example signal flow:

IP Video Source / Encoder / IPTV Server / Camera to Network Switch to H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC to RF Coax Distribution to TVs or RF Set-Top Boxes

Bitrate Planning Example

Comparison: H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC vs H-IPRF-4QAM

The H-IPcast-Mini  "H-IPRF-QAM-ATSC " - IP to Coax QAM/ ATSC/ DVB-T/ ISDB-T  -Modulator

Suggested Related Products

• H-IPRF-4QAM - 4 Channel IP UDP/RTP to RF QAM/ATSC Modulator
• Thor RF Splitters and Combiners for CATV, QAM, and ATSC Distribution
• Thor CATV RF QAM ATSC Signal Level Meter

Technical Specifications